I've been trying to teach myself a new language - namely German because I thin kit is a cool language and all my school offers are French and Spanish. I don't necessarily need to be fluent, but that would be nice. So far I have been using free translators and teaching myself simple words - yes, no, good, bad, me, i, you. But then I don't know the next stpe after that, like how to know what words mean in a sentance or even how to form sentances.
I do not want to spend a lot of money. I just need an easy way to learn but not necessarily quick because I have all the time in the world.
2007-01-01 16:16:11 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The best thing you can do is to start reading and writing as soon as you can. Even if you have to sit there with a dictionary to figure it out. Vocabulary will build quickly. You may want to join a group, like e Tandem. e Tandem will partner you with someone who speaks the language you are wanting to learn, and you will write letters back and forth to each other. 1/2 the letter in your native tongue, and 1/2 in what you wish to learn. You then help each ther in your learning.
A great Free software for German is Before You Know It. You can download at their site. German About is another great website. Check the following links.
Best of luck to you
2007-01-01 16:24:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Something I can answer with experience! I went to Europe two summers ago and completely fell in love with Italy. I want to live there and so figured I might as well start teaching myself the language. My school also only offers French and Spanish and I had taken three years of French so I have some experience with with masculine/femine and crazy conjugations.
Anyway, I found myself a book called Italian in 10 Minutes a Day, by Kristine Kershul (there's a German one as well, so I'm citing it) which is a really helpful guide to learn mostly travel jargon, but it teaches basics as well and you can form sentences, etc. Also, I picked up an Italian Phrase a Day, day-by-day calender, a neat thing to pick up, especially now at the beginning of a new year and when the prices will be marked down low.
For my birthday last year my parents go in and got me an Italian/English dictionary, a set of Italian-learning CDs, a DVDs, and a computer game. I haven't watched the DVD yet but everything else has been useful in its own way, especially the dictionary. Along with my Italian language obsession, I found a musical group that sings in the language and have printed off their lyrics and have been translating them into English with my dictionary.
I'm not fluent and can form only a few sentences, but I've been busy with many things and haven't been able to give the learning my all. But if you pick up a few essentials, I'd suggest the dictionary and a good book to teach you verb conjugations and whatnot, you'd be well on your way to learning a new language. Good luck!
2007-01-02 00:30:36 · answer #2 · answered by Mandi 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Immersion is the best way to learn, If you don't want to move to Germany, and have no German friends you can room with, audio courses are the next best thing.
There's a really good site from Radio Deutsche Welle
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/0,1595,2548,00.html
It's a site with High Quality MP3 recordings and PDF documents of written work to learn the written language. There are several levels from Beginner to Professional. The courses are far from boring, being based around a cute story about a man who's constant companion is an invisible imp. And best of all, it's free.
have fun.
2007-01-02 07:02:58 · answer #3 · answered by rbwtexan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take a job , or a live in position,
with a German / English speaking family.
My family is Irish/Scottish French/Indian
I learned Spanish at my last job and also
American Sign Language.
2007-01-02 00:21:47 · answer #4 · answered by J B W 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, personally I learned spanish when I was 13. I was also in a different country where spanish was the primary language. The best thing I can tell you is to surround yourself with people, tv,radio, everything... that speak the language. Also, don't be afraid to laugh at yourself.
2007-01-02 00:30:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Visit germany, I know when I was sorrounded by spanish speaking people you have no choice but to pick up on their langauge, same with japanese. just need to find someone thats willing to help you out at first, thats the hard part, im trying to learn german aswell.
2007-01-02 00:34:27 · answer #6 · answered by xeraphile 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the best would be to borrow or download from the library. They have good books, tapes, CDs and downloadable media which can teach you the language pretty well.
2007-01-02 00:25:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
you should watch children shows in German, or watch German movies with English subtitles so you can have fun and learn german at the same time. Also, you could try reading easy magzines in german.
2007-01-02 00:22:49 · answer #8 · answered by hibs0102 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't waste your time trying to learn a new language it could take you maybe 4 or more years, you´d better go to live to Germany for 6 mos. and you `ll see how easy is!
2007-01-02 00:26:02 · answer #9 · answered by bananaboat 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
immerse yourself in the culture and language and surround yourself with individuals that are native to that langauge 24/7!
2007-01-02 00:29:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋