Trying to learn different languages... on my own :/

Dark_Angel

Dark_Angel

Dark_Angel

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Well, I have decided to take it upon myself to learn a variety of foreign languages. I have decided to start with German (please dont ask me why, truthfully I have no real clue why that one first) but finding it a tad tough. I have heard that once you break thru the barrier of your brain remembering that there is different words floating about in there that mean "no" for example, then it becomes easier... so after you learn a bit of one language, learning more of that language and then others becomes easier. Is this remotely true?

At the moment I grabbed a couple of audio CD's with German basics, and have to admit so far it seems kind of fun. Anyone have any tips?
 
I didn't think was any need to learn foreign languages. We're English, just speak loudly and slowly and keep repeating yourself until Jonny Foreigner gets the message.
 
Dark_Angel said:
Well, I have decided to take it upon myself to learn a variety of foreign languages. I have decided to start with German (please dont ask me why, truthfully I have no real clue why that one first) but finding it a tad tough. I have heard that once you break thru the barrier of your brain remembering that there is different words floating about in there that mean "no" for example, then it becomes easier... so after you learn a bit of one language, learning more of that language and then others becomes easier. Is this remotely true?

At the moment I grabbed a couple of audio CD's with German basics, and have to admit so far it seems kind of fun. Anyone have any tips?
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Hey dude, I'm trying to teach myself italian right now and I agree it's very hard.

Thing I find most difficult is thinking in Italian, rather than thinking in english then converting because it's very slow t9o do so. I work with a guy who speaks Italian so I ocassionally try my stuff on him but I'm working so much at the moment the learning is going molto piano.

Did you pick up the Indepepndant's version of the Instant German book and CD, I got the Italian versions and they are very good. Put the audio CD onto my iPod which is very useful mate.

Plus I'm going to Italy end of the summer, so I get a chance to practice properly because my mate is Sicilian and the language although similar is very different and he just confuses me.

givandiamo amigo

Karl

edit: I found the best way to start was to learn how to say the vowels and consonants properly so I could read words and pronounce them correctly, the learning became easier. Not sure about German, maybe it would be sensible to try this too.

When learning a new langauge, it can be hard trying to get the sentance perfect. Forget about amazing grammar, intially it might be best to be able to get by with broken sentences and building up from there.
 
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Best way possible to learn a new language is to emerse yourself in it completely. Or at least that's my opinion ;)
 
At the moment I am thinking of learning the basics, and then maybe searching around some forums for a German person to speak with using voice on MSN for example. Perhaps that way he/she could learn a little English and I could learn some German.

I have to admit, I have long had an interest in other languages but just recently something has just made me start. I never expect to be perfect in it, but I would love to be able to hold a conversation with someone from a different country. If I ever decided to go traveling I would so much prefer to speak their own language :)
 
Pimsleur - easily the best way to learn.
I started the first five lessons of the Italian course and I can still remember everything after 4 months because the Pimsleur is easy.
 
Dark_Angel said:
At the moment I am thinking of learning the basics, and then maybe searching around some forums for a German person to speak with using voice on MSN for example. Perhaps that way he/she could learn a little English and I could learn some German.

I have to admit, I have long had an interest in other languages but just recently something has just made me start. I never expect to be perfect in it, but I would love to be able to hold a conversation with someone from a different country. If I ever decided to go traveling I would so much prefer to speak their own language :)
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You post count is 666, your not allowed to post again!
 
dmpoole said:
Pimsleur - easily the best way to learn.
I started the first five lessons of the Italian course and I can still remember everything after 4 months because the Pimsleur is easy.
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Say what?
 
the BBC now have some stuff for learning a language on their web site. It's aimed at different abilities and the quick look I had on the French bit looked quite good.
 
dmpoole said:
Pimsleur - easily the best way to learn.
I started the first five lessons of the Italian course and I can still remember everything after 4 months because the Pimsleur is easy.
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They are who I am using currently. I just listened to lesson 1... the very basics. Pretty much the lesson revolved around asking a German woman if she spoke English, and she said no, and asked if you spoke any German.

I was thinking of actually leaving the whole conversation on repeat when I go to bed. I have heard that it helps if you hear it when you are sleeping. Or is that a lot of rubbish?

*edit* awww... I didnt realize I had 666 ;)
 
Nix said:
Best way possible to learn a new language is to emerse yourself in it completely. Or at least that's my opinion ;)
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Me too, and have done it twice. You should really use it everyday too have the greatest effect. To be fluent you should be able to think in another language, there should be no translation going on in your head. You know the word Table in German when you see a table, not having to think Table -> another word in your head.

If you live and breath it, i say it takes about 6 months to a year, depends how old and how much you use it everyday to be fluent in it.
 
I did both german and french 'o' level at school and all I can remember is "Lumpi ist mein hund" and a few other useless things :o oh the shame.
Tbh the fastest way to learn a language is to live with the language, Either in a country where they speak the required language or in a home where you only speak that language.
wyrdo said:
I didn't think was any need to learn foreign languages. We're English, just speak loudly and slowly and keep repeating yourself until Jonny Foreigner gets the message.
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Don't forget that you have to say english words with a silly accent :p
 
wyrdo said:
I didn't think was any need to learn foreign languages. We're English, just speak loudly and slowly and keep repeating yourself until Jonny Foreigner gets the message.
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Best reply ever! :D

Reminds of my mate in Barcelona the other month trying to order a beer:

"Uno beero amigo" Just add "o" onto everything and it seems to work with Spanish :p

(All in jest btw)
 
I always found that the best way to learn a language is to watch lots of tv shows in that language. Never really like cds/tapes as you learn words & pointless sentences, rather than stuff you'd actually use.
Been learning 2 languages over the last 3 years, and the one I know the best is the one I've seen more tv shows in that language. See TV is good for you ;)
 
Raymond Lin said:
If you live and breath it, i say it takes about 6 months to a year, depends how old and how much you use it everyday to be fluent in it.
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i think that rather depends on the language and whether youve studied language or that language beforehand.
 
Once youve learnt one language, the others are easier because you know how to learn a language...The hardest part of learning a new language for me was knowing how the hell to do it..

Pimsleur and rosetta stone type things are good but they really only teach you phrases and stuff...but i guess it depends on what you want, do you want to be able to converse with other people or do you want to be able to read and write as well?
 
I too learnt another language at school 5 years ago (french) cant remember a bloody thing ..

I think the only way to truly learn a language is spend time in the country so your brain gets hardwired to speak this language and it stays in there
 
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