Learning a language...

[PurpleCloud]

Hi all,

Any suggestions recommended on how you may/may not have gone about this in the past?

I want to learn another European language... something tells me I should do it as part of our plan to take over other countries once we've cracked the U.K. Realistically, I feel ashamed when I go on holiday and not overly skilled workers can reel off 3/4 different languages in a heart beat.

What's the most effective way to learn a new language? What experiences have you had? How much time do you need to commit?

 

[URBAN COLOUR]

People who rattle off several languages have often started off as kids and Eastern Europeans (soem ex soviet union) were taught Russian along with their own language so its easy.

Now as for us older people, it may count on your own ability to pick stuff up and how well you get to grips with it.

I suggest you are unlikely to ever be good enough to chat fluently in another language at least not well enough to avoid the pitfalls of misunderstanding.. or if you do, give yourself a long long time.

But do it anyway, its a great thing to chat in whatever limited way as the people really appreaciate it. I can do basic stuff in Chinese and Polish, not huge amounts but I see the surprise in the Chinese when you can say basic stuff even

I have been learning Spanish and went off to Chile for 5 weeks in the summer, met some great people and your language improves all the time because you are absorbed into the culture.

Now Im back, i still understand a lot but even with a Chilean (wife to be) I dont practice as much as I should.

Good luck with it

 

[Deleted member 61074]

If you can afford it go to a language school in the country, get one to one tuition for 1/2 a day, reserve the other 1/2 for personal study and consolidating the days class. Stay with a family.

I did this in Guatemala, when i got back i enrolled in an evening class and found i had covered a years worth of study in a week!

 

[Raw Rob]

I guess it how you learn best depends on what type of person you are, but personally I love the Michel Thomas Method, it's an audio only course, and he tries to teach you in the way you would naturally learn a language as a child. Michel Thomas started the system and teaches French, Spanish, Italian and German, and since he passed away the publishers have continued with several other languages including Portuguese and Greek. I've used the Italian and Greek briefly and the Spanish to very good effect, now I'm learning Portuguese.

If there isn't a Michel Thomas Method course for the language you want, Pimsleur do audio courses using a similar method and have a much wider range of languages, I've used the Croatian which was good.

 

[GraemeL]

but personally I love the Michel Thomas Method

Totally agree. Great system. No homework, no remembering, just think it through!

G

 

[PurpleCloud]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond, much appreciated.

Would love to have a look at Chinese also, I imagine that would be real hard work and take some hours... as the majority of you know, having time to sleep when starting up is difficult enough!

I'll have a look at the Michel Thomas method... thanks again.

 

[Cornish Steve]

I know a little Chinese. In this case, learn Pinyin first and catch up with the characters later.

In general, try to find someone you know well with whom you can speak the language. Without immersion in the language by relocating for a while (the most effective learning method), at least frequent conversations with a native speaker exposes you to real life.

 

[URBAN COLOUR]

I know a little Chinese. In this case, learn Pinyin first and catch up with the characters later.

In general, try to find someone you know well with whom you can speak the language. Without immersion in the language by relocating for a while (the most effective learning method), at least frequent conversations with a native speaker exposes you to real life.

I agree here, Im in Liverpool and my university offers free of very cheap mandarin lessons (6 hours for £10) its all part of building connections. You will meet other English people learning the language as well as meeting Chine who are more than happy to meet for language exchange 30 mins english/30 mins Chinese. I did soe mandarin, Its a little difficult with the tones they have.

Id say dont put yourself under pressure, let it be fun and you will be ok

 

[british steve]

If you fancy having a bash at spanish try http://radiolingua.com/shows/spanish/coffee-break-spanish/ Its audio only but really good, they have free and paid versions. My other half now speaks Spanish really well and I am learning as we plan to go and live in Spain in the next few years. Of course you could also visit spain as a business expense!

 

[Eid_khashan]

where are you from? What is your native language. if you know English then German, French, Chinese and Arabic. try to learn these languages because these are some common languages. best of luck

Eid Khashan