Learning Languages....?

Question

In your opinion what is the best way to learn a language? At what point do you start thinking in that language? Thx;) Personal stories welcome.

im fourteen if that makes a difference

Answer 1

The best way to learn a language is to study it to the point that you can speak it fairly well. Get together with someone else who speaks the language and practice by just conversing about a shared interest, the subject doesn't matter, but it helps if you are interested in the subject. Then have an immersion experience to kick-start your thinking in the language.

To learn it, you have to find a language course that suites your learning style. Go to your local library and audition several courses for the language you want to learn.

Once you've gotten to the point where you can hold medium level conversations in the language, go for a visit to a country where the language is spoken, and endeavor to use only that language for the entire trip.

My experience with Esperanto went this way. I studied daily for months. Then my local Esperanto club had an "Immersion Weekend". We got together and spent 48 hours speaking nothing else except Esperanto. After that, I was thinking in the language and the remainder of the course was much easier.

Good luck. :-)

Answer 2

I have been studying Spanish for 7 years....and I will also be a Spanish teacher as of next fall. I will tell you what worked for me, but keep in mind it may be different for you.
I took 4 years of Spanish in highschool, but I was different from the other students in that I tried to use the language. As soon as we had learned some basic stuff "how are you, what's your name, what is your favorite X?" I found some new friends on IM to chat. I couldn't say a lot, and it wasn't perfect, but I was using the language outside of class. Other students were struggling because they didn't want to be there and they tried to learn everything the night before the test.
After high school, I started going to a Mexican restaurant. After visiting several times and becoming " a regular" I made friends with the guys and even dated some. It was hard to understand at first, but everyday I was improving (we only spoke in Spanish and I was with them or talking to them at least an hour a day, but most days 4 hours). I also watched tv in Spanish, went to Mexican night clubs, and went to the Mexican grocery store. I then met my husband, a Mexican. We speak Spanish and English at home. I went to Mexico two times to visit the in-laws.

The thing I can suggest is don't be affraid to make mistakes, use the language whenever possible, don't be affraid to ask questions, and enjoy it! Learning a second language has helped me open up as a person. I can meet so many new people from all over the world.

Oh, and as far as becoming fluent...it was probably after hanging out with the guys from the restaurant for a few months. Now I feel comfortable speaking Spanish in any situation. I think in the language and have dreamed in the language. To me, being fluent means you can say what you need to say and what you want to say, and back up what you say (as far as opinions, debates, etc.)

Answer 3

I've often heard it said that if you don't start learning a language by the time you're age 10, you'll never be "truly" fluent, because certain areas of the brain are hard-wired to your first language by that age. But you can still become pretty darn fluent.

The two best ways to learn a language are
1) to live in that country, so you both hear and speak the language constantly every day.
2) to learn through song. Think about how much of your preschool and early childhood was filled with simple songs. And how easily you can remember commercial jingles and the lyrics to pop songs. I've forgotten most of what I learned in college, but I can still conjugate Japanese verbs to the tune of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

Answer 4

Hi! When I first learned English, all I did was watch tv. If you watch a soap opera in the language you're trying to learn, you'll be able to actually see what they're saying. After you learn a few terms, repetition is best! Use the terms a lot and try to work them into your daily lifestyle. After that, listen to music in that language. Practice pronouncing words correctly.The more often you hear and see the lanuguage in use the more natural it'll be.

P.S. Try listening to traditional songs. Imagine a french person learning english by listening to rap. It wouldn't be pretty......

Good Luck.

Answer 5

In my opinion...
By far the best way to learn any language and master it (especially to the point to where your thoughts are operating in that language) is to completely immerse yourself in the cultural aspect of the language. Unless you are a magnificent specimen of learning and mental retention, it will be extremely difficult to master a language without experiencing it first hand in a daily interaction with those who are native to it.

Answer 6

going to that country, i met someone that went to japan without knowing a word of it, spent a few months there and came back with a very decent level of it, but alas not everyone can do that; so the best next thing (for me) is watching alot of movies and listening to music in that language.

and about thinking, it's different for everyone, for example me, i cant speak japanese fluently yet and part of my thoughts (even just a word or two) sometimes are in japanese ^_^; .... cant remember when i started mixing up spanish and english in my mind though, i was a kid.

it's a very interesting question, i guess it all depends on how much you use it.

Answer 7

well English is my first language but i fell in love with a man from Mexico many yrs ago it took about 5 yrs to learn to speak the language well enough to speak and understand i still have trouble writing in Spanish but i can read it some and i was thinking in Spanish i guess after about 6 yrs but remember i was speaking this in my home and we watched TV in Spanish and our friend and family spoke Spanish i was hearing it all the time !
i first became interested in really learning the language when i heard his sisters saying blahh bla bla bla LA GUERA !! AND I HAD TO FIND OUT WHAT BLA BLA BLA BLA WAS and i did and we bacame freinds !

Answer 8

if ur learning a very alien language to u, i suggest go get classes. but if ur already familiar to the language, u should try reading and using the language frequently. speaking with more eloquent linguist will help improve.

Answer 9

i know 5 languages, and i learned from websites and watching movies in that language and in english subtitles, so i know what they are saying. u can also look for software, or find some people that knows that language and can help you, like i am doing

or u can go to classes, to the country, ect..

i guess you start thinking in that language when your fluent in it, but i don't know.

Answer 10

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