Welcome to Five-week Linguist show. We are going to talk about different ways producing language to express yourself.

(0:39) The importance of producing language

(01:10) You can’t express yourself if you can’t produce language. )

(1:33) Producing languages, whether it’s on your own, or in a class setting, or communicating with people, is a test.

(01:43) When you try to say something, and you’re not quite sure how to say it, you become aware of what you need to learn.

(01:49) When you try to write something and you can’t remember a word you become aware of what you learn.

(02:03) Beginners Level – Talking in words and phrases and sentences.

(02:10) Next Level – Longer sentences and paragraphs.

(02:18) Higher Level – Extended Speech

(02:32) If you’re in a class, you should have lots of opportunities to talk as a whole group, talking to the teacher or talking in small groups.

(02:53) If you’re not getting it in class, you can try other alternatives like locking yourself in a room and start talking and have conversations with yourself.

(03:48) The important thing is to talk because it’s going to give you an opportunity to get more input. If you’re talking to other people, you’re gonna learn things that most likely that you didn’t know before about the language.

(04:04) Talking gives you an opportunity to see where your gaps are. You’re going to start to learn to understand what it is that you need to know.

(05:38) Practicing speaking is also really important for your pronunciation.

(06:16) In practicing speaking, the more you practice, the better you’ll get.

(06:23) Talking can build up to the language proficiency level that you want to achieve.

(06:34) Communicating in written form is the last thing we develop in learning languages

(06:58) Writing needs a lot of practice because it is the most difficult skill to develop.

(07:57) One thing that works regardless of context, is to write regularly.

(08:31) At all levels, keep a task notebook

(09:21) In a task notebook, write what the task is. Then write all the words and phrases that are relevant to that task at that time, and then practice them.
(10:15) Test yourself in the communication journal. Write out a potential conversation, and practice it in a communicative sense.

(11:04) Everyday, write a personal journal. Even if it’s five minutes, seven minutes, depending on how advanced you are and the topic you’re studying,

(12:03) In your personal journal, set a timer and write down everything that you know about it. It could be all the related vocabulary, it could be a time that thing happened to you. When that time’s up, you’re going to see what you missed. You’re going to be able to fill in the gaps.

(13:36) Decide how and when you will speak and write.

(14:20) You’re going to use speaking and writing for real authentic communication, but you’re also going to use it as an assessment to help you reach your goal.

(14:59) Making your own mp3 will help you with your pronunciation and create for yourself as the learner a developing fluency.

(15:30) Record yourself and speak in your target language. Do it for the time allotted, and on a regular basis.

(15:52) Studying abroad in the target country is not the magic bullet to learn a language.

For more resources on learning and teaching languages, to get on our mailing list, or to get the workbook for this course, be sure to visit RealLifeLanguage.com/reallifelanguageblog. If you are listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a rating.