If someone told you that you could learn a language in half the time what would

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   denkmuskelposted 12 years ago

   If someone told you that you could learn a language in half the time what would be your reaction?
   
   

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   SOKCGOLDposted 12 years ago

   Sorry, but there's no context here. Half the time as compared to what? Or, who? If you are trying to say that you can learn a language faster than the traditional high school curriculum with greater comprehension and retention, I would say, "Of course you can!" In fact, I've gone through a course that teaches how to teach virtually any language using techniques proven by modern neuroscience. That's how I learned Spanish - since none of my high school Spanish stuck. I've actually written a number of Hubs on some of the lessons learned.
   
   If you can provide a little more context, I would love to know what technique(s) you are referring to. I'm always looking for new ways to enhance the success of both me and my students.

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   Marcy Goodfleischposted 12 years ago

   I guess I'd wonder half of what sort of time - if they have a starting point, and then half it, and if the program sounds viable, I might be curious enough to look into it.

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   denkmuskelposted 12 years ago

   
   
   @sokcgold
   Well on the one hand that's the point. So many courses promoting high-speed learning with that promise [see picture] creating false hopes. Unless you have measured the students learning speed before taking the course I would assume that while an average language student needed 6 month their students would do the same amount of language learning in 3. That could be measured by level exams. And of course it is more likely that one learns faster with only 5 fellow students or individually instead of having 20 other students that might be way too slow or too fast [like in my school but also possible in Goethe-Institute]. I always say that the learning speed highly depends on the individual and that setting achievable goals is the cornerstone of success when learning German. But you definitely can simplify certain grammatical tasks and then focus on the parts that you really learn German for. This can be done with so called memory-techniques adapted to suit German learners' needs. Their efficiency can be tested once beforehand and then after having learned and applied the techniques. That's what I do in my Artikelkurs. I am working on a text explaining that technique right now. Be patient and have a nice weekend.

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