Study skills tips

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1

Study skills tips

How many languages do you speak? Which ones?

Today...

... you will read some tips on how to learn a new language.

Make the correct combination

DO or MAKE?

Do

Make

group activities

notes

a list

mistakes

your homework

extra work

progress

Part 1

Many studies about language learning ask the question: What makes a good language learner? There are some things that good language learners do and some things they don’t do. Here are some of the most useful suggestions from studies.

• Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. People often get things wrong. Good language learners notice their mistakes and learn from them.

• Do group activities. People use language to communicate with other people. A good language learner always looks for opportunities to talk with other students.

• Make notes during every class. Notes help you to remember new language. Look at your notes when you do your homework.

• Use a dictionary. Good language learners often use dictionaries to check the meaning of words they don’t know. They also make their own vocabulary lists.

Part 2

• Think in the language you’re learning outside the classroom. When you’re shopping or walking down the street, remember useful words and phrases. Sometimes, when you’re at home, say new words to practise your pronunciation.

• Do extra practice. Test and improve your language, reading and listening skills with selfstudy material. You can find a lot of this online.

• Imagine yourself speaking in the language. Many good language learners can see and hear themselves speaking in the language. This helps their motivation.

• Enjoy the process. Good language learners have fun with the language. Watch a TV series or film, listen to songs, play video games or read a book. It’s never too late to become a good language learner.

Assignment

Next up you will have to answer true or false questions about the text you just read. 

Try to find the answer as quickly as you can. 

Good language learners don’t make mistakes.

1. True
2. False

It’s a good idea to talk with other students.

1. True
2. False

Take notes only before an exam.

1. True
2. False

Good language learners write down the words and expressions they learn.

1. True
2. False

Think of language you know when you are outside the classroom.

1. True
2. False

Don’t take tests outside of class – it’s very stressful.

1. True
2. False

Assignment

Write the noun forms of the verbs. 

For example, ‘imagination’ is the noun form of the verb ‘imagine’.

What is a noun of:

1. Assist 2. Suggest 3. Communicate 4. Mean 5. Pronounce 6. Motivate

Answers

1. Assistant
2. Suggestion
3. Communication
4. Meaning
5. Pronunciation
6. Motivation