What makes a successful language learner? Nearly everyone has tried at least once to learn a foreign language -- most American high schools require it for graduation -- but so few uf us truly succeed.

It's certainly not a simple matter of intelligence; even the most driven students, those who tackle any educational challenge put in front of them, often struggle in their efforts to learn a language's basic mechanics -- let alone achieve fluency. So what exactly makes for a successful learning environment?

While no theory exists that effectively predicts success in the acquisition of a foreign language, linguist David Crystal outlines in "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language" a number of elements that, when working in conjunction with each other, can contribute greatly to the overall learning experience.

Motivation

To fully absorb a language, students must be truly motivated to do so. They must understand a basic need for learning the language (outside of the fulfillment of a graduation requirement), and they must see clearly the benefits of achieving fluency. Its also important that the language be validated by people the student looks up to; if role models are actively engaged in the use of a foreign language, it's more that the student will strive to learn it as well.

Attitude

Students must view their chosen language of study in a positive light. Too often, students chose a language based on perceived simplicity and not genuine interest. This becomes problematic if a student finds the language's culture to be boring, strange or otherwise off-putting, and especially if the language is not pleasant to his or her ear. Studying a language and culture tied to the student's basic interests will greatly improve the chances of success.

Exposure

Students absolutely require regular exposure to native speakers other than their teacher. This can be achieved by way of educational materials -- audio and visual aids, for instance, or frequent guest speakers -- and well-planned trips to a country, or area, where the language is predominant.

Pacing

The acts of both speaking and hearing the language need to be practiced at regular intervals and not crammed into fits and starts. Though this is difficult for foreign language teaching in high schools, where the emphasis is on semesters and exams, it is best to move forward slowly, but at a steady pace. Constant reinforcement of already acquired knowledge goes a long way toward a student's retaining the information.

Practice

Perhaps the most important aspect of foreign language learning, students must practice the language as often as possibl. This is especially beneficial when in the company of a native speaker, as the emphasis is then placed on conversation rather than rote memorization. Memorization is, of course, a vital part of the language learning process, but learning the mechanics of sentence construction is important even at the earliest stages of acquisition.


Source: David Crystal. "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language." Second Edition.