Four ways to get better at languages

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  • Опубліковано 25 лис 2024
  • Do you ever feel you're stuck when learning a language, despite all the hours and hard work you put in? Find out from Britain's most multilingual student, Alex Rawlings, how you can get better at languages.
    UK people, find opportunities to study, work and create abroad: www.britishcou...
    Music: www.bensound.com
    All photos Mat Wright, except:
    Photo of Japanese dish © Min Zhou, licensed under CC BY 2.0 and adapted from the original: www.flickr.com...
    Photo of Japanese dictionary © Toby Oxborrow, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 and adapted from the original: www.flickr.com...
    Photo of Temple of Hephaistos © Dennis Jarvis, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 and adapted from the original: www.flickr.com...
    Speech bubbles: www.pixabay.com
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 119

  • @jacquelynboone3330
    @jacquelynboone3330 8 років тому +50

    I'm a language teacher and long-time language geek. I love that Alex tells students to practice. There is really no such thing as "studying" a language. That would be like studying guitar or soccer. You don't "study" any of these things; you PRACTICE them. Language is a skill, like a sport or a musical instrument. PRACTICE! Or PRACTISE, as Alex would spell it! Happy language practice!

    • @swagmas1er69
      @swagmas1er69 4 роки тому +3

      I have Latin in school and I suck at it because no one speaks it

    • @jacquelynboone3330
      @jacquelynboone3330 4 роки тому +1

      @@swagmas1er69 I knew a teacher years ago who taught it as a living language; she made her students speak it. It was awesome!

    • @swagmas1er69
      @swagmas1er69 4 роки тому +1

      Profe/Madame Boone yes that’s what the teacher I have this year does too ! It’s helped me a lot but I’m still not good at it.... I honestly don’t even understand why

  • @daniellecozine3360
    @daniellecozine3360 9 років тому +8

    Lovely tips! I wish I'd found this series a few months ago, when I first started learning Arabic. I'm still at the beginning level, but I am working my way to fluency! Thank you for the excellent tips! ! شكرا! مع السلامة

  • @GenésiozenducaGenes
    @GenésiozenducaGenes 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for the heads-up i will do it

  • @00iReNeAdLeR00
    @00iReNeAdLeR00 9 років тому +72

    two words: TV Series

    • @britishcouncil
      @britishcouncil  9 років тому +5

      +Hilda Moreno, thank you! I just published the latest one. There will be five in total this week, but we might make even more!

    • @maysal2801
      @maysal2801 8 років тому

      +Hilda Moreno would you say it's better to watch the tv series in the languages you're wanting to learn , or subtitles in the language you want to learn ?

    • @omerkapcan7362
      @omerkapcan7362 8 років тому +1

      +Yeah no nl

    • @jacquelynboone3330
      @jacquelynboone3330 8 років тому +4

      Subtitles AND language you want to learn!

    • @gmailaccount3423
      @gmailaccount3423 6 років тому

      I'm an ESL teacher and the best students in my class are *always* those who watch a lot of English language TV series.

  • @daisylovett
    @daisylovett 9 років тому +4

    Great tips, thank you! I would also add listening to songs, writing down and translating the lyrics, and then listening on repeat!

  • @noname89636
    @noname89636 8 років тому +5

    Learn the language in an area you need immediately. For example, if you are a teacher learn the language with a focus on education. Learn how to ask someone if they understand the lesson, learn how to give commands (directions) in the language; "open your textbooks," "please be quiet," "what did you find easy or hard about the homework," etc....basically how would you address your students.

    • @noname89636
      @noname89636 8 років тому +2

      If you are visiting that country, learn how to introduce yourself and talk about yourself (age, name, what you do for a living, why you are visiting the country, what you like/what you don't like....). This helps to build confidence in the language quickly and establish raport with a native speaker.

    • @britishcouncil
      @britishcouncil  8 років тому +2

      These are excellent comments, thanks!

    • @dennisbishop3490
      @dennisbishop3490 7 років тому

      prayl00185 '

  • @mollietai8946
    @mollietai8946 8 років тому +5

    The BEST tips I've learned EVER !!!

  • @selmaibrahim1380
    @selmaibrahim1380 8 років тому +4

    Thanks a lot for the tips!

  • @Bruno-hd9qo
    @Bruno-hd9qo 9 років тому +5

    talking to myself in my second language almost drove me nuts... at least that's how other people must've thought about me.. it really works.

  • @mariagarciaduarte6518
    @mariagarciaduarte6518 3 роки тому +1

    When I drive my car I speak English to myself, reviewing the vocabulary and expressions that I have studied in class.
    This method has helped me to improve my English. At least, that's my case! Try it!

  • @TALKSchools
    @TALKSchools 8 років тому +1

    Great advice about not giving up when you are feeling frustrated with you language learning progress!

  • @abdoolahabdulhafez3070
    @abdoolahabdulhafez3070 5 років тому

    Hi to all of you... As an artist who seek 'silent inspiration' first before putting anything on paper, my approach to languages has always been preceeded by talking silently (+++thinking) within myself some few introducing word or phrase which afterwards develop as conversation in my mind as if I am participating in the conversation. Though at first it might consist of unnoticeable errors, yet, by time, while listening to conversations with special attention, or by reading, errors will drift out progressively. When listening something, do not hear... but listen attentively, because, though the speakers might master the language, yet, it can be possible that we hear an error. We promptly jump over it and we check it in relevant grammatical dictionaries so that if we are right, this word, phrase/term... will stick correctly in our mind.
    1st. Let us create virtual dialogues in our mind. Let us keep thinking in this language constantly. It's not hard! Let us try it alongside our studies as a kid who babbles. No shame if errors are done!
    Ready... get set... !!!!

  • @meghanadharne7438
    @meghanadharne7438 11 місяців тому +1

    Great advice thank you

  • @25LÓPEZSOTOREGINA
    @25LÓPEZSOTOREGINA Рік тому

    Great tips, I will try to follow them to learn English and improve what I know.

  • @katiaquintero9432
    @katiaquintero9432 9 років тому +1

    Very good tips, thanks!

  • @MohammadAzimi
    @MohammadAzimi 8 років тому +1

    Thank You for good and inspirational video.

  • @XnFun
    @XnFun 8 років тому +1

    Great video - I especially like the part about talking to yourself and then when you get a chance, looking up and recording what things you didn't know how to say. Sometimes you can't do it on the spot - I like to "talk" to myself in the shower - so I have to wait until I'm out before I write any of this down. Another idea is to record yourself talking to yourself - then you have a record and can remember what you don't know.

  • @kristinanarutyte
    @kristinanarutyte 6 років тому +6

    The music really makes it hard to hear what he's saying. Love the message though (y)

  • @joaohenriquedamasceno7706
    @joaohenriquedamasceno7706 7 років тому +6

    Eu estava precisando de dicas assim Alex. Do you understand me? Of course, yes.

  • @maraltbrown
    @maraltbrown 4 роки тому

    Thanks, Alex. I'm using this video on my lesson next week since YOU are the topic of chapter 16 in our textbook (Prepare! Level 3 by the Cambridge University Press)

  • @mebei26
    @mebei26 8 років тому +22

    Listen to the BBC radio :) It helps a lot! :) many greetings from Italy

  • @idiomasentusiasticos7954
    @idiomasentusiasticos7954 7 років тому +1

    I hope this helps me. I am learning 8 languages. I am interested in all of them and I am really good in all of them.
    - Spanish
    - French
    - Italian
    - Norwegian
    - Chinese
    - Korean
    - Japanese
    - Gaelic Irish
    Norwegian is my favorite, Spanish is my most advanced. Korean is the newest.

  • @MahelyMusic
    @MahelyMusic 6 років тому +1

    so good! thanks

  • @arnepianocanada
    @arnepianocanada 8 років тому

    More tips: 1) Visit often with native speakers; record and practise their speech. 2) Listen-listen-listen to news, stories etc. in the language 3) Work to tune your ear; absorb the "family" of sounds, try copying them, listen to voice placement. 4) Learn songs!
    Their lyrics teach poetic turns of a language. (Practise hard and you'll be a hit at parties.

  • @kindenglish707
    @kindenglish707 9 років тому +1

    Great tips thank you!

  • @TendaiMabvuva
    @TendaiMabvuva 5 місяців тому

    Wow that's great good teaching

  • @farukahammad830
    @farukahammad830 8 років тому

    Thamks a lot for the tips!

  • @man8954
    @man8954 3 роки тому

    It doesn't matter what level you have.
    Just go online and find someone to talk to.
    It's fun, + you have a chance to make some friends around the world.

  • @TakuCityPop
    @TakuCityPop 8 років тому +1

    Subbed, Great quality video! ^_^

  • @mifedemiespe
    @mifedemiespe 3 роки тому +1

    Hi friend my name us marco and I can say you that my dream is speak english very well but in this moment I haven't fluenty because I need much more vocabulary that I want to learn ...I have learned english a litle since october 2020 for you tube , but is very difficult for me this new idioms though I love it....well I hope that you understand me and thanks for your teaching. So long. See you later. Thanks so much

  • @mrsergeykuznetsov1
    @mrsergeykuznetsov1 9 років тому +1

    great stuff!!!!

    • @elrtm8494
      @elrtm8494 6 років тому

      Сергей Кузнецов to be sitting in no cell No point doing good when

  • @chandrashekharupadhyaya6530
    @chandrashekharupadhyaya6530 3 роки тому

    Excellent 🙏

  • @deviwer1881
    @deviwer1881 2 роки тому

    I'm a native portuguese speaker, my real problem is not listening in english but speaking it, and sometimes my brain turns into a white wall, then I can't speak it properly. Thank you for the tips.

  • @Delmapaty
    @Delmapaty 4 роки тому

    Hey Alex, how are you? I have to use these type of videos, to training my ears. And, I'm liked too much. Tanks!

  • @nitindikshitqa1730
    @nitindikshitqa1730 8 років тому

    fantastic.. thank you

  • @lorenalabradomartin8115
    @lorenalabradomartin8115 3 роки тому +1

    For listening is useful to listen to BBC radio and news :)

  • @ThaoTran-wo8ho
    @ThaoTran-wo8ho 9 років тому +1

    thank u so much

  • @brianwallington9744
    @brianwallington9744 8 років тому

    Hi Alex, you said " check out the other videos in this series" good idea ,but where is the link to find them ? Thanks for your tips,you have given me a few ideas to work with 😀

    • @britishcouncil
      @britishcouncil  8 років тому +2

      Thanks for your question! Here's a link to the playlist of Alex's other videos in this series. Hope you find them useful: ua-cam.com/play/PLaALxC_iM0-YOHikUMmmV-rbSgMc9Ei1W.html

  • @safwan200000
    @safwan200000 9 років тому +4

    HiRepetition many times for listening to easy podcasts with transcripts.What the best books to expand the vocabulary as well IELTS General Training.

    • @britishcouncil
      @britishcouncil  9 років тому +2

      +Safwan Younso, hello! You can find some of our podcasts here: soundcloud.com/britishcouncil. There should be links to transcripts from a few of those. There is even more on our LearnEnglish pages: learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/listen-and-watch

    • @Bruno-hd9qo
      @Bruno-hd9qo 9 років тому

      +British Council that's cool

    • @georgesims6388
      @georgesims6388 8 років тому

      +British Council fdddss

  • @Tehui1974
    @Tehui1974 3 роки тому

    My language learning tip: listen and read a lot. You'll learn words and grammar more naturally.

  • @cocoding6693
    @cocoding6693 8 років тому

    Thank you :)

  • @sweatandswearing486
    @sweatandswearing486 7 років тому

    Pretty cool video

  • @abhichaudhary961
    @abhichaudhary961 3 роки тому

    I started to talk to myself a year or two ago in my second language and sometimes it's very frustrating I don't know why I am talking but I just go on talking to myself and sometimes my sentences makes no sense that also make me kind of mad.

  • @netabolt6546
    @netabolt6546 4 роки тому

    i learn german with the help of the dubbed version of Land before time tv series. its easy to follow and in my opinion level A1/A2 basics so its good to learn from this series to learn new words like every day. also good for me is some german youtubers that i love to watch. but i'm not at the Reading / Writing level. thats still over my head. for now i stick with beginner german learning and A1/A2 level of understanding with IN Einem Land vor unser zeit Tv series.

  • @ngaho4861
    @ngaho4861 8 років тому +1

    lovely :)

  • @himanshuattri3318
    @himanshuattri3318 6 років тому

    Nice way to learn

  • @irshanaseer4176
    @irshanaseer4176 3 роки тому

    Could we take classes face to face?

  • @gabrielgkabelen9824
    @gabrielgkabelen9824 Рік тому

    thanks so much

  • @sheikhfazlulkarimhoqsaheb7022
    @sheikhfazlulkarimhoqsaheb7022 9 років тому

    I need some video for kids language in English Enrichment

  • @pavol254
    @pavol254 7 років тому

    Good video with a plenty of good thoughts. That awful and loud music has wreaked a lot of havoc on it.

  • @goncalogiesta7805
    @goncalogiesta7805 29 днів тому

    Very good🎉🎉🎉

  • @sagarchavansagarchavan3833
    @sagarchavansagarchavan3833 4 роки тому

    I know but we'll orientated this British council

  • @Onlytruthforever
    @Onlytruthforever 6 років тому

    music sound in background became in frontground

  • @newagehero9605
    @newagehero9605 6 років тому

    necesito aprender más palabras por la español. quiero ser fluido en español. Amo el español idioma me gusta como se sonido. he estado estudiando español para dos años pero no tengo mucho vocabulario en mi español. A veces no lo sé si mi gramática es correcto o no pero no me importa porque yo sé mucho de español.

  • @wennesmota3860
    @wennesmota3860 8 років тому

    I'm from Brazil. I'd love to find someone to speak english. I need to emprove it!

    • @deniskika343
      @deniskika343 8 років тому

      Do you think English is important to learn?

    • @wennesmota3860
      @wennesmota3860 8 років тому +1

      +Denis Kika Yes! Of curse! I want to improve my english because someday I'll visit Canada or USA.

    • @deniskika343
      @deniskika343 8 років тому

      +Wennes Mota Good luck from England :)

    • @Trefender2
      @Trefender2 8 років тому

      +Wennes Mota There are lots of sites for this, some I've tried include:
      italki.com
      mylanguageexchange.com
      lang-8.com
      lingq.com

    • @tanner_5791
      @tanner_5791 7 років тому

      I can help you with English if you don't mind teaching me Portuguese.

  • @josmarlycaceres6389
    @josmarlycaceres6389 8 років тому +8

    I talk to myself, then I say to my family: Don´t think that I´m crazy, I´m just practicing English.

    • @aasserelzoghby6781
      @aasserelzoghby6781 3 роки тому

      I do that with German
      My 1st language is Arabic
      My 2nd language is English and I am quite good at it
      German is my 3rd one and I am quite bad at conversations with it
      I can read it and write it
      But not speak it that good or understand speech

  • @HindiMonitor
    @HindiMonitor 5 років тому

    keep it up

  • @Hmg989
    @Hmg989 Рік тому

    Thanks much really I ask you kindly please could u tell me a good website where I can find a native English penpal? There are many in line but you can know for sure the best Ines thanks! And another question
    I repeat here can and adult become bilingual in English? If yes usually how many years does It take? Thanks!

    • @britishcouncil
      @britishcouncil  11 місяців тому +1

      Hi - I'm sorry we don't have details of PenPal services. How long it takes someone to learn or become fluent in English depends on the person, how easy they find it to learn a language and how often and how well they study.

    • @Hmg989
      @Hmg989 11 місяців тому +1

      @@britishcouncil thanks much I would like to become bilingual I tought It was not possibile at 27 but I will try I m keen on English I asked u how long generally speaking of course Its everything personal thanks much

  • @roseeltaher1076
    @roseeltaher1076 8 років тому +1

    how could you be fluent when you talk with a partner only the small pool of vocabulary that you already know pops into your mind . I can't ecpress myself totally

  • @HermannMuna
    @HermannMuna 9 років тому

    great insights, l'd like to improve my english speaking with a native speaker. someone want to help?

  • @MrAzzurri60
    @MrAzzurri60 8 років тому

    hello first of all thank you so much for these useful tips I will try them my problem is for sure with speaking when /i try to talk in English I feel like I am thinking with my mother tongue how can I enhance that one

    • @britishcouncil
      @britishcouncil  8 років тому

      +oussama mohamed, hi! I know this problem, and I've been able to overcome it by immersing myself in the language. When I was learning French, for example, I spent most of my time reading French books and papers, and speaking to French people. After a few weeks, I started thinking in French! You can find more support through our LearnEnglish website: learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/

  • @KazHitsugi
    @KazHitsugi 6 років тому

    You can also try "Hold the door!!!!"

  • @tamaraporto91
    @tamaraporto91 8 років тому

    talk to myself is a possibility, but what if I speak wrong phrases or words? I don't have anybody to correct me....
    looking for somebory help me :) (native language portuguese)

    • @Trefender2
      @Trefender2 8 років тому

      +Tamara Porto You should check out any of these websites:
      italki.com
      mylanguageexchange.com
      lang-8.com
      lingq.com

    • @tamaraporto91
      @tamaraporto91 8 років тому

      +Trefender
      thanks a lot ;)

  • @qentrepreneurship9987
    @qentrepreneurship9987 7 років тому

    Super polyglo
    Good tips

  • @akiro7064
    @akiro7064 4 роки тому

    А я тут первый русский комментатор походу!!! 🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺
    Моему репетитору привет👏👏👏👏

  • @pazzel3448
    @pazzel3448 9 місяців тому +1

    מי עוד פה כדי להתאמן לבגרות?

    • @mrcapslock4344
      @mrcapslock4344 9 місяців тому

      זה היה בבגרות עצמה

  • @sydneemaya1174
    @sydneemaya1174 6 років тому

    dansika ahiyuba wahiyahüroku akia dakatobuikuáyem aba kasi dahiyuba wahiyahü sa akia bena kawailino akia karahúnu nahiyuba wahiyahüroku sa

  • @GeraldBrown-ow1dp
    @GeraldBrown-ow1dp 7 місяців тому

    By gum
    Addie

  • @anellgama2429
    @anellgama2429 7 років тому

    necesito aprender primero inglés para entender lo que dice.. o.o

    • @britishcouncil
      @britishcouncil  7 років тому

      Hola, Anell!
      El video tiene subtítulos en español.

    • @anellgama2429
      @anellgama2429 7 років тому

      Oh gracias... que estúpida al no checar:0

  • @triforce8010
    @triforce8010 Рік тому

    Petite pensée à ce qui sont là pour un devoir en cours 😭

  • @gianlucariga9465
    @gianlucariga9465 6 років тому

    Mannaggia al purè non so parlare inglese

  • @Thisula_Nisula_Siheli
    @Thisula_Nisula_Siheli 8 років тому

    well done

  • @USA50_
    @USA50_ 2 роки тому

    ☺️🇬🇧🇺🇲🇲🇽🇨🇦

  • @USA50_
    @USA50_ 2 роки тому

    ❤️🇺🇲🇬🇧

  • @dannysze8183
    @dannysze8183 4 роки тому

    cute guy🥰🥰🥰🥰

  • @davidcoria9264
    @davidcoria9264 6 років тому

    In fact, English is the first of the most powerful language in the world and Spanish is the second of the powerful language in the world!

    • @Jamrock151
      @Jamrock151 6 років тому

      Nah mandarin is....and it's set to overtake english in the future

  • @kevdboy5862
    @kevdboy5862 4 роки тому

    i don,t under stand anything

  • @LilyArgyle
    @LilyArgyle 3 роки тому

    iawwn