UniLang Language Learning Month
From UniLang Wiki
The Unilang Language Learning Month (Ulalemo for short) is a 30-day period during which people will try to learn as much of a chosen language as possible, most of them starting from scratch. Any Unilanger and even non-Unilangers can participate and actually this event could help promote Unilang among people interested in this kind of linguistic challenge.
Each Unilang Language Learning Month will focus on two languages, which are decided on beforehand in a poll amongst Unilang members. In order to be eligible in the poll, a language has to be proposed at one point and links to adequate free online courses for that language have to be submitted in time, too. Languages for which there are not enough online resources can't be considered because every Unilanger everywhere must have free access to sufficient language learning material for both selected languages.
A discussion after the 1st Ulalemo has revealed that less commonly learned languages should play a more important role in the following Language Learning Months, by way of requiring that one of the languages selected for the Ulalemo has to be a less commonly learned language. Besides, at the moment it is required that at least one of the languages selected for the Ulalemo is written with the Latin alphabet, so that people who don't have the time or inclination to learn another alphabet can still participate.
Once the two languages for the Unilang Language Learning Month have been selected, every participant may choose one of the two that he will learn during the 30-day period. He then adds his name to the sign-up list in the forum. This serves as a reminder of the commitment he made and therefore also as an encouragement not to give up easily. It also has the purpose of allowing participants studying the same language to find each other, to know who is in the same boat. The idea of sharing the periods of frustration and of joy that come with language learning is a very important one during the Ulalemo. For that reason, there shall be as many participants as possible, not more than two languages and it is encouraged that all participants start at zero or next to zero, though participants at other levels will not be excluded.
During the sign-up process, native speakers are sought that are ready to assist the participants in their language learning by answering questions, providing corrections and creating exercises. If feasable, there shall be a voluntary final evaluation test so that participants can assess how much they learned in that month. If not, success may be measured in terms of amount of vocabulary/grammar learnt, lessons studied, fluency achieved... Right from the start participants shall have a goal that they strive to achieve. In combination with the deadline of 30 days, the goal is a powerful motivator. Since it has to be taken into account that some people may be able to dedicate more time to the language learning than others, and some will find a language easier to learn than others, based on their linguistic background, there shall be several goals. The goals can be reviewed here, but they're not set into stone yet.
It is also not clear yet when the Unilang Language Learning Month will be repeated. A poll revealed that most people would like to see it repeated either four times a year or twice a year, but there is no consensus yet. In addition, there is the issue of months in which people have more or less time for language learning, with e. g. September and October being good choices and December the worst (probably due to Christmas).
During the Ulalemo, participants will learn their chosen language at their own pace, studying the provided online resources or any other material they choose, while using the Unilang VSL forums to interact with fellow students and tutors.
After the Unilang Language Learning Month, there will be a period of reflection on achievements made, learning techniques, intensive language learning in general and the Ulalemo as an event.
Currently, the second Unilang Language Learning Month is in its final preparatory stage: you can sign up to learn either Standard Arabic or Finnish. The learning start on October 1st. Until then, please tell more people about the Unilang Language Learning Month! It's going to be a unique experience and a lot of fun!
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