It is really strange for a new language learner to hear that anyone can learn a language by listening due to not knowing the difference between studying a language and acquiring a language. Acquiring a language and studying a language has massive differences in between. Such as, depth scrutinization of words & sentences of a language called Morphology & Syntax. These are used for diagram making of a sentence for interpretations, understanding forms of a word to find the exact meaning, etc.
But language acquisition and learning is completely different in approach, like one is working in the backyard of a Language and the other one working with the front end of a Language compared to Web Developer vs Web Designer.
Our miss conception and lack of awareness about learning a language constantly confuses us about what we’ve been doing: we study the language in the classroom and expect to speak in this language which is absurd and illogical because both are different things with different outcomes. Studying or investigating is a deeper layer of engagement with a Language that results in analyses & interpretations, and acquiring is an outer layer of engagement with a Language that leads to real-world utilization of a Language in our daily interactions and communications. One does in a formal setting, the other one in an informal setting: the acquisition, I call it the absorption.
Here we’ll follow the acquisition approach to acquire a Language which is informal and innovative. This approach proceeds through three activities: 🎧 Listening, 📖 Reading, and 📺 Watching. Though, here we will indulge on the Listening part because it does the bulk amount of Acquisition of a Language.
Listening is a very straightforward activity that is deeply rooted in our being and living. It has been activated since our birth and continuously servicing us with its own force and way. It has a multidimensional use in our daily lives. Specifically, in our development of a Language. Furthermore, it’s the first and easiest medium for us to engage with language learning effortlessly and enthusiastically.
Usually, comprehensibility of the listening occurs gradually through adaptations with the sound and words by repetitions. Thus, I follow two listening input systems: 1. Foundational Input. 2. Functional Input.
Foundational input is generally implemented for the initial or beginner level of a language learner to make them familiar with the language to feel better in their progress. And foundational input works with very basics of a language such as simple structure with easy ideas: delicate examples are the stories collections of Aesop fables for the kids which are written with short sentences, and simple ideas versatile for reflection too.
Just start listening to anything that you find good for you, and rely on the process, repeat it as much as you can to get the benefits from it to build a foundation or basics on a language to go further. Especially, if you can manage to collect a few question-based stories, it will be ideal for you because it will reduce your waste of time and produce effective results that I described there.
Functional Input suggests the structural input of a language and it also helps a learner to develop an advanced thought process through its contents or materials. Its content designs with structures through perspective stories. Generally, these types of stories are long-form versions of short stories and constructed with complex ideas and little more intricate sentences to input advanced language. For example, the bedtime story: The Epic Of Gilgamesh and The Day Of The Dead in Guatemala.
Anyway, you don’t need to overthink anything I described, just pick a listening content from YouTube that could be a story, podcast or anything else you are comfortable with, and listen to the same content for at least 7 times. (make sure the content is comprehensible or understandable to you). Learn More.