Three Fundamental Principles Of Language Learning

Phillip Yaffe’s outstanding piece on basic language-learning principles is well worth a read by learners of any language.  In it, he gives much of the same advice I do such as focus on speaking and conversational skills over grammar, oral learning, and the importance of practicing at every opportunity.  He also listed three fundamental principles of the language-learning process I thought were worth sharing.

Facility Principle

What you don’t have to do is easier than what you do have to do

That is, the more your lessons feel like work, the less effective they will be.  The most effective Spanish-learning program is always the one you enjoy most and feel offers the greatest return on your time investment. 

Familiarity Principle

Familiar thoughts and patterns are very difficult to break

Even though the Spanish verb system is generally simpler than in English, most English speakers have enormous difficulty mastering it.  That is because while English is more complicated with its abundant irregularities, shifting phonology, and silent letters, it is also more familiar.  Spanish, while simpler and more logical in many respects, is unfamiliar and daunting.  Don’t let that discourage you.  With time, speaking Spanish will feel as natural as speaking English.

Context Principle

Surrounding words and sentences are often just as important to the meaning of a phrase than the words of the phrase themselves

Most Spanish-learners will find themselves filling in the blanks almost instinctively during Spanish conversations.  You may not understand every word in a sentence, but you understand enough of them to figure out the gist of what was being said.  This is a powerful learning tool.  If you are having trouble with a particular word of idiom, try your hardest to figure out its meaning from context before looking it up.  You’d be surprised just how far you can go like this.