How to Learn a Foreign Language

How to Learn a Foreign Language: A Question and Answer Resource Guide
Aurelia McNeil
Language Experts, LLC
ISBN: 0-9755310-0-X
Non-Fiction, Reference, Languages
Reviewed by Dr. Tami Brady

How to Learn a Foreign Language: A Question and Answer Resource Guide is a generalized guide for learning a foreign language. Thus, this book is not designed to teach any one particular language or foreign languages within one specific language family group. Instead, this book aims to teach potential foreign language learners how to overcome potential language learning barriers in order to reach his or her specific language learning goals. Thus, the author's generalized hints are intended to be as valid to the person who wishes to speak a little Italian so he or she can order lunch on a trip to Italy or the student wanting to teach university level Sanskrit. In this book, the author shares the hints and tips she learned during her own experiences in learning Spanish, French, and Albanian as well as her experiences teaching Spanish and French. In this way, this book covers a lot of answers to the questions beginner language learners want to know. This includes a short background on how various languages are related and about first language acquisition. Furthermore, this book contains several question and answer sections to reduce reader's language learning anxieties and reiterate that anyone can reach his or her language learning goals.
Beyond this background information, How to Learn a Foreign Language discusses key concepts such as determining language learning goals; studying according to individualized learning styles; what aspects of a language to study first; different types of study methods and their effectiveness; the most effective learning times; and learning resources available. Moreover, the author states the importance of hearing and speaking a language in order to create and improve language skills. In this way, using native listening and speaker resources such as conversing with natives, reading books or magazines, watching television, and listening to music are encouraged in this book. Various language learning programs and language learning media are also discussed.