Note before you read this article: Everyone has their own take on effective ways to learn a language. Because of this, last summer I decided to try distilling fundamental truths about language learning that all, or at least most, language learning experts would agree on.
This is the seventh lesson. You can watch the video here, listen on Spotify here, or keep scrolling down to read a summary. You can see all 12 lessons by clicking here.
Feel free to contact me at https://azrenthelanguagenerd.com/contact if you have any questions about language learning or if you’d like to inquire about taking private/small-group lessons.
What are you struggling with?
Is it conversation? Pronunciation? Grammar? Staying motivated? Listening comprehension? Finding resources? complicated, maybe you need external accountability.
No matter what it is, there is one solution that can solve almost any language learning challenge: find a language parent.
Here’s how Dr. Krashen defines a language parent.
I’ve taken this from this journal entry.
"A language parent, like an actual parent, is someone who will engage you in conversation in the language you are acquiring, but who will not try to be your teacher. They will try to understand what you say, even though you are miles away from what a native speaker would usually be able to understand. They are interested in you as a person, and more often than not, the person will be quite talkative. In other words, a language parent is someone who will give you comprehensible input*.
The theory predicts that language parents are extremely helpful. They provide comprehensible input that may be hard to find elsewhere, and as well, they provide encouragement, support, and understanding.”
*In case you don’t know, comprehensible input is essentially interesting listening or reading material that is at your level.
In a nutshell, a language parent adapts the way they speak to match your level so that you understand what they're saying.
I love language parents. They are very useful. You get comprehensible input. You naturally acquire new words and grammar structures. You gain a friend. You have someone to practice conversation with. You get a direct link to the culture behind the language you're learning.
Having a language parent is essentially a comprehensive solution to learning a language. If you did nothing else but find a language parent and communicate with them regularly, you’d acquire a new language.
So how do you find a language parent?
Here are a few options.
If you live in a large city, go to places where native speakers of your target language hang out (restaurants, events, bars, Meetups.)
Join Facebook groups or forums that have native speakers of your target language.
Use a language exchange app such as HelloTalk or Tandem. Make some friends on these apps.
Hire a private tutor. You will need to clearly explain what a language parent is and what you’re looking from them in the lesson as most private tutors’ teaching style does not align with what a language parent does.
It’s not always easy to find a language parent, but it is well worth the effort.
If you have any questions/comments or if you’d like to inquire about taking private/semi-private lessons, contact me here.