Gear Up for Adventure: 8 Reasons to Use Multiple Methods of Language Instruction

Just like any successful expedition, the journey to learning a new language requires being prepared with the right tools.Throughout our Resource Posts, we share a variety of tips (and freebies!) to make foreign language learning meaningful and memorable for all learners. Research shows that introducing and reinforcing new learning through a variety of methods creates a richer and more effective learning environment, catering to the diverse needs of all learners. Read on for the benefits of incorporating listening, speaking, reading, writing, playing, creating, and moving into your language learning adventure!

Benefits of Providing Multiple Ways to Learn and Reinforce Language Skills

1. Improves Retention and Recall: Engaging with content in multiple ways helps reinforce learning and aids in long-term retention. When students encounter the same material through different modalities, it strengthens their ability to recall the information later.
2. Fosters Comprehensive Understanding: Different methods can highlight various aspects of the same content, leading to a more rounded and thorough understanding. For instance, reading a story, listening to it, and acting it out can each provide unique insights into language nuances and meanings.
3. Increases Engagement and Motivation: Variety keeps learning interesting and engaging. When children are exposed to different methods, they are more likely to stay motivated and enthusiastic about their learning journey.
4. Supports Individual Strengths and Addresses Weaknesses: Children have unique strengths and areas for improvement. Multiple methods allow adults to support children in areas where they might struggle and reinforce their strengths, leading to more balanced language skill development.
5. Promotes Mastery through Repetition: Repetition is key to language learning. Offering multiple ways to engage with content ensures that students practice and repeat language skills in diverse contexts, which is crucial for mastery.
6. Builds Transferable Skills: Learning language through various methods helps children develop skills that are transferable to different contexts. They learn to apply their language knowledge in real-world situations, improving their overall communication abilities.
7. Enhances Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Engaging with language through different methods encourages children to think critically and creatively. They learn to approach language learning from various angles, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
8. Encourages Collaboration and Interaction: Varied methods often involve interactive and collaborative activities, such as group discussions, role-plays, and games. These activities foster social interaction and communication, essential components of language learning.

Story Boxes: Your Language Learning Multi-tool!

Story boxes from One Third Stories provide young learners with a variety of ways to learn and retain new language skills. Don’t forget to sign up for your free downloadable samples of a story and audiobook. Here’s what you’ll find in our story boxes:

1. Storybooks: Our illustrated children’s books begin in English and gradually introduce a new language. This “Clockwork Methodology” helps students understand the context and meaning of new words without feeling overwhelmed, making the transition smooth and natural.
2. Audiobooks: Each story box comes with an audiobook narrated by a native speaker. These talented voice actors bring the stories to life for children! Links to the audiobooks are sent as soon as a purchase is made on the website so that children can start familiarizing themselves with the stories and pronunciation.
3. Activity books: Our activity books are packed with opportunities to practice new vocabulary and demonstrate understanding through speaking, reading, writing, drawing, moving, and playing. Most activity books include a listening activity recorded by the audiobook narrator.
4. Creative hands-on fun: Our boxes include creative projects like a family mobile, buildable dinosaurs, finger puppets, a town triorama and many more!
5. Flashcards: Flashcards are a convenient way to provide repetition and practice. See our earlier Resource post for suggestions on turning flashcard drills into thrills!
6. Certificates of Achievement: In story boxes 6 and 12, your child can celebrate their accomplishments with stickers and a Certificate of Achievement!
7. Free Resources and blog content: Parents can sign up for our newsletter and get notified whenever we add new freebies to extend their children’s learning and check out our blog posts for cultural connections and other language learning tips.

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