It's no secret that learning a foreign language is impossible without constant practice. The Ilya Frank method helps students to read fascinating books in their original language, systematically building up their vocabulary. Discussions about the effectiveness of the innovative approach proposed by the author do not stop, which does not prevent adapted literature from being in ever-increasing demand.
Backstory
The method of Ilya Frank was developed by a Germanist philologist, a graduate of Moscow State University, with extensive teaching experience. The future author of the original methodology, back in his school years, noted the low efficiency of the German language teaching system, which was used by teachers. The students were offered mostly monotonous grammatical exercises, they were forced to learn by heart a huge number of foreign words, without putting them into practice. The results of this approach turned out to be very modest.
The method of Ilya Frank appeared due to the fact that the future teacher preferred reading foreign classics in the original to cramming. Within a few months, he had accumulated sufficient vocabulary for free understanding of texts. German. Using the same approach, the young man successively mastered French, English.
For the first time, books based on the method of Ilya Frank appeared on sale much later - in 2001. The purpose of literature is to help students passively learn foreign languages.
Ilya Frank method: features
Adapted novels and short stories, unlike ordinary ones, do not contain continuous foreign text. Instead, books on the method of Ilya Frank offer readers small blocks containing no more than three paragraphs, presented twice. At the top there is always a text containing in brackets the translation of each foreign language phrase or individual words (depending on the situation). This is followed by a block of foreign text without explanation.
Thus, Ilya Frank books allow learners of English (German, Spanish, etc.) to read the same text twice. At the first acquaintance, the student learns the meaning of incomprehensible words and structures, at the second, he consolidates the studied material.
The method of reading Ilya Frank eliminates the tedious cramming of foreign words and phrases. Memorization is carried out passively in the process of studying, while the reader sees examples of the use of new expressions.
What about grammar
Ilya Frank's method of reading has a large number of opponents who express doubts about its effectiveness. In their arguments, they most often emphasize that reading adapted literature does not allow students to advance inlearning the grammar of a foreign language. Is it true?
The author of the methodology is convinced that the reader does not need to know even the basics of grammar to understand his texts. This makes literature accessible to users planning to learn a foreign language from scratch. In addition, in particularly difficult cases, the student is offered grammatical explanations contained in the first text block. Studying French, German, English according to the method of Ilya Frank, a person masters the grammatical foundations passively.
The creator of the method does not at all encourage his followers to give up grammar lessons, doing exercises aimed at consolidating the basic rules. On the contrary, in his opinion, the best result will provide a combination of reading and doing grammar tests.
Difficulties with transcription
Transcription is one of the main difficulties that people who learn English have to face. The method of Ilya Frank is often rejected by those who believe that reading without a dictionary with transcribed words will not be useful. However, at the end of all adapted text blocks, a transcription of the three most difficult words is given. Mostly those are chosen whose pronunciation does not obey the general rules, which is an exception.
The author is often asked why his adapted texts do not contain a transcription for each word. The creator of the methodology explains that such an approach will prevent immersion in reading, prevent the reader from enjoying it.classes.
How to use books
Frank's method is perfect for people who don't want the help of tutors. The author promises that his readers will be able to memorize up to 1000 foreign words in just a month. To do this, you just need to practice at least an hour daily. Ideally, you should devote two hours a day to reading, so you should initially come up with the right motivation for yourself. Long breaks in classes are not welcome, as the basis for success is the regularity of reading.
Before starting to work with the book, the reader should familiarize himself with the introduction, which discusses in detail the basic rules of reading that make the task easier. The developer of the methodology strongly advises users to read the text in a row, specifically not concentrating on places that seem incomprehensible. You should also not diligently try to memorize unfamiliar words. They will meet repeatedly in the text, which will help them to be deposited in memory in a natural way, without tension.
Advantages and disadvantages
The absence of the need for tedious cramming is one of the main advantages that Ilya Frank's method of reading has. English (or another) can be learned without constantly resorting to a dictionary to find out the translation of a new expression. In the reader's memory, not only individual words are deposited, but also entire speech turns.
The technique is relevant for everyone, starting with language learners "from scratch" andending with advanced users. The latter may be advised to concentrate on the non-translated blocks, simply enjoying the engaging stories and giving themselves the necessary practice. Books are good because they allow people to study at a convenient time and anywhere - in transport, in the office, on a trip. There is no need to carry bulky dictionaries, textbooks and notebooks with you.
Are there any downsides to the innovative methodology? This approach is not relevant for people who want to acquire communication skills in a foreign language as quickly as possible. However, they will also be able to effectively use adapted literature to expand their vocabulary and additional classes. But the author promises his followers, first of all, free reading.
Is the technique effective
The effectiveness of the non-traditional method has been tested and proven by its creator. Ilya Mikhailovich is currently able to read about 20 languages of the world, and he speaks two of them as a native speaker. The author assures that he owes his success to the unique development.
At what age is it possible to resort to an unconventional way of learning? Frank published adapted stories for different ages, adults and children can work with his books. The youngest readers should study with the help of parents or teachers who will explain to them incomprehensible points related to grammar and transcription. You can switch to independent exercises from about 8-10years.
Wide range
English is far from the only language that Ilya Frank's unconventional method can help you master. Spanish, German, French - at the disposal of students are stories and novels presented in more than 50 languages of the world. Among them are rare oriental languages that are difficult to learn. At the moment, the author has published more than 300 different books for children and adults. Most of the copies are offered for purchase in the global network, a wide range is available in bookstores.
Is the innovative method of Ilya Mikhailovich, which has many fans and opponents, suitable for a particular student? The only way to find out is to study books for a while.
