what are the apt. method to learn any foreign language?

Answer 1

I taught ESL for 18 yrs and I've learned 7 languages. My favorite analogy to it is, that it's like driving. Some people belive that you should learn/memorize lots of vocabulary and grammar rules but they have difficulty speaking (driving), which makes you a "mechanic" - it's also called 'accuracy'. However, I believe that since language's only purpose is communication with others, that you need to speak, speak, speak/ practice, practice, practice. It may not always be accurate but if you are fluent you are speaking and it makes you a "driver". Which one is more fun?? Here's another way to look at it: if I go to a foreign country and I say to someone "I hungry, where me food buy"? or I struggle "Oh, excuse me....ah..no,..I...food,..."...because you are trying to build the perfect grammatical sentence, who will eat faster?? the mechanic (perfectionist) or the driver (fluent) of the language.... Fluency (means flowing) is more important than accuracy if you want to communicate. If you have to learn a language for writing academic papers then you have to focus on accuracy but you won't be a good communicator, because no one in the world speaks in full/propers sentences. We speak in short phrases, idiomatic language, slang, hesitations, pauses, re-statements....It doesn't mean that once you start and become comfortable speaking/driving you don't have to pay attention to grammar/mechanics, it just means that you should start using it as much as possible, get comfortable and then begin focusing on form/grammar. So there's not a perfect way to learn a language. You just have to decide if you want to become a mechanic first or a driver first, the only danger being that some people are so scared of 'driving' the language and hide behind the 'mechanic' aspect forever? Have fun!!! PS.I'm learning #8/Korean.

Answer 2

If you want to learn a foreign language, you will first need to think about how you learn.

Do you learn from hearing? seeing? or doing?
What language would you speak most often. Italian, because you want to go to Italy? But what happens when you come home would you continue or just forget about it?
Maybe Japanese, the new language of international business or Chinese? How about Spanish? People speaking Spanish are the fastest growing segment in the US.

Find a course and teacher that offers all three of these things.
Hearing is important because you need to know if you are saying the words correctly and using correct grammar.
Seeing is important so that you recognize objects and are familiar with the written word of the language.
Doing or speaking is very important. If you don't have anyone to practice with then you will lose all you have gained.

First seek out a good, well written course and teacher.
Next find someone who speaks the language and would like to help you. Many times there are people looking for other people who speak another language so don't be afraid to ask around.
Now go out there and have fun learning. :-)