How do language learning styles differ across cultures? More specifically, do Chinese students approach mastering a new language differently than German students?

When learning a new language, should you study the rules first, or start speaking and make mistakes as you go? Is memorisation underrated? How important is pronunciation, and when should you worry about getting the grammar exactly right? In this interactive discussion and workshop, Zevan, who is fluent in five languages and constantly learning more, will explore some fascinating differences commonly seen between Chinese and German approaches to language learning. We'll compare techniques, classroom traditions and attitudes towards practice, mistakes and mastery, asking what each approach does particularly well and what language learners might borrow from both.

Then you'll put the ideas to the test! Zevan will introduce you to a European language you probably don't speak, and you'll try learning it using techniques associated with both approaches. Which helps you remember more? Which gets you communicating faster? And which actually feels natural to you? Because culture can influence how we're taught, but there is no single "Chinese," "German" or perfect way to learn. We all process information differently, and the real goal of this workshop is to understand your own learning style better, experiment with unfamiliar techniques, and leave with practical ideas you can immediately apply to whatever language you're learning next.

不同文化背景的人学语言的方式有什么不一样？具体来说，中国学生和德国学生在掌握一门新语言时，方法上会有什么差异吗？

学一门新语言的时候，你应该先啃规则，还是先开口说、边学边犯错？死记硬背是不是被低估了？发音到底多重要，语法又该在什么时候开始较真？在这场互动讨论与工作坊中，Zevan——能流利说五门语言、还在不断学新的——会带我们看看中德两种语言学习方式之间一些常见的差异。我们会比较学习技巧、课堂传统，以及对练习、犯错和“掌握”的态度，看看每种方式擅长什么，语言学习者又能从两边各借点什么。

然后，你就亲自来试试！Zevan会带你接触一门你大概率不会说的欧洲语言，你会分别用两种思路的方法去学。哪种能帮你记住更多？哪种能让你更快开口？哪种让你觉得更自然？文化会影响我们被教导的方式，但并没有什么单一的“中国式”“德国式”或者“完美”学习法。我们每个人处理信息的方式都不一样，这场工作坊真正的目标，是帮你更了解自己的学习风格，尝试一些不太熟悉的技巧，然后带着马上就能用在你下一门语言学习里的实用方法离开。