Learning a new language

Thoughts on input only theory by Krashen, and my own thoughts to as I've gathered on my journeys so far...
Loki2504's original video here::: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrT6g15ba8k

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[sk8THC]

hi, are u canadian?

[expatkerri]

@sk8THC ~ i am canadian, are you?

[thexrevolution]

When I went to Turkey I only knew some basic stuff. I didn't take any formal course, but my ability to understand Turkish is fairly good after one years not speaking, and I am starting to produce complicated sentences now. I think listening is definitely the key when it comes to learn a language.

[expatkerri]

i went to turkey in 2008~ it was an amazing country. it is one of my favourite places i've ever been. i only learned how to say merhaba and tesek kere derim.. but i was very impressed by the warmth and kindness of turkish people. where did you travel there?

[plzhealme]

Are you still in South Korea, Kerri? Is there any way for a Canadian university student to teach in South Korea for just 4 months? Between the end of April and the end of August?

Are you having any difficulty in South Korea?

[plzhealme]

Kerri, I think you explained Krashen's comprehensible input theory incorrectly. "Adults and babies should learn a language in a same way. That is, simply listening and exposure.."

Krashen argues that you shouldn't just listen to people talking in English, French, or whatever. You should understand (comprehend) what people are saying by expanding your vocabulary or improving listening skills. Only when input is comprehensible, there is a value to it.

[supermonk3y07]

@thatcrazyblondchick Wow dude, I feel the same way but with Japanese. well felt, I think I am now getting a little bit better. I have also studied korean here and there too and I know how difficult and simple it can be. It's grammar and it's vocabulary in Japanese and Korean are very similar so I know how it can be. It sounds like you have studied textbooks a lot, just listen to it a lot too and use it as much as you can, even if some people around you don't know korean

[neevar123]

well i think u shud first build a foundation for urself in a foreign language first, because the krashen method kinda scares me to listen not knowing anything, like learn the pronouns and basic phrases, also what,where,why etc r important, after that i find listening to music and translating each new word on google translate builds up vocab, so thats always good but u need to get used to hearing the new vocab and associating it with meaning

[thatcrazyblondchick]

I think that interacting in the target language is key. I taught myself Korean over the summer using the textbooks that my college uses to teach the first level of Korean (along with watching dramas). Because of this, I was able to test out of the first year of Korean but even though my reading and listening skills are okay, I still have trouble forming my own responses when conversing in Korean. It is so frustrating because I understand the whole conversation, but still can't express myself.

[miguksaramieyo]

Yeah, I've been learning Korean in the same manner I've been learning Spanish and it's NOT working too well! I live in South Texas and should speak Spanish fluently but I found myself continuing self-study in the same style of language learning presented in my Spanish college courses. I think I've relied too heavily on grammar books, etc. to "build" my language skills rather than using grammar to simply better understand what I'm hearing. Does that make sense?! Good luck!

[expatkerri]

@hehsus ~thanks for the comments. your list of languages you're learning is impressive!! learning latin!! wow. what's your native language?

[Blueaspen391]

@summer9380 Krashen agrees with you: "listening" is not enough. It Should be COMPREHENSIBLE. Only messages that are understood produce acquisition in the brain. Language that is not understood is mere "noise".

[Blueaspen391]

@Blueaspen391 Like with dreams, Adults cannot control what they are dreaming better than a baby does

[Blueaspen391]

@rfwelsh in both cases (baby and adult acquisition) they hear words and they both want to understand the MEANING of those words. The meaning is not a word, it's a concept. I agree with you about babies not "learning" in the same way that adults do. But "acquisition" is universal: it happens the same way. why? because acquisition is a subconscious mental process.