Learn Language: Listening for Context Clues

One of the most important things to learn about foreign language is the skill of listening for context clues. As a non-native speaker it will be quite difficult to comprehend full sentences when conversing with a native speaker.

A couple years ago, when I was visiting Paris with my mother and father, my mother and I wandered into one of the larger cemeteries in Paris (unfortunately, I cannot remember which) because she wanted to visit the grave of an author she remembered from her childhood. While I was proficient in the French language, I was not near fluent; when I asked for directions from a kind gentleman, I found that he spoke so quickly that I could not understand him! Luckily, I had learned to listen for context clues.

As the gentleman spoke I listened for words like, “right” and “left”, and I kept a good watch on his body language and hand gestures. Without these context clues, I would never have been able to navigate the cemetery (though, we still didn’t manage to locate the grave).

Most teachers of foreign language start out by teaching how to ask for directions, or perhaps asking questions about items in a store or things around the house. Though this is surely good practice, it is not preparation for actually being able to use the language in order to get around and actually converse with the native speakers.

One important thing to learn is that listening is important. Watch movies, listen to audio books, or even talk to fellow students in the language you’re learning; it is very important to actually listen. Teachers can teach you to speak well, but there is no sense in speaking if you cannot listen and understand the people you are speaking to.

As you browse the site, make sure to listen to audio I have provided; while I may not be a native speaker, I can give you an idea of what something should sound like. If you listen enough, then maybe you will be prepared when conversing with someone in another country.

Tags: Learn Language, tips