Could Cute Cats be the Key to Language Learning?

It’s not a teaching technique currently employed by tutors at OISE but researchers at language learning app creators Memrise are convinced that images of cute cats may be an indispensable tool for language learning. 

After conducting memory tests to find out what best helps people retain information, they observed a clear link between funny photos and people being able to remember phrases, particularly those featuring cute cats. This is what led them to create their latest app, CatAcademy, which shows photos of cats in humorous poses and displays a corresponding phrase in Spanish.

Internet sensations such as Grumpy Cat and Nyan Cat, both of whom have millions of fans on Youtube and Facebook, are proof of a peculiar fascination with cats and analysts at Memrise think this is exactly why incorporating these sorts of images into our language learning could be so effective. They also cite research from Japan indicating the relationship between cuteness and improved cognitive function to back up their method.

Sadly, the CatAcademy app is currently only available for Spanish learners but next time you’re struggling to remember a particular phrase, why not associate it with an amusing picture of your favourite feline? 

For the full article, visit: www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25103362

Top Five Resources to Learn a Language for free

Here are five of the best ways to learn a language without any cost:

1) Online newspapers
Foreign language newspapers are invaluable assets to a language learner. They’re constantly updated, culturally relevant, and can help language learners of all different levels.

For beginners, short advertisements and photo captions give bite-sized portions of text with picture clues.  Whilst, intermediate speakers can benefit from news articles.  And advanced learners can read columns and editorials.  These type of articles are most likely to contain idioms, local slang, and stylised writing.

2) Learner community websites
Websites such as Busuu and Livemocha are good study resources with comprehensive lessons in many foreign languages.  One excellent resource on these sites is the community forums, where a user can connect with native speakers of their target language.

3) Song lyrics
Music is a great for remembering a foreign language. In fact, the process can occur unintentionally - has your Korean improved since listening to Gangnam Style?!  I believe mine has!

Any song in the target language holds some learning value, but the best songs to seek out are the classics; the equivalent of our Fly Me to the Moon or Yesterday. These popular tunes tend to be fairly simple, with everyday language and relatable themes. 

4) Language exchange groups
For those who live in cities, language exchange groups are a great asset for practising spoken language.

Speaking practice is a part of language that often gets neglected with self-study, but it’s an essential skill. Also, native speakers can offer valuable tips about pronunciation and colloquial speech. The socialising is an added bonus. Friendships are a great motivator for language development.

For learners who want to practice in a one to one situation, mylanguageexchange.com or conversationexchange.com can help find partners in their area.

5) Podcasts
Any self-studying language speaker has experienced the stiltedness of language recordings. While listening skills are primary to one’s language ability, it can be difficult for learners to access natural-sounding recordings in the target language.

Podcasts are excellent, accessible learning tools.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationadvice/9880843/Learn-a-foreign-language-for-free-top-five-resources.html