如何高效率的自学外语?

 　　This report and other recent studies show that online learning¹, distance learning, and self-learning in general, are not only more convenient, but, in fact, more effective than the classroom, for high school, college and adult learners. In the last decade, the Internet, the MP3 player, the iPhone, and other mobile² devices,as well as social networking sites, language exchange communities, online learning systems, university courses online and more, have changed how we deal with knowledge. The walls of academia, and the costs of learning, are crumbling³ before our eyes and ears.

　　本篇报道和其他近期研究都显示普遍而言，网络课程、远程教育和自学比起传统高中、大学和成人教育模式等，不仅更加方便、而且效率更高。在过去的十年当中，互联网、mp3随身听、iPhone、其他便携式设备以及网络社区、网上教育课程、高校网络教程等等都改变了我们学习知识的方式。高等教育的围墙、大笔的学费都在我们眼前崩塌。

　　For those who are conditioned to think that learning only happens in a classroom, the world of self-learning can be a little daunting⁴. How do we best take advantage these new opportunities.

　　对于那些认为学习只能在教室中进行的人而言，自学可能会吓怕他们。那么我们怎么才能最好的利用自学这种新兴的学习方法呢？下面以自学外语为例，为大家介绍一些小诀窍。

　　1. Get interested

　　第一步：对所学之物感兴趣

　　Make no mistake. Your interest in the subject is the essential driver of success. You can't learn what you do not want to learn. Emotion is an important part of the learning process. If you are even moderately interested in a subject, give yourself a chance. The key is to get started. If you can create some pleasurable routines⁵, you may find that the subject grows on you. “L’appetit vient en mangeant” (the appetite comes with eating) as they say in French.

　　可别搞错了，兴趣是成功学成某件事的根本要素！你不想学的东西当然学不会。在学习过程中保持热情至关重要。所以如果你对某件事有些兴趣，那就给自己一个学习的机会。关键是要“开始”！如果你能创造一些让自己开心的学习模式，那么就能好好开始学习这门科目。就像他们在法语里说的那样：吃着吃着就有胃口了！

　　2. Expect problems and you won’t be disappointed.

　　第二布：降低期望值，这样就不会对自己失望

　　Don't expect to understand things, much less remember them, the first time you study them. Trust that things will get clearer as your brain comes to grips⁶ with new information. It is like a jig-saw puzzle or a cross-word puzzle. As you start to put the pieces together, or string the words together, the full picture becomes clearer. The brain learns all the time, but on its own schedule. Learning does not take place according to a schedule laid down by a curriculum⁷ or teacher. Some things are easier to learn than others. Some things just take longer to click in. Keep at it, and you will gradually find that things that seem difficult at first, will become second nature with time.

　　当一开始学习的时候，别指望能一下就全部理解、更别说记住所有知识点了。要相信，随着你了解越来越多的新知识、你的头脑也会变得清晰起来。这就像是拼图、或者填字游戏那样：当你把图形一个一个拼起来、或是把单词一一填进去，整个大局就会清楚。大脑其实随时都在学习，不过它也有自己的节奏。学习的过程是不会按照一个课程、或是老师给你规定的进行的。有的东西比其他好学，有的东西就是需要花更多时间。坚持下去，你慢慢就会发现那些一开始看上去很难的东西也会随着时间变得简单了。

　　3. Cover the same ground from different angles⁸.

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 mobile   

adj.可移动的，易变的，机动的；n.运动物体

参考例句：

• The old lady sits on a mobile chair every morning.那位老妇人每天上午坐在一把可携带使用的椅子上。
• She's much more mobile now that she's bought a car.自从她买了汽车后，活动量就大多了。

3 crumbling   

adj.摇摇欲坠的

参考例句：

• an old house with crumbling plaster and a leaking roof 一所灰泥剥落、屋顶漏水的老房子
• The boat was tied up alongside a crumbling limestone jetty. 这条船停泊在一个摇摇欲坠的石灰岩码头边。

4 daunting   

adj.使人畏缩的

参考例句：

• They were faced with the daunting task of restoring the house.他们面临着修复房子的艰巨任务。
• Starting a new job can be a daunting prospect.开始一项新工作有时会让人望而却步。

5 routines   

n.[计算机]程序( routine的名词复数 )；例行公事；日常工作；固定节目

参考例句：

• The artists were going through their daily routines. 艺术家们正进行日常的练习活动。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Hospital routines for nurses are very rigid. 医院中护士的日常工作非常刻板。 来自辞典例句

6 grips   

n.紧握( grip的名词复数 )；掌握；理解；理解力v.抓紧( grip的第三人称单数 )；吸引；引起；使感兴趣

参考例句：

• He bought some hair grips for his wife in the fair. 他在集市上为妻子买了一些发夹。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He talked a lot, but never really came to grips with the subject. 他说了很多，但是没有真正谈到正题。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 curriculum   

n.课程，（学校等的）全部课程

参考例句：

• Is German on your school's curriculum?你们学校有德语课吗？
• The English curriculum should stress both composition and reading.英语课程对作文和阅读应同样重视。

8 angles   

n.角( angle的名词复数 )；[比喻]（考虑、问题的）角度；观点；轮廓鲜明的突出体

参考例句：

• She angles her reports to suit the people she is speaking to. 她带着一定的倾向性作报告以迎合她的听众。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Angles of less than 90 degrees are called acute angles. 小于90度的角叫锐角。 来自《简明英汉词典》