What's the best/easiest way to learn a foreign language?

Question

What language would be the most useful in the coming years? In my job I deal with Europe, Asia and Africa and, even though they speak English I thought it would help if I learn another language but have no idea how to decide which one!

Answer 1

I'll start with ways to improve language acquisition, then show you a language that will help you learn other languages better than most.

Here are some ideas many second language learners don't normally realize.

FIRST: Completely eliminate idioms when you speak. We use a LOT of phrases that are not understood in other countries, and they use ones we don't understand. Examples: Get to first base. Flip the switch. Hitch a ride. Hit the road.
Put yourself in the place of a new learner of English and ask yourself if you would really understand the meaning of 'hit the road' when you heard it, or would you litterally try to 'hit the road'?
Even between England and North America, for example 'knock someone up'. In North America it means get someone pregnant. In England it means knock on their door. So you can see how embarrassing it might be should you stumble on an idiom that means something else.

SECOND: Realize that it is not ALWAYS a one-for-one word exchange when translating. Some languages can express an idea in as little as one word compared to a few, and vice-versa.
Hand in hand with this, understanding that the idea being expressed is what's important, not the way it's said. Just because the sentence wasn't constructed the way we would have said it doesn't make it wrong.

THIRD: Pronunciation can be improved by reciting the names of things you see as you walk about, and holding conversations with yourself in the absence of friends to practice with. (Warning! Don't do this in the vacinity of mental institutions.)

LAST: I cheated. I learnt the worlds easiest language first and now I find I understand English better (my native tongue) and I'm in a better position to learn more languages. I've provided a link below to better explain this.

That language was ESPERANTO. It is designed such that you MUST understand sentence structure, which helps to understand other languages. It has 16 gramatical rules... with NO EXCEPTIONS!
Plus you end up with a multitude of Esperanto friends; oh the burdens we bear.

Not to understate it of course, but listen to and read as much as you possibly can, whenever you can.
Immersion, immersion, IMMERSION!
I listen to Esperanto music all day long, just to tune my ear to it.

Esperanto will not help you directly in dealing with Europe in your job. It will help you acquire other languages though. On top of which, you'll make contacts around the world with it, which can again lead to learning other languages and ultimately help you.

In either case, the first points should help you master another tongue.

Good luck!

Ĝis!

Answer 2

Since you work with so many different continents you have quite a selection to choose from. Probably the best to choose from would be: for Asia- Chinese, Japanese, or Korean
Africa- French or Portuguese
Europe- Spanish, French, or German

I guess you would need to talk to your boss to find out exactly which countries your company works for. This will also be important in your decision. Most of all choose a language that you think is fun and has an interesting culture. It makes it a lot harder to learn something that you dread doing.
As for actually learning the language the best way to do this is to expose yourself to it as much as possible. Try watching t.v. programs in the language. If you don't have t.v. shows in that language (which will probably be the case for most of the languages i mentioned) try searching online for some DVD movies in that language. Then watch the movies with English subtitles. This will help you learn a lot and also help you to pick up on new slang. Listening to music helps too.
Make sure you also buy self help books to help you out. When you gain a certain level of profeciency try thinking in the language. Think about what you have to do, where you need to go, everything using the langugae. This will cause your brain to more easily form thoughts in the other language so that when it comes time to speak it done more effortlessly.
Finally the best way would be to visit the country so that you are immersed in the culture and constantly around the language. With all of this you should be able to learn it.
Good luck

Answer 3

French will probably be the most useful in your current job, and the best/easiest way to learn it is to combine formal studies with an informal love interest.

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French was also the language used among the educated in many cosmopolitan cities across the Middle East and North Africa. This was true in cities such as Cairo, around the turn of the century until World War II, and especially in the French colonies of the Maghreb. French is particularly important in Algeria and its capital Algiers. Until the outbreak of the civil war in Lebanon, French was the language that the upper classes of Lebanese society used by way of "civilised language". French is still a lingua franca in most Western and Central African countries (where it often enjoys official status), a remnant of France's colonial times. These African countries, together with several other countries throughout the world, are members of La Francophonie.>>

Answer 4

If you speak English already and want to learn a second language and you'll be working with Europe and Africa French is an excellent choice.

In terms of the best way to learn a language I have only one piece of advice:

PRACTICE! Practice as often and as much as you can. An hour every day would be great. You'd really build up your skills that way. :-)

Answer 5

I agree, Go and live/work in the country if you can. Evidently if this is an unrealistic proposition, then, thanks to internet, connect to a radio station broadcasting in the language you have chosen to learn. if you listen online for between 30 minutes to one hour per day three or more times per week then you are sure to make progress after six months or so.

One piece of advice, don't worry if you don't understand a word at first, let the language come to you, believe that what you're doing is a positive move, and don't give up. There is no bigger advantage in today's world than being able to speak and understand one or two other languages.

Bonne chance

Answer 6

Hi Violet, I personally think Spanish and German are important ones to learn especially for business. It all depends on what you want to do. But I would suggest just pick one and start learning. Once you learn your second language you will find picking up a thrid or fourth comes easier.

I am currently working on a website to help people learn languages. I have also created a free shareware software to get students started. You can check it out at www.zesez.com. You can learn a little spanish, german, or portuguese with the shareware version so maybe it helps you decide which one you want to learn!

Good luck.

Answer 7

Only you can decide which language would be best for you to learn. Which country to you think you will be doing the most business with and which would advance your career the most. Chinese is one obvious choice since they will become the one of the greatest economic powers this century. However, if you deal with Europe and Africa it is difficult to tell. Talk it over with your supervisors and see which one they suggest.

The best way is to go to the country and go through an intensive langauge program.

Answer 8

the best way is to live in the community who speak the language you want to learn, but take a cause as well.
How ever this is not always affordable so then it is plan b, use Cd's my husband learnt Spanish in 6 weeks using them, and my daughter learnt Italian in a shorter time then went on to college and has done exams and an interpreters cause. she is now living there and teaching English to Italians.It as taken her 2 years 6 months.wonderful good luck.
by the way one of the most useful to learn now is Japanese.

Answer 9

I learned German by studying in structured setting, i.e. 2 years in high school, then 17 hours in college. Somehow it came ease for me but the method of study included repeated practice using native speaker tapes (for learning to pronounce and sound right), but we did learn the basics from ground up just like English is taught in our schools, so I think that help greatly with understanding construction of phrases.
As for best language to learn in U.S. that would be Spanish, given the growth of that population; however English I will bet you will increasingly be the "gold standard" in the world.

Answer 10

I'm with haggis...

The best way to learn is to move to a country where it is spoken as the native language.

If you would like to advance your career either choose the language that involves the biggest revenue or choose a language that nobody else (or the fewest people) in the company can speak.
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