Learning a new Language...

[User 15002]

Immersion will certainly speed things up, but if that is not an immediate option discipline will/can propel you a long way. Buddy of mine had already learned Spanish and wanted to speak Japanese. One thing he did was get a calendar with a new Japanese word on it. He would put that word in his pocket. That whole day he would use the Japanese word as a substitute even in English convos. Dude was like a machine with it. At three months he was holding conversations with native speakers. Cool to observe. Discipline and choking down your pride making those mistakes.

 

[Nawzlew]

The Chinese language is about to be 2nd come running?

I mean it depends.

Yes, Mandarin is spoken by more than a billion people.

But French/German will get you through Europe.

I speak English, Mandarin, and conversational Spanish (4 years in high school).

 

[northoaklandfc]

Immersion is obviously the golden ticket but not always practical or possible.

+1 for apps like Duolingo and Babel for their low cost and ease of use. If your goal is to become fluent, I'd recommend something like iTalki to take learning to the next level. 1-on-1 private lessons with an instructor for $10 - 15 an hour. Could be worth it depending on your goals.

A little hack of sorts I've used, if you work in a specialized profession or have a specific passion, study it in the language you want to learn.

Now you're studying both your field and/or something you enjoy and a new language at the same time, all while shrinking down the vocabulary and grammatical patterns you're working with to a very manageable scope, plus you're already familiar with all the concepts on a knowledge level.

More beneficial if you're already conservational but I think it could help regardless of the your learning stage.

 

[f sharp005]

This week I ought a beginner's/introductory Russian language course book with audio materials. I'm gonna learn this crazy language!

Peace,
F Sharp005

 

[tego calderon el abayarde]

I can read and write in English French and Spanish. I used to be good at German in high school but I havent used it so i lost it. Immersion definitely helps. Watching tv shows too.

 

[fluid hips]

Yea immersion helped when I came to this country. Got a 92 on the statewide test back in HS and my native classmates got lower

 

[JetLifeRivas]

Are you guys paying for Duolingo or just using the free service?

 

[jjs]

Free service on duolingo.

Fully fluent in french and english. Currently learning spanish on the app but practicing irl would help me a lot.

 

[moderndarwin]

I’m using Lingo Deer for Korean. It seems to be the best for Korean and Japanese I’ve come across.