Ever since I was young I am intrigued by the different languages we speak. I thought it would be great to be able to speak a different language. That is… until I had to learn how to speak French and German in school. Let’s just say I was not really good at it…
For the next years, this hold me back in learning any new language. I thought I just couldn’t learn any new language. Yes, I know, limiting beliefs can be really holding you back.
The thought of learning a new language popped up every once in a while. A few weeks ago, I enrolled in a training which should help you in speaking a rudimentary form of any language in a matter of about 2 months.
Because of my training courses in which I help people to improve their memory, I wanted to test this for myself. I chose French. I have a rather unpleasant experience with this one so I should break this limiting belief?.
My goal is to use mindmap-like visuals and memory techniques to learn how to speak French.
Remembering Words
Part of learning a language is remembering words. This is where I will focus on when using my mindmaps.
The mindmap shows me the images of the words I have to study together with the translation and what the word sounds like.
For instance:
French word: l’affiche
Translation: poster
Phonetic: la fish
Image: The is a fish on a poster.
French word: allez
Meaning: come on
Phonetic: a-lay or L. A.
Image: a person waves to you from L.A. from the Hollywood sign.
Of course I can create flashcards to show me a certain words and use images as well. It is a lot of work to create special images for all of the translations. However, this creates very powerful anchors in your mind.
I like the mindmap approach in this as well. The reason I use a Mindmap is threefold:
- The mindmap gives me the entire overview of all the words in a particular lesson
- By using the images in the mindmap, I create a stronger image of the information (right brain side).
- I create structure in chaos because I organize my words
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t use the mindmap as the sole and ultimate tool for studying words. It is only one of the approaches. The mindmap creates the BIG PICTURE for me. Memory techniques and flashcards are just as important and useful instruments.
Try this yourself.
- Create a list of the words you want to remember.
- Create translations of them using images and the pronunciation of the foreign words
- Create a mindmap and/of flashcards of your images and words
Use this technique today and learn how to improve your memory for foreign words NOW.
Let me know what you experienced, OK? I love to hear from you how you transformed foreign words and how you created images.
Arjen
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