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Tuesday, 20 February, 2018 - 09:43

Language learning without the use of a textbook

by AriadneBlogger2017

We are all aware that practical exercises using textbooks and classroom materials are valuable when it comes to language learning. However, I realised early on in my language learning journey that the only way to keep up my motivation for language learning was to make sure it was accessible and fun. To do this I found enjoyable ways of integrating language learning into my everyday life. Here are a few of them:

Change the language of all your electronics to your target language.

This is an easy one. By simply changing the language of your mobile phone you are exposed to many different words and phrases in your target language, many of which will be easily added to your vocabulary. Most of us navigate our way around our phone without a second thought anyway, so this should be a simple way to learn more without having to try too hard.

Listen to music.

This seems like an obvious one, and is probably one that you already do. However, when I say listening, I mean actively listening. If you want to be more productive, you can find lyrics online and write them down in order to learn them off by heart. Even if you need to pause the song and search for words and phrases you don't understand, this will only aid you in your learning. Listening to music will not only help with vocabulary but also with grammar as you will begin to notice patterns, especially as many songs tend to be repetitive.

Read short stories designed for your language level.

Even if reading isn't your favourite pastime, short stories are good in that you can read them in one sitting and feel as though you have accomplished something. For those of you who are ready to move on to a more advanced level, you could even try to find books you have already read in your mother tongue, since as you already know the storyline you shouldn't get too lost. You could also get the audiobook to accompany your reading: this way you have more than one input and can improve your listening skills at the same time.

Discussion

Do you have any tips on learning a language without a textbook?

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Submitted by AlisonEstévez on Sat, 11/26/2022 - 02:19

I think that other ways to learn a language is to watch English movies or series, try to speak it more often, either alone or with other people, and listen to music in English while paying attention to the pronunciation

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Submitted by NaiMad on Fri, 11/25/2022 - 15:53

In my opinion, one of the best ways to practice English is to watch series and movies in English. Depending on the level, they can be children's movies, subtitled movies or movies of the genre you want to watch. This is a way to not get bored while learning new things.

Submitted by AngelCortez on Fri, 11/25/2022 - 05:19

To learn another language I do not consider completely necessary to have a textbook, we can resort to videos on different platforms, face-to-face classes or to read articles and stories that gradually have more complexity, also applies to TV programs.

Submitted by Lu1sBC on Fri, 11/25/2022 - 04:29

One way to learn a language without a textbook is playing video games in the language that you want to learn. You can put your favourite video games in your target language and return to enjoy them but now in a different language. Depending of the video game you are playing, you will learn different vocabulary.

Submitted by Alexnader Kalid on Fri, 11/25/2022 - 03:51

A good way to learn English without the need to use books, would be to watch movies in English at first with subtitles to know what they say; listen to songs in English and talk to someone.

Submitted by iTsS4ma on Fri, 11/25/2022 - 01:44

Personally I already use some of these tips, such as putting my electronic devices in English or paying attention to the lyrics of the songs in English, so it is not very complicated for me to learn the language.

Submitted by Aguacatito on Thu, 11/24/2022 - 23:34

I agree with the advice given in the text, they are a good way to improve our listening and speaking skills and increase the amount of words and grammar we know, we can also start watching movies or series changing the language by language that we are learning and add subtitles, over time we will notice that we do not need subtitles and we will get used to hearing that language.

Submitted by GaboP on Thu, 11/24/2022 - 18:37

A good way to learn English is talking to native English speakers, thanks to online games, chat rooms and forums I have managed to learn English, even in a more street or technical way, the biggest problem of learning English with books or courses is that this English is very "direct" and very different from the one spoken in the streets or in the workplaces.

Submitted by jdaguila150 on Wed, 11/23/2022 - 19:31

when we try to learn a new language, in reality we very rarely think about a book, currently we think and occupy ourselves more with movies, music, talking. I think that if we want to learn another language we should speak it, rather than memorize it, I think it is better to learn and analyze it

Submitted by Solrac on Wed, 11/23/2022 - 14:48

I think that a good way to learn English without the help of a textbook is to take courses or activities like this online, another good way is to attend a face-to-face course or, if possible, practice or talk with native people or people who are fluent in English idiom.

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Submitted by Fernando3000 on Wed, 11/23/2022 - 14:46

yes, you can find a lot of videos in youtube about learning english like BBC english, easy english, etc. The internet is very useful to learn about everything you want without the need of a textbook.

Submitted by DanitoProHDZ77777 on Wed, 11/23/2022 - 14:45

These tips seem excellent to me, perfect to be able to learn a new language and be able to improve myself as a person, these tips will open doors for me, I already followed some because they were on YouTube and TikTok and they changed my life, from now on I will do them daily to learn english once and for all

Submitted by Pepe_315879 on Wed, 11/23/2022 - 14:45

Immerse yourself in conversation with native speakers of the language is a very good way to learn that language

Submitted by Octavio05 on Wed, 11/23/2022 - 14:40

I think that watching movies and series in another language can be a good way to learn it, you can also try to memorise the lyrics of a song and try to understand it.

Submitted by Yael on Wed, 11/23/2022 - 14:40

I think a good tip is to read and watch things about that language you want to learn :)

Submitted by nickcp10 on Tue, 04/14/2020 - 20:57

i´ts a very good reading. I think that reading has a lot of reason why one is going to learn English doing things that they like, one is not doing forced things. I found it very interesting when in the text say that he changes the language of his electronic devices to the language he wants to learn, this helps a lot because it helps us to become familiar with the language nicolas 9a
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Submitted by Ken on Sun, 04/29/2018 - 08:52

I agree with the tips! ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶
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