The power of schools in language learning

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Hello, language lovers and curious minds! Each week, Polyglot Bits brings you a quick text about a language learning journey for you to relate or to learn a thing or two, we also make sure to leave you a weekly tip to fuel your language learning journey. Whether you're mastering Mandarin, dabbling in Dutch, or just starting with Spanish, we've got something for everyone. Let's explore the world one word at a time! 🌟

POLYGLOT THOUGHTS
The power of schools in language learning

Like most people, I also started learning a new language at school. It was English and I still remember the process very well… Every class we would sit in our chairs and pay close attention to the teacher while she was explaining the new vocabulary we were going to learn. It was always something basic like the numbers from 1 to 10, the colors, animals, food etc… However, most of us didn´t learn anything, we would pay close attention in class and then, when the test came, we didn´t know anything… The years went by and the class got more difficult, we started learning grammar rules, vocabulary we didn’t even know in our native language and most important, the class got even more boring. I grew up believing that learning languages wasn´t for me, and many colleagues of mine had the same thoughts, but the truth was that we weren´t being taught the best way!

                When I realized that there were many other methods of learning a new language besides spending three hours weekly trying to memorize new grammar rules and vocabulary, my world changed! I started learning English way quicker just by doing things like watching tv shows, YouTube videos, reading books, playing videogames and many other activities that could be used to learn a new language. After English the love for language learning grew and I couldn´t stop learning languages.

                Nowadays, I ask myself: “How many people just quit learning a new language just because they weren´t successful at school?” and the answer is most probably: “A lot of people!”. Is school really a place that makes students learn or a place that makes students quit learning languages? We need to make people understand that this process can be fun and a lot easier if they adapt the method to their own lifestyle! During my journey I have found out and confirmed that learning on your own can be a lot better than learning through the “school system way”, with that, you also get to know yourself a lot better too! You start to recognize what you like and don´t like, what get´s in your brain and what doesn´t and a lot of other things! Learning a new language can be a great way to discover yourself a little bit more!

Weekly Tip
Learn How to Learn a language your way!

Before starting actually learning a new language I think it´s important that you first learn what is the method that works the best for you! Do your research, learn new methods and try new stuff out! After that, you are able to do a study plan that will actually work the best for you! By doing things this way you will not waste as much time studying things in a way you will not learn.
You become more productive and interested in this long and difficult journey!

Word of the week
Cat

gato - Portuguese
chat - French
Katze - German
кошка - Russian