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RubyConf 2016 - Learning Fluency by Sara Simon All languages work in formulaic ways. Cracking these formulas takes discipline, time, creativity, trial and error. But is there an overarching formula to crack these formulas? Is there a designated set of steps we can take to guarantee fluency? In this talk, you will learn about the methods people use to learn both foreign languages and programming languages. As developers, we often just jump in and start building. Why is this? Does full immersion work best always and for everyone? What is fluency, and is it ever something we can achieve in Ruby? Let’s explore.
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In this talk titled "Learning Fluency," presented by Sara Simon at RubyConf 2016, the focus is on the concept of fluency in both foreign and programming languages, particularly Ruby. Sara explores personal experiences and effective methods for achieving language fluency, emphasizing the discipline, creativity, and structured practice necessary for learning. **Key Points:** - **Definition of Fluency:** Sara discusses what it truly means to be fluent in a language, drawing parallels between foreign languages and programming languages. - **Personal Journey:** Sara shares her background, revealing her struggles with learning languages such as Hebrew, Japanese, Spanish, and Italian. She emphasizes that her path to fluency in programming languages has been unconventional. - **Importance of Technique and Strategy:** Drawing from her experience in chess, she highlights the value of technique and strategic thinking, suggesting that fluency in programming also requires anticipating future needs and challenges. - **The Role of Improvisation:** Sara discusses lessons learned from theater about improvisation, which is integral to software development. She asserts that both language and coding involve creativity and adaptability. - **Project-Based Learning vs. Structured Learning:** Sara contrasts the common belief that "jumping in" through project-based learning is the best way to learn programming with her own experiences in structured environments. She recounts her challenging but effective experience in a language immersion program, emphasizing the need for both structure and discipline in learning. - **Cultural Observations:** Sara reflects on gendered perceptions in learning environments, suggesting that societal constructs can influence how individuals engage with learning. - **Conclusion:** The talk wraps up by underscoring the importance of balancing hands-on exploration with the structured practice and discipline necessary for mastering a language, emphasizing that true fluency in programming, like in foreign languages, is achievable through consistent effort and strategic learning. Sara’s insights remind us that learning languages—be they spoken or coded—requires a multifaceted approach that combines creativity, discipline, and an understanding of one’s learning style, ultimately leading to fluency.
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