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italki
Time flies! We’re halfway through 2022 already! Was anyone's New Year's Resolution to master a foreign language? How are things progressing so far? Come and share with us what achievements encouraged you to keep going, or what difficulties kept you where you were. You can also sum up some useful learning tips for exchange. We'll pick the 15 most liked posts and send the winners their prizes! Cheer up! Push yourself just a little bit more – you’re almost at the finishing line!
Jun 24, 2022 8:23 AM
Comments · 13
Ian Dickey
Community Tutor
9
3 Rules to Live By for Making Progress in Your Target language I think whether you are starting your target language as a second language later on in life, or have been learning another language in school since you were young, we tend to hit a hall, as they say, when we start having conversations with native speakers. The so called wall is the point where we feel like we aren't seeing as much progress as we would like to. Here are some tips that have helped me continue progressing. Be active. Raise your hand if you told a teacher you want to speak more fluently and increase your vocabulary. Then wait for the tutor or teacher to give you the answer to fluency. I have done this. I think we enter conversational practice with that passive mentality we had when we were learning the writing system or basic grammar of our target language. But that mind set doesn’t work when it comes to conversation. Challenge yourself. Talk beyond your hobbies, what you did on the weekend. For example, I once decided I would talk about how to tie shoelaces. It was difficult explaining such a simple task but I learned a lot. Also. Be real. Progress from conversational practice can’t be measured from class to class but maybe from week to week, or maybe even from month to month. For example I might always try to express something in my native language and my teacher will correct me by telling me how say it in my target language. They might have to correct me 10 times before I actually remember but 3 months later these new words become part of my active vocabulary. So be active, real, and have fun. These are the rules I live by that have helped me to continue making progress. I hope they help you too. If you are looking for some conversational practice in English please have a look at my profile and consider booking a class with me.
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June 29, 2022
I
Ilia Berg
5
Hello dear friends! Thanks for the great topic. My first foreign language is German, I studied it at school. After he entered the German university as a web designer. I realized that English is the key to the whole world.. Having learned one language. I decided that I would learn English by myself. And I faced the first test that I understand what I read, what I hear. But I can't speak.....and I set a goal to speak this year, because I want to do an internship in an international company where English is the main language of communication. And I firmly decided that to press the gas pedal, like a racer in a Formula 1 race car, and improve my spoken English. And I feel the results and I hasten to share with you dear friends. 1) Realize that language data exchange is an incredible thing not to be afraid of. 2) The person who communicates with you is also learning and will make mistakes, this is normal. Don't be afraid to make mistakes my friend. We all learn from them. 3) Get out of your comfort zone, try not only to write, but also to call and send audio messages. It's very useful and incredibly fun. 4) Patience, and purpose is the direct path to success. Motivate your interlocutor with various new topics and interesting facts and news. 5) Support is incredibly important. Since many of us study and work in parallel and have families. And so they get very tired. And then we appear;) Which can always listen to a friend in a language exchange. 6) Play together, feel free to share your emotions. 7) It is quite possible that you will become future friends and come to visit each other. 8) The world is open for you and yes you, my dear friend, open up to the world and find a language exchange friend. You will succeed. I embrace and wish you success. Best regards, Berg.
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June 24, 2022
2
Hi, please check out my post: https://www.italki.com/post/rkYQW4DYEisbaFuHI3d5Ad Comment and leave a like if you liked it :)
June 27, 2022
Or enjoyed reading :)
June 27, 2022 · Reply
Or here: https://www.italki.com/post/rkYQW4DYEisbaFuHI3d9Qp :)
June 27, 2022 · Reply
2
Hi everyone, I'm here to reflect on my goals, which were to improve in German and work towards C2. I've fallen short, but here are some methods I will employ to do better: 1. Use A calendar, just 1! I used many calendars and often got confused between them. This caused me to miss a meeting with a really nice language exchange partner. I feel really bad about it but all I can do is hope for forgiveness and do better next time if s/he doesn't answer. 2. Streamline my process I tried many books to find which one fits. I've learned that it is better to pursue a second best book consistently than to spend a lot of time finding that one best book. I am going to pick one book and stick with it for the next half of 2022. 3. Consistency > Irregular lumps of time Using many calendars made it hard to set aside time regularly, ahead of time. Instead, I would spend a chunk of time learning and catching up on what I would have learned gradually. This is better than not learning, but a better way still would be to consistently learn. I'm planning to set aside 30 minutes 5 times a week on language learning. That said, there were successes as well: 1. The language exchange partner process I know about how the search for a language exchange partner works now. It is not always easy, but I am encouraged by every kind exchange partner I meet. They are gems. 2. Determination This reflection has made me realise my determination to learn German. From a casual hobby, my German language journey has progressed far and will, I believe, ascend new heights yet. 3. Resources I found so many great resources to learn German, from grammar, audio, books and so much more. Finally, I want to say a big "Thank you" to every person who has helped me along this journey. I am grateful for each and every one of you. I pray you will be doubly blessed. How has your 2022 been so far? Let me know in the original post! :) https://www.italki.com/post/rkYQW4DYEisbaFuHI3d5Ad
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June 29, 2022
Ahmed Elbagoury
1
I am at the middle of my English learning journey. At first, my English is so bad and I failed all my English tests. I tried to get me to some cram school later every month before a test, but it was no use Luckily, I found this amazing app called italki and started my English learning journey. my current and professional teachers. they are encouraging, firm, on time and knowledgeable. I learnt a lot of things from them and my English improved obviously. I also need to thank italki for making extra features, such as community, quiz, podcast and prompt. They helped me very much in my English learning journey too! I kept writing articles and improved my writing skills, also learning from the mistakes others pointed out. sometimes I listen to the podcast and discovered new, effective ways to improve my English. I always answer quizzes because it's fun and you'll have a sense of accomplishment when you get it right. I am in the middle of my English learning journey and hope to improve my English profiency level to C1. Again, thank you italki I would like to thank # teacherJackie Please click "like"
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July 4, 2022
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