Four skills of language fluency
Have you ever thought about the different skills that comprise language? As you learn a new language, you may find that you are stronger in one area or another...or you may find that you're learning them all together about the same rate. So lets look at the different skills of language:
Reading/comprehension
Writing/comprehenstion
Speaking/comprehension
Listening/comprehension
When you read or write English, are you having a hard time with it, or is it easy for you to understand what you read, and when you write are you able to convey what you're thinking clearly and concisely? If so then this is great! I find that my clients have an easier time of reading and writing then the speaking and listening aspect of a new language.
Speaking a language can be a bit more challenging then reading because you engage new muscles in your mouth. With our native language we strengthen the muscles of our jaws, tongue and lips in a specific way for us to create the sounds in this language. Certain sounds can be difficult to reproduce when learning a new language, unless we practice those sounds daily. With practice, you will eventually learn the sounds since you are strengthening the muscles in your mouth. If you want fluency, it really all depends on how much you practice.
Lastly, how are your listening skills? Do you find it easy to understand someone who speaks the language you're learning, or is it hard to comprehend them? This is another skill that comes with practice. As we listen more to English speakers we will learn how to understand them better.
Combining all four aspects of language skills as well as fully immersing yourself in all of them, will allow you to create complete fluency and mastery of this language. It takes time though, so be patient and kind to yourself during this process.
July 17, 2018
