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Skillshare

How to Learn Any Language in a Few Simple Steps! Lessons from a Polyglot

via Skillshare

Overview

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We live in the age of information - where anything we want to know is at our fingertips, or a simple search away. Hello, Skillshare!

For some reason though, there's this strange myth out there that learning a language is a very difficult thing to do, even in this day and age. 

Well, I'm here to change that. You can do it too! 

As a polyglot, different languages have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

To be clear, a polyglot is a person who speaks at least five languages fluently. Growing up, I learned four as my native languages (English, French, Spanish and Farsi) and as I got older, decided to teach myself a fifth language out of curiosity (Italian). Since, I've also learned a couple more to keep my curiosity satisfied too (Portuguese and German). 

I spent my University studies studying my own brain at work, seeing which techniques work best, what order is most intuitive and how I could apply this to future languages someday that I'd like to learn.

"What is the process of learning a language inside the mind and how can I make it as simple as possible?" I thought.

Those discoveries and studies, along with almost a decade of language tutoring and teaching experience, have led me to share this class with you today. The method is simple, intuitive, and works on all my students, regardless of age or background. Whether my student is a fourth grader or a retiree, I teach them these concepts in this order when I am looking to establish a solid language base. I also make sure when keeping up my languages that I always know these basics, since they are the foundation for any more learning later on.

My method bases itself on two ideas:

  • First, that learning language is simple at its core and that we all know how to do it, and
  • Second, that addressing the human aspects of learning (including where we are likely to make mistakes) allows us to succeed further down the line.  

The four steps to learn any language we will discuss are:

  • Training the Heart
  • Training the Ear
  • Training the Mind
  • Training the Tongue

By the end of this class, you will have received a new knowledge of how to break down learning a language and approach it with confidence. As a result of this class, you will no longer feel intimidated at the idea of learning a new language. In fact, we will learn some basics of French together in these lessons, just to show how simple it can be.

By the end, you should be able to order a coffee or introduce yourself in French, and to apply these principles to any other future language learning.

Join this class to open up your world today! Can't wait to meet all of you! 

Cat

www.catmansouri.com

@itscatmansouri

bit.ly/classwithCat

Syllabus

  • How This Class Can Help You
  • Class Project: An Energetic Intro!
  • Where to Begin: Believing YOU Can
  • Training Your Ear 101
  • Vocal Exercise: The Alphabet (in French)
  • Train Your Mind for Language Learning!
  • Syntax & Why It Matters
  • Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Oh My!
  • Gender and Number
  • Count to 20 With Ease
  • "L'accord" in French
  • Navigating Accents
  • Simple Verb Conjugation
  • The Final Step: Speaking! And Final Thoughts

Taught by

Cat Mansouri

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