what's the fastest and most effective way of learning a language from scratch?

Question

i know speaking or listening is gd, but what if you don't even know the basics? (ie one would need the vocab to begin with)

Answer 1

Take it in school, and if you're not in highschool anymore, sign for a class in a community college, or you can buy books on learning the language. Buy cd's in the language, and associate with people that speak the language. You'll pick up on it really quickly.

Answer 2

There are two things you need. First is a way of learning the language. Second is a way of practicing it. You can't do one without the other. You can take so many classes, but if you never use the language outside that class, you'll forget most of it after the class is done.

Speaking from personal experience, I travelled to Brazil a few months ago with absolutely no knowledge of portuguese. I bought a language guide and studied it. In brazil, not many people speak english, so I was forced to practice the language almost 24/7. In 3 weeks, I noticed I learned more portuguese from scratch than I had ever learned in spanish class when I was in high school for the same amount of time.

It's hard, but if you follow the two things; learn and practice, you'll see results in as little as a few weeks. You'll be encouraged by your progress, and will further want to know more.

In regards to practice, I say the only way of practicing is going to the land where the language is actually spoken. Why take spanish if your never going to use it outside of the class?

Answer 3

if it's possible take a class. even though the methid usually isn't that great, it will keep you studying that language. some languages have online sites that are pretty good, such as lernu for esperanto. also, there are alot of tapse and software that teach you. software is probably better because it can replicate learing a first language better, and teach you how to write in that language. you want a program that tries to get you to identify words in the new language with things, not the eqivalent of the word in english.

Answer 4

I recommend the Pimsleur language CDs. They're expensive but very good at teaching you the language, with an excellent method for pronounciation and memory retention. (I'd try buying used if it's available)

Answer 5

Its is available, yet an inherent concern with gaining understanding of a language thoroughly on your guy or woman is gaining understanding of it incorrectly. this would appear itself on your pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary ... and that's amazingly problematic to suggestions-blowing as quickly as you have imbedded the language incorrectly on your head. it relatively is not to declare that's impossible ... i've got met people who've in straightforward terms studied languages out of books and would communicate close to natively in a distant places language, yet it relatively is the severe exception ... no longer the rule. In my adventure (i will communicate 6 languages) i've got observed people who study on their very very own have a tendency to have distinctive obvious flaws of their fluency. the terrific thank you to circulate is to stay the place the language you elect to chat is spoken clearly. Granted, it relatively is not continuously available in maximum circumstances, even nonetheless it must be so straightforward as basically staying around a pair Lithuanians and listening to them communicate. i've got usual people who've studied French for 8+ years in extreme college and faculty and nevertheless have terrible pronunciation, and make customary grammar errors ... basically analyzing a language for a protracted time does not inevitably equivalent expertise in a community ecosystem. i've got had the comparable adventure with people who've studied Spanish, Portuguese, and Swedish for numerous years ... they "knew" the language yet could no longer relatively communicate it fluidly. i do no longer choose to deter you from analyzing Lithuanian on your guy or woman, yet I could warning you to the pitfalls of doing so. that's carefully available you have a organic flair in the direction of Lithuanian, and it is not a concern, yet i might estimate the probabilities of that taking place being extremely no longer likely. despite in case you have discovered different languages gaining understanding of a clean language continues to be a challenge ...

Answer 6

Berlitz

Answer 7

start lisenin to cd's...also u cud go to a special institution for learning languages or join a class. u cud also get a personal tutor. gud luck....hope u learn wtv u wanna!

Answer 8

Rosetta Stone. It's expensive, but it works.

Answer 9

Try and get to the respective country and chat away.

Answer 10

be surrounded by people who speak it....so pretty much go to the country wher they all speak it=)!