Mastering any language is a skill, and as in my previous article, skills need practice if you want to become or stay good at an activity, whether it is sport, listening, speaking, writing, etc. It is a pity though that some educational authorities do or did not realize the sequence of acquiring an additional language; the emphasis was placed on grammar, and after more than twelve years of studying English for example, learners of the language still cannot understand native speakers, neither speak nor write a proper simple sentence (Wonder who is to blame?). As example, English is used, because not only I teach it, but it also is a global language.
Any language has six components. The logical order of acquiring is the same as we have learned our mother tongue.
Even before birth, we started our learning process of language as we are exposed to various sounds while snugly nurtured in Mother's womb - the most important basic component of any language is learned, LISTENING. This skill is further developed after birth while most sounds are now experienced with fewer barriers, and Baby's eyes try to, and locate and examine the source of the sounds. As from now, there is a magnitude of sounds that we are repeatedly exposed to every single day for the rest of our lives - a continuous (lifelong) practice of the listening skill, whether active or inactive.
Pretty soon, (other than those baby sounds, usually in need of something) Baby attempts to respond to these sounds by verbalizing his/her own response. Though it does not always make sense, except to Mother, it is not until there is a clearer UNDERSTANDING of these language sounds that Baby's verbalization makes more sense. Because of the lifelong listening practice, a lifelong practice of trying to make sense and understand these sounds follows.
The third component of language acquisition, SPEAKING, follows understanding of some language sounds, and Mother blossoms when Baby utters "Mamma,” like Father, when Baby utters "Papa.” The speaking skills practice continues throughout life as we are exposed to sounds (old and new), with the necessary pronunciation, sentence construction and grammar corrections of the caregivers.
READING follows speaking as the fourth component and skill required. Mother normally initiates the reading skills development by exposing Baby to pictures and photos and describing it for Baby to repeat. Slowly pronounced alphabet letters, words and phrases, while pointing at the sounds and sound combinations it represents, follows as reading skills practice. Practicing reading takes place all over the show, formally and informally, indoors and outdoors, again a continuous skills practice throughout our lives.
Next in line is WRITING skills, and again Mother is normally the initiator when she takes Baby's hand and guides the unsteady formation of alphabet letters and letters of familiar words as she pronounces the sounds they represent. Copying simple to more complex words, phrases, and sentences (often from our own brainpower) follow as we grow older, again a lifelong skills practice.
Building a lexical range (vocabulary) is a most important aspect of any language. It facilitates comprehension and enhances understanding of the spoken and written word. Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing do just that, it enriches your life of communication abilities, but it need lifelong practice to stay atop the language, as language is ever changing and expanding.
Yes, I remember that I said there are six components, but just before I get to the sixth, a little truth. Having been exposed to the five components as explained above, and you reach school going age of six years, you can use the language mostly correct within your lexical range of listening, understanding, reading and writing (in many instances at an earlier age).
Last but not least, come school, come GRAMMAR, the sixth component. Easier than a few years ago, technology has given us ample audio-visual aids in the form of CD's, DVD's, internet downloads, etc. - why not use it instead of boring learners with loads of grammar and trying to re-invent the wheel. The proof in this pudding is the active using of the language on a regular, daily basis, (Remember? "Skills need Practice!").
In conclusion, I have met various kinds of taxi drivers with not much schooling, yet they speak fair English, because of their contact with native speakers. Learners of English that have regular contact with native speakers of the language through part-time jobs, practical studies, etc. improve their language skills with leaps and bounds. Listen to songs or watch movies a few times and words and phrases with intonation and phrasing get stuck in your head to be remembered for years to come. I met a number of people with good, clear English, but little official schooling in English. When asked how they obtained their knowledge of English, I got the same answer from all, they said that they repeatedly listen to English songs and repeatedly watch soundtrack movies (first with subtitles, and then without), all on a regular basis.
Need I say more?
By the way, all of these language skills are interrelated; and please try to avoid bilingual dictionaries and talking dictionaries, they have a lot of errors, instead, use an English-English dictionary, and you will be amazed at your progress.
Have a wondrous time until our next Chatty-Chatty Bang-Bang.
