Learning foreign languages... what works?

[MikeWB]

I've been contemplating for a while to learn a foreign language. In school, I took some foreign language classes but never got past the basics and forgot most of it. Since I do have at least 30min a day of free time, I'd like to spend it on something more useful than watching crappy online videos.

Anyone have any suggestions about what foreign language method works? Anyone here speak a few languages?

[Archie1970]

prenez the primera sur la sinistra

4 languages, one sentence - you've gotta love the Romans.

[humbug]

emmigration works great, dating a "foreigner" just as. Try to get the groove, mainly study lots of vocab, build a good fundament, your grammar will improve the more you practice speaking. Find some friends who don't speak your language, teach them, be taught. go to lots of shops in a foreign country. ask the salepeople anything you want, no matter if you need it or if its off topic(they don't mind as long as if it looks like they have a customer). grab a dictionary, treat yourself to more difficult words, words you might want to use in a typical conversation about conspiracy etc... find out which words you use most in your mother tongue. read childrens stories and myths, get the symbolism get the metaphors, find the roots, understand the connections.

don't be shy!


EDIT: A tip from badass aleister c. - after study, get totally wasted so it can sink in

[triplesix]

I've been studying mandarin now for over a year by purchasing a used university textbook and forcing myself to complete it as if I'm taking a course. I originally used a Pimsleur language course to listen to the language, and I found it helped with my intonation (which is so important in mandarin) but I was realizing I was really just parroting the language. I didn't know the specific words of what I was saying, which motivated me to get the text book.

Thing is, I still don't know the language all that well, though I don't put that much effort into it, admittedly.

My advice is, old text book, learning tapes, and lots of time and patience. It's a bit easier when you're not doing a completely cultural/language overhaul such as english to mandarin, but I would still say if you want to learn one don't give yourself an artificial time frame. Just study it as often as you can whenever you can. You'll be surprised how much you actually do know in a few months time.

Good luck! Or should I say hǎo yùn!

[Rod]

My take on learning languages coming from a Mom who knows 4 and a dad that knows 3 is to actually go there. Interacting with the locals is the best way to learn. Dating locals even better, nothing beats the sex drive when it comes to motivation for learning.

[MikeWB]

Thank you:)I guess I'll give tapes a try first. Let's see what I can do with 30min a day for 2 months.

[Ognir]

Personal experience, was in a French speaking country, cut all ties to the English speaking world for a year et viola :biggrin:

[SiLVa]

So far alot of good tips above, and a pat on the back for you for trying to build on your language skills, I sort of understand.
Portuguese was my 1st language, then when my brother was born My parents spoke mostly english(I had just started school at the time). Since then Ive slowly lost my ability to find the words I need to say when I want to. I can still understand alot of it, though its wierd. Recently though Ive started Dling language programs, got through 2 Units of Pimsleur, and I DL'd Rosetta Stones version too. I heard it was a good one.
PS...On that subject, I dont know how to open the RS, its a .ISO file. Anyone here know how can I access that?

[harmonius]

TPB has tonnes of language courses. Good luck.


MMM

[Archie1970]

Quote:On that subject, I dont know how to open the RS, its a .ISO file. Anyone here know how can I access that?

Get a program called Image Burn at http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download - it's free. The ISO file is basically the entire contents of a cd/dvd compacted nto one file.

[ephilution]

Total submergence I think would be best and fastest for anyone to learn a foreign language. But then again this would probably be practically unfeasible for you as this would require emigration. The next best thing IMO is maximum exposure to the language while staying in your own country. Learn how to drink, eat, sleep your targeted language and enjoy every bit of it. :biggrin:

One of the ways I improved on my English is through listening to rap music (believe it or not) and to try to basically rap along with the lyrics. Also I watched tons of American movies and fortunately for us Dutch folk we don't perpetrate the sin of dubbing our movies with in our case Dutch lingo. We just stick to subtitles, thank golly.

I've been exposed to so much English in my adult life that for the most part I don't have to translate from Dutch to English when I write or talk English. Basically I think English and even find English a better language to express my thoughts than Dutch (English seems to have more words than Dutch). Funny world hey. Welcome to my upside down and inside out world. :biggrin: I'm still proficient in Dutch as well of course and can even think Dutch when I have to. :biggrin: During conversations with fellow Dutch folk I have to admit I sometimes catch myself knowing the English word sooner than the Dutch word. I also caught myself a couple of times dreaming in English rather than Dutch. Weird hey?

[TraxusIV]

Rosetta stone, Rosetta stone, Rosetta stone!

It is seriously amazing. You can pick it up on all the usual sites. And you seriously should. It works so damn well. Id say if you completed the first two or three chapters a couple times youd be well on your way. Then all you need to do is find a way to immerse yourself. A local university is bound to have a language speaking club that would be great for this.

[Weyland]

Get the Rossetta Stone stuff.

[Skinski7]

Rosetta Stone for home study is very effective and fast.

Use it in conjunction with Pimsleur audio lessons which are great for use in the car.

I was able to learn German in 3 months (1-2 hours study a day 5 days a week) by using these two products in conjunction with flash cards.

[TraxusIV]

Hey Skinski! Its good to see you still around.