How to Teach Yourself a Language Using Video Washington DC

Steps

1. Use silent films and videos to CREATE language. For example, you could use a silent film like Charlie Chaplin or Mr. Bean, to watch and pause, and then use your new language to describe what is happening or what the character is doing. This method can be applied no matter what your language level. You can say "Mr. Bean is walking" (simple) or "Mr. Bean is walking worriedly to get to the store befor it closes". This is a great way to learn to think in your new language. By all means use your dictionary if you don't know a certain word. The different scenarios that Mr. Bean and Charlie find themselves in will no doubt help to improve your vocabulary! This is a fun way to learn and most importantly, RETAIN newly acquired language.
2. Use video to repeat what the characters in a movie say. Pause it after a sentence and try to repeat, with the same accent and inflections (for example if they're angry then you should say it angrily too). Keep trying until you get the pronunciation the same as the native speakers.
3. Cover the screen up while listening to the audio, and try to guess what the situation being played out it is and what the emotions are of the actors/actresses. Analyze the different characters and voices to guess who they are and what relationship they have to each other. Then, see if you were right by watching the scene play out. You will learn alot about the nature of expression, in your new language, by this method.
4. Once you've seen a certain movie often enough and know it well enough in English, try only watching it in your target language and with the language subtitles.
5. Act out scenes with fellow language learners.

Tips

• Make sure you get DVD's with your target language AUDIO and SUBTITLES available, for the widest range of use in learning techniques.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.liveandlearnlanguages.com/videos.html - more information and guidance.

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