In the book, “How to think like Leonardo da Vinci”, the author states:
“Like Leonardo, you can learn a new language at any age.”
We all know that babies are the best learners. Their openness, energy, and playfulness allow them to learn languages with ease. A baby raised in a home where three languages are spoken will learn all three without difficulty.
The good news is that if you are willing to adopt key aspects of the baby’s learning strategy, you can progress with similar ease and delight. And as an adult, you can take advantage of resources that can help you learn faster than a baby.”
So, what are these key strategies?
First, be willing to make lots of mistakes.
Children do not worry about looking good or achieving perfect pronunciation – they just dive in and speak!
Your progress in learning will depend a great deal on your willingness to play and to embrace feelings of unfamiliarity and foolishness.
Second, open yourself to the feeling of the language and culture.
When you speak French, pretend you ARE French! Adopt the gestures and mannerisms that you have witnessed in movies and on TV!
Remember Maurice Chevalier?? (I know, I am giving away my age!)
What about Kevin Klein in the movie with Meg Ryan called ‘French Kiss’? Remember how he sounded in his role as a Frenchman? Remember the facial expressions and the hand gestures? Have fun and pretend you are French when speaking the language. Move your hands, your body… get into the rhythm of the language!
Last but not least, adopt some of the techniques for super accelerated learning.
I’ll tell you more about this in my next post!
For now, play with the language. Amusez-vous!
You can email me anytime at robert@rebelfrench.com.
A la prochaine……..
Robert