How to Master Successfully Any Language of the World 18
even more time. So, the most effective solution for this level will be explanation in your
native language. And then drill the phrase in the target language!
The best way to learn words is to take part in (or create together with the teacher) exact
life situations. You may take your teacher to a restaurant or rent a room together. You
may play some movement games, but make sure you properly understand each word
FIRST. Words will be learnt easier if summarized (orally or written down in a copy
book) according to their topics.
Never let yourself guess about the meaning of a word. Look it up in a dictionary and
choose the meaning that fits best to the context. Some words are slightly more difficult to
memorize or to understand, and you may discover, you need to look them up again and
again. There’s nothing strange about it (or about your language abilities). However, if
you seem to always forget the same meaning of a specific word, look it up in another
dictionary. Maybe you will find a better explanation there.
Grammar – Complex Is Best, Drilling Makes Easy
You should learn to build up complex sentences at this level. You should know how the
words change, when connected to other words. That means you should learn at least 95%
of grammar structures used in spoken language on day-to-day basis.
From the very beginning, sentences should NOT be simple! Complex sentences (those
consisting of two or more simple ones – clauses), are more meaningful, thus more
interesting. You should make them up from the very beginning. Simple sentences don’t
provide logical reasons and consequences. They are usually less interesting. Actually,
sentences structures (syntax) should be presented as quickly as possible. Don’t be afraid
of conjunctions, BUT they should be classified and explained properly (i.e.: “because”:
after this word stands the reason for what was said before it; “but”: is used to imply that
what goes after it is somewhat unexpected; etc). The same with word changes within a
sentence (morphology). Pronouns require more practice to be grasped, so more
explanation and more drilling should be done to the sentences containing pronouns.
Various aspects of words use, multiple meanings of a word, pronouns – that should be
explained with many examples; demonstrations with objects or within real life situations
will be best.
A teacher or a textbook will be crucial for grammar learning at this stage.
And a lot of drilling.
Copyright © 2012 Dmitry Slomov. All rights reserved.
Dmitry Slomov is a language learning consultant, a tutor and the author of the Russian Language Course – Lessons with Dmitry
Contact Dmitry at: http://www.courseofrussian.com/en/contact.html
