Learning English with James

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Language Acquisition

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Navigating the intermediate plateau and unlocking the secrets of learning a second language

In this episode I discuss the difference between learning a language in a traditional classroom versus acquiring it naturally through immersion and practice. I reflect on my own experiences learning Spanish in school compared to acquiring French through podcasts and real-life interactions.

I will talk about hitting the Intermediate Plateau in language learning and how I overcame it by seeking out more challenging materials. I introduce you to Professor Stephen Krashen's theory of Second Language Acquisition, which includes hypotheses about language acquisition, the natural order of language learning, the role of grammar instruction, the importance of comprehensible input, and the influence of affective factors like motivation and confidence.

Ultimately, I encourage you to embrace the journey and challenges of language acquisition.


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Episode transcript

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More to explore…

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External links

These links take you to the websites about the organizations and people I mentioned in my podcast.

Coffee Break French: is a production of the Radio Lingua Network and produces all Coffee Break Languages courses.

Inner French and Hugo Cotton: Hugo created innerFrench to offer a different way to learn French.

Theory of Second Language Acquisition made popular by Professor Stephen Krashen