I came across a TED talk in which Chris Lonsdale, a psychologist from New Zealand talks about language learning. He believes that anybody can learn a language in six months if they follow the five principles and seven actions that he has formulated after assessing all the research available on language learning.
我看過一個TED演講，來自新西蘭的語言學家Chris Lonsdale講了語言學習的方法。在評估了所有語言學習的研究之後，他總結出了5個原則、7個行動。他相信只要遵從這5個原則、踐行這7個行動，任何人都能在6個月內學會一種外語。
The five principles are:
5個原則：
1. Focus on language content that is relevant to you.
專注和你日常相關的語言內容。
2. Use your language as a tool to communicate from day 1.
從學習這門語言的第一天開始，就把它當做你的交流方式。
3. When you understand the message you will acquire the language unconsciously.
當你明白含義之後，你會慢慢不知不覺地習得這門語言。
4. Language is not about accumulating a lot of knowledge but is rather a type of physiological training.
語言學習不是大量知識的積累，而更像是一種生理訓練。
5. Psycho-physiological state matters – you need to be happy, relaxed, and most importantly, you need to be tolerant of ambiguity. Don’t try to understand every detail as it will drive you crazy.
心理狀態和生理狀態都很重要：你需要愉快、放鬆，最重要的是對於模稜兩可要有一定容忍性。對於細枝末節不要過於糾結，因為那會把你逼瘋的。
The seven actions are:
7個行動：
1. Listen a lot – it doesn't matter if you understand or not. Listen to rhythms and patterns.
多聽——理解與否不重要，儘管去聽吧！去聽聽語言節奏和說話模式。
2. Focus on getting the meaning first, before the words. Body language and facial expressions can help.
先專注理解整體意思，再弄清單詞含義。身體語言和麵部表情會有所幫助。
3. Start mixing, get creative, and use what you’re learning.
開始混合，創造話語並使用你所學到的一切。
4. Focus on the core – use the most commonly-use the words, and use the language to learn more.
把注意力集中在核心部分——使用高頻詞彙，利用你已經學會的東西學到更多。
5. Get a language parent – someone who is fluent in the language and who will do their best to understand what you mean; who will not correct your mistakes; who will feedback their understanding of what you’re saying using correct language, and uses words that you know.
找個語伴——能流利講這門語言的人，或者能儘可能理解你說什麼的人。注意，語伴不會糾正你的錯誤，但能夠用正確的語言、你明白的語言來對你的表現做出反饋。
6. Copy the face – watch native speakers and observe their face, and particular their mouth moves when they’re speaking.
模仿面部表情——有些人的母語正是你要學習的新語言，你要觀看他們講話，觀察他們的面部表情、尤其是講話時的嘴型。
7. “Direct connect” to the target language – find ways to connect words directly with images and other internal representations.
在大腦和目的語之間建立“直接聯繫”——想辦法讓語言和大腦中的圖像或其它內部表象產生直接聯繫。
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