Posted by MelissaCT on 6/11/07 7:28pm
Msg #194594

Learning a new language

For those who are multilingual, how did you learn? Is there a program that you'd recommend? This presumes that you didn't grow up in a bilingual home or such.

Myself, I have Jr High spanish & 3 years of latin. I understand some Spanish, though I'm far from fluent, aside from the weather (hace muy calor). I did try learning Italian, but having no use for speaking that language, didn't study it much.

Reply by DebbieT on 6/11/07 7:38pm
Msg #194599

My husband is from Turkey and he is always trying to teach me Turkish. He does not understand why I cant catch on. I told him that the only way I was going to learn the language is if I was forced to like he was when he moved here. I also thought about taking a class to learn a different language but for me it would not be enough. I would have to have it drilled in my head day in and day out.

Reply by Mary_CT on 6/11/07 8:24pm
Msg #194605

Michel Thomas cds are easiest way to learn a new language

http://product.half.ebay.com/Speak-Spanish-With-Michel-Thomas_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ1983209

Speak Spanish With Michel Thomas (Audio, 2001)
Author: Michel Thomas

Best Price: $12.79

Listen and repeat.....keep doing CD one until it is second nature.

then do CD 2...etc

No memorizing, no writing....learn language more naturally.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/11/07 8:28pm
Msg #194607

Re: Michel Thomas cds are easiest way to learn a new language

Mary, are you, or are you not a Mensa???

You are one of the smartest people I see post here. Your knowledge doesn't just cover a one or two things...sometimes I am amazed at your input. I always enjoy the info you share. Thanks.

(Sorta like Sylvia...and Lisa and...)



ps - I am NO Mensa. LOL

Reply by Mary_CT on 6/11/07 8:40pm
Msg #194611

Re: Michel Thomas cds are easiest way to learn a new language

:-) you are very sweet...I think we are all "rather clever" in our own way.

I enjoy reading your posts! And learn a lot from everyone else everyday.

If my contributions are helpful...that makes me happy...a minor payback to everyone else's contributions.

thanks again for your sweet comment...it made me smile

Reply by MelissaCT on 6/12/07 5:24pm
Msg #194756

Re: Michel Thomas cds are easiest way to learn a new language

Mary, I know you'd mentioned this before, just couldn't find where I'd written down the info!! Since this topic was in a previous post, thought I'd pose the question to get the answer someplace where I could always find it...THANKS!!!

http://ctnotary.home.att.net

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/11/07 8:26pm
Msg #194606

You need time and exposure. Most of us don't learn a song by studying sheet music - we have to hear it. I learned Spanish a long time ago, so I wouldn't know what to recommend today as far as a study program, but I would include something that is interactive. You use different "brain muscle" for learning grammar, spelling and vocabulary than you do for trying to recall the information you have and organizing into a meaningful phrase. I spent eight years of classroom study (also started in Jr. High), but still could barely get involved into a normal conversation. (I understood lots of what was going on, but people were onto a different topic by the time I manged to put a phrase together.) Year nine was total immersion in a program in Spanish at the University of Madrid. By the time I came home, I was occasionally dreaming in Spanish. That, of course, isn't practical for us by the time we enter the working world, but most would agree that as much immersion as possible is key.

One of the best things I can recommend is to spend as much time as you can listening to that language being spoken. That could be radio, TV, or on CDs while driving. For a brand new language, if you combine that with studying some foundational stuff, at some point, you'll find you will suddenly begin to recognize words vs a bunch of run together sounds. Your previous studies should give you something to build on. You'll probably be surprised at how much comes back to you.

After a while, you begin to grasp phrases, recognize syntax, and learn idiomatic expressions. For example, it would be more correct to say "hace 'mucho' calor" for "it's very hot", even though that literally translates to "it makes much heat". [You were muy close... ;>] With exposure, some of this will be absorbed into your subconscious and you won't even realize you've learned it until it comes flowing out of your mouth. Those moments are what make all the effort worthwhile!!

Best of luck to you!!

Reply by cntrlcalntry on 6/11/07 8:34pm
Msg #194608

My local adult school offers the into class for free for seniors.
I am not a senior but it is extremly fun!

Reply by ZeeCA on 6/11/07 9:00pm
Msg #194613

what i did when i learn a new language or anything that need

to memornize.... i take 3 x 5 index cards and cut them lengthwise into 5 -- 1" pieces...

on the front put the new word in the new language, on the the back the english word...

take them 10 at a time wherever you go... red light? memorize 2-3... in line pull them out

now another point: after you have memorized them from both sides, add 5 more and shuffle and keep doing this... now you are learning prob 5 a day and reinforcing the rest...

I graduated w/ a 4.0 from SJSU by using this study method for all my classes.... another hint if they are Q and A... study the answer and figure out the questions..... you already know the question... than flip over after you have memorized and ask the questions.....keep adding etc and remember to shuffle ......very impt.......

with languages.. once you have the words than you can move on to conversation or phrases

Reply by thnotary_NY on 6/12/07 1:40pm
Msg #194708

Re: what i did when i learn a new language or anything that need

Believe it or not but that's how I studied my schemes in the P.O.

Reply by debjo_CA on 6/11/07 9:49pm
Msg #194620

I like the Vocabulearn cd sets a lot. We have them in three languages (my son loves languages), and they all include common nouns, adjectives, verbs, and expressions. I believe that our Spanish set covers about 5,000 words. We also think that the Michel Thomas tapes are terrific (and were fortunate enough to find them at the local library).

Reply by Marlene/USNA on 6/12/07 8:01am
Msg #194656

When I was trying to learn Spanish a few years ago, the instructor told us about a group that met socially at different Mexican-South American-Spanish restaurants in the area. Everyone spoke Spanish, ordered in Spanish, etc. The immersion helped a lot, because my usual life doesn't include other Spanish-speaking people.

It's intimidating at first, but everyone was very understanding and helpful until the newbies got up to speed. And I met some great people.

Reply by cassiewi on 6/12/07 8:26am
Msg #194659

Has anyone used Rosetta Stone?

Not sure if it would be worth it. It's pricey though. Thanks for the heads up on the Michael Thomas CDs though. Definitely worth a try at that price.

Reply by Julie/MI on 6/12/07 12:36pm
Msg #194700

save your $$$$ no rosetta stone unless....

....you have no closings and plenty of time to sit in front of the computer.

I purchased the Latin I homeschoolers edition a couple years ago. I tried it for a few days, and it was boring!!!!

I really got it for church since we go to a Latin Mass, but the program is not for liturgical Latin, but I must say, you can see a lot of root words from Latin.

It'll be on ebay next week~!

Reply by debjo_CA on 6/14/07 3:57pm
Msg #195173

Re: save your $$$$ no rosetta stone unless....

I agree with Julie. My family purchased and used the Rosetta Stone Spanish version. Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on it again. We learned a lot more using Michel Thomas, Vocabulearn, and Practice Makes Perfect workbooks.