Second Language Strategies Core Principle: Pattern Recognition
The more reference points you have, the smoother your second language acquisition will be
Welcome, aspiring polyglot! Over the past couple weeks we have covered the core principles behind the second language strategies brought to you each week. This is the third and final core principle: Pattern Recognition. While it is something that I have touched on several times in the past year, it is also something that is worth further investigation.
The more you are able to tie the things you are learning to their respective patterns the more likely you are to remember those things. Having multiple ways to remember the same thing is vital when it comes to second language acquisition and by focusing at least some of your efforts on the development of pattern recognition skills, you will enhance and accelerate your second language acquisition.
What is pattern recognition in second language acquisition?
When it comes to learning a new language, pattern recognition is a unique method to get ahead with the same amount of work. Approaching your second language learning with the idea that you will benefit from having more than one reference point for each word will ensure you are able to commit much of what you are learning to your long term memory. This method works seamlessly with the other core principles and if you have not read those yet, check out these articles on the other 2 core principles:
The basic idea of pattern recognition in language learning is using what you know to advance your overall understanding. For example, etymology. When you know where a word comes from it makes it much easier to remember that word when you see it again. This is especially true for anyone who is working on more than one romance language. Here is just one example of taking advantage of a Latin base to understand how to say something in multiple languages:
This is just one example of the ways in which pattern recognition can help you with your second language acquisition. Fortunately, the verbs are not the only area in which this sort of pattern recognition can benefit you. Using it to expand your ability to speak in different tenses and therefore express yourself more precisely. For this example we will stick to Spanish and the ways in which you can add some easy wins to your language learning sessions.
Mainstream classrooms often overlook the importance of teaching strategies that allow people to build momentum. That is why pattern recognition is so essential to our methodology. Every time you develop ways to enhance your language skills you build momentum which will give you a little breathing room to carry on when you are feeling the plateau begin. For those who are learning Spanish, here is an easy way to add some adverbs to your vocabulary repertoire to ensure you are able to express yourself the best way possible.
If you are working on Spanish, you can get access to this full document by clicking the link below:
This works in most romance languages and, even if you are not learning a romance language, it may be worth looking a bit closer at your target language. In all likelihood there are similar patterns waiting for you to discover them. Look at the prefixes and the suffixes and the root words. The advantages to this are extended when you know your first language well. If you are interested in the ways you can use your first language to amplify your second language learning, check out this article:
How can you leverage pattern recognition in your second language studies?
As you work to implement pattern recognition, the most important thing to do is find ways to relate your new language back to your native language. Stacking reference points is equivalent to stacking wins. Every time you increase your competency in one language, there are latent effects in the new language you are studying. If you know what makes something a conditional then conditionals will make more sense. When you know what suffixes turn a descriptive word into an adverb you can use that to expand your vocabulary in your target language.
Exercises you can do to get started on this look like this:
1. Write down the grammar rules you know in your first language
2. Look for the patterns within them
What are the prefixes?
What are the suffixes?
What are the root words?
How do all of these things tie in together?
3. Do the same thing but in your target language
Most people struggle to learn and teach language skills because they learn their native language in a very different way. There is a reason that many native speakers struggle in public education and it is because grammar is rarely a focus when working on a first language. Over time people simply learn what is and is not acceptable when speaking. Asking a native speaker to explain the rules of their language is often a lesson in futility.
For that reason, ensuring that you understand your first language on a granular level will give you a major advantage when approaching a second or third or fourth language. The same goes for vocabulary words. Having a deep understanding of the roots of words in your native language is powerful. A majority of words used in romance languages are derived from Latin. Fortunately, there are quite a few overlaps when it comes to English which can help you expand in your new language.
Building up a strong foundation will allow you to create immense. That is where most people miss out. Studying one's native language is rarely something that people think about when they go about learning a new language, but it is important.
New vocabulary words in either language will give you a ton of insight into each subsequent language you learn. Do not place obstacles in your way when there are already so many. The more background knowledge you have the more references point you will have for each new word or concept you learn.
Compounding interest and pattern recognition in the language learning process
Once you have laid the foundation, it is time to continue building upon it. Extrapolation is powerful and your intuition will be right more often than you think. All you need to do is start looking for the patterns and as you start to uncover them they will become increasingly more visible to you. A perfect way to assure you are constantly coming across new patterns is to build yourself a localized immersion environment.
Exposure is absolutely paramount for your success. The more time you spend around your new language the easier it will be for you to dissect the language and improve your skills. As per usual, the final piece of the puzzle does involve writing. Each time you come across or uncover a new pattern, make sure you write it down. In order to remember something, you need to use it in multiple ways over time. Building yourself a web of reference points will make it progressively more difficult to forget. More importantly, it means you will have an easier time recalling things when the time comes.
Consider these writings and your notes as just another way to continue stacking your wins. Nothing hits quite as hard as being able to stack improve your language skills exponentially rather than linearly. If you can do both you will be all but unstoppable in your language acquisition.
These concepts will continue to compound as you develop your language skills further. Making sense of new words is the name of the game. Using and developing your pattern recognition skills is one of the most effective strategies you have in your tool belt, so be sure to use it.
Conclusion
There are a near infinite amount of approaches to language acquisition. While that may be true, it is also true that some simply work better than others. Our methods and much of the exercises discussed around here are derived from three key principles and pattern recognition is the last of the three we had yet to cover.
Ideally you will be using all three of these core strategies throughout the duration of your language acquisition and into the next. While these things will work well individually, using them all in conjunction with one another will enhance and improve your language acquisition.
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