The art and science of learning languages

Table of contents

• Introduction
  Part One: The art of learning languages
• Basics 1. Who can and who should learn languages
• Basics 2. Understanding the basic nature of languages
• Basics 3. Basic practical principles of learning
• Learning and lessons 1. How useful are teachers'
• Learning and lessons 2. With or without lessons. Intensive
  courses
• Pronunciation
• Vocabulary 1. Principles and first steps
• Vocabulary 2. How to learn many words
• Vocabulary 3. Dictionaries
• Grammar
• Reading to observe
• Reading, listening, speaking and writing
• Mistakes
  

  Part Two: Facts about languages

• The world's most important languages
• How many words are there?
• Transparent languages
• International and puristic words
• False friends and unreliable friends
• Easy and difficult languages
• How long does it take to learn a language?
• How many words does one need to know?
• Languages with difficult pronunciation
• Features of grammar
• Alphabets
  

  Part Three: How to pass
  language examinations

  
  

  Appendices

• Unstressed syllables and 'weak forms' in English
• The International Phonetic Alphabet
• Minilex A: English-Swedish
• Miniphrase A + B: English-Swedish
• Minigram: Swedish
• The Intercontinental Dictionary Series
• Grammatical terms
• Some hints on principles of English grammar
• 40 of the most common words in English
• Tests and Exercises
• Polyglots
  

  Bibliography
  Index