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Best way to learn a language?
Hola! I'm in Mexico and yesterday I had my first Spanish lesson, which is an attempt to revive 2 year of high school Spanish. I wanted to practice on my own with recordings like Pimsleur or a program like Rosetta Stone. Any recommendations? Or tricks that helped you when you wre learning a language?
Gracias!
Gracias!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cinema Obsessed on -
Immersing yourself in a language is the only way, so you seem to be on the right track! Watch movies, listen to music, talk to people, and don't be shy when speaking, people appreciate the effort even if you make mistakes.
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Permalink Reply by Tiffani D. on -
I agree. You can buy that Rosetta program, or get books on tape, etc. but the only way you're really going to learn it is by being surrounded by it all the time. Books and tutorials only give you so much. The cultural variations of words can only be learned through social interaction or other means of casual language.
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Permalink Reply by Martin S on -
Check out this guy's blog
His whole thing is traveling to a country for 3 months with the goal of becoming fluent in that time. I think he speaks something like 8-9 languages. He has good tips on how best to immerse yourself in a language and culture.
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Permalink Reply by Tiffani D. on
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So I should go out and find some sexy Italian guy to date? So he can whisper sweet Italian nothings into my ear, so I can translate?
Hey that doesn't sound too bad LOL.
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Permalink Reply by Art Ravels on -
That is awesome. He must have the most interesting life. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Jainomo on -
Take a class at your local community college, ideally one that practices immersion. And I totally agree with Ryan about the dating someone who speaks the language thing - my boyfriend is fluent in French and it's totally helped me learn the language!
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Permalink Reply by Ella Unread on -
Hmmm, well I blog in English. I know lots of native speakers freak out with the idea of someone trying to write in English and failing in the attempt but it really helps a lot.
Also, I can help you through Skype, though I don't know which accent you would like to imitate...
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Permalink Reply by RAY J on -
My aunt and uncle have Rosetta Stone for Spanish, as they have a timeshare in Puerto Vallara, Mexico and go there once a year. My 11 year old cousin uses it too, since they teach Spanish in school and it helps her with her vocabulary.
From what I've heard, the best way to learn a language is just to immerse yourself in it. I've heard countless times of people who went to a foreign country with little knowledge of the language and were able to pick it up while there. One of my instructors in high school did this - he spent 3 months in France and learned it while there; a girl I knew in high school, her family moved to Germany her senior year (she came back for graduation, as she was able to finish her classes before they moved) and she could speak it well just from the 5 months she was there and she didn't really know much of it prior to going.
I took French in high school and college - reading helped me a lot, as I could look up the words I didn't know.
I also heard watching tv/movies in the language can help you learn it too. I remember watching anime with my ex. He preferred watching with subtitles as most dubbed anime is just horrible. We actually picked up on some of the words they used regularly pretty well!
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Permalink Reply by leilani on -
so true... hearing native speakers is also one of the best ways to learn it because the way languages are spoken in the states (or other non-speaking countries) and even the dialect is often quite different than the modern use of the language where is it spoken... and watching films etc. forces you to expand your vocabulary etc.
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Permalink Reply by leilani on
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i think speaking it as much as possible is so important. even if you sound like a fool - getting used to thinking in a different language is the best way to progress in becoming fluent in it!
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Permalink Reply by GraceLovesIggy on -
MMM. well I already knew spanish from my parents, but I wanted to finesse it a little more so i started reading magazines in spanish, like cosmo and vanidades. It made it easier since it was something I was interested in instead of lame phrases that are forgettable, and not as intense as attempting to read a book.
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