Chris Lonsdale is a psychologist,
linguist and educator from New Zealand who travels around the world and shares
his knowledge on how to reach fluency fast.
5 Principles (外语快速学的5个原则)
1 Focus on language content that is relevant to you (从跟你有重要关联的内容开始)
We master tools by using tools; we
learn tools the fastest when they are relevant to us. For example, say I have
to submit a document written in Mandarin tomorrow to the Chinese Immigration
officials. It's very important that I finish this document tonight. This means
I'm putting myself in a situation or environment that makes my language skills
highly relevant.
2 Use your language as a tool to communicate from day one (把外语当成工具，每天说和用)
Speak the target language wherever
you can with people around you. When you go about your daily life, or while
walking to the market, school and bank, try to use the target language as much
as possible.
3 When you first understand the message, you will unconsciously acquire
the language (用可明白输入，懂含义为先)
Comprehension has proven to be even
more important than grammar. Understanding the content or meaning of something
before or while you absorb words or phrases is crucial in the formation of a
language.
4 Physiological training (注重生理训练，练好外语功夫)
A language is much more of a
physiological exercise than a way to acquire knowledge. Becoming familiar with
new words and expressions is about absorbing sounds. This takes muscle
practice! You have 43 main muscles in your face, and you must learn to control
these.
5 Psycho-physiological state matters (轻松好奇+忍耐歧义=学得快)
Your state of mind will impact your
learning speed. Being happy, relaxed and curious will help you learn faster.
Being sad, depressed and frustrated will have the opposite effect. To achieve
the ideal state of mind, you must develop a tolerance of ambiguity, and get
used to not understanding every new word you come across. Learning is supposed
to be a fun experience, so make sure to enjoy yourself, be comfortable and
avoid anger.
7 Actions (外语快速学的七个行动)
1 Listen a lot (大量去听，泡脑子)
Let your brain subconsciously soak
everything in. Absorb rhythms and patterns. Don't worry if you don't understand
everything at first.
2 Get the meaning first (注意力先放在理解含义)
Before understanding every word in a
sentence, strive to understand the meaning of something being expressed.
Observing someone's body language can often help with this.
3 Start mixing (混合已经会的，创造沟通)
Be creative. Language is a creative
process. Mix together your knowledge and have fun. 10 verbs x 10 nouns x 10
adjectives = 1,000 possible phrases. Essentially, you can start speaking with a
very small number of words.
4 Focus on the core (从核心高频内容入手)
In the English language, knowing
roughly 3,000 words will cover 98% of the words you need in everyday
conversations. The rest is icing on the cake.
5 Get a "language parent" (找语言家长)
Find a language parent—a partner who
is willing to help you and communicate with you.
6 Copy the face (模仿母语者面部练发音)
Observe how native speakers speak,
and how they use their mouths when they express themselves. Get these facial
muscles working correctly.
7 Direct connect (外语声音直接链接心中的画面和感觉)
Every concept you know can be seen as
an image stored inside of your mind. Creating visual cognitive imagery is an
effective way to create pathways in your mind, and a smart method to easily
memorize new words and phrases. Habitually connect sounds to your internal
representations and let the brain subconsciously take care of the rest.
Follow these rules, and you'll be
fluent within 6 months!
