LEARNING A LANGUAGE BY YOURSELF
It is very common for people to learn a foreign language at school. However, many people find it easier and more enjoyable to learn a new language by themselves. Actually, there are many different methods you can use to do this. And nowadays, it is easier than ever to learn a new language by yourself. Today you don't need to travel to different countries to have conversations in other languages because you can easily speak to people around the world by using the internet in your own home.(lines 1–7)
Once a year there is a special event on the internet for language lovers from all over the world. Sometimes even famous people join it. It is a good idea to participate in this event for several reasons. At this event participants get advice from each other and they also discuss the best methods for learning a language. In addition, the event gives everyone the opportunity to practice speaking different languages with each other.(lines 8–13)
Benny from Ireland, for example, participated in this event last year. He told everyone about his method of learning a new language. "I know lots of people like to begin with the grammar but that is not for me," he said. "First, I learn a few sentences in the new language from a travel book. Travel books always have lists of important sentences in the new language. Then I meet friends from other countries on the internet and start talking with them. I learn a lot when they correct my mistakes." Benny learned French so well that he decided to visit his internet friend, Henri, in France. "When I was there," Benny said, "we ate in many restaurants and we went to a football game. We also visited his family. I did all the talking."(lines 14–21)
Other people use different methods. There are people who find it easier to learn a new language by repeating words that they hear. Others prefer first to learn a list of words from a dictionary. Lydia from Slovakia has an unusual method. She reads famous stories in the new language. She says she can understand most of the words in the story because she knows what the story is about. Everybody finds their own special way to learn. If you ask twenty people how they learned a language, you will get twenty different answers. But the important thing is that they now know a new language.(lines 22–27)