How to Acquire Any Language in One Year

Introduction

• Presenter: Jeff Brown
• Main Concept: Acquiring a language like a child, not just learning it.
• Objective: Show step-by-step how to acquire a language within one year.
• Jeff's Plan: Learn Arabic within a year while demonstrating his methods.

Joke & Icebreaker

• Key joke: "My friend will pay for the cervezas!"

Key Concepts

• Acquisition vs. Learning
  • Acquisition: Subconscious, natural process similar to how babies learn languages.
  • Learning: Conscious process involving memorization of grammar rules and vocabulary, typical of classroom settings.
  • Comprehensible Input: Essential for language acquisition, coming from understandable and meaningful communication.

Language Acquisition

• Babies don't learn grammar; they acquire it naturally through comprehensible input.
• Natural Approach & Comprehensible Input
  • Focus: Natural, immersive, and grammar-free learning environment.
  • Benefits: Proven to facilitate better retention and practical use of language.
• Distinguishing Learning Methods
  • Natural Approach: Immersive, focus on understanding and listening, no explicit grammar instruction, minimal corrections.
  • TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling): Focus on storytelling and reading to reinforce language.

Case Studies & Evidence

• Natural Approach Effectiveness
  • Study at UC Irvine: Showed higher retention and conversational ability in students learning via natural methods compared to traditional methods.
  • Dr. Beniko Mason's Study: Higher word retention (75%) with story listening compared to traditional methods (36%).

Language Difficulty Levels (According to U.S. State Department)

• Level 1 (Easiest): Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Romanian, Dutch, Swedish, Afrikaans
  • Hours Required: 575-600
• Level 2: German
  • Hours Required: 750
• Level 3: Malaysian, Indonesian, Swahili
  • Hours Required: 900
• Level 4: Vietnamese, Thai, Tagalog, Hmong, Cambodian, etc.
  • Hours Required: 1100
• Level 5 (Most Difficult): Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Arabic
  • Hours Required: 2200

Jeff's Plan

• Comprehensible Input: No reading/writing initially for languages using non-Roman alphabets.
• Use recorded sessions for extra practice through listening.
• Focus on interactions, trades, and real-life conversations for practical use.
• Strategies:
  • Use magazines with lots of pictures for vocabulary learning.
  • Use children's stories to acquire language through context and visuals.
  • Use gestures, drawing for understanding, and avoid using English.
  • No explicit grammar study; learn grammar naturally through context.
  • Recording and revisiting those recordings to reinforce learning even further.

Immersion Plan

• Study abroad in Egypt for 3 months to immerse in the language and maximize hours of comprehensible input.

Tools & Resources

• Language Parents: Finding friends, family, co-workers, or through trades (language exchanges) to practice.
• Apps: Tandem, HelloTalk for finding language exchange partners.
• Recording Device: Use phone to record sessions for repeated listening.
• TPR (Total Physical Response): Incorporate commands and physical actions.
• i+1 Principle: Input just beyond current understanding to push learning boundaries.

Critique of Common Tools

• Rosetta Stone: Better than nothing, but lacks interpersonal interaction.
• Duolingo: Focuses too much on memorization rather than comprehensible input.

Final Thoughts

• No English: During practice, use gestures, drawing, and context to avoid using English.
• No Grammar Lessons: Acquire grammar naturally, do not focus on grammar rules during initial learning.
• No Corrections: Corrections are not effective; focus on natural acquisition.

Conclusion

• Language acquisition should be natural and context-driven, much like how children learn languages.
• Jeff’s strategies emphasize real-life communication, immersion, and avoiding explicit grammar instruction.
• Encourages embracing mistakes and relying on comprehensible input for genuine language acquisition.