Has anyone here learned a new language on their own? How would one go about learning a language? Are there any programs or software that are any good?
It’s hard to learn a new language because how you say things are different amongst languages. For example, if I were to ask your age in Spanish, I’ll say, “Quantos anos tienes?” which literally means: “How many years do you have?” Don’t ask why they say it that way. All you need to know is how they say it.
The best way to learn a language IMO is to learn it in class. Nothing beats interactive learning.
Actually the best way to learn a language is to go live in that country but that’s a bit extreme. Audio tapes are quite good and there is also a book series I have used which teaches the basics in three months, it was called French in three months, you can get the same books for learning most languages e.g. Spanish in three months, Canotnese in three months. After that get enrolled in a class part time as undeadlift suggested.
The best way is to live in the specific country like JamFly said, or at least spend a couple of months there. Other than that, watch movies in that language, search the internet for grammar rules, etc. Try to speak it and run it through your mind as much as you can throughout the day…and don’t get caught up in associating the words you learn with the words from your native language. Learn a word and associate it with the object it describes.
It’s definitely do able. I hate it when people limit themselves on learning languages because ‘it’s sooooo hard’.
I took Spanish in HS and Japanese in Uni.
After years of BS classes in High School and College, I still knew hardly anything in those languages.
After much trial and error, I learned a way that works for at least myself, to learn languages fairly fast.
The fastest way I’ve found to learn a language:
- Before anything else, memorize about 2000 words. People think this is crazy, but it damn works. Trying to pick your way through grammar is too hard when you have the vocabulary of a 2 year old. You have to get a grounding somewhere.
Memorizing the words is very possible in one month. Some take longer.
When you know nearly every ‘every-day’ word, it’s so much easier to pick up grammar. You can get books and start to work your way through them, and learn word order and such just that way.
-
Once you know the words, you can move onto grammar. Get a book, or find a website that details it. First, learn sentence order - S>V>O, etc. Second, learn the ‘biggest’ thing. For example, the biggest thing to know about in Japanese was verb conjugations, as that is the staple of the language. In Spanish, it would be mastering the feminine/masculine.
-
Once armed with a large vocabulary and basic knowledge of how the grammar works, just starting reading. Read everything you can in that language. The internet makes this very easy.
At the same time, watch as many video’s/movies in that language. Get a DVD and see if it has the language you are learning as an option. Listen to internet radio in that language.
I had taken a year of Japanese in college. Got a D in the first class, got an F in the second. After using the method I just outlined, I learned a functional knowledge of the language (including listening comprehension) in 6 months. I could read books, watch tv, etc.
With the internet, it really is simple to teach yourself a language.
What language are you interested in?
You can research online what program or books best suit your needs. There is plenty of free stuff to get you started. Look at youtube and some of the videos by learning spanish like crazy. They have a couple of easy to follow videos. I’m not saying to buy their program but they do have some free stuff to get you started, as do many others.
As far as progressing, your knowledge of weight training will come in handy because to learn effectively requires repetition, repetitition, repitition. Also, find someone who has a common interest as it keeps you progressing. Now, I would like to start you with a phrase that I’ve found to be particularly useful: A mi me gusta culo grande (I like big butts)
[quote]undeadlift wrote:
The best way to learn a language IMO is to learn it in class. Nothing beats interactive learning.[/quote]
Best post. Especially if you have limited time available and can’t travel to other countries or spend hours practicing by yourself every day, classes are the best way to grasp the basics. After you have some rudimentary skill in the language, you can self teach or travel to refine it. That’s sort of how I learned English, first I studied it at school, then I watched movies/read books and eventually I moved to the UK to study.
If you have a good local library you should be able to find most materials there and not break your own bank. Mine has lots of CD courses and I found out they have Rosetta Stone software that you can access if you’re a member of the library. Any courses from Michel Thomas are highly recommended by me, as is the Rosetta Stone course. Libraries are great!
[quote]Squiggles wrote:
It’s definitely do able. I hate it when people limit themselves on learning languages because ‘it’s sooooo hard’.
I took Spanish in HS and Japanese in Uni.
After years of BS classes in High School and College, I still knew hardly anything in those languages.
After much trial and error, I learned a way that works for at least myself, to learn languages fairly fast.
The fastest way I’ve found to learn a language:
- Before anything else, memorize about 2000 words. People think this is crazy, but it damn works. Trying to pick your way through grammar is too hard when you have the vocabulary of a 2 year old. You have to get a grounding somewhere.
Memorizing the words is very possible in one month. Some take longer.
When you know nearly every ‘every-day’ word, it’s so much easier to pick up grammar. You can get books and start to work your way through them, and learn word order and such just that way.
-
Once you know the words, you can move onto grammar. Get a book, or find a website that details it. First, learn sentence order - S>V>O, etc. Second, learn the ‘biggest’ thing. For example, the biggest thing to know about in Japanese was verb conjugations, as that is the staple of the language. In Spanish, it would be mastering the feminine/masculine.
-
Once armed with a large vocabulary and basic knowledge of how the grammar works, just starting reading. Read everything you can in that language. The internet makes this very easy.
At the same time, watch as many video’s/movies in that language. Get a DVD and see if it has the language you are learning as an option. Listen to internet radio in that language.
I had taken a year of Japanese in college. Got a D in the first class, got an F in the second. After using the method I just outlined, I learned a functional knowledge of the language (including listening comprehension) in 6 months. I could read books, watch tv, etc.
With the internet, it really is simple to teach yourself a language.
What language are you interested in?
[/quote]
The method described above is how Rosetta Stone teaches it. They teach words using pictures and eventually move on to phrases, then sentences.
It’s the same way you learned your first language as a child.
[quote]Squiggles wrote:
It’s definitely do able. I hate it when people limit themselves on learning languages because ‘it’s sooooo hard’.
I took Spanish in HS and Japanese in Uni.
After years of BS classes in High School and College, I still knew hardly anything in those languages.
After much trial and error, I learned a way that works for at least myself, to learn languages fairly fast.
The fastest way I’ve found to learn a language:
- Before anything else, memorize about 2000 words. People think this is crazy, but it damn works. Trying to pick your way through grammar is too hard when you have the vocabulary of a 2 year old. You have to get a grounding somewhere.
Memorizing the words is very possible in one month. Some take longer.
When you know nearly every ‘every-day’ word, it’s so much easier to pick up grammar. You can get books and start to work your way through them, and learn word order and such just that way.
-
Once you know the words, you can move onto grammar. Get a book, or find a website that details it. First, learn sentence order - S>V>O, etc. Second, learn the ‘biggest’ thing. For example, the biggest thing to know about in Japanese was verb conjugations, as that is the staple of the language. In Spanish, it would be mastering the feminine/masculine.
-
Once armed with a large vocabulary and basic knowledge of how the grammar works, just starting reading. Read everything you can in that language. The internet makes this very easy.
At the same time, watch as many video’s/movies in that language. Get a DVD and see if it has the language you are learning as an option. Listen to internet radio in that language.
I had taken a year of Japanese in college. Got a D in the first class, got an F in the second. After using the method I just outlined, I learned a functional knowledge of the language (including listening comprehension) in 6 months. I could read books, watch tv, etc.
With the internet, it really is simple to teach yourself a language.
What language are you interested in?
[/quote]
Well I know english, spanish, and some italian. I would like to learn French. I have heard about Rosetta stone but from what I have read some translations are not the correct or if they are they are not the words the natives would use.
Best thing I’ve found recently is the using the new language “games” for the Nintendo DS. Amazing and fun at the same time. Currently they only have French and Spanish.
The beauty of these is that you hear the word pronounced properly as you see it written down and you can record yourself and play back instantly as well as compare both your pronunciation and the “correct” pronunciation overlaid at the same time…hard to explain but it IS like having a coach with you.
There was a man named Maximillian Berlitz who pioneered a method where he engaged his students in object based conversation in the language he was teaching. They call his teaching method The Berlitz Method. Today the Berlitz courses are considered to be the best. I’ve used them, they are good.
[quote]xXSeraphimXx wrote:
Squiggles wrote:
It’s definitely do able. I hate it when people limit themselves on learning languages because ‘it’s sooooo hard’.
I took Spanish in HS and Japanese in Uni.
After years of BS classes in High School and College, I still knew hardly anything in those languages.
After much trial and error, I learned a way that works for at least myself, to learn languages fairly fast.
The fastest way I’ve found to learn a language:
- Before anything else, memorize about 2000 words. People think this is crazy, but it damn works. Trying to pick your way through grammar is too hard when you have the vocabulary of a 2 year old. You have to get a grounding somewhere.
Memorizing the words is very possible in one month. Some take longer.
When you know nearly every ‘every-day’ word, it’s so much easier to pick up grammar. You can get books and start to work your way through them, and learn word order and such just that way.
-
Once you know the words, you can move onto grammar. Get a book, or find a website that details it. First, learn sentence order - S>V>O, etc. Second, learn the ‘biggest’ thing. For example, the biggest thing to know about in Japanese was verb conjugations, as that is the staple of the language. In Spanish, it would be mastering the feminine/masculine.
-
Once armed with a large vocabulary and basic knowledge of how the grammar works, just starting reading. Read everything you can in that language. The internet makes this very easy.
At the same time, watch as many video’s/movies in that language. Get a DVD and see if it has the language you are learning as an option. Listen to internet radio in that language.
I had taken a year of Japanese in college. Got a D in the first class, got an F in the second. After using the method I just outlined, I learned a functional knowledge of the language (including listening comprehension) in 6 months. I could read books, watch tv, etc.
With the internet, it really is simple to teach yourself a language.
What language are you interested in?
Well I know english, spanish, and some italian. I would like to learn French. I have heard about Rosetta stone but from what I have read some translations are not the correct or if they are they are not the words the natives would use.
[/quote]
I personally hate Rosetta Stone. Maybe hate is too harsh of a word, I just severely don’t like it. I’m not sure why. It’s not really the method I use to learn languages. It sort of is, but in tiny bits that you have to squeeze together. You learn a few words, learn a few sentences, and then learn some pronunciation. Then you start over. I really dislike that.
After getting a grounding in Japanese, I did notice some sentences on the first first set of Rosetta Stone that were ‘unnatural’. I was told they do that to make it easier to start with, and that you’re just suppose to learn the ‘correct’ way after you become advanced. I personally think that’s bs.
I’d think with your language knowledge, you’d be able to get a grasp of French fairly quick. I still stand by the method of learning a lot of words before jumping into grammar. After you know words, it’s just becomes a matter of learning the puzzle on how to put them together.
How did you learn the other languages?
Best advice i ever heard:
-
Go live in a country where that is the first language
-
Get a native girlfirend
make a friend who speaks the language you want to learn, then after a while of being friends, tell him/her that you would like to learn, and ask them to only speak that language. You’ll learn best through necessity.
I learned a lot more Croatian when I was there for 3 weeks than I ever had on my own. If I would have stayed for 3 months, or 3 years, I would have obviously learned a lot more.
Now, I have friends who speak fluently, and when I’m with them, I speak as much as I can, even if I’m wrong.
You have to be wrong. You don’t learn anything if you say it right the first time, that’s called memorizing words. Say it wrong and get laughed at, then when you get corrected, you’ll never forget.
Edit: You also have to learn the culture. When I learned ASL (American Sign Language) I initially did some things that are considered unnecessary/rude, like signing “excuse me” when you pass between two people talking. It is rude/unnecessary because then they have to stop talking to look at you sign “excuse me,” therefore interrupting their conversation. Just walk through. that is just one example, but you have to learn the culture too.
[quote]Squiggles wrote:
xXSeraphimXx wrote:
Squiggles wrote:
It’s definitely do able. I hate it when people limit themselves on learning languages because ‘it’s sooooo hard’.
I took Spanish in HS and Japanese in Uni.
After years of BS classes in High School and College, I still knew hardly anything in those languages.
After much trial and error, I learned a way that works for at least myself, to learn languages fairly fast.
The fastest way I’ve found to learn a language:
- Before anything else, memorize about 2000 words. People think this is crazy, but it damn works. Trying to pick your way through grammar is too hard when you have the vocabulary of a 2 year old. You have to get a grounding somewhere.
Memorizing the words is very possible in one month. Some take longer.
When you know nearly every ‘every-day’ word, it’s so much easier to pick up grammar. You can get books and start to work your way through them, and learn word order and such just that way.
-
Once you know the words, you can move onto grammar. Get a book, or find a website that details it. First, learn sentence order - S>V>O, etc. Second, learn the ‘biggest’ thing. For example, the biggest thing to know about in Japanese was verb conjugations, as that is the staple of the language. In Spanish, it would be mastering the feminine/masculine.
-
Once armed with a large vocabulary and basic knowledge of how the grammar works, just starting reading. Read everything you can in that language. The internet makes this very easy.
At the same time, watch as many video’s/movies in that language. Get a DVD and see if it has the language you are learning as an option. Listen to internet radio in that language.
I had taken a year of Japanese in college. Got a D in the first class, got an F in the second. After using the method I just outlined, I learned a functional knowledge of the language (including listening comprehension) in 6 months. I could read books, watch tv, etc.
With the internet, it really is simple to teach yourself a language.
What language are you interested in?
Well I know english, spanish, and some italian. I would like to learn French. I have heard about Rosetta stone but from what I have read some translations are not the correct or if they are they are not the words the natives would use.
I personally hate Rosetta Stone. Maybe hate is too harsh of a word, I just severely don’t like it. I’m not sure why. It’s not really the method I use to learn languages. It sort of is, but in tiny bits that you have to squeeze together. You learn a few words, learn a few sentences, and then learn some pronunciation. Then you start over. I really dislike that.
After getting a grounding in Japanese, I did notice some sentences on the first first set of Rosetta Stone that were ‘unnatural’. I was told they do that to make it easier to start with, and that you’re just suppose to learn the ‘correct’ way after you become advanced. I personally think that’s bs.
I’d think with your language knowledge, you’d be able to get a grasp of French fairly quick. I still stand by the method of learning a lot of words before jumping into grammar. After you know words, it’s just becomes a matter of learning the puzzle on how to put them together.
How did you learn the other languages? [/quote]
Not only that but the price seems a bit much.
I learned the language from my parents my father is Spanish and my mother is Italian and Mexican. I speak spanish perfectly but I never quite mastered italian because I rarely used it. I live in los angeles so I have a lot of spanish speaking friends.
Spanish and French are very similar. You should have no problem picking up international French. Why would you want to learn it anyways? Mandarin or Cantonese are far more useful in the business world.
I had to learn French because of where I now live, otherwise I would never have bothered.
db
Rosetta Stone worked well for me.
[quote]JRT6 wrote:
Rosetta Stone worked well for me.[/quote]
Who is she?[/sarcasm]
[quote]undeadlift wrote:
JRT6 wrote:
Rosetta Stone worked well for me.
Who is she?[/sarcasm][/quote]
I don’t know but there are some serious hotties on the Stone software.