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Learning a second language is a fascinating and rewarding process, but it can also be a challenging one. There are many different methods for learning a new language, but which one is the most effective? In recent years, there has been a growing body of research in the field of neurolinguistics that suggests learning language through phrases is one of the best methods available.

To understand why this is the case, let's first consider how we learn our first language. As babies and young children, we don't start by learning grammar rules and vocabulary lists. Instead, we learn phrases and chunks of language that we can use in different situations. For example, we learn phrases like "I want that" and "thank you" before we learn the rules for forming a sentence or the individual words that make up those phrases.

Research has shown that this same approach is also effective for learning a second language. In fact, studies have found that learning phrases and chunks of language can be more effective than learning individual words or grammar rules in isolation (Ellis, 2019).

One reason for this is that phrases and chunks of language are more meaningful and memorable than individual words or grammar rules. When we learn a phrase, we learn not only the words but also the context in which those words are used. This helps us remember them better and use them more naturally in conversation.

Another reason is that learning phrases and chunks of language helps us develop fluency in a second language. When we learn grammar rules and individual words, we often have to pause and think about how to use them correctly in a sentence. But when we learn phrases and chunks of language, we can use them more automatically and fluidly, like native speakers do.

Moreover, using phrases to learn a new language can be particularly helpful for learners who want to develop their communication skills in specific contexts. For instance, learning phrases such as "How much does it cost?" or "Where is the nearest restroom?" can be useful for travelers or people working in certain industries. In addition, learning phrases used in specific industries or professions can help learners sound more natural and confident when speaking with colleagues or clients.

Finally, learning phrases and chunks of language can also help us develop a better understanding of grammar rules and sentence structure.

When we learn phrases, we start to notice patterns in the way the language is constructed, which can help us internalize grammar rules more naturally (Cintrón-Valentín et al., 2019).

To sum up, learning a new language through phrases and chunks of language can be an effective and efficient method for acquiring a new language. It allows learners to focus on meaningful language usage in context, develop fluency, and gain a deeper understanding of the language's grammar rules and structures. It can also be tailored to specific contexts, which can be particularly helpful for learners who want to use the language for specific purposes.

And this is exactly what Learn2Deutsch is trying to do. Along our platform you'll see more often phrases and chunks of informations rather than single-words.

Refferences:

Ellis, N. C. (2019). Essentials of a theory of language cognition. Modern Language Journal, 103(Supplement 2019), 39-60. DOI: 10.1111/modl.12532.

Ellis, N. C. (2019). Usage-based theories of Construction Grammar: Triangulating Corpus Linguistics and Psycholinguistics. In Jesse Egbert & Paul Baker (Eds.), Using Corpus Methods to Triangulate Linguistic Analysis (pp. 239-267). New York & London: Routledge.

Cintrón-Valentín, M., Lorenzo García-Amaya, L., & Ellis, N. C. (2019). Captioning and Grammar Learning in the L2 Spanish Classroom. The Language Learning Journal, 47. DOI: 10.1080/09571736.2019.1615978.

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