Language learning strategies are the actions and operations that learners employ to improve their language learning.Language learning strategies can be taught to empower learners to progress and improve. They help achieve the goal of communicative competence and allow learners to become more self-directed.In this activity, students will reflect on personal experiences and how language learning strategies make part of the learning process.<strong>Learning Outcomes</strong>Upon completion of this task students will be able to:<li>have a better understanding of the language learning process</li><li>improve your language learning skills</li><li>reflect on your language learning experience</li>
<b>Technology required</b>Computer, laptop, internet<strong>Materials and Links</strong><a href=”http://blog.ted.com/how-to-learn-a-new-language-7-secrets-from-ted-translators/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://blog.ted.com/how-to-learn-a-new-language-7-secrets-from-ted-translators/”>How to learn a new language:  7 secrets from TED Translators</a><b>Procedure </b><b>Before the activity</b>Ask students to:<li>Reflect on how they learn a new language</li><li>Compare how they learn their native language and a new language. Are there any differences?</li><li>Think of the strategies they use when they learn a language and make a list.</li>
<b>Activity:</b><li>These paragraph titles are from the blog ‘How to learn a new language:  7 secrets from TED Translators’.  Ask students to read through them and try to predict the content of the paragraph. What do you think they refer to?<ul><li>Get real.</li><li>Make language-learning a lifestyle change.</li><li>Play house with the language.</li><li>Let technology help you out.</li><li>Think about language-learning as a gateway to new experiences.</li><li>Make new friends.</li><li>Do not worry about making mistakes.</li>
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</li><li>Now tell students to read the complete <a href=”http://blog.ted.com/how-to-learn-a-new-language-7-secrets-from-ted-translators/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-mce-href=”http://blog.ted.com/how-to-learn-a-new-language-7-secrets-from-ted-translators/”>text.</a></li><li>Were their predictions correct?</li><li>Would they add something?</li><li>Which one of these “secrets” do they use for their language learning?</li>
<br /><strong>Source/attribution:</strong> DigiLanguages          <strong>Author:</strong> Valentina Rizzo