subject: Foreign Language Learning Using Lexical Chunks [print this page] A recent New York Times article discussed the issue of the "lexical-chunk approach" to foreign language learning. As the article explains, small children don't just learn individual words as they acquire their native language. They pick up whole chunks as well, such as phrases, sentences and idioms. You can also use this approach in your foreign language learning.
This can be very helpful to new foreign language learners to help them quickly develop basic conversational skills, especially if you are learning a foreign language that isn't widely learned. If you are, you will have to deal with a lack of learning materials.
According to the Language Tips website, it is very helpful to find a native speaker who can tutor you when you are learning a language that isn't widely learned (for example, Malayalam, Zulu, Bengali, Twi). Language Tips recommends learning some basic chunks, either short sentences or idioms as part your language learning process. A language tutor can help you with the proper chunk structure and pronunciation. Recording will be a big help. Get an MP3 player with a recording function, such as the Sansa Clip.
Asmall child will connect the sentence "Let's go outside" to going outside and will soon be able to use this whole chunk to ask to go outside. You can do the same thing with your language learning. You can learn chunks that relate to things you do often.
