Deciding on strategies for informal language practice

Very few of us spend the entire day in a language school program. But if you are living in a setting where the language you want to learn is being spoken you can take advantage of opportunities to practice informally. In fact, trying to use what you know in real conversation situations is an important part of developing ture proficiency in a second language.

• Look for places where people congregate and talk where you could go and listen or get into a conversation.
• Look for shops or restaurants where you could go and buy something inexpensive, and have a chance to interacti with the waiter or salesperson.
• Look for clubs, interest groups, associations, choirs, etc. that you could join.
• Look for speakers of the language you want to learn who want to learn your language and would agree to conversation practice exchange.
• Look for adult education courses in some subject you are interested in or for a person who would be willing to teach you some skill.
• Look for someone interested in learning some skill you have.
• Look for media resources or public libraries (if these exist for the language you are learning) where you can borrow or rent videos and books.

• Task module: Deciding on strategies for informal language pract...
• In task module: Making a strategic plan for language learning
• In task module: How to manage your language learning program
• In modular book: Managing Your Language Learning Program, by Carol J. Orwig
• In bookshelf: Language Learning

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 3.5, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 21 March 1999

© 1999 SIL International