When schools teach younger students a foreign language, they spend much of their time explaining grammatical concepts, and they also work to help them learn and expand their vocabulary. This is a standard way to teach a foreign language, and it relies heavily upon equating the new language to the one the students already speak. Terms, grammar and concepts are explained to them in the language they already know, and translation is a large part of the exercises they work on in class.
Students must work hard to learn vocabulary in the new language, and it is often reinforced when the teacher assigns writing sentences to the class. This type of exercise has several benefits for the student, and it is designed to help them learn vocabulary through use as well as teaching them correct grammatical structure. If they only have words, it will be difficult for them to truly understand the language when they read, write or hear it.
Homework and studying are essential to learning another language, and it should be practiced every day to help the student retain their new knowledge. Words and sentence structures that are foreign at first will become easier to learn and remember over time, but only if the student works with them on a regular basis. Most students can master simple words and sentences within a few months, and they will progress further within a few years.
The majority of classes for beginners focus on reading and writing the new language, but learning to speak and listen are just as important. Many language programs now have audio and video sessions to help students develop a good ear so they can recognize the words as they are spoken. This helps them become more familiar with the spoken words as well as retain them over time.
