SELF-STUDY LANGUAGE LEARNING

There are various courses designed for self-study learning. If you want to read and write in a new language without speaking it, a good coursebook, a dictionary or a phrasebook is all you need. A coursebook with accompanying language tapes is probably the most popular self-study learning approach. The coursebook typically contains dialogues, exercises, vocabulary and the language tapes include recordings of what is written in the coursebook. An all-audio course consists purely of language tapes or CDs. Some language courses are also available on CD-ROMs and DVDs. They provide online and/or telephone support. Once you are familiar with the basics of a language, an effective method to improve reading comprehension and increase vocabulary is to subscribe to an audio magazine. Another good self-study programme is to find a language exchange partner. This involves a learner who speaks your second language (L2) and wants to learn your first language (L1). Language exchange works best when both partners are in the intermediate levels of their second language.

ALL-AUDIO LANGUAGE LEARNING TOOL

Language is fundamentally a spoken form of communication. With an all-audio learning tool, you can take your time practicing pronunciation and correct accent vis-�-vis the native speakers you hear on the language tapes. You will also be encouraged to engage the native speakers on the language tapes in conversations thereby advancing your ability to hear and understand the language. Furthermore, you can take language tapes wherever you go provided you have a cassette player. It is truly convenient. However, compared to books, an all-audio learning method will have less vocabulary. There is no sufficient time in an audio format as there is space in a written format.

An all-audio language learning tool is a good way to start learning a language but supplemental materials will make the learning process complete. The all-audio Pimsleur language learning course is touted as the best in the market.

BOOK AND AUDIO LANGUAGE LEARNING TOOL

Of all the various kinds of language learning tool, the book and audio combination is the most prevalent and versatile. It basically combines the well-organised lessons of a coursebook with the ever important audio component. The book and audio combination is very flexible. That means you can use the book when you have free time or use the language tapes while driving, walking, etc. Having the written and audio component will mean that you will not be deficient in most of the language learning process.

Unfortunately, a book and audio combination only have bits and pieces of everything. You will get a basic of grammar, vocabulary, some exercises, some dialogues, some pronunciations but not a lot of each of these aspects. Unless it is comprehensive which can be very expensive, you will still need supplemental tools. But overall, a combination of text and audio is the best kind of language learning method: scuola inglesi dublino.