Among the many language learning sources, media (print or electronic) plays an important role in improving one’s language standards. Some of the important media instruments that help in learning a language are – newspapers, magazines, television, radio and the Internet. These have revolutionized the world of communication, whose main tool is language. Hence, these media instruments, though used for gaining information, also have evolved as language promoters/resources, thus playing an important role in helping learn a language. Let us now learn how each media tool helps in learning a new language.
Newspapers and magazines: These are related to print media. Newspapers and magazines discuss current issues and developments helping you gain information. While doing so, they help you learn the real usage of the language. Magazines bring special articles and stories that are interesting and entertaining. By reading them, you will be exposed to new words and interesting narration which helps you learn the language easily and quickly.
Television: Television is an audio and video electronic medium. Television exposes you to various fields such as news, politics, real stories, science, entertainment, etc. Each of these needs language to express the content. Hence, by watching television you will be learning various applications of the language. Since TV has both audio and video, if you are unable to understand any word or sentence in the language, you can infer its meaning by the visuals.
Radio: Radio is an electronic medium. It has only audio. This is the best medium that encourages learning by concentration. Since there are no visuals, the learner has less chances of getting diverted from the context. By keen listening, one can learn the language, its pronunciation and accent, from the programs aired on the radio.
Internet: The Internet gives access to unlimited information on any given topic. Hence, by browsing the Internet, you can learn any aspect of language you wish. Moreover, it also provides tools for interactive learning which eases the process of learning further. Internet is also a great source of learning a new language. It consists of the most renowned language books that give you easy access to the high level literature of the language. The flexibility and ease of using the Internet has made it one of the most entertaining and fun ways of learning a language.
Electronic media plays an important role in helping people learn a new language. Hence, by making use of the electronic media, one can learn the right application of the language in real situations.