The previous article laid out the complex nature of vocabulary acquisition: new words are not learned instantly, but through a multi-stage, incremental process which normally proceeds from receptive to productive vocabulary knowledge. The first stages of this process are essential: learning the correct spelling and pronunciation and the precise meaning(s) of a word builds a solid foundation for your language skills as a whole. But the next step can be defined as critical: if a learner is not able to…
Now the power of WordDive has been proven statistically. Users who learn 100 items permanently with WordDive can successfully produce an average of 80 items one year later, without repetition in between. The result is based on 10 000 anonymous random samples comparing April 2013 to April 2012 (margin of error ±2%). Permanent learning changes everything. You don’t have to learn the same things again and again, because every hour of study improves your language skills permanently. Language learning changes…
Vocabulary acquisition is crucial for second and foreign language learning, as emphasized in our last article. We need to grow and cultivate our vocabulary to progress in our language studies, but how does it actually happen? When can you say you have successfully learned a new word? This article will examine these questions, which are worthy of consideration – not just in a theoretical sense, but because a basic understanding of the vocabulary acquisition process is highly important for establishing…
Words Will Get You Far: Why Is Vocabulary Acquisition So Important in Second and Foreign Language Learning?
February 25, 2013As discussed in the first post, vocabulary was for long an overlooked aspect of learning a new language. During the last decades, however, the vocabulary has moved from the periphery into a central position. Even a quick look at the recent linguistic research (1) reveals that more and more attention has been given to this disregarded “Cinderella of foreign language learning” (2). We find this attention truly well-deserved, as we are confident that vocabulary, including not just words but also…
Learning is great, and the biggest reward is the ability to communicate, take care of things and make friends using a new language. However, it is also useful to have a proper certificate for the effort spent and results achieved. In the international economy of today, the importance of language skills is increasing rapidly. Being able to speak and handle things in foreign languages makes it easier to get hired and promoted. From now on, a detailed certificate is automatically…
We are truly excited to announce the launch of our new blog aimed at anyone interested in second and foreign language learning related topics. In this very first post – in addition to wishing you a warm welcome, of course – we would like to take the opportunity to give you a glimpse of what is to come. The aim of this blog is to go a little further than just providing you the latest product news. Our wish is…