Excerpt from Think Yourself into Becoming a Language Learning Super Star: Exercise (Betty Lou Leaver)



Exercise

When one is studying intensively, it might seem an unnecessarily waste of time to get up and exercise. In fact, in the act of perseverance (the internal push to keep going), much time can pass unnoticed. All work and no play, however, is…well, you know.

Exercise advantages the language learner in a number of ways:

  • ·       releases feel-good endorphins
  • ·       boosts brain activity
  • ·       retention of new skills in memory


The question, then, is not if you should exercise but rather when, how long, and how. Therein lie a number of options that you can choose from, depending upon your personal schedule, needs, and interests.

Exercise to improve mood and energy
Any exercise prompts the release of endorphins will improve mood and energy. Both will serve you will in the classroom as you work with others, and you may also gain additional energy for homework and self-study,

active learner = happy learner

Exercise to boost brain activity
Any movement has been found to boost brain activity, including something as simple as standing up. So, after a little time studying, stand up. Do it often. Stretch. Do some jumping jacks, squats, yoga, whatever suits your fancy. Just move!
Try some aerobics, either as a study break or once a day. Suggestion: make it the first thing in the day, and you won’t “forget” or run out time for your aerobics. Aerobics help with memory and critical thinking; that is another reason to start the day with aerobics.
The common thinking among medical professionals is that a 15-minute workout will boost brain activity. What are some activities you can do?

·       If you are just starting language study, count your steps in the target language wherever you go.
·       Walk or jog while listening to a broadcast or other lesson.
·       Review your notes from class while on the treadmill.
·       Get and use youtube videos in our target language for gymnastics, yoga, etc.
·       Dance to a foreign band’s youtube video while singing along (you may need to track down the lyrics—and make sure you understand them.
·       Spend time at a gym on a regular basis with a native speaker (and talk as time permits).
·       If at the gym alone, count your repetitions in your target language, recite dialogues as you row, and talk to yourself in your target language as you use any of the machines.
·       Get your own coach in your target language. Check out Runtastic’s physical fitness coaching programs; one of them will count out pushups for you in your target language.
·       Check for other physical fitness apps online in your target language.
·       Switch your fitbit to your target language.

Spend physical energy = gain more energy = smarts

Retention of new skills in memory
In terms of physical skills, exercising for 15 minutes after learning or practicing a new skill helps retain that new motor skill. Similarly, some K-12 language teachers have noticed that some students learn vocabulary faster and retain it longer when they learn it through bouncing balls or otherwise moving and talking at the same time.

Move more = remember more

Keep moving!

For more information about Think Yourself into Becoming a Language Learning Super Star, click HERE.

For more posts about this book, click HERE.


 For more information about Dr. Betty Lou Leaver, the author, click HERE.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In Memoriam: Carl Don Leaver

Image
  1948-2021 It is with great sadness that MSI Press notes the death of Carl Leaver, CEO of the Press and typesetter and graphic designer par excellence . Many authors have expressed not only condolences but also a sense of legacy from covers he designed that they love.  Here is his obituary: On August 16, 2021, Carl Don Leaver of San Juan Bautista passed into eternal rest. A forester with the US Forest Service in Idaho and Montana, he turned to nature photography while working in the Bitterroot National Forest. His photographs graced national magazine covers and on a weekly basis the local paper of Hamilton, MT, the Ravalli Republican. He later worked on photography projects for the US Army (AFEES) and taught photography at the New York Institute of Technology in Amman, Jordan. His final career change led him to computer graphics and publishing as co-owner of MSI Press LLC; his many typeset books and book covers have helped MSI Press authors win a large number of awards over t...
Read more

A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: Book Marketing vs Book Promotion

Image
It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  Today's post looks at the difference between book marketing and book promotion, two terms that are frequently confused. Leading to the confusion is that some of the same activities are needed for both. In fact, good marketing is dependent upon good promotion. Perhaps the essential difference is that marketing focuses on sales, and promotion focuses on awareness --  noting that without awareness, sales generally do not happen. Book Marketing Book marketing includes promotion, sales, and increasing awareness of the availability of the book. It generally starts with a marketing plan that identifies the target audiences and selects marketing ...
Read more