Learning Foreign Languages

[Prawn_86]

Any advice on what is the best way to go about learning another language? I have always wanted to, but never had the time or chance to really.

[kennas]

You could join the Australian Army and go to the ADF School of Languages for a year.

I studied Indonesian full time (6 hrs a day - 2-3 hrs homework) for 12 months and ended up with a vocab of 3500 ish words.

Afterwards I spent some time in Indonesia and did some post grad Indon study.

I returned a little while later and studied Tetum (East Timorese) for 3 months and had maybe 1000 words.

I got to use them while living in Indonesia later and being an interpretor with the UN for a while, but unfortunately, I think in Spanish now and the Indon has gone. For now.

IMO, the best way to learn a language is total immersion and living in the environment where you have to speak it. Thus, I think my current world may be the perfect opportunity. Have been living in Peru for a year and a half, have been to language school, had private tutors, and have some local friends.

For an Australian the only way to really learn another language is to get out of Australia.

2C

[GalaxyGurl]

I have learned many languages by listening a lot, this is how I can now fluently speak Spanish and Papiamento (D.W.I's local language) My mother tongue is Dutch and Malay (which I need touch up badly) , I speak English :D and basics in German and French.. I am planning on going pro in French and German once I am back in College in January and I hope to take on Japanese... I am gonna go and take classes though and hope I won't get confused :p

[UNKNOWN]

Hi , I am learning english by myself xDD. But my level sucks yet:rolleyes:.
I guess the best way learning another language is speaking with native speakers and listening.Actually I speak 3 languages Russian, Spanish and Turkish.

[Prawn_86]

Actually I speak 3 languages Russian, Spanish and Turkish.

I have always admired those who are multi lingual. Most Europeans seem to be able to speak a few languages right from childhood, whereas us here in Aus barely even get a chance to learn any in school

[UNKNOWN]

I have always admired those who are multi lingual. Most Europeans seem to be able to speak a few languages right from childhood, whereas us here in Aus barely even get a chance to learn any in school

Well I am native of Russia (Caucasus). Nevertheless I have moved to Spain 6 years ago. It is true that the Europeans know several languages but in Spain there are no many people who knows another language except spanish, there are always exceptions that confirm the rule.:)

[Prawn_86]

Started doing a few Dutch lessons online yesterday just to see how i go.

More to fill the time than anything, but i'll report on my progress :)

[Umike]

Yes Living there certainly helps if you make the effort.

English, German and Thai for me.

I'm only fluent in English though.

[BenK]

If I get an opportunity I would love to learn to speak Japanese. I don't know why I want to learn that may be because it is very difficult languages to learn..LOL

[EverNothing]

If I get an opportunity I would love to learn to speak Japanese. I don't know why I want to learn that may be because it is very difficult languages to learn..LOL

Despite what some people may say it's neither harder nor easier than most Asian languages. Yes, it's complicated but it's also extremely organized. I wanted to live in Tokyo at a fairly young age (i'm a quirky gadget fanboy) so I started learning Kanji when I was in upper primary school and a decade or so later I still know a majority of Japanese words and phrases off by heart.

Even if i'm still no closer to my dream. :(

[aimhigh]

I studied Indonesian before because I'm supposed to be assigned there for some Missionary works but now I forgot some Bahasa words. But If I heard the native speak I can remember some of the words. The only language I don't want to forget is Italian, that's why I keep on practicing it with the native.

[Prawn_86]

We have just started learning Spanish. I wanted something to keep the brain active and since we are anticipating travelling South America it seemed the logical language to learn.

We are listening to one Pimsleur lesson per night. It's quite informative, bit i can tell it's going to take me a while...

[Cassie_B]

Hello.. I've tried to learn French, and it was scary and hard as hell, really.. But that was self-studied, so I don't practically recommend it at all.. Anyway, I've heard that there is this audio or mp3s that you can buy to teach you a foreign language of your choice..

[kennas]

We have just started learning Spanish. I wanted something to keep the brain active and since we are anticipating travelling South America it seemed the logical language to learn.

We are listening to one Pimsleur lesson per night. It's quite informative, bit i can tell it's going to take me a while...We'll give you some lessons Prawn next time for vinos.

I could teach you up to intermediate.

[Prawn_86]

We'll give you some lessons Prawn next time for vinos.

I could teach you up to intermediate.

We are 3 lessons in and it's getting hard. LOL. Forgetting words we learnt in the first lessons as we learn the new ones.

Spanglish it is next time!