Tips and Hints

A. You have to memorize.  Memorization is the main task in learning a new                   language.

     1.  Memorize short phrases or sentences rather than individual words alone.

     2.   Learn the ideas, not just the words.

B.  Make the fullest possible use of your class time.

      1.  Pay attention in class.  This will make your work outside class seem

           much easier.

       2. When the teacher is explaining or someone else is reciting, listen

            and think what they are saying.  Do not heave a sigh of relief and

            "tune out" when you are not reciting.  Respond mentally to each

            comment and question and conduct a sort of dialogue on the subject

            matter if you are not actually involved in an oral dialogue with the

            teacher or classmates.

  C.  Language learning means habit development.

        1.  By listening to your teacher and imitating him or her (aloud or silently), you improve your speech habits

             Try to imitate your teacher's pronunciation abd speech pattern and, in so doing , form the necessary

             habits that will make you a successful language student.

         2.  By studying and reading aloud when you are alone, you develop good pronunciation habits and   

              language fluency.

    D.  Homework is a "must" -- but there are tactics that make it easier and more effective.

         1.  Divide your homework material into small units if you find it hard going.  Work about 10 to 15 minutes

              on it; do something else for a a while,  then return to your language assignment.  Be sure you return to it!

         2.  Do your homework when it is assigned.  Do not expect to turn in several late assignments in a batch.

              Homework is part of the listening/ practicing process.  The homework "document" in itself is not the

              important thing.  It is the habits that doing homework has helped you form, and the vocabulary, syntax,

              and language patterns that doing homework has helped you master,  which are really important.