Learning A New Language For Dummies

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	Foolish Assumptions
	Icons Used in This Book
	Beyond the Book
	Where to Go from Here
Part 1 Getting Started with Learning a New Language
	Chapter 1 Craving a New Language
		Defining What “Language” Means
		Gaining a Superpower by Learning a New Language
			Knowing what you need up front
			Seeing the benefits of being bilingual (or multilingual) in the world
		Uncovering Communication Categories, Components, and Design Features
			Specifying communication categories
			Examining components of the communication chain
			Recognizing special design features
				What all communication systems have
				What some communication systems have
				What only human communication systems have
		Clarifying Various Language Functions
		Embracing Essential Branches in Linguistics
			Phonetics and phonology: Working with sounds
			Morphology: Building words
			Syntax: Creating sentences
			Semantics: Understanding meaning
			Pragmatics: Getting meaning in context
			Other branches of linguistics
	Chapter 2 Understanding Terms and Key Elements for Learning a Language
		Getting Familiar with Key Terms about Languages
			First language
			Second language
			Heritage language
		Checking Out Key Terms about Language Speakers
			Monolingual speakers
			Bilingual speakers
				Onset of L2 learning/acquisition
				L2 language skills
				L2 language proficiency
				L2 representation in the brain
		Recognizing Key Terms about Communicative Competence
		Uncovering Some Key Elements for Learning a Language
			Nature: Understanding your innate language abilities
				LAD and UG
				General learning mechanisms
				Developmental stages and acquisition order
			Nurture: Building on your innate language abilities
				The most essential element: Input
				Back-and-forth: Interaction
				What’s produced: Output
	Chapter 3 Recognizing Personal Factors for Learning a Language
		Balancing Individual Differences in Language Learning
			Age
			Motivation
			Attitude
			Anxiety
			Aptitude
			Working memory
			Your L1’s influence
			Personality traits
			Multiple intelligences
			Language-learning style
				Using your senses
				Processing grammar rules
				Organizing the material
				Having an end goal
				Working with others
				Getting your bearings
		Advancing Your Language Proficiency Level
			CEFR proficiency
			ACTFL guidelines
	Chapter 4 Enjoying the Advantages of Learning Languages
		Strengthening Your Academic Success
			Access to more information
			Test scores
			Metalinguistic awareness and better L1 skills
			Increased creativity
			Other academic benefits
		Improving Your Brain Power: Cognitive and Health Benefits
			Executive function
			Working memory
			Inhibitory control
			Mental/cognitive flexibility
			Attentional control
			Delayed cognitive decline
		Accentuating Personal, Social, and Cultural Benefits
			Improved communication skills
			Enhanced intercultural competence
			Social-emotional connection
			Travel benefits
			Participation in the global community
		Enhancing Your Economic Possibilities
			More employment opportunities
			Higher earnings
Part 2 Laying the Groundwork for Language Learning
	Chapter 5 Examining Language Development
		Understanding the Natural Order of Language Development
			Natural stages in language development
			Internal language development processes
				Acquisition orders
				Developmental sequences
			U-shaped language development
			Implicit knowledge, explicit knowledge, and interlanguage
				Implicit knowledge
				Explicit knowledge
				Interlanguage
		Comparing and Contrasting L1 and L2 Development
			L1 and L2 development states
				The initial state
				The intermediate state
				The final state, or ultimate attainment
			Similarities between L1 and L2 development
			Differences between L1 and L2 development
		Hitting the Ground Running: You Already Have a First Language
			Characteristics of L1 acquisition
				Phonetics and phonology
				Word production and acquisition
				Morphosyntax
			The role of adults in L1 acquisition
		Developing a Second or Foreign Language
			The timing of L2 learning
			Starting with an L2 as an adult
			Starting with an L2 as a child
				Phases of early L2 learning
				Input and output
	Chapter 6 Explaining Some Language Learning Proposals
		Acknowledging Main FLA Perspectives
			Behaviorism: Acquiring language by forming habits
			Innatism: Language is preprogrammed in the human brain
				Getting some background on Chomsky’s approach
				Understanding the critical period hypothesis
			Interactionism: Developing language by interacting with the environment
		Outlining Some L2 Learning Perspectives
			Behaviorism: Imitation and habit formation are key in L2 learning
			Innatism: Realizing the importance of the monitor model
				The acquisition-learning hypothesis
				The monitor hypothesis
				The natural order hypothesis
				The comprehensible input hypothesis
				The affective filter hypothesis
			Interactionism: Appreciating the impact of social interactions in L2 development
	Chapter 7 Reviewing Language Teaching Methods and Approaches
		Selecting the Best Language Teaching Method for Your Needs
		Studying the Traits of Notable Early Language Teaching Methods
			The grammar-translation method
			The direct method
			The audiolingual method
		Examining Current Teaching Practices in the Communicative Approach
			Total physical response
			The natural approach
			Task-based learning
			Content-based instruction
		Digging into Proficiency and Standards
			A focus on proficiency
			The importance of standards
				Standards in the United States
				Standards in Europe
Part 3 Understanding Language Learning Activities
	Chapter 8 Juggling Key Elements in the Language Learning Process
		Uncovering the Essential Element: Language Input
			Understanding input basics
				Receiving optimal input
				Developing your language system
				Recognizing quality sources of input
			Examining modified input
			Noticing particular language elements
		Factoring in the Role of Language Interactions
			Looking at feedback’s benefits
			Receiving various types of feedback
		Producing Language Output
			Explaining output
			Checking out the benefits of output
			Understanding interlanguage
				Fossilization
				L1 influence
		Recognizing That Making Errors Is Totally Normal
		Distinguishing Learning Contexts
			Naturalistic settings
			Instructional settings
	Chapter 9 Digging into Diverse Language Skills
		Advancing Your L2 Reading Skills
			Knowing how reading helps you acquire language
			Comparing alphabetic and logographic languages
			Transferring your L1 reading skills
			Employing strategies for L2 reading success
				Having a purpose or goal for your reading
				Selecting a text that’s appropriate in content and proficiency
				Getting ready to understand the text
				Assessing your comprehension of the text
		Improving Your Listening Skills
			Global strategies for listening
			Local strategies for listening
			A few personal favorites
		Speaking Your L2 without Fear
			Understanding two types of spoken language
				Saying novel content
				Using formulas and gambits
			Working on pronunciation
			Enhancing your L2 speaking skills with a few strategies
		Practicing Your L2 Writing Skills
	Chapter 10 Employing Language Learning Strategies
		Using Multiple Language Learning Strategies by Yourself
			Memorizing and retrieving information
			Organizing vocabulary in your memory
			Activating and linking your knowledge
			Paying attention to context
			Planning and monitoring your learning
		Finding Opportunities for L2 Interactions
			Having repetitive encounters
			Compensating and covering
		Cheering Yourself On
Part 4 Putting Your Language Learning into Action
	Chapter 11 Choosing a New Language to Learn
		Considering Your Motivation for Learning a New Language
			Integrating into a community
			Earning practical benefits from your L2
		Surveying Available Resources before Choosing Your L2
	Chapter 12 Tailoring a Learning Plan Just for You
		Ready, Set, Go! Setting Goals and Building a Plan
			Stating your learning goals
			Understanding proficiency levels
			Mapping out a learning plan
				Reminding yourself of your motivation
				Laying out long-term learning goals
				Surveying your short-term learning goals
				Setting your routine
				Coming up with conversational formulas
				Starting your personal vocabulary bank
			Knowing that consistency is essential
		Selecting Learning Activities That Suit You
			Choosing activities that align with your multiple intelligences
			Picking activities that fit your learning style
				Using your senses
				Learning the rules
				Organizing the material
				Having end goals
				Working with others
				Paying attention to details
		Accessing Input, Interaction, and Output Opportunities
			Considering available sources of input
				Discovering a wide range of options
				Understanding the special power of reading
			Seeking opportunities for language interaction and output
	Chapter 13 Building Vocabulary and Grammar
		Getting an Overview of L2 Vocabulary Learning
		Surveying Key Vocabulary Words, Phrases, and Formulas
			Core words and phrases
				Basic words
				Greetings and farewells
				Introductions
				Communication problems
				Everyday questions
				Emergencies
				Restaurant terms
			Formulas
		Gathering Your Vocabulary Learning Supplies
			Accessing an appropriate L2 textbook
			Finding a good L2 dictionary and thesaurus
			Using a notebook
			Making flashcards
		Mastering Vocabulary with Some Handy Strategies
			Building semantic maps
			Creating mental images
			Using mnemonics and the keyword technique
			Inferring the meaning
			Using reference materials
			Looking for cognates
			Repeating whatever you can
			Creating rhymes and playing games
			Engaging with the L2 community
		Considering the Role of Grammar in Your Language Learning
	Chapter 14 Considering the Role of Technology
		Deciding Which Technology to Use in Your Language Learning
		Considering Language Learning Platforms and Courses
		Practicing Your Listening and Reading Skills
			Audio and video samples
			Podcasts
			Books, audiobooks, and other reading resources
		Working on Speaking and Writing
			Online tools to find in-person speakers
			Conversation and language exchange partners
			Artificial intelligence and virtual reality
			Written exchanges
			Help with pronunciation and fluency
		Enhancing Your L2 Vocabulary
			Vocabulary lists
			Vocabulary organization
			Flashcards
			Other vocabulary activities
		Interacting with Your L2’s Culture
			Images
			Videos and sounds
			Arts and culture
		Getting Help
			Tutors
			Dictionaries
		Assessing Your Progress
Part 5 The Part of Tens
	Chapter 15 Ten Tips for Starting Your New Language Journey
		Pinpointing Your Motivation
		Focusing on Learning Vocabulary
		Finding Compelling Sources of Input
		Playing with the Language
		Interacting and Negotiating Meaning with Others
		Taking Risks and Accepting Errors
		Building a Learning Plan and Sticking to It
		Immersing Yourself in the Language
		Using Good Learning Materials
		Celebrating Your Progress
	Chapter 16 Ten Areas to Master in Your New Language
		Familiarizing Yourself with Your L2’s Culture
		Greeting People and Saying Farewell
		Understanding and Requesting Basic Information
		Embracing Conversation Starters and Taking Your Turn
		Knowing Numbers and Letters
		Thanking People and Saying “You’re Welcome”
		Using Your Manners in a Restaurant
		Saying You’re Sorry and Other Niceties
		Discussing Public Transportation and Places
		Asking for Help in an Emergency
Index
EULA