Today we bring to your attention a translation of an article by an Irish polyglot, the author of a unique method of learning foreign languages, Benny Lewis.

This post will answer the following questions:

• How to start speaking a foreign language today?
• How to impersonate a native speaker?
• How to learn several foreign languages ​​in 2 years and become a polyglot?

The article contains a lot of tips on using various resources and free applications that will help you improve your language skills in the shortest possible time. If you have been looking for effective methods for memorizing new vocabulary and improving your communication skills in a foreign language for a long time, then this post is for you. ;)

Most people believe that everyone who excels at learning foreign languages ​​has a genetic predisposition to it. However, the example of Benny Lewis proves that this belief is just one of hundreds of excuses we resort to to justify our failed attempts to be known as a polyglot.

As Benny recalls, a few years ago he was absolutely hopeless in everything related to languages: at the age of 20 he could only speak English, was the worst in the German class, and after 6 months living in Spain he could hardly muster up the courage, to ask in spanish where the bathroom is.

It was during this period that a certain moment of insight came in Lewis's life, which radically changed his approach to learning languages: he not only succeeded in mastering Spanish, but also received a certificate from the Cervantes Institute (Instituto Cervantes), confirming the level of language proficiency at C2 level - in perfection . Since then, Benny began to actively study other foreign languages, and at the moment he can easily communicate in more than 12.

As Benny Lewis himself says: “Since I became a polyglot - a person who speaks several languages ​​- my world has become much wider. I met interesting people and visited places that I could not even think of before. For example, my knowledge of Mandarin made me make new friends while traveling on the Chengdu-Shanghai train, I talked about politics with a desert dweller in Egyptian Arabic, and my knowledge of sign language gave me the opportunity to become familiar with the culture of the deaf.

I danced with the former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, and then talked about it in Irish live on the radio, interviewed Peruvian fabric manufacturers, talking with them in Quechua about the specifics of their work .... And in general, I had a wonderful 10 years traveling the world.

In this post you will find a lot of useful tips, the use of which will help you improve your foreign language skills in record time and, quite possibly, become a polyglot.

Lee Kuan Yew went down in history not only as the first minister of Singapore, but also as a person who built an almost ideal model of the country's economic structure. One of the rules of his life, which later became the key to national development, was: Everyone should learn English, and their native language should become a second one.

The importance of English today can hardly be overestimated. It became a kind of Esperanto with a national touch. An international utopia - a common language for all to help build the Tower of Babel - is very close to becoming a reality. He almost assumed the function of a universal means of communication.

Whether this is good or bad is hard to say for sure. As a rule, all the consequences are assessed after decades. Obviously, only one thing can be said - to become a real citizen of the world is possible only with knowledge of the English language.

For all the undeniable scope of its significance, everyone knows how hard it is to learn a new system of symbols. This requires years of hard work, hundreds of thousands of rubles and endless trips to the homeland of the carriers.

However, here lies the first mistake. In order to learn a language, you do not need a lot of money and effort. It is only important to choose the right technique and responsibly allocate your time.

Goal setting as a starting principle

Before proceeding to the presentation of methods for learning English, let's talk a little about goal setting.

To start conquering an unfamiliar grammar without a goal, if not impossible, then at least very difficult. If you have a goal, a reminder will constantly spin in your head why you spend your free hours watching a textbook, and not TV, responsibility in relation to classes will become higher. You won't have to force yourself to sit down at the table and start memorizing irregular verbs and markers of English tenses.

What could be the purpose? Perhaps you want to get information from a wider range of sources, or learn Wordsworth in the original. Or maybe you are interested in traveling and meeting people of a different mentality and culture. The goal may be different, but its presence is mandatory. Don't start shaping your study schedule before you fix it on your desktop - let the goal always be in front of your eyes.

Methods of learning English

So, after you have finally established yourself in the idea that mastering the vocabulary and grammar of a new system of verbal expression of thoughts is vital for you, the time comes to determine the methodology that will help you achieve results in the shortest possible time.

By and large, the entire set of methods at your disposal can be divided into two large groups:

1. Course offered by a teacher in a specialized school
2. Self-study in one of the many existing programs

At first glance, the easiest and most obvious way to learn a language is with a teacher at school. You do not have to reinvent the wheel, and the strict class schedule and the cost of the lessons will guarantee a responsible approach to learning. The teacher, in turn, will become your mentor - he will direct the educational flow and correct when you make a mistake. But this wonderful method has only one small drawback - the psychology of human behavior.

If you have always been a diligent student and ran to school for knowledge with a smile spreading from ear to ear, you most likely already know English well. Even if this is not the case, you will have enough composure and self-discipline in order to do without the professional help of a lady with a pointer, and master everything on your own. But if you represent a more typical case, like me, and like many other people, then any system of control eventually becomes disgusting and sooner or later turns into an obligation that has to be observed not by the guidance of one's own desire, but by compulsion (and It does not matter that the contract of coercion was concluded on a voluntary basis).

Studying at school requires good control of your own schedule - if you are used to staying late at work, it will be difficult to combine work with study. In addition, group lessons can be ineffective - you can go ahead of your comrades and get bored in the lessons while waiting for the rest to learn the material, or vice versa lag behind. Private lessons are expensive and take time.

What to do if classroom teaching is not suitable? Master the methods of self-study of English!

How to learn English without the help of professionals?

Of course, independent study is possible only if you have strict self-discipline. Only you control the process and are responsible for the result to yourself.

What are the main disadvantages of self-learning English?

As you noticed, we skipped the “dignity” item, because everything is clear here anyway. It is convenient, cheap, and in the end you will get the level of knowledge that you have gained. Everything is very clear and honest. It is more useful to pay attention to the shortcomings. If you keep them in mind, you may be able to avoid mistakes.

Cons of learning English on your own

• Lack of quality assurance of the chosen methodology. Are you sure that you have chosen the right technique, and that the exercises that you spend your time on do not lead to memorizing the wrong constructions?
• Improper scheduling of classes. It is ideal to practice daily, at least for 20-30 minutes. But if you constantly put off English until Wednesday and then Saturday, then on Sunday evening there is a high probability of many hours of dating with textbooks, dictionaries, training courses, etc. However, I hasten to disappoint you - such an experiment will bring nothing but a lost weekend evening and money spent. Only systematic, daily training will adapt you to the language and help you master it in the near future.
• Preference for only one method of study. A combination of reading, writing, and grammar exercises can help you develop your ability to express yourself. If you concentrate on grammar, but do not take the time to listen to speech, there will be little sense from the lessons - your English will remain one-sided.
• Lack of self-discipline. A more reliable method can be advised by those who have already tested the options on themselves, but only you can provide a responsible approach to learning. But! Having defeated your own demons, in a few months you will enjoy the freedom that only a universal language can give.

The kaleidoscope of methods can drive you crazy. But since our main task is not to write a large theoretical treatise, but to map out effective methods that will help you learn English with the highest quality and with minimal time, we will focus on a few of them.

Please note: the list below is not exhaustive, it contains only techniques that my friends or myself have tried.

Option 1: effective author's methods of learning English

Pimsleur Method

This course of studying foreign words is recognized in the world community as one of the best. The potential audience of students is modern business people who are always on the move. Classes are divided into 3 courses of 30 lessons lasting half an hour. All lessons are conducted by two speakers - Russian and English speaking. The task of the student is to listen carefully and do everything that the announcers say. Since the training combines listening and pronunciation, it will be easy for you to learn how to communicate with foreigners. Why is this method good? It helps to avoid mispronunciation errors, and it is relatively easy to remember the number of words and phrase combinations sufficient for meaningful communication. This is the only patented memory training method that promotes rapid memorization of information. For educational intervals of 20-30 minutes, the technique allows you to remember up to 100 words. Thus, by the end of the course, you should know between 2,000 and 3,000 words.

Ilya Frank method

Ilya Mikhailovich Frank is a Russian philologist, polyglot, author of a number of monographs on the study of foreign languages. The method of the same name for learning English is aimed at expanding vocabulary through reading fiction. This becomes possible due to the special arrangement of the original and translation. The text is divided into small fragments, each of which is followed by a literal Russian translation, if necessary, supplemented by a lexical and grammatical reference. After the paragraph, the same passage is given, but without translation. This method differs significantly from the common method of parallel translation with the placement of text variants in columns or in the second half of the book. Why is he better?

• Contains a lexical and grammatical commentary with examples of the use of the word in common phrases
• Transcriptions for compound words
• The reader does not have to look for a translation of the desired word for a long time

Of course, in order to read in English, you need to have at least basic knowledge of the language. But, in general, the method is unobtrusive, interesting and especially good for book lovers.

Method of Alexander Dragunkin

The number of method apologists is almost comparable to the number of critics. Own logic of understanding grammar, funny lessons - all this is provided by Mr. Dragunkin. He became famous for suggesting the use of Russified transcription to memorize English words. His reasons are extremely simple - there are so many accents and pronunciations that your English does not have to be similar to typical. Of the advantages: the most understandable statement of the rules, ease of memorization. Disadvantages: Efficiency is difficult to evaluate, and the role of standard pronunciation cannot be underestimated. You must understand others, and they must understand you. Otherwise, why do you need this particular language?

Method of Dmitry Petrov

Polyglot from the blue screen Dmitry Petrov proved the effectiveness of his method on the example of famous figures of Russian culture. Thousands of people, along with writers, actors, directors, were able to try out his technique for themselves online - often quite successfully. What is the point? The basic algorithms of the language are brought to automatism, which allow combining phrases sufficient for understanding and communication from a small number of words. The course consists of 16 hours of video lessons, the materials of which are presented very clearly. Additionally, text files of lessons are available.

Option 2: Video with subtitles

Movies, series, TV shows with a number of English and Russian subtitles. Finding adapted records is not difficult. Combining business with pleasure, over time you will get used to the sound of foreign speech and begin to divide the recitative into separate phrases. If you focus not only on Russian, but also English subtitles, in addition to sound, you will fix the rules of written speech.

For me, the most useful resource in this category has been the non-profit TED TALKS project. This is a series of short speeches by people who talk about their experiences, which are important and useful for the world. Watching recordings is interesting without the goal of learning a language, but when you can come up with an additional goal, it's doubly good. You can find the video both on the Internet on the project website, and in the App Store and Google Play stores. You can customize subtitles - Russian or English - and the playback speed for yourself.

English Club channel

Satellite TV offers not only entertaining, but also useful educational content. This channel broadcasts in English, offers lessons for both beginners and advanced users. There are many educational programs, films with English subtitles, explanations of vocabulary and grammar features, interpretation of idioms. A systematic appeal to the channel will be useful for a student of any age and range of interests. Do not be too lazy to pay for a subscription - you will not have to regret.

Option 3: specialized sites

I will talk about two resources - busuu and duolingo - but I hasten to repeat: I am not trying to name the best method for learning English, but only introducing you to the practice - mine and friends.

Duolingo

Having learned about this system after the need for training courses had disappeared, I can judge the effectiveness of the system only by the feedback of its graduates. If you evaluate only this indicator, the technique is definitely worth a try.

The Duolingo project was launched in the USA. It is built on the technique of gamification - the path from the beginning to the end of training is fixed on the game tree of skills. The methodology pays great attention to written lessons, dictations. If you complete the task with dignity, you get points. Failure to do so results in the loss of a life and a return to the beginning of the lesson.

An international social network that brings people together for the purpose of learning a language. Here you can communicate with native speakers, learn grammar, memorize words. The site's educational materials are diverse, however, in order to have access to full-fledged content, you need to pay a subscription. However, it's worth it. You can study both on a computer and using applications for smartphones.

Chats

Communication helps not only to memorize words and constructions, but also to think in the language. Starting with a slow correspondence with the help of an interpreter, if you have interesting interlocutors, in 2-3 months you will quickly chat with them on Skype. There are many international chats aimed at language training. At one time, SharedTalk was the most popular resource in this area, but after the closure, other resources took its place. Personally, I like InterPals Penpals. This is a full-fledged social network where you can make friends, post photos, statuses and more. A nice addition is the filter setting function. You will not be able to write people from countries that you do not like for some reason.

One-Stop Entouch Approach

I have already said that the lack of an independent method of learning English is the lack of control. The downside of group learning is excessive attachment to the office. I did not even dream of a way of learning a language that eliminates the negative sides of both methods. However, he is. Entouch technology - distance learning, which is easy to plan personally for your schedule.

You can choose from group training or individual training. Since you study at home, you do not need to waste time on the road, and a cup of your favorite homemade coffee will be a pleasant addition to the atmosphere of independence from the study room. You can study on vacation, on a business trip, at work, at home. And even if you miss lessons, you can watch their recordings at a convenient time. Such a system will not let you fall behind the group and will allow you to study anywhere. Here it is - the comfort of modern technology.

Everyone chooses their own method of learning English. But I recommend that you use a combination of them. The more time you spend with original speech and books, the faster you will master the principles of the language. A teacher is not required, but preferred. If you know that it will be difficult on your own or you do not understand the rules of reading and pronunciation well, it is better to pay for at least a few classes with a professional.

English is a ticket to your future, no matter how pathetic it may sound. In order not to leave the race ahead of time, be sure to purchase it!

Learning a foreign language is a complex and multi-stage process. Anyone who promises brilliant results in a week or two is actually disingenuous. During this time, you can slightly tighten the language or replenish your vocabulary, but you can’t learn the language from scratch. There are many techniques that help improve your level of foreign language proficiency. Among them are those who have proven themselves from the best side. Today they are used to teach the language in educational institutions and specialized courses.

Levels of foreign language proficiency

Learning a foreign language includes several stages. Each of them is aimed at improving a particular skill. Language proficiency levels are assessed as follows:

Elementary possession

Survival level. This is the very knowledge of the language with a dictionary. Minimum skills that make it possible to more or less understand a foreigner and communicate with him.

Self-sufficient language proficiency

Communication on most everyday topics, the opportunity to freely express your opinion on a particular issue, talk about your impressions, thoughts, plans for the future. Literate writing, easy perception of the speech of native speakers.

Fluency in the language

The level of professional knowledge of the language, knowledge of it to perfection. Understanding complex texts of different styles, the ability to speak on any topic, fast and technically correct speech. Perfect knowledge of grammar, large vocabulary.

The method of learning a foreign language is selected depending on what level of proficiency the student is at the moment and what he wants to achieve after the end of the course.

Popular methods of learning a foreign language

You can study in different ways: in special courses, at home with a dictionary, and even remotely, for example, as in the online school "English-Natali". Learning a foreign language necessarily includes four components:

• reading - reading;
• grammar - grammar;
• speaking - communication;
• writing - letter.

Each method of learning a foreign language is aimed at solving a specific problem - improving reading, communication or writing skills. Such a binding makes it possible to determine what kind of result you want to achieve, and choose the most optimal training option.

Grammar-translation method

This method originated in the 18th century. Today it is often used for self-study of a foreign language. Its essence is as follows: the sequence of studying grammatical constructions is chosen, and texts for translation are selected accordingly. Students use dictionaries to find the meaning of each unknown word and memorize new material. Translation is carried out first from a foreign language into your native language, then in the opposite direction.

The traditional method has its pros and cons. Grammar is studied at a really high level, students with well-developed logical thinking master the material especially well. In the future, they easily substitute any words for familiar constructions. However, many cannot improve their conversational level because of this method, a language barrier arises. For beginners, such training helps to develop vocabulary and learn basic grammatical structures.

Audio linguistic method

The principle of the audiolinguistic method is work on speech. Many linguists believe that it is impossible to learn a foreign language without using the speech apparatus, one must speak constantly, even when doing written tasks (the so-called proofreading of the written text). The teacher pronounces each new word, the students repeat everything after him aloud several times.

An integral attribute of learning a foreign language is listening to audio recordings. Pupils develop the perception of the speech of native speakers, try to highlight the main thing. After that, they are asked to do a series of writing tasks, such as reconstructing some sentences from what they heard, remembering data, or expressing their opinion on a given topic. Helps to improve foreign language watching movies in original language. In this way, the vocabulary is replenished, you can improve pronunciation, learn to hear speech of different tempos, distinguish emotions and the hidden meaning of what was said.

Language immersion method

The best way to learn a language is to communicate with native speakers. If it is not possible to move to a foreign-speaking country for a while, you will have to create a piece of it in your homeland. How does the language immersion method work? Most often it is used to teach children from an early age. They create a bilingual, that is, a bilingual environment. At first, subjects are presented only in a foreign language, teachers also speak a foreign language.

The method of immersion in the language environment creates extreme conditions, but, nevertheless, makes one become more active and adapt to new circumstances. Language courses often use similar tactics. Teachers offer to choose a foreign name, create a different biography, imagine yourself in a foreign country. Such imaginative games help to better adapt to the situation. Students develop, first of all, communication skills, replenish their vocabulary.

Communicative method

The most common in modern schools and universities. It is aimed at the complex development of all skills - the ability to read, write and communicate, but communication is most of all paid attention. The constant interaction of the teacher with the students helps to learn the material much better. In the process of interesting activities, natural learning occurs. Students build dialogues, with written preparation or spontaneously, create small monologues, invent stories on given topics.

Working in pairs helps to quickly navigate depending on the situation. It is necessary to answer the interlocutor's questions, invent your own on the go. Often it is proposed to play a scene in roles. The method of conducting discussions is actively used, in which the entire audience of students takes part. The illusion of being in a natural language environment is created. The teacher acts more as a mentor and adviser, who accurately points out mistakes and their causes.

The communicative method is effective due to its spontaneity and purposefulness. The student never knows how his interlocutor will answer this or that question. The perception of speech improves, the vocabulary is actively used. The student tries to replace certain words with synonyms, to express his thoughts more clearly. Brainstorming is often used as a learning method. Given a problem, the output should be its solution. Discussion is most often conducted in small groups ("buzz groups"). Everyone can express their opinion.

All the above methods of learning a foreign language are aimed at solving specific problems. Some of them increase the level of literacy, others develop communication skills with native speakers. For home learning, the most effective method is the lexico-grammatical one, the so-called learning with a dictionary. Listening to audio materials helps to improve pronunciation and speech perception. Communication skills can only be improved through the use of a communicative way of teaching.

Along with this, do not forget about the letter. In the process of learning a foreign language, it is necessary to pay attention to this point. Short essays on a given topic, reviews, publicistic articles, business documentation and correspondence - in parallel with classes to improve knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, as experienced teachers and course developers advise, it is worth taking on such tasks.

There are three approaches to language learning, and all methods can be divided into:

Structural (they consider the language as a system of structurally connected grammar elements):

• The Grammar Translation Method is a good old method, familiar to us from the time of the Soviet school, focused on teaching translation and reading. In this case, texts are usually compiled to work out certain grammatical rules, and then work with these texts. It is based on the memorization of words, spelling and grammar and practice through the written translation of grammatically rich texts. Currently used to study extinct languages.
• Audio-linguistic method (Audio-lingual method) - consists in listening and repeating records by the student, which are repeated many times by the teacher. - Proprioceptive method (Proprioceptive method) - focuses on the simultaneity of using various brain functions (cognitive, motor, neurological, auditory). Proponents of the method argue that when learning, the student must use his speech apparatus constantly, performing any, even written tasks.

Functional (where the language is a means of expressing or implementing a specific function):

• Situational language teaching (Oral Approach) - based on the structure of the language and on the principles of behaviorism. The student learns through repetition the most common words and constructions of the language and uses them in practice. Main ideas: oral speech dominates written , mistakes should be avoided from the very beginning, the use of analogies, words only make sense in context.
• Directed practice - in this approach, the student repeats phrases before they are mechanically memorized. At the same time, his vocabulary and flexibility of using the language suffer, but automatism is achieved in the use of basic language constructs.

Interactive (where language is a means of creating and maintaining social relationships):

• Direct method (The direct method) - Assumes teaching in the target language from the very beginning. The use of native language is not allowed. The idea is to “naturally” learn the material, like a child learning their first language.
• The series method is a subspecies of the direct method. Educational texts here are temporary sequences, sequences of actions are often used (“I enter the bathroom, turn on the tap, brush my teeth ...”, etc. The method involves a large number of repetitions of the studied material, spaced in time for better assimilation.
• Communicative language teaching - involves the use of the language being studied both in tasks and for communication with the teacher / within the group. Includes a large number of interactive exercises - role-playing games, surveys, work in pairs, etc.
• Immersion in language (Language immersion) - the method is used in elementary school, provoking bilingualism in children by teaching subjects of the school curriculum in a non-native language. At the same time, even reading in the native language is given later than reading in the studied one.
• Silent Way - The teacher here listens more than he talks. When teaching pronunciation at lower levels, the teacher uses various color tables, on which each color or symbol represents a specific sound. This is how new words are learned.
• Suggestopedia - the method uses elements of light hypnosis. Classes consist of several cycles, during some of which material is given, and during others it is consolidated through various exercises, both active and passive, often in a playful way. Some scientists consider the method pseudoscientific.
• Natural Approach - The emphasis is on the student not being able to learn everything. Each next portion of the material must necessarily be based on what has already been covered and at the same time be easily digestible.
• Method of physical response (Total Physical Response) - Implies that students first passively perceive the material without using it. In the next step, they must physically respond to certain words, such as action verbs. And only after passing the first two stages, students begin to practice the language themselves.
• Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling is an offshoot of the Physical Response Method. It consists in telling the teacher short stories rich in new words and a further series of questions to students, requiring simple but emotionally colored answers from them.
• Dogme language teaching method - The method refuses to use textbooks. Instead, the focus is on teacher-student communication. The materials used by the student must be written by him.

• (Pimsleur method) - based on a sequence of audio recordings that introduce basic colloquial vocabulary and require students to actively repeat the material. Uses the achievements of neurophysiology when choosing the repetition period of the material.
• The Michel Thomas Method is a series of audio recordings of classroom sessions where a teacher teaches two students basic grammar rules, vocabulary, and assignments. The listener is involved in the process, while creating the feeling of working in a group.

• Learning by teaching (LdL) - the teacher here is more of a facilitator than a mentor. Students teach each other, mastering the material on their own. Can be considered as part of communicative learning.

This article is the author's first study on this topic, and is based almost entirely on an article from the English-language Wikipedia. In the future, the article will be changed and supplemented. There are also plans to write articles on each of the methods of teaching a foreign language.

Anyone can learn a foreign language, regardless of age, social status and level of training. The main thing is to find "your" way of learning, which will make the learning process as comfortable and easy as possible for you. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most popular ways and methods of mastering foreign speech today, which modern pedagogy offers.

Knowledge foreign language in modern society, it is one of the basic components of a successful career, as well as a reliable path to self-development and freedom of travel. And the myth that learning a foreign language is possible only at a young age is no longer relevant. Practice has shown that anyone can learn a foreign language, regardless of age, social status and level of training.

The main thing is to find "your" way of learning, which will make the learning process as comfortable and easy as possible for you. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most popular ways and methods of mastering foreign speech today, which modern pedagogy offers.

Study methods: looking for "our" way

Grammar-translation method

When developing this course foreign language teaching, the basic components of the study of grammar and the active study of foreign words were taken as a basis. After selecting certain grammatical schemes, the teacher selects texts for them, from which individual sentences are selected and analyzed. The process takes place in the context of translation with a dictionary. First, sentences are translated into a foreign language, and then into their native language. The texts prepared by the teacher are often meaningless, but their main purpose is to show the grammatical structure of the language.

The advantage of the grammar-translation method is that it really allows you to master grammar at a high level. The technique is ideal for people who are distinguished by well-developed logical thinking. But it should be borne in mind that this method forms some dependence on the mechanical construction of sentences according to memorized principles. As a result, there may be problems with fluent spoken language.

Silent way

Mastering a foreign language built on the study of phonetics. The teacher speaks very little, especially during the presentation of the first sections. The student pronounces sound combinations and phrases himself, focusing on the tables and pictures that the teacher shows. For example, to pronounce the sound combination tab, they show a picture where the letter “t” is written, then “a”, “b”. The student, pronouncing sounds independently, better assimilates the material and understands the principles of constructing phrases and sentences.

Among the advantages of this technique, freedom and ease of study, as well as its high efficiency, are noted. But in order for the method to work, you need diligence, a desire to work, and necessarily a systematic study.

Physical response method

The essence of the method is that for a qualitative language learning a certain level of knowledge is required, which at first may not be useful, but will form the basis for quick and easy learning. In the first lessons, students practically do not speak, only listen and read. Then comes the cycle of "physical response" classes. That is, students must understand, analyze the words, sentences and carry out the actions in question. And only the next stage of classes is aimed at developing speaking and grammar.

The main advantage of the physical response method is that it allows you to “pass” information through yourself and, as a result, put together a complete picture of structure of a foreign language. It should be understood that if any block of classes is skipped or underdeveloped, the technique will lose a certain percentage of effectiveness.

Immersion method

The principle of the method involves the creation of a special atmosphere in the classroom - a completely new and specific one. Students come up with new biographies, non-standard life situations and travel routes in the country whose language is being studied. Thus, the venue of the classes is figuratively changed (classes are, as it were, transferred far beyond the classroom), which makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of classes many times over. The language is learned easily and in the atmosphere of "live" foreign speech.

Audio linguistic method

audiolinguistic foreign language learning method often used as a base for additional classes, especially when studying phonetics. The student repeats the sound combinations and text said by the teacher or recorded on the carrier. The method will help to form a clear pronunciation and learn how to build sentences correctly.

What method of learning a foreign language to choose?

In addition to the methods described above, there are many more different methods and ways of learning a foreign language: Callan, AJ Hoge, etc. However, only a teacher with extensive experience and a combination of several methods can achieve their maximum effectiveness.

So what is the best method? There is no unequivocal answer and cannot be, since each teacher has his own opinion on this matter. And he will build lesson plans according to the principles in the effectiveness of which he is sure. But modern linguistics believes that the most effective method of learning a foreign language can be called the communicative method, which combines elements of several methods, methods and techniques for mastering someone else's speech. Only by searching and combining the best methods and methods for the chosen training scheme can success be achieved.

Note that you can learn a foreign language without a teacher (or only by resorting to his advice). Of course, self-study of a foreign language will require more effort and time from you. But for people who are used to achieving everything themselves, the upcoming difficulties cannot become an obstacle.

Among the most popular ways independent study of a foreign language its useful to note:

• independent work with textbooks and audio recordings, accompanied by consultations with the teacher;
• frequent and prolonged communication with a person from a foreign environment;
• mastering the language according to special programs recorded on a disk (for example, Rosetta Stone, Power English Lessons);
• visiting language courses.

Remember, learning a foreign language is a complex and time-consuming process. But it is possible to achieve the goal in any case! The effectiveness of classes depends on the correctness of the chosen method or method of study. Therefore, before starting training, be sure to analyze the principle of operation of each method and choose one - your own and the most effective.