Listening VS Reading (For Language Learning)

[@Alec72HD]

I learned my second language mostly by listening. Took me 6 months to be able to understand movies without any subtitles. Listening also creates long-term language skills. I will use my friend as an example. As a teen he lived in Germany while his father was stationed there on a US military base. For a while he stayed on base, and though he took German as a class, he didn't learn much. Then he hooked up with a local gang of German teens. I do mean "a gang", as they did some illegal mischievous activities. He became very fluent in a couple of years. This was obviously done mostly through listening and without using his native English. And that was about 50 years ago. He doesn't use German living in US, but he still remembers most of it.

[@Shka_maru]

FINALLY someone who thinks the way I think lol. I never understood why many language learners go the route of Reading/Writing over Listening/Speaking. I guess because it gives the illusion of progression? Also, most want to communicate (orally) so wouldn't it make sense to put listening on the forefront, getting used to hearing the language, saturate one's mind with the sounds of the language? My last theory against Reading first before Listening is, usually when we read, we subvocalize. If one hasn't heard the sounds of the language and developed some competent level of pronunciation, then they are subvocalizing with incorrect pronunciation which adds more weight to not being able to comprehend what native speakers say.

[@JoseSilva-pj3wz]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@fernandopoliglota]

Hi! Linguist and polyglot here. You're absolutely right. I'd like to add a key element: some language learners struggle with Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA), making reading and writing more comfortable for them. It might not start as a coping strategy, but many learners eventually rely on it, which becomes a significant problem when/if they realize speaking and listening are their true goals. It's also important to mention that writing and reading are amazing inventions, vital for many aspects of our species. However, even though they are essential for humans, speaking and understanding spoken language are the core abilities that naturally emerge throughout our neurodevelopment. Our brain is programmed to learn these two basic and important skills. Reading and writing, while amazing abilities, are not part of our basic neurodevelopment and need to be actively learned. Amazing video and insights, by the way 😃

[@themaster2898]

Reading and Listening, That is all you have to need!!

[@globaltrekkerexplorer]

Cool thing about reading is that you build your vocabulary while enjoying the stories in the new language!

[@putinisakiller8093]

Listening doesn't enjoy you? :)

[@chahailus]

I totally agree and after years of reading and learning vocabulary lists the listening just came naturally

[@flaviocosta9829]

I'm so happy to find this chanel. Thank you Loïs

[@guyjean-baptiste5570]

Great video! Instead, Let’s use the analogy, of reading a book versus listening, or watching a video to the analogy of driving to a destination versus walking to that destination. Reading is like walking to a destination compared to the quick, passive experience of watching a video or listening. Just as walking takes time, focus, and energy, reading allows us to slow down and engage deeply with each concept. Walking gives you a chance to take in each detail around you, which builds memory and strengthens your understanding, while driving quickly passes through the scenery, often without the same depth of focus. Similarly, when you read, your brain has to actively process each word, creating images and connections that help you understand and remember the material. Videos or audio can provide information quickly but don’t encourage the same active engagement. Just as walking requires your own energy and focus to reach a destination, reading challenges you to think and analyze each idea, making it a more effective tool for learning than simply watching or listening.

[@Funmi-g5t]

Biggest lesson learnt is to pick something you are into e.g games, reading etc so if it's movies watch it without native subtitle again. I wouldnt call myself intermediate but definitely enjoying this way more for listening and picking up more words I will definitely try the transcript route as I recognise some words but cannot reproduce it correctly at times

[@jinn_1891]

Indeed. I struggled to find the 'right' level when learning german. I watched 'YOU' on netflix (in German audio). The clarity and pace were just right for me to comprehend them, even without any subtitles!!!!

[@Bi3nfait]

I have similar theories about reading content without having enough exposure to the language and potentially creating errors by subvocalizing. My workaround for this has been buying physical books in my target language that also has an audiobook format so I can read along with the audio (bonus points if I can also get the book in my native language (English)). This way I can hear it, read it, and even mimic/shadow it to practice my speech and pronunciation. And one book alone can provide hours worth of content to interact with.

[@RhenanMartinsRepoem]

Thanks for you video. I liked the tip about studying the script of the movie before whatching.

[@warrenbeatty7973]

Lois, much Thank you for this video! I start live in America one year before with Amerikan wife, british heritage, origin, and I have problem with my English! It is based on my knowledge of the language from 40 years ago at my law university!I stand by your position and that's how I used to learn the language, and she claims the opposite...just listen, listen and listen! And I have no progress at all😢

[@misscamay]

I concur, listening also trains you to think faster and develops automaticity…

[@takeaction2023]

Reading and listening I do both every single day, also speaking every day because I have no choice I live in an English-speaking country.

[@nicoledansby1805]

Great video!...100% spot on!...thanks Lois!

[@Busterpeek21]

Yeah, listening/training your ear, is something I wish I had prioritized more. I would also like to recommend listening at your level. Its fun to try advanced stuff but, you won't benefit nearly as much. So much rhythm, context and sounds are lost to un trained ears. ¡Buena suerte!😊

[@khalidimohamedfadel2048]

Continue! God bless you........

[@d.faisaljalal4705]

My laugage is Arabic I read english in school and university almost thirty years and see myself still need to read and listen more and more thanks for that

[@mmuu9744]

Can you make a video on how you reached an almost nativ like accent?

[@loistalagrand]

I'll think about it!

[@relic4948]

totally agree! you sound completely american!

[@japanese2811]

How important do you think talking to natives is when learning a language? Is it critical at the early stage? It feels so difficult when you can barely string sentences together and the conversation never has depth.

[@franklaoshi7527]

I strongly disagree!!! However for level A2 and above it is reasonable but for beginners reading and gaining vocabulary is a must!!!

[@Hellenicheavymetal]

agree. When I start a language I get on LingQ and build a vocabulary and then I start listening more often the more words I build in my head.

[@sha3698]

Insightful video thank you ! : ) I would love to see one regarding how to improve one's Japanese reading skills, and especially your personal technique to learn Kanjis. If ever you feel inspired. Keep going ! :)

[@maigematthews5620]

1:24 What about if you began your language journey with pimsleur and anki image to Audio?

[@white-wq3eu]

All anki lists with audio are superior due to the comprehensible input It drills into the subconscious and I have benefitted from it

[@synthessencee]

Where do you find such decks, online?

[@Dan.50]

I know at least in the US "education" is looked at as a business so they want everything to take the longest time possible. Hence, the way they tech language here...

[@vuanhtuanldd2k108]

The backround looks like viet nam, doesn't it😊

[@TheMattjudo26]

Ingrain in your mind is a better idiom than engraved in your mind.

[@Daniel-qi1ld]

I've been listening to Podcasts for a long time but sometimes I feel stuck in my English level.

[@angellucha2287]

I have done the same for along and I think my listening skill is great but I struggle my speaking yet. In other words I'm still stuck in the same English level 😢

[@RhenanMartinsRepoem]

Here fron Brazil and i'm learning english.

[@wodzimierzh5126]

Hello! Thank you for your job! When I hear you I understand all. But I have a problem when I watch movies 😢

[@HungTran-pn4so]

are you related to Vietnamese? were you sitting in Vietnam (in the video)?

[@AhlemBalaouan]

I ALWAYS LIKE YOUR VIDEOS

[@ceciliohdez5947]

Nice place. Where do you live?

[@uysophoeurn2191]

❤Hello your video is very good for me l

[@loistalagrand]

Oh thank you

[@thierrytalag]

Excellent

[@masswaar]

Tbf thought u was native fair play

[@endouerick7519]

watching content with language subtitles is considered a hybrid activity, right ? is it going to help me boost my listening ?

[@brenodiasmagalhaes9691]

Yes, it will.

[@yamhweeyeo3089]

There is no listening without reading. Unless you don't care about content, take note.

[@TD-donald]

where are you live?) it's so beautiful behind you

[@marzhan_zeynep]

❤

[@stevenhung3435]

you are handsome♥

[@Pranay471]

Gay?

[@MsTranthihai71]

❤

[@JuanMartinez-se2dp]

I'm looking for a language exchange partner. I speak Spanish, and I'm seeking someone who speaks English. We can practice together. If interested, please reach out to me!"

[@surangalakmal7162]

I really like your language and i also like english

[@jamesmclaggen6182]

You look like Bm from Btob 😂 lol