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Fancy learning a language in the lockdown? Coming up: a thread on how to avoid common pitfalls and terrible advice and some top tips and links to useful online resources. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18359158.coronavirus-top-tips-learn-language-lockdown/
Tip 1: pick the right language for you. Don’t be browbeaten by passionate lovers of one language, or internet bores who tell you that you MUST learn Chinese rather than Gaelic or Icelandic. Go for whatever makes a language relevant for you, some you click with, that you will use.
Tip 1 (cont) How do you know what works for you? Well, it could be that you have a boyfriend from Iceland or go hiking up volcanos every summer. So choose Icelandic. Or you might do business in Shanghai or Munich. Or love Italian opera. Then your choice is easy.
Tip 1 (cont) If you can’t decide, try a few languages out. Watch movies, listen to music Etc. Make take a couple of sampler lessons. But this is a personal decision: don’t let folk bully you. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18359158.coronavirus-top-tips-learn-language-lockdown/
Tip 2. Hire a teacher - or go to classes. You can’t teach yourself. And if you try, you’ll screw up. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18359158.coronavirus-top-tips-learn-language-lockdown/
Tip 2 (cont) You can do this online. Try Italki https://www.italki.com
Tip 2 (cont) The bad news is that hiring a teacher can be expensive and this excludes many of us. Group lessons are available, using zoom or Skype. Shop around reputable language schools. Some coming up; I’ll retweet legit recommendations.
Tip 2 (cont) Some schools doing online lessons. Italian https://www.scuolaleonardo.com/italian-language-courses-online.html#informazionicorsionline
Spanish. https://www.tandemmadrid.com
French. https://www.afglasgow.org.uk
More Spanish. https://lorcaspanish.com
Tip 3. Immerse yourself in your chosen language. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18359158.coronavirus-top-tips-learn-language-lockdown/
Tip 3. Lots of old tricks here. But radio is your best friend. Try https://tunein.com and browse. Switch your games consoles to your new language. And remember your Netflix has language settings.
Tip 3. Immersion isn’t just passive. You need to keep talking. Usually this is done with conversation groups. The good news? They are online too. Check out Scottish firm Yakety Yak: http://www.yaketyyak-languagecafe.co.uk/home
Tip 4. Don’t rely on games and apps but don’t ignore the either. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18359158.coronavirus-top-tips-learn-language-lockdown/
