Learning a new language?

Question

has anyone ever tryed to learn a language using one of those, for example "Spanish for dummies" books, if so, are they any good?

Answer 1

The Dummies books will give you an introduction to the language, enough that you will get the gist of how a language works (how does it form verbs, put simple sentences together, etc.). It will also provide you with some useful phrases if you plan on traveling. You will not become fluent just from reading one of those books. To learn a language, you must use the language frequently. However, the Dummies book may be enough to get you started. From there, you may go on the buy more specialized books or software, or learn through classes or other personal interaction. We all have to start somewhere :)

Answer 2

I never have used the Dummies series of *anything*. I don't consider myself a dummy, so I won't buy those books on basic principle.

However, I have used books from the "Teach Yourself" series (it's published in Britain) to learn some Italian and Greek (enough to get around as a tourist where there were no English-speakers). The Italian was excellent; the Greek was fair. So even within a single series, there is a wide variety of difference in quality from book to book. My husband has taught himself at least 6 languages (to varying degrees).

If you want to learn a language, you need someone who speaks it who you can talk to. If this is impossible, then you *have to* get a book that comes with audio (tapes, CDs, DVDs). If you never hear the language, you will have no idea if you are pronouncing things correctly. My husband is a professional linguist, and he can sometimes figure out what the author means by the terms they use to describe the sounds, but not necessarily. I didn't use a CD because my husband knew more Greek and Italian than I did, so I could ask him about any questions I had. :-)

Answer 3

Hello,

Spanish for dummies are good for beginners, introductions to languages. If you are thinking of learning a lanaguage i would recommend trying Pimsleur recorded books because it is like recorded conversations, check it out from your local librray.

Teach yourself books are good as well as collouial series as well and not to forget a good grammar and also dictionary.

Watch films and listen to radios that always help... what language are you thinking of studying then i can help you out

Take care

Answer 4

You get what you pay for sorry I have tried several types in several languages and discovered unfortunately that the one that was order accidentally (Oops i wanted the $30 one not the $300 one) and got returned before the trial was up actually retained the best years later I still remember those tapes but the cheap ones I cant even figure out while their teaching me. I'm going to break down and try the Rosetta Stone software next I think

Answer 5

the for dummies books are ok but if you want to learn a language by your own i suggest a kit w/ a cd

Answer 6

those are mostly okay for an introduction and overview, but it's impossible to learn a language without actually experiencing it. The #1 way to learn a new language is through immersion.

Answer 7

learn my langauage, ditto. lmao

Answer 8

THOSE AINT GONNA HELP YOU HONEY...TRY LEARNING MY LANGUANGE