Have you ever noticed how different languages seem to appear everywhere in our daily lives? Whether in movies , on social media , or while traveling abroad , the world is full of diverse languages that are now more accessible than ever.

This video is the first in a series designed to help you continue learning an additional language outside the classroom. While the series focuses on learning English , the principles can be applied to other languages as well. By developing your autonomous learning skills, you’ll feel more confident and flexible in your language-learning journey, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

The main goal of this video series is to empower you to take control of your learning. While classroom learning offers structure, support, and guidance from a teacher, autonomous learning means you’re in the driver’s seat . You’ll need to figure out what challenges you face, set your own goals , choose the right resources , and organize your learning on your own.

Throughout this video series, we’ll explore different topics designed to support your learning. Each one will include reflection questions, helpful strategies, and relatable examples to make what you learn easy to apply.

But before we dive into how to learn a language on your own, let’s take a moment to consider the benefits of learning a language. Some benefits are pretty obvious—like being able to communicate when traveling or at work —but the advantages go much deeper than that.

Have you noticed that learning a second language helps you remember things better, like a recipe or even a shopping list? Do you feel more focused or creative now that you’ve started learning another language? Have you noticed the impact of learning a second language for younger learners and older learners ?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these, it’s likely because learning a new language has some incredible benefits for your brain .

In this video of the PALSA series, we’re going to take a closer look at how learning a second language can positively affect your cognitive skills.

We will follow the example of Alex, who is learning English , and explore how knowing another language affects four key areas of your brain: memory, concentration , creative and critical thinking , and how we age .

Research shows that people who speak many languages perform better on memory tasks than monolinguals. Research has found that the mental activity involved in juggling two languages strengthens memory skills.

Let’s think about Alex, for example. She often forgets the ingredients for her favorite cake recipe. But since she started learning English, she’s noticed it’s easier for her to remember lists . When she practices remembering new words, grammar rules, or pronunciation patterns in English, she’s giving her brain a memory workout by exercising the parts of her brain responsible for memory. She also helps her brain associate concepts with new words, creating a more extensive information network. This helps her remember things outside of language learning, like grocery shopping!

Knowing another language also helps concentrate and focus your attention . For example, studies have revealed that people who speak more than one language have an easier time concentrating on specific sounds and predicting what they might hear next.

Take Alex again - now that she’s learning English, she practices listening to conversations in English in public spaces such as her favorite café or on the bus , even with background noise around her. This skill has helped her focus better during meetings at work , where her colleagues often talk quickly or mix languages.

Learning a new language also boosts your creative and critical thinking skills . The part of the brain that’s responsible for learning languages is flexible, and that flexibility helps you think about problems from different perspectives and approach challenges in creative ways. Learning a language enhances your ability to think critically and adaptively - skills that are valuable in everyday life as well. It also gives you creative alternatives when using your first language fails.

For instance, when Alex was planning a family trip , she ran into an issue with her itinerary. She rephrased her online search with different keywords in English to get clarification from online sources and quickly solved the problem - much faster than before she started learning English.

Finally, learning a second language can have long-term benefits . Studies show that multilingual people face fewer cognitive challenges as they get older. For younger learners, research found that learning multiple languages at an early age helps boost overall cognitive development . So, language learning is beneficial at any stage of life!

In short, learning an additional language impacts your brain in several positive ways: it strengthens your memory , helps you concentrate and focus , enhances your creative and critical thinking skills , and can even help maintain cognitive health as you age.

These insights are just one more reason to continue your learning journey. Like Alex, keep going with your language practice, it’s worth it. You can also share the benefits of learning a second language with others, encouraging them to join you on this rewarding journey.

And remember, why stop at one language? Learning more than one language can multiply these benefits and help keep your brain sharp for years to come .

To wrap up, let’s revisit what we’ve discussed with a few questions to check your understanding:

Question1: What are the four effects of multilingualism on the brain mentioned in this video?

Learning an additional language improves memory, concentration, creativity, and reduces cognitive decline with age.

Question 2: What is special about the part of the brain that processes languages?

The brain’s language-processing areas are flexible, enhancing creativity and critical thinking.

Question 3: How does learning a second language affect cognitive health as we age?

Learning a second language can help delay cognitive decline and supports better brain health with age.

Thank you for watching! We hope you’re feeling motivated to keep learning and we invite you to watch the next video in the series.

Have you ever found it challenging to decide what to do when learning a new language? Do you feel lost when you start learning a new language?

As an adult learner, il can sometimes be difficult to go to campuses or to set aside some time during the week to follow classes. This is why using readily available online media can seem advantageous.

However, there are so many media options available for learning languages online. For English, popular choices include apps like Babbel, Duolingo, and Rosetta Stones. Maybe you’ve tried watching movies in the target language or browsing websites with grammar exercises? But how can you juggle all these resources at your fingertips? How can you structure your learning of a new language efficiently while staying motivated ?

In this video of the series, we will explore how to organize your learning efficiently. We will discuss the importance of establishing routines that match your learning objectives and your personality .

Let’s start by focusing on organizing your language learning over the coming months. Researchers call this stage planning. This plan will be in four steps: evaluating needs and motivation; setting goals; establishing routines and choosing ressources; and implementing and evaluating. Let’s take an example: Alex, who has decided to learn English as a second language on her own.

The first step for Alex is to assess her needs and motivation for learning. Does she want to travel to an English-speaking country, talk with friends from Western Canada, or read an English book ? All of these are valid reasons that shape her motivation to learn. However, the routine Alex establishes and the choices she makes will need to align with her specific needs.

Once needs are defined, the next step is to set more specific goals. Let’s continue with Alex’s example: she wants to travel . Her goals might include being able to communicate with hotel or restaurant staff, understanding a tour guide , or having a conversation with locals about the history of the places she visits. It’s recommended to choose 3 to 5 goals at a time. With clear goals, it becomes easier to select appropriate resources and activities.

After setting goals, it’s time to design a learning routine and decide on the resources to use. A routine consists of a few recurring activities . The number of activities depends on the time available, but it’s a good idea to have at least one activity per goal.

Returning to Alex’s case: she wants to travel to London and has about three hours per week to dedicate to learning. She estimates she can manage three activities in her routine.

Since one of her goals is understanding a tour guide , she chooses a listening activity. Each week, her routine begins with watching a British TV series set in London. As we’ll see in another video, Alex watches each episode twice with subtitles , takes notes , and regularly reviews synopses.

For her second goal—talking about London’s history—Alex needs vocabulary and speaking practice. Her second activity involves reading a chapter from a book about London. She writes down new vocabulary and discusses it during a brief phone call with an English-speaking friend who has agreed to help.

Finally, Alex had been using the Duolingo app to practice grammar and vocabulary. She decides to include it as the final exercise in her routine since she’s familiar with the app and finds it motivating.

In Alex’s example, you can see she selected activities that match her goals for understanding and producing language during her trip. The three activities were accessible to her and offered continuity in her learning.

Once the routine’s elements are chosen, it’s time to implement the plan. This starts with deciding when to begin. In Alex’s case, she chose to start at the beginning of summer , giving her three months before her trip. Throughout the summer, Alex checks her progress regularly to ensure her routine still aligns with her goals .

It’s recommended to evaluate progress at regular intervals, such as monthly or quarterly. Tracking progress numerically can also be encouraging. For instance, after one month, Alex might note that she’s learned 70 new words, watched and understood four episodes, and read four chapters.

Finally, it’s important to review goals and expectations. For Alex, this is straightforward—she can assess her learning through interactions during her trip. If goals are more general, setting personal challenges , like speaking English with someone or understanding a previously difficult movie, can be helpful.

After following and adjusting your routine for a while, it’s a good idea to revisit your plan, set new goals, and create a refreshed routine combining familiar activities with new ones. This cyclical process allows for measurable, motivating progress. For Alex, who returned from London happy with her trip, her next goal is reading a novel and watching a sci-fi series in English. Good luck, Alex!

In this video, with Alex’s help, we learned that organizing autonomous language learning involves establishing a routine with clear goals and activities, along with periodic progress tracking.

As a second-language learner, don’t hesitate to write down your routine. Think of it like a fitness trainer at the gym - if an expert needs a notebook to track their training routine, it’s the same for you. By creating a solid routine and adapting it over time, you’ll be better equipped to test your skills in real-life contexts and see the results of your learning.

To wrap up, here are three questions to check your understanding of the concepts discussed in this video :

Question 1: What is the cycle used to organize autonomous language learning?

The cycle includes steps such as defining goals, creating a routine, implementing it, and tracking progress.

Question 2: Why is a routine important?

A routine creates continuity in learning and provides a clear structure for your activities.

Question 3: How can you test your new skills?

There are various ways to test your skills, such as conversing with a friend, during a trip, or trying to understand a movie you couldn’t before.

Thank you for watching, and we invite you to watch the next video in the PALSA series.

Think back to when you learned your first language as a child . Did you sit with textbooks or memorize vocabulary lists? Of course not! You were immersed in the language every day, hearing it at home, in school, and in the playground. Over time , with consistent exposure, you naturally became fluent . In fact, immersion and opportunities to practice are essential while acquiring a new language.

But let’s be honest. As adults, opportunities for immersion in a second language aren’t always easy to come by. Let me ask you this: Do you ever feel like it’s hard to find chances to practice? Have you ever had a language partner to practice with? So, how can you create an immersive learning environment for yourself?

These are challenges that almost every independent language learner faces. But don’t worry, you’re not alone, and there are solutions.

In this video of the PALSA series, we’ll explore how to overcome these challenges. Together, we’ll discuss the power of immersion and how to find opportunities around you.

With the help of Alex, who is learning English, we’ll explore key concepts related to immersion and comprehension in your life as a language learner. First, we will discuss how immersion plays a crucial role in transforming declarative knowledge into procedural knowledge. Don’t worry, we’ll get back to these concepts. Then, we will look at creative ways to find opportunities to practice. Finally, we will highlight the importance of choosing the right practice partner . Let’s get started!

Studying grammar rules and vocabulary helps while learning a language, but it mainly builds what researchers call declarative knowledge - the kind of knowledge that’s like having a database of facts and rules in your mind . But it doesn't guarantee that you can use this information effectively in real-life situations .

To truly communicate in a language, you need what’s known as procedural knowledge - the kind of knowledge that allows you to do something, like riding a bike or cooking dinner. Just like bike riding, this procedural knowledge in language learning comes from practice .

That’s where the importance of immersion comes in. It’s the key to turning declarative knowledge into procedural knowledge. Immersion not only sharpens your skills , but it also builds your confidence . The more you practice, the more natural the language feels. Over time , speaking will start to feel as automatic as riding a bike.

Immersion is usually created by teachers in language classrooms . However, when learning a language on your own, immersing yourself means going beyond set study times and finding ways to incorporate the language into your daily life . Anything that can be done in the target language instead of in your first language is an additional opportunity to immerse yourself.

Take Alex, a nurse who wanted to improve her career by learning English. Like many of us, she struggled to find time for practice, but realized she could easily integrate it into her daily routine. She started listening to English podcasts during her commute, changed her phone’s language settings , and watched TV shows with English subtitles . Even small actions like following English recipes while cooking helped create an immersive environment. With so many resources available in English, Alex turned her everyday activities, like reading blogs and watching videos, into valuable language practice.

To make significant progress, regular practice is key. This means being creative when finding opportunities to practice. There are many ways you can create these opportunities for yourself.

For example, Alex began talking to herself while cooking, narrating each step aloud as if she were on a cooking show. This helped her practice forming sentences and thinking in English without any pressure.

She also started mimicking lines from movies and TV shows . While watching, she’d pause and repeat lines, practicing pronunciation and intonation.

Another trick she used was recording herself . Alex read articles aloud, recorded her voice, and compared it to native speakers. This improved her pronunciation and helped her track progress over time.

And let’s not forget music ! Alex listened to English songs and sang along during her daily walks. It was a fun way to reinforce vocabulary and pronunciation while doing something she loved.

To practice writing, Alex challenged herself to write journal entries in English. This helped her improve her grammar and writing confidence.

While individual practice is important, practicing with others can really take your learning to the next level . However, finding the right practice partner isn’t always easy. As Alex discovered, you may need to try with a few different people before you find the right match.

At first, Alex tried practicing with her teenage son, but he wasn’t really interested. Then she joined an online language exchange, but her first partner kept switching back to her first language, which wasn’t helpful.

Alex kept searching and eventually found an English language enthusiast from London . Her partner was patient, encouraging, and dedicated to their practice sessions. They met weekly over video calls and discussed everything from current events to hobbies. These conversations not only improved Alex’s speaking skills but also gave her the confidence to express herself.

Alex also joined a local conversation group at her community center, where she practiced with both native speakers and fellow learners. These group sessions became a highlight of her wee k, providing motivation and a sense of community.

To sum up, learning a language involves more than just studying grammar and vocabulary. It’s about actively seeking out opportunities to practice and immerse yourself in the language, just like Alex did.

Now, think about your own routine and how you could integrate your target language into your daily life. Don’t hesitate to get creative. Immersion doesn’t require drastic changes—small, consistent efforts make a big difference over time. And when it comes to finding a practice partner, remember that it’s okay to experiment until you find someone who matches your needs and goals.

To wrap up, reflect on the three following questions to check your understanding of the different ideas explored in this video.

Question 1: Why is immersion important?

Immersion reinforces your skills, helps you retain what you've learned, and builds confidence in using the language. It helps you turn declarative knowledge into procedural knowledge.

Question 2: How can you practice if you’re not in a classroom?

You can practice by creating an immersive environment, using tools like language apps, watching media, or talking to yourself in the language.

Question 3: How can you find a good practice partner?

Look for someone who is supportive, reliable, and willing to engage in regular, meaningful language practice with you.

Thank you for joining us for this video! We encourage you to watch the next video of the series.

How many times have you or someone you know tried to learn a new skill , like playing the guitar or knitting, only to stop after a few days or weeks ? Most of us have been there. The initial excitement of learning something new is easy to come by, but staying motivated and engaged for the long haul can be tough.

Language learning is no different. Have you ever struggled to maintain your motivation while learning a new language? Or found yourself questioning why you're doing a particular activity in a language classroom ? These moments of doubt are common, and they can have a big impact on your progress.

To address this, let’s start by asking a simple yet powerful question: What motivates you to learn another language? Understanding your motivation - whether it's for personal growth, career advancement, or connecting with others - can shape how you approach learning and help you push through challenging moments.

In this video of the PALSA series, we’ll dive into the motivation and engagement to keep moving forward in your language learning journey.

With the help of Alex and Charlie who are learning English, we’ll discuss the different types of motivation, what engagement is and how to stay motivated and engaged in your learning of a second language . Let’s get started!

Let’s begin with motivation. There are two main types of motivation -intrinsic and extrinsic - and while they often work hand in hand , one typically stands out more than the other.

Intrinsic motivation comes from within. It’s when you learn a language because you genuinely enjoy the process or find personal value in the knowledge. You might love exploring new languages and understanding different cultures, or simply enjoy the challenge of mastering something new.

In contrast, extrinsic motivation is more practical and goal-oriented. It’s driven by external rewards or outcomes, like aiming for a career advancement , passing a test, or impressing others.

Understanding which type of motivation guides your language learning can help you predict how you’ll approach your studies and how you can plan your journey.

Take Alex, for example. She’s learning English because she finds joy in the learning process. She loves the challenge of picking up a new language, and each time she understands a new sentence or learns a word, she feels accomplished. Alex enjoys reading English books , watching documentaries in English, and finds excitement in seeing her progress . If you’re like Alex and feel intrinsically motivated, you’re more likely to study consistently and enjoy the journey itself.

Now consider Charlie. He works at a multinational company and has been studying English for about a year . His motivation is more extrinsic - he wants to impress his boss and get a promotion . It doesn’t mean that he doesn’t enjoy the process, but his focus is more on achieving specific, tangible goals . If you’re extrinsically motivated like Charlie, you might dive into your studies with intense focus when you have a clear goal in mind. For instance, because Charlie wants a promotion that he can get through an English test provided by his employer, he will likely study hard until he reaches that goal.

Now that we’ve discussed motivation, let’s differentiate it from engagement. Motivation is the attitude or drive you have toward learning. It’s influenced by your intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. When you first start learning a language, you’re typically very motivated.

But engagement is different. Engagement is about how actively you participate in the activities you’ve planned for language learning. It’s about taking action , sticking to your study schedule , and consistently practicing, even if or when the initial excitement fades.

Let’s return to Alex and Charlie. Alex has already discovered activities that she enjoys and finds engaging. In addition to reading and watching shows, she joined a weekly conversation club with two friends. The topics are interesting to her, and she enjoys spending time with people she likes. Because Alex participates in activities that excite her, staying engaged is easy for her.

In contrast, Charlie bought two activity books to practice his English. However, these activities are repetitive and lack variety, making it difficult for him to stay engaged. Despite initially committing to daily practice, Charlie finds himself making excuses to skip study sessions.

So, how can you stay both motivated and engaged throughout your language learning journey? Several factors influence your motivation, including your age, learning goals, and past experiences. For instance, if you learned a language in school using a specific method, choosing that method might reignite your motivation.

As you progress, you’ll discover what works best for you, what keeps you motivated and what helps you stay engaged . The more you understand yourself as a learner, the better you’ll be at choosing activities that keep you on track. Take Charlie, for example. He found it hard to stay motivated and engaged with just activity books, so he turned to more interactive options. Because his motivation is primarily extrinsic and driven by the test he must take for a promotion — he focused on job-related vocabulary, practicing with a co-worker . Since his upcoming test includes writing a letter, he also started practicing letter writing and using software like Antidote to correct his work.

In summary, motivation comes from various sources and can be managed effectively. Engagement, though different from motivation, is just as important for long-term success. By recognizing the factors that influence your motivation and taking steps to stay engaged, you can continue making progress in your language learning journey, just like Alex and Charlie.

Remember, not every activity will always be engaging, but it’s important to find a balance and keep going. Keep track of both your motivation and engagement levels and choose activities that keep you excited about learning. To finish, here are three questions to help you check your understanding.

Question 1: What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic motivation comes from internal enjoyment or personal value, while extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or goals.

Question 2: How does engagement differ from motivation?

Engagement is about the actual participation in learning activities, while motivation is the underlying drive to learn. Question 3: How can you remain engaged and motivated throughout your learning process?

You can stay engaged and motivated by setting goals, choosing enjoyable activities, and finding balance in your learning.

Thank you for watching this video in the PALSA series, and we invite you to watch our next video.