Learning a new language: Best Methods?

Diiz

Diiz

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Short of actually immersing yourself in the culture, I mean XD. I am just wondering if any of those "teach yourself with these audio CD's!" are actually worth a damn, or if taking classes and the like are the only real way to learn a new language with basic proficiency.
 
Immersion isn't necessary but definitely make friends with someone in another culture and hang out w/ them - a lot. Assumin' they're patient enough to talk in their own language, you'll pick it up better than in class. I picked up some basic japanese from one of my friends who I hung out w/ a lot in high school. I'd visit his family and they'd teach me a few things. Helped me when I took japanese in college as well as when I visited japan. My japanese isn't great but passably understandable.
 
watch some american shows dubed in the language you want to learn. Like watching the simpsons or Friends with SAP on to learn spanish. You'll have a good idea of what is happening and what they should be talking about.
 
Classes are probably your best bet. If you want to, using those computer programs while you're taking classes would up the "quality" of your learning.
 
Rosetta Stone software is great, easy to follow and it tends to actually do a good job of teaching more conversational language.
 
when u learn Chinese these are some good ways:

1. basic instruction books, like learn chinese textbooks. 2 years worth is a good start. after that...

2. movies / dramas!! since theyre usually english subtitled (actually, only get subtitled ones) it really helps!

3. childrens books, u can learn a LOT from reading baby books.

4. complex books (of course with a dictionary by your side). when u stress to understand what ure reading, it gets easier and easier to understand as u go thru.
 
Go for the verbs first- master all the conjugations, tenses, participles, etc. They are the hardest part of any language, but it makes the rest of the language a lot easier to learn.
 
School's easiest. Learning spanish I found easy because of doing the words at the end of the chapter. BTW, what language are you learning?

If it's Spanish, it's probably the easiest. Just need the verb and change the ending for who you are speaking to.
 
Depends on what language you're learning. Something like German you may be able to teach yourslef, but there's no way I'd be able to learn Mandarin on my own. I'd suggest taking some adult education classes.
 
[quote name='JimmieMac']I learned most of my Spanish from yelling at my dishwashers.[/QUOTE]


usted me disgusta usted perro racist

j/k :lol:
 
I am training to be an ESL teacher, so the best way to acquire a new language is through vocab drills, followed by studying the syntactical structures of the language. Once you start with those you can use authentic second-language material such as newspapers, menus, television, movies to practice and get a feel for the language. As mentioned previously, finding a native speaker of the language you wish to study is a great way to learn, and if you have the resources, immersion by way of travel is the best. I am currently learning cantonese from my girlfriend and her family. Learning a new language is can be really tough but also rewarding. Best of luck.
 
I think taking language classes is much easier than self learning thru software. Software is good if you dont have the time out of your schedule and you can be self paced. But by going to classes you'll actually get to learn the language faster and more effectively. I speak fluent Cantonese but I'm taking Mandarin classes; I know how to read Chinese but I found out that I'm awfully bad at pronunciation (pinyin) and composition in Mandarin structures. Both of my parents, my girlfriend, and a few of my friends speak Mandarin fluently, but there's no way I would be able to learn much from them than I do in class. However, people around you that speak the language you're learning will help you maintain what you learned by allowing you to practice on them on a daily bases.
 
Bumping this because I realized I have to fulfill my foreign language CSU requirement by May of '08. I am not sure what language I will take, but I am thinking about German. I would LOVE to learn Mandarin or Arabic, but since I am trying to fulfill a requirement as smoothly as possible with a passing grade, I wanted to pick something I might actually do decent in and have the opportunity to use when I travel Europe someday.

I think I'll buy a book on German so I know a little bit before my first class this summer.
 
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