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Building language skills through courses

If you're taking classes to learn French, English or another language

Language classes give you a foundation: vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, reading, writing and speaking skills. However, successful language learners do not simply attend class and complete homework. They use strategies that help their brains remember, organize and apply new language.

From memory to everyday use

Many students study new words by rereading their notes, highlighting, or making long vocabulary lists. These activities can feel productive because the words look familiar.

You may recognize a word and its translation. But can you:

  • Remember it when you need it in a conversation?
  • Recognize it when someone says it quickly?
  • Use it in the correct situation?
  • Combine it naturally with other words?

That's the difference between passive vocabulary (words you recognize) and active vocabulary (words you can actually use).

For every new word, try to learn:

  • Meaning: What does it mean?
  • Pronunciation: How does it sound?
  • Context: When would I actually use it?
  • Connotation: What feeling does the word communicate? Is it formal, casual, positive, negative, or used in specific situations?
  • Connections: What other words, phrases, or ideas are related?

Active strategies to level up your language skills

Use these strategies to build on what you learn in class. 

Retrieval practice means trying to remember information without looking at the answer. This feels harder than rereading, but that effort is what strengthens memory. Each time you successfully retrieve a word, your brain becomes better at finding it when you need it.

For example:

Instead of looking at "prendre = to take" and thinking: "I know that."

Try covering the answer and asking:

  • "How do I say to take?"
  • "Can I use this word in a sentence?"
  • "What words usually go with this word?"

Your brain does not store language like a dictionary. It stores connections, patterns and experiences. That means that words are easier to remember when they are connected to other words and situations. 

For example:

Instead of learning: prendre = to take

Learn:

  • prendre le métro (take the metro)
  • prendre une décision (make a decision)
  • prendre un café (have a coffee)
  • reprendre (take back, resume)

Words can have similar dictionary meanings but convey very different ideas. That's why knowing a word's definition is only the first step to adding it to your vocabulary.

Effective language learners learn the connotation of a word: the feelings, associations and situations connected to it. 

When learning a new word, ask:

  • What feeling does this word communicate?
  • Is it positive, negative, or neutral?
  • Is it formal, casual, or used only in certain situations?
  • Who would normally use this word?
  • Would this word sound natural in this context?

For example, in English "confident" and "arrogant" can both describe someone who believes in their abilities, but they communicate very different ideas.

  • "Confident" has a positive connotation. It suggests someone who is self-assured, capable and comfortable sharing their ideas. 
    "She gave a confident presentation and answered questions clearly."

  • "Arrogant" has a negative connotation. It suggests someone who thinks they are better than others or does not value other people's opinions.
    "Her arrogant attitude made it difficult for others to work with her."

To learn the connotation of a word:

  • Look up example sentences instead of only reading the definition.
  • Notice who is using the word and in what situation.
  • Pay attention to whether the word sounds formal, casual, positive, negative, or neutral.
  • Compare it with similar words and ask: "What is the difference in feeling?"

You can also ask a language partner, teacher, or AI tool: "Show me this word used in five real-life sentences. What feeling does this word communicate?"

Connotation is learned through exposure, not just memorization. The more you see a word used in different contexts, the better you will understand when and how to use it yourself.

Translation is a useful tool, especially for beginners. However, relying on translation for every sentence creates an extra step.

Move away from translation by:

Using context clues:

  • What is happening?
  • What words do I already recognize?
  • What meaning makes sense here?

Learning phrases, not individual words:

Instead of: "faire = to do/make," learn:

  • faire attention
  • faire une erreur
  • faire du sport

Many language learners become frustrated when listening because they try to understand every single word. Good listeners do not process language word by word. They listen for meaning.

When learning a new language, listening to the same short recording several times often teaches more than listening to many different recordings once.

The three-pass method

Choose a short recording. You could use a clip from the news, a podcast, or a short video.

Pass 1: Understand the situation and ignore details.

Ask:

  • Who is speaking?
  • What is the topic?
  • What is the general message?

Pass 2: Catch important information.

Listen for:

  • Key words
  • Names
  • Numbers
  • Main ideas

Pass 3: Notice language.

Focus on:

  • New vocabulary
  • Pronunciation
  • Expressions
  • Grammar patterns

Grammar lessons are important. They help you understand how a language works and give you the tools to communicate more accurately. Your goal is not to memorize rules forever. It's to practise patterns until they become easier and more automatic.

When learning grammar

1. Understand the pattern

Understanding the reason behind a grammar pattern makes it easier to use. Instead of memorizing a grammar rule, ask:

  • What does this structure communicate?
  • When do people use it?
  • How is it different from similar structures?
  • What examples help me remember it?

2. Practise, practise, practise

Repetition is how your brain builds automaticity. Completing several exercises using the same grammar structure is useful because it helps you recognize and produce the pattern correctly. Don't stop when the exercise ends.

Ask yourself:

  • Could I say this in a real conversation?
  • Could I write my own examples?
  • Could I recognize this structure when I hear or read it?

3. Move from exercises to real communication

A grammar point isn't truly learned when you can complete an exercise. It's learned when you can recognize it and use it naturally.

After completing grammar exercises, look for the same pattern in authentic language:

  • Listen for it in conversations, podcasts, or videos.
  • Notice how native speakers use it.
  • Try using it in your own sentences.

4. Learn from your mistakes

Your mistakes are valuable information. Keep track of patterns:

  • Which grammar points do I confuse?
  • What errors do I make repeatedly?
  • What examples help me remember the correct form?

Shadowing is a technique where you listen to a short recording and repeat along with the speaker to practice pronunciation.

How to shadow:

  1. Choose a short audio clip and listen several times.
  2. Repeat along with the speaker. Try to copy their rhythm, speed, pauses and intonation.

When shadowing, you're training your mouth and ears to work together.

Remember, the goal is not to sound like a native speaker. It's to be clear and easily understood. There's nothing wrong with having an accent! 

AI can be a powerful language-learning tool if you use it to practise thinking, not to avoid thinking.

Helpful uses

Ask AI to:

  • Explain grammar in simpler language
  • Create practice questions
  • Quiz you on vocabulary
  • Give feedback on your writing
  • Role-play a conversation partner

Less helpful uses

Avoid using AI to:

  • Write for you
  • Translate without learning
  • Replace speaking practice
  • Create answers or texts you can't explain yourself