I came across this TED talk yesterday in which Chris Lonsdale, a psychologist from New Zealand talks about language learning. He believes that anybody can learn a language in six months if they follow the five principles and seven actions that he has formulated after assessing all the research available on language learning.
昨天我看了一个TED演讲，来自新西兰的语言学家Chris Lonsdale讲了语言学习的方法。在评估了所有语言学习的研究之后，他总结出了5个原则、7个行动。他相信只要遵从这5个原则、践行这7个行动，任何人都能在6个月内学会一种外语。
The five principles are:
5个原则：
1. Focus on language content that is relevant to you.
专注和你日常相关的语言内容。
2. Use your language as a tool to communicate from day 1.
从学习这门语言的第一天开始，就把它当做你的交流方式。
3. When you understand the message you will acquire the language unconsciously.
当你明白含义之后，你会慢慢不知不觉地习得这门语言。
4. Language is not about accumulating a lot of knowledge but is rather a type of physiological training.
语言学习不是大量知识的积累，而更像是一种生理训练。
5. Psycho-physiological state matters – you need to be happy, relaxed, and most importantly, you need to be tolerant of ambiguity. Don’t try to understand every detail as it will drive you crazy.
心理状态和生理状态都很重要：你需要愉快、放松，最重要的是对于模棱两可要有一定容忍性。对于细枝末节不要过于纠结，因为那会把你逼疯的。
The seven actions are:
7个行动：
1. Listen a lot – it doesn't matter if you understand or not. Listen to rhythms and patterns.
多听——理解与否不重要，尽管去听吧！去听听语言节奏和说话模式。
2. Focus on getting the meaning first, before the words. Body language and facial expressions can help.
先专注理解整体意思，再弄清单词含义。身体语言和面部表情会有所帮助。
3. Start mixing, get creative, and use what you’re learning.
开始混合，创造话语并使用你所学到的一切。
4. Focus on the core – use the most commonly-use the words, and use the language to learn more.
把注意力集中在核心部分——使用高频词汇，利用你已经学会的东西学到更多。
5. Get a language parent – someone who is fluent in the language and who will do their best to understand what you mean; who will not correct your mistakes; who will feedback their understanding of what you’re saying using correct language, and uses words that you know.
找个语伴——能流利讲这门语言的人，或者能尽可能理解你说什么的人。注意，语伴不会纠正你的错误，但能够用正确的语言、你明白的语言来对你的表现做出反馈。
6. Copy the face – watch native speakers and observe their face, and particular their mouth moves when they’re speaking.
模仿面部表情——有些人的母语正是你要学习的新语言，你要观看他们讲话，观察他们的面部表情、尤其是讲话时的嘴型。
7. “Direct connect” to the target language – find ways to connect words directly with images and other internal representations.
在大脑和目的语之间建立“直接联系”——想办法让语言和大脑中的图像或其它内部表象产生直接联系。