The ladder vs. spiral model for language learning

The ladder vs. spiral model for language learning

How we conceptualize our language learning deeply affects our attitudes and success in language learning. Many of us have – whether we are aware of it or not – adopted a ladder or “video games” model of acquiring a new language. This language learning process is divided into numerous levels. To move to the next level, you need to successfully graduate from the level before. In mathematics at school, it doesn't make sense to move forward before a student has grasped the basic tenets of arithmetic.

But, is this a valid approach to learning a language? At first glance, much in the language teaching industry seems to reinforce such a model. Language proficiency, courses and standardized tests follow bureaucratically-imposed levels (like the ABC levels in Europe).

 

Whether intended or not, this often provokes unproductive attitudes and habits among students. Some curb their natural curiosity of playfully exploring the “territory” of a language: “I am still at A 1.2 level. This future tense stuff is not for me, yet.” Here, we have a handy pretext for procrastination, rationalized by the perceived opinions of language experts.

Others become afraid that exposing themselves to more “advanced” grammar will somehow sabotage their efforts in understanding the “basic” stuff. Thus, they can even become hostile to a teacher who is trying to familiarize the students with other grammar topics, not included in the official textbook.

The problem with language learning is that it differs fundamentally from mathematics or computer games where 100% understanding and performance is doable. What would solving a “language level” at 100% mean: knowing all irregular verbs first, before moving on to pronouns; or knowing the right gender of all German/Swedish/Arabic nouns first, before learning the declension of adjectives?

The result of this is, that many language learners spend years in cycles of starting at level 1, then interrupting the process due to lack of time, and then restarting – maybe with a new textbook or teacher. Again and again.

A better approach would be to conceptualize language learning as an upward spiral. At first, you superficially explore the whole territory of a new language: how many cases, tenses, word order rules, etc. does it have? What will the greatest obstacles be – according to advanced learners? And then moving slightly upward, periodically reviewing the various grammar topics and improving upon them in small increments.

This is more in tune with how we learned our native language. To use a metaphor, consider how you would plant a garden for a new house. You wouldn’t wait until the first oak tree had grown before planting bushes and flowers, or the other way around, would you?! Most probably, you would disperse the largest variety of seeds possible, and water and care for them during the next years. As with some trees, some grammar topics are inherently long-distance efforts. You wouldn’t get angry at an oak tree for not growing faster, would you? However, you would water it nonetheless from day 1.

Gerhard Ohrband

Check out our book “The GO Method” on Amazon.

Practice, practice, practice

The Internet seems inundated with top tips for every possible subject. As foreign-language teachers, we are constantly asked by students for tips on language acquisition. So, without further ado, let’s begin with some tips that we offer our students. This is by no means comprehensive.

Tip number one – Practice, practice, practice.

No endeavor, whether music, sports, acting, university, etc. is possible without a great deal of work. It’s no different for languages; the most important thing to do when learning a new language is to practice it. Whether you are Moldovan learning English, or American learning Spanish, or Japanese learning German, if you don’t practice using the grammar and vocabulary of your target language, you WILL NEVER learn that language. In the US we have an idiomatic proverb: “Use it or lose it.”

This applies to every aspect of life, but in my experience it is especially true of a new language. How many classes have you sat in, dedicated to learning that language – perhaps spurred on by the promise of a course to learn the new tongue in a matter of weeks – only to find a mere 3 months following the course, you can barely say ‘hello’ or ‘see you later’ in that language?

But, you say, I don’t live in a country where that language is spoken readily. How do we practice when there is no one to practice with? To that I respond with another idiomatic saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way.”

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      Don’t be shy to approach strangers who look like they may speak your desired language. Ask them in the target language if they speak it:  “Do you speak English?” “¿Hablas español?” “Parlez-vous français?” etc.

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         Write your local embassy. Ask about teachers, classes, or simply embassy staff willing to work/practice with you.

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          Visit a number of sites online that promote discussions in foreign languages. Simply type “Language learning sites or apps that allow foreign language discussion.” on your favorite search engine, and take some time to explore the options. Many of these sites are free if you are willing to offer suggestions or tips for others who are learning your native language.

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           Swap lessons. Find someone where you live via classified ads or Craigslist who will teach you in their language, and take the time to help them in your native tongue. This has the added benefit of meeting really wonderful people.

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          In many countries, foreign cuisine is all the rage. Visit a restaurant serving food from a country where your target language is spoken. Get to know your server. Find out if someone in the restaurant moonlights as a conversationalist.

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      Don’t make this difficult or awkward. Find a topic of interest in a publication in the target language, and ask to discuss it with someone who speaks the language.

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          The greatest gift a true teacher can receive is an active learner. Never assume that a foreign-language teacher is willing to impart knowledge for free. That said, however, approaching a known teacher with intelligent and thoughtful questions can be a terrific way to find a mentor or an advocate for your learning. They often know others who might be willing to work with you for free.

Several years ago, I was introduced to an amazing young man who could only say ‘hello’ in English. His teacher told me that I had to help him because he didn’t have the money for tutoring, and he had to catch up with his class.

Alex was different from other students, only in that he was completely driven to learn this strange new language. He worked every day, going home after lessons and spending several hours learning vocabulary and practicing what had been taught that day. What set Alex apart was that he was completely unabashed to ask constant questions. Every day, for an entire school year, Alex Skyped, e-mailed, SMSed, or phoned me after hours. He was always polite and to the point. He would ask about grammatical structures, correct pronunciation, idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs, etc. I began to think he didn’t have a personal life. However, after one school year, not only did he catch up with his classmates, he was the best English speaker in his class.

But his interest in languages didn’t end there. After English, he went on to better his French, improve his Spanish, and begged me for information about how he could learn German.  Last year he approached me as to where he might be able to find someone who would speak to him in Chinese. I suggested the Chinese embassy in Moldova, and they were thrilled to have someone interested. In less than eight months of study, Alex won second place in a Mandarin-language contest, and went to China free.

Lest you think that Alex is a wunderkind or language prodigy, he would be the first to tell you that he achieved this success only through perseverance and an enormous amount of work. He studies intensively 5 hours a day with his current 7 new languages.  He set goals and a concrete schedule of daily schedule.

Check out the “Go Method” (now available on Amazon) for setting concrete, manageable language-learning goals.

Keep learning –

Tim