Sunday, August 12, 2007
Language Learning Tips
This is mostly for those of you who really want to learn to speak and understand Cebuano, but it will also be a help to those who just want to know how to say a few things now and then. Learning a language is not easy. Since language learning was part of our job, a part that had to be done before we could get on with the ‘fun stuff,’ we were fairly motivated and plugged away at it. Language learning is easier for some. Just as some people are better at math, or music and others better at making or fixing things, so it is with language learning. It has nothing to do with intelligence, but rather with aptitude.
Just as someone with a medium level of aptitude can learn to sing, especially if exposed to music early in life, a person with medium aptitude for languages can learn well, especially if he has learned or been exposed to other languages earlier in life. Give it your best shot.
Here are some tips to maximize your efforts.
1. Carry a small notebook and pen to write down words and phrases you hear. You can later show (or read) these notes to someone who can tell you what they mean.
2. Pay attention! Force yourself to listen to at least 10 minutes of a conversation you cannot understand. Listen to the sounds, watch faces, see if you can pick up anything you understand (words in English) that gives you a context for meaning. Take notes: write down any words you hear repeated several times, write out phrases you hear.
3. Listen to Cebuano radio drama several times a week, have someone tell you what is going on.
4. Go to church and listen to the sermon or homily in Cebuano, taking down repeated words and phrases for at least 10 minutes.
5. Find someone to meet with you several times a week to go over your notes, correct your pronunciation, and tell you stories in Cebuano from which you will take more notes and ask questions. DO NOT ask this person to explain the grammar (they do not know it), or translate written sentences from English (you will get a direct translation that will bear little resemblance to how people speak).
6. Mark you notes so that they show both glottal stops and stress for the words you are learning.
7. Collect words- make your own small dictionary. Try to use new words at least three times.
8. When you learn a sentence, try substituting new words (nouns, verbs) or changing the tense. See what works.
9. Get a small tape recorder and tape someone telling a story, or ask someone to have their relative (someone who speaks clearly and has most of their teeth) tell a family story in Cebuano. Listen to this story, work on it with your language helper, take notes, and milk it for all it’s worth. You will learn a lot, and your ‘ear’ for the language will improve.
As you do this for a while, you will be getting more context from Cebuano words you know, but the temptation is then to stop paying attention! Your brain will be satisfied to hear only words it knows. Force yourself to listen for words you do not know, and write them down!
It is hard for us, as adults, to spend a lot of time on something we aren’t very good at, and it is hard for us to be learners, on a lower level than the little kids around us! And people laugh! I would say that most of the laughter is good natured and friendly, and sometime we make really funny mistakes! Here are a few to give you some laughs with friends:
A missionary wanted to address the group on Sunday before preaching in English and said, “Maayong Buntag sa tanas!” Another time, this same guy said, “Maayong buntag, mga igsoon ug mga ilaga!”
One fellow complained to his language coach that, “Dako ang mga buslot sa escreen, ug gipaakan kami sa manok!”
And many of the funniest ones are ‘bastos.’ A general rule of thumb is to avoid using any personal pronouns in the same sentence with the word ‘itlog.’ ‘Nuf said. 
Related Posts:
Language Learning Styles and Learning TipsHi, I’m AmericanLola
About AmericanLola
Cebuano Grammar #2
Cebuano Speaking Tips
# 1 Dave Starr said:
No ownder the corner store lady laughs when I walk up to the counter and say, “dozena itlog” and point to my (kalbo)(bald in Tagalog) head as I do so. I used to joke and say I only knew about 20 words and 10 of them we bastos, but now I even forgot which ones were bastos LoL.
You tip about the notebook is great … I have seriously already forgotten so mcuh becuase I didn’t write it down and practice.
Another tip is, watch the TV news in Tagalog … do the networks switch to Cebuano in the Visayas?). Thye normally have headlines scrolling across the screen and once you learn patay (dead) the rest falls into place.
And a last note, your post just jogged my memory on this, they sell children’s books at the mall with English and Tagalog together. I suspect they are mainly designed for teaching children English … but my little nephews love to have me read to them, perhaps I should get a couple and let them laugh at my clumsy Tagalog … Id guess in Cebuano territory they would sell them also … I know SM has them here.
# 2 AmericanLola said:
Unfortunately, Cebuano is for all practical purposes an oral language, since very little is published in Cebuano, and it is not taught or encouraged in the schools. Yes, there are usually local news braodcasts in Cebuano, and they are also a good resource I should have mentioned! But no, there are no children’s books in Cebuano in National Books store. Sigh. The Bible League is working on publishing a ‘Mangga’ comic Bible story book, for youth appeal, and there are Bibles in Cebuano.
# 3 Shannon said:
For those who are in Davao and want to learn Cebuano, I purchased a book from my Visayan teacher that goes over many Cebuano words and explains the grammar. The first book in the series covers the first 40 lessons, and it costs only 500 pesos. There is a second book going further into the language and it has all of the vocabulary in the back of the book. If anyone is interested in purchasing it, let me know. The only way I know to get the book is from my language teacher, so unfortunately, I highly doubt it is available in a book store.
# 4 Bob said:
Hi Shannon - I am looking for a Bisaya teacher in Davao. Would you be willing to put me in touch with your teacher? You can contact me through the contact form at the top of this page, just select “Bob” as who you want it sent to. Thanks!
# 5 Pia Sez said:
Hi American Lola, thank you so much for the tips. I will definitely do the story sessions, that sounds awesome. I have a hard time picking up Cebuano, especially speaking it, understanding is ok for me. I can understand more Tagalog, again speaking it is more Tag-lish for me. I have been learning little here and there and have friends come over to help me, I have noticed that older Cebuanos tend to be very “deep” in their language so its hard for me to understand where they are coming from. As for the younger Cebuanos they teach me all the slang and shortened versions of phrases.
# 6 Kevin said:
Thanks for the lessons. I have a 3-ring binder and printed out your lessons to study.