The Linguist - language learning should be fun

Seven reasons why I would not use Rosetta Stone.

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Let me begin my saying that I have never used Rosetta Stone. My son, Mark, played professional hockey in Japan for a few years. His team gave him Rosetta Stone to learn Japanese. He tried it and found that it was boring and did not get him very far.

I decided to do some research on the net. Most reviews that I found seemed to have been done by people connected with Rosetta Stone. I am not surprised. Rosetta Stone are excellent marketers for which I salute them. They are not only promoting their product, they are promoting an awareness that people can learn languages on their own.

The best summary of the Rosetta Stone method I found was the following.

The most important component of the Rosetta Stone software-based method is what I call "a four squares screen". The user is presented with a page that shows four pictures of various objects or entities. A prerecorded phrase or word is played back and the user must click on the square that contains a visual answer to the question or best illustrates the concept. If the user answers correctly a little "ding" is heard, a check-mark appears on the screen and the program advances. That's all folks!

So, why does the Rosetta Stone method work? At the very center of the Rosetta Stone approach is the idea of constant encouragement. Every step of the way the user receives positive feedback from the program. Rosetta Stone takes you through a rapid succession of multiple choice questions. Given that there are only four options per question it is not difficult to answer every question even if you don't get it right away. This process turns into a series of gratifying experiences.

This was contrasted with the usual language learning experience where the reviewer felt that we do not know how we are doing.

As a result we have uncertainty, perception of poor performance and general lack of success. A user is much more likely to quit such a course, and it should be known that not quitting is probably the single most important requirement when learning a foreign language

My reaction to the reviews that I read was that I do not think I would want to use Rosetta Stone. Here are seven reasons.

1)  I do not like answering multiple choice questions at the computer. It is not communicating. I might do it once or twice but would not continue. I would not do it daily. I need to connect with a language I am learning daily, in order to learn.

2) Most of my learning activity takes place during dead time. I mostly listen while running, driving, doing the dishes, waiting line etc.. I also read while waiting or as a relaxing activity.  If I had to sit at the computer in order to learn I would not do a lot of studying. I just do not have the dedicated time.

3) I do not believe that I can permanently learn words, whether using pictures or other techniques. I know I am going to forget them. In a way I am not interested in learning the word for "red" or "house". I know that I have to be exposed to so much language content, in audio and text, that gradually it all starts to have meaning. I am not conscious of learning and forgetting specific words, but I know I am doing it. I know I have learned words because I can understand more and more. I know I am forgetting because I am constantly unable to remember the most elementary words.

4) I find it difficult to learn words and phrases that are divorced from a larger story or context. Isolated words and phrases do not connect with my brain. I remember words and expressions as part of larger stories that I remember. I often remember when and where I was listening to many of these stories.

5) When I start learning a language, the gratification that I experience comes from the fact that  I start to be able to tell when words begin and end, and then soon after start to make sense of short episodes that used to be just noise for me. That is all the feedback that I need. I do not find the uncertainty a problem. It is the feeling of the "fog lifting", the uncertainty turning into more and more clarity, that is so satisfying in the study of another language.

6) I learn languages with the goal of being able to communicate, to understand what is said, and to be able to express myself. That is a long road. I have the impression that Rosettta Stone only takes you a very short way. I do not see it as a useful or necessary step.

7) I feel that a lot of listening to interesting content is a better start than doing multiple choice questions. I am in a hurry to engage with the language, real language situations, and to let my brain get used to it.

What has been the experience of others? I know that I am not impartial, but I have tried to be honest. I do recommend the "Teach Yourself" series and the "Colloquial" series. I would not recommend Rosetta Stone.

A brief description of LingQ

I was just playing around with trying to explain LingQ, what it represents. Here is some doodling. I would appreciate any comments.

For most of human history, people have learned each other's languages without going to school, as people from one small tribe interacted with people from another small tribe.

To learn languages people mostly listened to each other and imitated each other. This went on for over one hundred thousand years.

Our brains kind of got used to hearing words and phrases, noticing certain patterns, and figuring out what it all meant. That is how we learned languages.

Things started to change with the invention of writing.

Writing made it possible to record what was said. That way some people could learn languages by reading, as well as by listening. But that was quite recent, maybe in the 11th hour of our existence as humans.

The invention of printing was even more recent, and it helped spread the written word. But for most people around the world, things did not change. Most people could not read until the previous century.

Our brains remained basically programmed to learn languages by listening, noticing and imitating, and that has not changed.

Somewhere along the line governments decided that everyone should go to school and read text books. Soon people thought that learning only took place in classrooms.

Gradually our view of language learning changed. School teachers, text book publishers, and linguistics theorists took over.

We stopped listening to the languages we wanted to learn. We started listening to teachers and other learners in the classroom  We started doing a lot of tests and exercizes. To a large extent we stopped learning other languages.

But our brains did not change. We still basically need to listen to a language, read it, notice it, and imitate it, in order to learn it.

Fortunately things are changing again, and fast. We are headed back to our roots, but on a global scale. We are once again going to be able to learn languages the way the brain is used to learning, by interacting with other languages, listening, reading and noticing.

The iPod, the Internet, social networking, mobile computing, and perhaps other developments we are as yet unaware of, are removing the barriers of distance and location. There is an explosion of language to listen to, read and imitate on the web. We can download it, share it, exchange it, and take it with us.

We have a chance to connect like never before, with other people and other languages. Maybe not like never before. Maybe, in some ways, like it used to be, tens of thousands of years ago.

This is the kind of language learning power that LingQ offers. Give it a try. You will find libraries of interesting things to listen to and read. You will find efficient learning functions that will help you notice the words and phrases you need, and eventually ensure you remember them.

And, best of all, you will meet friendly people,  to talk to in the languages you want to learn, and who want to talk to you in your language.

More on Krashen and grammar

Here is the podcast.

How much deliberate study of grammar, and word review, and output is necessary. Who knows? Do what you like. And making mistakes does not matter in most situations.

I refer in my talk today to a debate at How to learn any language., and a web site with an interesting perspective on the importance of language schools written by Amorey Gethin. This paper was first written in 1991. A lot has changed since then. For a view on how much has changed check out this video.

Limits to Krashen?

Here is the podcast.Download Krashen challenged

Beniko Mason has some wonderful articles on research on language learning showing that reading is more efficient in language learning than deliberate instruction. I am indebted to Igor the Macedonian for the link.

He will now attack me as I explain why I like to do a little Krashen plus "n". In other words I believe a little speaking and writing and word review, and even a little grammar review, have their place in making the brain more attentive. As long as we do not expect to learn the grammar or the new words, as long as we are not hung up about speaking and writing correctly, these deliberate learning activities help, as long as they do not get in the way of listening and reading.

I also make the point that the interest in the content is more important than making the reading easy. I am not a fan of graded readers, for example, at least for my own learning. A little bit of easy content to start with and then let me at the authentic stuff as soons as possible. I believe that LingQ makes that jump easier, and that is why we developed the system the way we did.

So go ahead Igor, and hit me. I can take it.

Krashen revisited: Reading and Listening.

Here is the podcast: Download Krashen again

Stephen Krashen is controversial. I do not agree with all of what he says. But there is a lot of common sense there, backed up with research. This list of comments about reading is worth looking at. Here he talks about the connection between reading and spelling. Here are some studies that talk about the importance of listening. Here is a discussion about to "teach" listening skills.

I believe that we waste a fortune in training teachers in various skills related to teaching reading, listening, spelling etc,. We should be looking at how to enable learners to spend more time reading and listening to things that they find interesting. As Manfred Spitzer said in his book, the brain is a remarkable learning machine, much better at forming its own rules and recognizing patterns, than absorbing theoretical explanations. Reading and listening should be fun. If we like it we will do it.

Is it important to get a good foundation in the language?

I read a review of Rosetta Stone which said that it gives a person a good foundation in the language. I often hear people talk about a good foundation in the language you are learning. I just do not see things that way.

I think that whatever foundation you get in the language will prove to be a foundation made of wet sand. It  is kind of like building sand castles with the waves lapping in.

I find that whatever you learn in the language will have to be relearned many times, whether we are talking about words, phrases, or grammar rules. So I do not think it matters whether you start with Rosetta Stone, Teach Yourself, Assimil, Pimsleur, or LingQ. The first goal is just to get over the strangeness of the new language and to get enough words and phrases so that you can start on the meaningful and interesting part of the language learning journey, listening to and reading authentic content, discovering the culture of the new language, accumulating words and phrases. Eventually, when enough of it has stuck, you can start interacting in a meaningful way with speakers of the language.

Your grammar book and early phrase books are resources that you can, and should, go back to many times. You will be surprised at the things that you thought you had learned and no longer remember.

An example of people helping people learn.

Chris the Mandarin student was kind enough to mention my blog and LingQ on his blog. There are many people blogging about their language learning experiences, and that is one, just one, of the many ways that the Internet is revolutionizing the way we learn languages. Thanks Chris.

Language learning on the web, in Italian.

Mariangela, who is known at LingQ as Zerimeri, is my Italian tutor. She recently posted an article on language learning resources on the web, in Italian, at a website called Cercalavore which provides information for people who are looking for new professional opportunities. Here is the article. She mentioned LingQ, of course, but also LiveMocha and other excellent resources.

If anyone wants to be encouraged in their Italian studies I recommend getting to know Mariangela. She is an excellent, cheerful and creative tutor.

How to become a good language learner?

Here is the podcast

I think I can say that I am a good language learner. I speak 11 languages and have a good head start on a 12th, Korean. I have observed a lot of other people learn. Other than the obvious need for strong motivation, and the opportunity to use the language, I think there is one absolutely key element that is often ignored.

That key element is the willingness to accept uncertainty, vagueness, imperfection. Most people seem to want to nail things down when they learn. I think that accounts for the popularity of certain podcasts and other content that is not at normal speed and is not authentic.  I think that is why people enjoy Michel Thomas and Pimsleur with their English content. I think that is why people want explanations, most of which they cannot remember or apply.

I have always wanted to get to authentic, native content, as soon as possible. I would never want to listen to something like ESL Podcasts if I were learning another language. Yet these are far more popular than our own EnglishLingQ Podcasts, where Mark and I just ramble on at normal speed.

I am prepared to listen to things and read things that I do not fully understand, in the knowledge that this will lead me to understand and feel the language faster and better and more solidly, than trying to understand everything and get expanations.

So I think the key to successful language learning is to accept uncertainty vagueness and imprefection, for a long long time, and to enjoy it. Maybe that is just me.

Learning words and the use of the dictionary.

Learning words is the key task in language learning, but the dictionary is over-rated as a language learning tool. Here I talk about why I feel this way.