What is the best way to learn another language?

Question

I've recently moved to France but my language skills are progressing at a depressingly slow speed. At home I've tried lessons, books, CDs, TV and I am still taking classes here but the vocab never sticks for more than 10 minutes. I'm afraid my French to the French must sounds like Borat's English to us. As my confidence diminishes so does the amount of French I'm prepared to speak for fear of getting it wrong. Has anyone got any hints which worked for them?

Answer 1

I know this may sound not too professional of an answer, but here's how it worked for me in the US. It would be a good idea to start learning topic-wise: figure out the situations you end up in most often (ordering food, discussing weather, answering things like "What's up" etc) and learn some basic things from whichever books you're using. That is very useful for a good start.
Basically, the good thing is too realize what learning method's best for you: writing works for me, because when I write I pronounce the word, see it and use my hands (so I can even throw the Notepad away :)).
Anyways, I don't suppose all of the above will be really helpful, but hope it was worth a try.
For now, the main thing is to relax and start speaking no matter how you sound or how many mistakes you make. You won't become native right from the start anyway. The more you speak, the more you learn; it's always been like that. So just relax.

Answer 2

I personally know 7 languages excluding english (spanish, french, german, russian, swedish, italian, n dutch). I have also learnt specialized dialects like Taigan (spoken in northern albania n other bosnian provinces), Malayr (spoken in parts of Netherlands, Faroes Islands, Indian provinces like Daman and Diu).

There are many ways to learn a language and in my opinion you have already accomplished a big goal i.e. immersing yourself in a foreign country and believe me...you will learn the language quickly, it will be a bit hard for about six-seven months but then it gets easier. Secondly another way to learn a language is preparing flash cards (write down all the expressions, vocab etc) n paste it in a place that you will pass by everyday.

When I learned French, I also found it quite hard and I took quite a bit of time. In fact, I had no instructors, no books, CDs, movies at the time. I was just browsing through the sites (the best site I recommend for beginners is aboutfrench.com...it really helps!!!). After gaining enough confidence, then I bought different books. If you have any other questions regarding the language and all, just email me at [e-mail]

Answer 3

Some people have a gift at learning languages, unfortunatly others don't.
If you're struggling, I find that it helps to write down every new phrase or word that you learn each day in like a notebook and then memorise it before I go to bed.
Also, I know it sounds a bit weird, but I try and come up with conversations and have conversations with myself in that language. and if then I become stuck and I'm like sh!t what is so and so in french or whatever then I make sure I go find the meaning in a dictionary.
and watch the french telly as well with subtitles and jot down any phrases or words you can use.
You can't really do much about your accent, its just a matter of time before you can pick up the accent.

Answer 4

I love France and the French people, and I have had many happy memories of being there. Unfortunately French people are not very sympathetic towards foreigners who don't speak their "noble" language, unlike the Spaniards who delight at you blundering your way through Spanish, using tu instead of usted etc.
I would suggest that you get the set of CD's by Michel Thomas (Available from Amazon) about £50 There is nothing written., and his explanations are fantistic, I have learnt so much English ,its not true !! What is a noun.........If you can put "the" or "a" in front of it ,it is a noun PERIOD.

Answer 5

Get some french friends, if you live in a nice neighbourhood invite your neighbours round for a meal and some wine, dont be afraid to try new words and phrases out, if you get something wrong it doesnt matter, just try to say something similar and people will tell you a better word to use, in return you can teach them a little english

Answer 6

Try to lose your fear of making mistakes. Young children learn to speak their own and other languages quickly and easily BECAUSE they aren't scared of making mistakes.

It's a pity you're in France, though. In most countries the locals would be pleased that a foreigner was trying to learn their language, but my experience is that the French will deliberately pretend not to understand people who are English

Answer 7

The country you've picked to live in is not very friendly to non-french speakers (no offence). However, it is acknowledged that the best way to learn a language is to live, so your french will get improved if you hang out with francophones, who are willing to correct you and help you get the basics in order to communicate.
I'm a translator and professor. Believe me, i know what i'm talking about. Some conversation classes wouldn't hurt either.

Answer 8

Buy those tapes and listen to them while you're sleeping (it works!) and read loads of books. Get private lessons from a native speaker and make loads of French friends and you will pick it up.

Answer 9

Learn to write french, worked for me.

Answer 10

1- being in France is not enough . you must be alone !!!!!
2- talk ,talk ,talk . make mistakes ; to learn !
3- Read newspapers ; daily .
4- Watch TV.
You musy know that to learn language you need two important things : skill & love .