If you work abroad or lead a diverse team, you know how important language skills are. Communication is the key to building trust, resolving conflicts, and achieving goals. But how can you learn a new language or improve your existing ones without spending too much time or money? Here are some of the best language learning methods for leading diverse teams.
Online platforms are a convenient and flexible way to learn a language. You can choose from a variety of courses, apps, podcasts, videos, and games that suit your level, interests, and goals. You can also interact with native speakers, tutors, or other learners through chats, forums, or calls. Online platforms can help you practice your listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills anytime and anywhere.
In my experience the following methods are helpful: -Language Training: Invest in tailored training programs. -Cross-Cultural Training: Foster understanding of cultural nuances. -Language Exchange: Encourage mutual learning among team members. -Apps & Resources: Recommend language learning apps and materials. -Immersion: Promote language immersion through media and events. -Workshops: Host language-specific workshops for better understanding. -Supportive Environment: Encourage a safe space for learning. -Translation Services: Provide professional assistance when needed. -Lead by Example: Share your language learning journey. -Feedback & Inclusion: Continuously assess progress and celebrate diversity.
-Actually I disagree with given advice since it is based on traditional teaching methods which historically have shown low success rate. “For every expert, there is an equally authoritative one with an opposing point of view.” This citation is attributed to Arthur Clark and explains why AI responses are often dull and useless because AI tries to peacify two opposing points of view. The situation changes drastically when you make a decision and ask AI for support. For example, ask: "What are the benefits of subconscious training in English skills while training all English skills simultaneously and using the pedagogy of self-learning guided by a coach familiar with this approach?"? You will be surprised by the support information provided.
Online platforms are ok, especially if you are not in the country, where your target language is spoken. If, on the other hand, you are surrounded with your target language daily, it is vital to combine online with "real-life" learning, to get the best possible results in the shortest amount of time. By that I mean observing the language, listening, trying to use it in different contexts. Because exposure to different "types" of language (colloquial, fast or slowly spoken, business, jargon) is a great preparation for what is to follow for someone who is leading diverse teams. Expert terminology alone will not suffice, you need to be in the position to have a regular conversation too.
When focusing on online instructor-led private and small group foreign language training for leading diverse teams, several methods stand out: Interactive and Collaborative Learning: Encourage interaction among team members through group activities, role-plays, and discussions. Regular Feedback and Assessment: Provide regular feedback to learners and assess their progress. Encouraging Real-world Practice: Encourage learners to practice the language in real-world scenarios. Cultural Sensitivity Training: Incorporate elements of cultural training into the language learning program. Inclusive and Supportive Environment: Create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all learners feel valued and encouraged to participate.
The best method is to immerse yourself in the language (preferably in a country where is the official language). By living it you expand your vocabulary, confirm the meaning of phrases in different contexts and accelerate communication, eliminating the main barrier to progress, which is the embarrassment of speaking it. Most people do not correct you and it is important to ask them to do so in order not to assume that your communication was clear and to learn from the mistake.
A language exchange is a great way to practice your speaking skills and learn about other cultures. You can find a partner who speaks the language you want to learn and who wants to learn the language you speak. You can then arrange a regular time to chat online or in person, and take turns to teach and learn from each other. A language exchange can help you improve your pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, as well as your confidence and intercultural awareness.
This advice is ancient and impractical since language exchanges were invented when teachers followed the only known method of teaching English – conscious learning or memorization. Prominent linguist Stephen Krashen told us half a century ago that speaking is not learning a language. Now, we know that subconscious training of all English skills simultaneously while using self-learning pedagogy and guided by a coach with a modern understanding of how knowledge differs from a skill. For acquiring knowledge, we use the conscious mind; for fluency in a foreign language, we need to use the subconscious mind. I recommend using subconscious training and self-learning instead of language exchange to develop fluency. Search for disruptive solutions
A language exchange is like any other exchange between people - if the connection between both parties works and if they can establish and maintain a productive rapport, it can be very (cost) efficient, interesting and fulfilling. It can really help you get to know a part of the culture behind your target language, in a different way than in books or apps. The challenge of it is finding the right person with a similar approach and needs as well as setting the "ground rules" that work for both parties.
Immersion is one of the most effective ways to learn a language. It means surrounding yourself with the language as much as possible, and using it in real-life situations. You can immerse yourself in the language by watching movies, listening to music, reading books, or following the news in your target language. You can also immerse yourself by traveling to a country where the language is spoken, or by joining a local community of speakers in your area.
In my experience continuous exposure, preferably in different situations, is the best method - somehow a 360 immersion, as stakeholders will also increase their empathy and many other aspects may support the development such as self-confidence and other already mentioned in other comments
“Immersion is one of the most effective ways to learn a language.” This misconception survived decades because memorization methods seized the linguistic map, so immersion is slightly better among the worst pieces of advice. ? Immersion does not teach active conversational skills needed for fluency. In immersion, acquiring the ability to think in the target language is impossible. ? The innate habit of thinking in the native language inhibits learners from genuinely engaging in immersion environments. ? Contrary to the belief of most educators that immersion is a type of subconscious training, it is not! ? As mentioned before, subconscious training of all English skills concurrently with self-leaning is my recommendation.
Immersion is great for receptive skills (like listening). You absorb the "music" of a language and get used to its rythm, intonation and sound. It can also help with vocabulary as you are exposed to new words in context. You can then passively "absorb" them or you can actively incorporate them in your dictionary. If you want to improve productive skills, then the immersion needs to be active, so you have to "force" yourself to interact in the target language.
SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. They can help you plan your language learning journey and track your progress. For example, instead of saying "I want to learn Spanish", you can say "I want to pass the B1 level exam in Spanish by the end of the year". SMART goals can help you stay motivated, focused, and accountable, as well as celebrate your achievements.
Each paragraph of the article written by AI sounds like an ancient truth that has lost its meaning and value. "I want to pass the B1 level exam in Spanish by the end of the year." The exam-based goal for learning is the key to failure since the B1 level was established for traditional memorization methods of learning, which have appalling forgetting curves, cross-translation problems, and an inability to think in the target language. Today's smart goal is to develop fluency in less than a year by using subconscious training and self-learning instead of futile attempts to remember the knowledge about the language. Or even worse, trying to add the target language to the native language, what Japanese students are trying to accomplish.
Mistakes are inevitable when you learn a new language. But they are also valuable opportunities to learn and improve. Instead of feeling embarrassed or frustrated, you should embrace your mistakes and learn from them. You can do this by asking for feedback, taking notes, reviewing your errors, and practicing more. You should also be open to correction and guidance from others, and appreciate their support and advice.
By default, AI looks backward into history and provides the average point of view, which often looks cliché. "You should be open to corrective feedback" – is wrong advice because it activates conscious learning. We speak our native language subconsciously; why should non-native speakers speak consciously? It is impossible to consciously produce two or three words per second to communicate in a language. It could be done only automatically without conscious control. English is like a muscle you must train to use automatically. You need implicit feedback, for example, the measured fluency rate. But do not learn from your mistakes: it is not possible! Ignore mistakes and continue subconscious training of all English skills simultaneously.
Learning a language should not be a chore or a burden. It should be a fun and enjoyable experience that enriches your life and career. You can make your language learning more fun by choosing topics that interest you, playing games, watching comedy shows, or joining a club or a hobby group in your target language. You can also reward yourself for your efforts, and share your achievements with your friends or colleagues.
I have fun learning a foreign language because I was lucky to meet a great teacher in school who explained me early in my carrier that all English skills should be subconsciously trained simultaneously. However, 95% of adults struggle with the acquisition of fluency and cannot have fun because, for them, it is similar to pulling a cart with rectangular wheels. It is not possible to remember English vocabulary, grammar rules, pronunciation because you have the innate habit of thinking in the native language. To feel fun and be optimistic, learners need to be given apps that create for them environment for Subconscious Training. The AI Web App Tutor allows learners create personalized lessons and learn any foreign language. That is fun!
This article, written by AI, demonstrates the Achilles Heel of AI: it could answer questions like what language learning methods worked in the past, but it cannot create original ideas or make definitive judgments. In other words, AI could not create inventions, predict which current inventions would be implemented, or become disruptive. I'd like to point out that practical advice follows. Refrain from questioning whether we should use conscious learning or subconscious training in language skills. The response will be a helpless cliché. Make your decision and ask for support. For example, the query "What are the benefits of subconscious training in English skills and applying the pedagogy of self-learning?" will produce valuable results.