Drill Books

Even the name is uninviting - but can 'drill books' help learn a language?

Rote learning has always had its advocates - but for many of us, it has had little impact in the long term. I remember writing out verb tables many, many times whilst at school. Yet I can still struggle to remember the correct conjugation for even familiar verbs. Similarly attempting to memorise vocab lists has consumed a lot of time - with limited success.

The key to success seems to be intelligent use of the individual words and forms used. The ability to recite verb and vocab tables is of itself of little use - it is being able to manipulate the information to create new phrases that is key. That's one of the reasons that I've found Duolingo so effective. Each time I do an session I am required to solve problems - translation; applying the appropriate endings; drawing on the database of vocab stored in my head. Each practice strengthens the links within the brain - making it easier and easier to solve the problems in the future - until one has gained fluency.

Drill books are designed to do this too. The application of the rules - helps "bed down" the rules in one's brain until they become second nature. I find it useful when doing the exercises to vocalise the sentences I am also writing.

There are a number of Drill books available - from various publishers. I've being using the series "Practice Makes Perfect" series from McGraw-Hill.







Similar drill books are available in other languages

The Duolingo Challenge

While I mentioned Duolingo in a post in my series on tools to learn French - there are many other languages available.

One of the ways to encourage your regular use of this tool is to challenge your friends. The 'league table' so created is based not on language or level - but the number of sessions you take in a week. So, if a friend is pretty strong in another language, say Spanish, you can still compete with them - and beat them by practising more.

You are welcome to challenge me - or put in a more positive way, to be my friend.

 I am "David744736" on Duolingo.

Duolingo

I noted the advice in Gabriel Wyner's book "Fluent Forever"  to "used spaced repetition systems" (not the sexiest of titles). There are a number of apps available that allow you to make your own. As a former law student (and Law Lecturer), I have used, and encouraged the use of "case cards" for revision. When I was at University - they had to be done manually - but now computers enable you to have these helpful revision tools - AND to set up a 'spaced repetition system'.

There is great value in making your own - and as you'll see in future posts - I believe strongly in the value of making one's own revision material - it is actually one of the most important stages in revision - and much value disappears if you rely on someone else's pre-manufactured revision material.

But there is one SRS that I (and other members of my family) use on a daily basis - and it comes in a free app.

Duolingo is (in the words of Wikipedia) "a free language-learning platform that includes a language-learning website and app, as well as a digital language proficiency assessment exam. Duolingo offers all its language courses free of charge. As of November 2016, the language-learning website and app offer 66 different language courses across 23 languages; with 22 additional courses in development. The app is available on iOS, Android and Windows 8 and 10 platforms with about 120 million registered users across the world."

I use it primarily to learn French - but also to build up a smattering of German, Spanish and Italian.

You set yourself a goal - There are four levels

- Casual (one exercise a day)
- Regular (two exercises a day)
- Serious (three exercises a day)
- Insane (five exercises a day)

Each exercise earns you 10 xp (points). The first day you achieve your goal begins a run (in Duolingo-speak - a 'streak'. That streak grows every subsequent day that you achieve your goal. I am currently on a 68 day streak. Forget to do your daily dose of Duolingo, and the streak ends and you have to start again. The fear of ending my streak acts as an increasingly effective motivator. (Of course, it also creates a habit - and that is vital for language learning).

The XPs are 'banked' - so I currently have 266 Lingots, which I can spend. That may be for outfits for my character (Formal attire, Champagne Tracksuit), but that is of no interest to me. I can also buy "Bonus Skills" - or attempt to double a five lingo waver by maintaining a seven day streak. But for me, the most useful is insurance against being unable to achieve my goal on any day. "Streak Freeze" allows my run to remain in place for one full day of inactivity. So all is not lost (if 'purchased' - using the lingots earned).

You can also compete with friends. NOT on the basis of your progress in a particular language, but on the amounts of XPs gained during that week. So you can compete against a friend studying a different language, at a very different level. If you are competitive, it provides another aid to continuing with regular study.

When you start a language in Duolingo there are a number of preset exercises. These take you through the essentials of that language. But when you've completed these - Duolingo keeps on going - it is a spaced repetition system!!! The algorithm notes your progress and increases the complexity of the exercises. This enable you to make progress, whilst reinforcing what you have already learnt.

I've found Duolingo useful because it has forced me to take note of and apply the rules of grammar. Eventually the application of grammar rules and sentence structure becomes automatic. Words and phrases are sounded - which aids listening skills, and you have to say some words - developing speaking skills (if it doesn't sound right, Duolingo forces you to repeat.

Do give it a try - it's free - and very effective.

The Duolingo website is https://www.duolingo.com and apps are free in Appstores.