The document discusses 5 ways to improve foreign language learning with technology beyond common uses like Duolingo or Netflix. It recommends using YouTube for videos with clear audio and automatic captions. It also recommends online dictionaries like SpanishDict for words and Reverso Context for examples of words used in context. Language exchange apps are suggested for practicing with native speakers. Audiobooks and e-books are favored over printed books for looking up words easily. Finally, it recommends changing device languages for exposure to new vocabulary.
1. Learning a new skill in 1 week
Technology has made language learning easier so far. You
probably agree with this if you use Duolingo to learn foreign
languages, translate texts with Google Translate, or watch movies
on Netflix to practice your language skills. However, sometimes
these “common” uses of technology aren’t the most effective ways
to learn a foreign language. I worked in the tech industry and
tested many apps, so I know this firsthand. So before Elon Musk
makes language learning obsolete, I’ll show you 5 ways to improve
how you use technology to learn a second language
Detailed explanation : https://uii.io/MotivationForEveryone
2. 1.Youtube beats Netflix in language learning
Have you wondered why you easily get lost and miss the jokes
when watching most Netflix shows in a foreign language? It’s
simple, most movies and TV shows contain background noise, and
actors tend to slur words and speak quietly in some scenes. You
already experienced this if you had to turn up the volume when
watching Netflix in your native language. This is why YouTube is
way better than Netflix —most YouTubers often make videos at
home or in the quietest place possible. This clean audio is key to
understand native speakers painlessly.
Also, if you’re tired of the lack of Netflix’s original or dubbed
content in the language you’re learning, I have good news! You
3. can find countless videos in almost any language on YouTube. On
top of that, all YouTube videos include automatic captions thanks
to Youtube’s machine learning algorithms. As someone who can
fluently speak Spanish and Portuguese, I can say that this
algorithm does an amazing job creating automatic captions in
romance languages.
To turn on automatic captions, just click the setting icon and then
click “Subtitles/CC.” It works for both mobile and computer.
4. Screenshot YouTube video options
In the beginning, it might be hard to engage with a YouTuber
speaking in a foreign language, but it’s completely worth it! The
best part is that the more you engage with videos in a
foreign language on YouTube, the more foreign channels
the algorithm will recommend on suggested videos and
the home feed, so you’ll be tempted to keep watching
content in foreign languages! My YouTube homepage is full
of videos in Spanish, English, and Russian!
5. 2. Online Dictionaries and Reverso Context
beat Google Translate
Dictionaries help increase our vocabulary in any language, and,
unlike translators, they show the multiple definitions a word has.
However, online dictionaries are much better because they have a
recording of people in different accents reading any word you
want.
For example, SpanishDict has recordings of words in Spanish
from Spain and Latin America. Thanks to this, you will learn the
meaning of a new word and also the correct pronunciation.
6. SpanishDict (translation of computer)
On the other hand, If you would like to take word translation to
the next level, you should try “translation in context”
apps/websites like Reverso Context. Apart from showing the
possible translations of a word, Reverso also presents examples
for each translation, so you can identify the meaning of a word
based on context. To show you how it works, let’s imagine you’re
watching La Casa de Papel (Money heist) and you hear the
expression “se te va la olla,” which is widely used in Spain.
7. If you use Google Translate, you’ll get “the pot is gone,” which
doesn’t have anything to do with the meaning of the original
phrase. If you Reverso instead, you’ll get different suggestions for
the translation with examples, so you can see how the word is
used in context.
8. Reverso Context
Thanks to Reverso Context, now we know that “se te va la olla”
means “you are nuts.” in some contexts.
Another great tool is Cooljugator. This is a free online verb
conjugator that works in over 40 languages and comes in handy
when you’re having a hard time learning conjugations of verbs or
word declension
9. 3. Language exchange apps beat social media
Have you ever felt bad after spending hours talking with friends or
chatting on social media? Well, if you download a language
exchange app, you won’t feel bad anymore!
Language exchange apps such as HelloTalk and Tandem will help
you connect with native speakers so you can either chat (to
practice your reading and writing skills) or have a call (to practice
your listening and speaking skills). Every time you chat with a
language partner, remind yourself that you’re doing it because you
want to practice and improve your language skills. In this way,
you can say you’re investing your time in education instead of
wasting it on entertainment.
In case you feel you’re not ready to practice with native speakers,
you can start by interacting with a voice assistant like Siri (I show
you how to change Siri’s language in #5) or with chatbot apps.
10. 4. Audiobooks and e-books beat printed books
There’s a big debate about whether e-books or printed books are
better. When it comes to language learning, I have no doubts that
reading on screen and/or listening to an audiobook is more
beneficial for language learning than reading on paper.
For example, you can quickly look up the meaning of a new word
on an e-book — you don’t even need to close the iBooks app on
your Mac/iPhone. You just need to install the dictionary in the
language you want, and then every time you find a new word, it’s
enough to tap on it to find the translation and meaning.
12. Image by author — Install Dictionary (iPhone)
Audiobooks are also better than books because they give the
correct pronunciation of words, which is better than guessing how
a word sounds in a foreign language. Things get better if you
combine your e-book and audiobook because you get immersion
reading, which increases reading comprehension. I give more
details about this method in the article below.
5. Set your iPhone/Mac/Pc to use the
foreign language
You should only change your device's language if
you’re familiar with the interface and the location of
important buttons; otherwise, you’ll get a headache
trying to figure out how your phone or computer
works.
13. By changing the language, you will often come
across new vocabulary when using your device. You
can do this on an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch by
going to General, Language & Region, and iPhone
Language. But if you want to change Siri’s language,
you need to go to Siri & Search.
I don’t switch languages on my MacBook because I
often use it for work. But I do change the language
on some websites I use for entertainment, like
YouTube. I also manage two browsers (Safari and
Chrome), so I change the language of 1 browser,
while the other remains with the same language.
That being said, you can check how to change the
language of the whole system on macOS and
Windows.
14. Note: I didn’t include flashcards because I already
covered that topic in many articles I wrote, but if
you’d like to know how to use flashcards for
language learning, check the article where I explain
how I learned a language by reading Game of
Thrones and using flashcard or the one below with
the same approach but with Duolingo.
Detailed explanation : https://uii.io/MotivationForEveryone
Credit to : https://medium.com/