Language Learning Troubleshooter

by Carol J. Orwig

Complete Table of Contents

Summary

This book gives advice on how to identify and solve your language learning problem areas. There are two ways to approach your problem areas: by identifying the problem or by describing how you feel about it. You then are given some suggestions that may help solve your problem. This information can help get you past obstacles that may have stalled your language learning and help to get you back on track.

Start here to troubleshoot

Project rate of language learning progress

Progress charts based on FSI data

Progress chart for group 1 languages

Progress chart for group 2 languages

Progress chart for group 3 languages

Progress chart for group 4 languages

Progress chart for low aptitude learners

Progress chart for average aptitude learners

Progress chart for high aptitude learners

Compare progress against the FSI data

Project time to reach goals

Project time to reach goals after level 1

Meaningful exposure to the language

Comprehensible input

Usually lost in formal study sessions

Generally follow what is going on in formal study sessions

Understand almost everything in formal study sessions

Usually bored during formal study sessions

Understand almost nothing when native speakers talk together

Understand some when native speakers talk together

Understand most of what native speakers say to each other

Reading material is needed

Your reading material is too difficult

Good level of reading material difficulty

Reading material may be too simple

Unable to follow radio and TV dialog

Limited ability to follow radio and TV dialog

Able to follow radio and TV dialog

Easily able to follow radio and TV dialog

Infrequently using the language with the resource person

Frequently using the language with the resource person

Conversations with native speakers

Hard to converse

Able to converse

Exposure to authentic communication situations

Limited access to language community

Authentic communication is essential

Possible causes for limited exposure

Contact strategies when people don't seem friendly

Places to observe native speakers interacting

Contact strategies for families

Emotional blocks to language learning

Mind goes blank

Embarrassment

Reluctance to use target language

Hate making mistakes

Feeling foolish

Dealing with derision

Fear of being misunderstood

Teacher critical or derisive

Criticism or hostility

Mismatch between learning style and learning situation

Learning in a classroom setting

Independent study

Your own language learning program

Lack of encouragement and accountability

Share with fellow learners

Use a standard or scale

Be accountable for progress

Setting and meeting specific goals

Lack of motivation

Not convinced of importance

Get negative reinforcement

Lack of plan

Common feelings in language learning

Developmental process

Possible problem areas