For most, summer promises at least a slightly lightened academic load or even a well-earned rest. The bad news? If your program, like many language programs, ends in May and starts again at the end of August or early September, you will take an entire semester away from your new language.
“Wait,” you say, “that’s the good news. I could use a little time off!"
Imagine a very young child learning to speak for the first time. She is doing well. She is crafting 5 or 6-word sentences as she adds new words to her vocabulary every day. Suddenly, nobody speaks to her for 16 weeks. In this theoretical situation, all her language momentum will halt. Missing the necessary practice she will soon lose many of her gains. The impact of such a language “silence” would be huge! Even if you are not a very young child, when you are in the process of learning a new language, taking three months off can set you back more than you can imagine.
Maybe look at it this way: If a person labors to build momentum as he peddles a bike uphill, he won’t usually stop just as he hits a comfortable speed. If he does, his muscles must work much harder to start again and return to that momentum as the slope is now very steep. Hills and bikes, languages and summers...it pays if you don't stop!
Here are four things you can do during your summer break (or any break longer than two weeks) to keep your language studies alive and well (while keeping your free-time free). These are especially useful for the study of Latin and Greek as we teach at The Lukeion Project. With a little modification, they will work for modern spoken languages as well.
Tackle Short Translation Challenges
This is the best way to give your language studies a little weekly attention. To continue to develop your new language, challenge-error-correction is the best approach. In other words, you must be able to translate a piece and check your accuracy immediately. Find short translation pieces that help you review the elements of your new language in manageable pieces. Check your work for accuracy regularly or very little will be gained and even much will be lost if you reinforce bad habits. Schedule about an hour each time. I recommend you accomplish this challenge early in the day before other tasks fill up your schedule.
Flash Cards / Charts (Paradigms)
Reviewing individual data points as well as whole organized elements of your new language is a discipline that pays big dividends. Take Latin for example. After first year Latin, a student could make a rotating list of declensions (we know three at the end of the first year) and all the forms of the active voice indicative plus half the forms of the passive voice. Don’t forget your vocabulary! Now, assign yourself a little review every few days. Maybe no more than 45 good uninterrupted (social-media-free) minutes are necessary per week. Reward yourself with a nice incentive if you can fully focus on the data for all 45 minutes.
Language Puzzles
It doesn't matter what language you are learning, there are hundreds of different "puzzles" designed to help you review your language in a fun way. Google Latin crossword puzzles, Sudoku for Roman numerals, Latin cartoons, and much more. Consider translating any of the popular modern works that have been translated into your chosen language. Examples in Latin are Winnie Ille Pu, Harius Potter, Hobitus Ille, and many more.
Alternate Sources of Inspiration
Do a little digging. Maybe you like science or biology. Maybe archaeology, inscriptions, or numismatics are all your thing. Perhaps you want to check out law, debate, or forensics. Learn how to write cool Latin mottos if you adore art. Is the study of medicine in your future? Look for applications of your language studies in ways that interest you. Latin (and Greek) has a role in almost everything. Spend a little time this summer finding ways it has impacted subjects you enjoy.
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