how did you learn a new language? (other than from school)?

Question

my daughter wants to learn french quickly and is trying really hard but is struggling. some people suggest french tv - does anyone have any other tips?

beccy - wow! i want to learn klingon too! should be on the curriculum!

Answer 1

The way people 'learn' their mother tongue is by being totally immersed in the language - listening, speaking, reading - all the time. Get a satellite dish and receiver (not Sky) and you can get many French channels (but be careful as there are many unsuitable viewing) - Demain, France 24, Alegrai, etc. and radio. Pin up french words on the wall, fridge, bedroom, etc. Get a good language CD course suitable for her age and let her listen to it as often as possible - Pimsluer is good if your local library has them. Keep drilling until the words become familiar and the pattern of construction not longer seem alien to your ears.

Answer 2

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.
Sure, you get a similar effect if you learn any other language first, but it takes you years to master the other languages. Esperanto you can be fluent in under a year.

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.

In either case, if you don't want to learn Esperanto then the first points should help you master another tongue.

Good luck!

Ĝis!

Answer 3

I would admit that I found school learning to be useful and obviously very convenient, after all,what else are you going to be wanting to do when you are at school? It is also quite convenient to continue at evening school, but I do suggest that if you have the opportunity, you might try to go to the country whose language you want to learn, visiting or living and working there, if you can. Obviously as au pair for girls can be useful, as you are living and working in a friendly family environment.

If it is French, you might like to consider learning it in Switzerland or Belgium as it is not spoken as fast as it is in (for example) Paris! Similarly, it is possible to watch foreign subtitled films and obtain some skills that way, but characteristically, French is often spoken so fast, it is not too easy to pick it up this way until you already have a fair competency.

You can also try and make contact with others trying to do the same, as it is possible then to form a conversational group with regular and informal meetings in which only French is spoken.

You do not say where you are located, but if it is a big city, I am sure you will be able to make contact with native French speakers who might like being involved in such a conversation group.

Answer 4

Television is good to learn also news papers and other articles . Most should be able to be found on the Internet. I recall seeing on line courses when I was learning Spanish and French of which I can speak both to a moderate level. You can actually hire french course Cd's from your local library, as hearing is one of the best ways this might be the solution Really the best way to learn though is to live in the country for a bit although this is not the answer you are really looking for its the fastest way.

Answer 5

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infertility can run in the family and one of the first things the doctor asks you when you go to a fertility clinic is your family history regarding cases of infertility or other reproductive issues.
If infertility is caused by genetic disorder then it's not unusual that one of the kids (your mom) doesn't have it and another does (your aunt).
two months of trying is still to early to be concerned about the fact that you might be infertile and it's also quite early to go to a fertility specialist. Go to a regular Obgyb to get a closer insight and see what ways there are are to improve your fertility rate.
Also remove alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes from your life because they might influence your chances too. Stress is also a risk factor when it comes to infertility.

Answer 6

Your daughter would need to be completely immersed into the French culture and for that, she would have to spend a substantial amount of time in France, Switzerland , Belgium or Quebec and be surrounded by French speakers only and all day long, if at all possible.

Listening to TV in French, watching French movies (all with English subtitles) should help too of course!

How old is your little one by the way?

Good luck to her!

Bonne chance et à la prochaine!

Prenez bien soin de vous et de votre fille!

Answer 7

I took a linguaphone course in Portuguese as I often go there on holiday.It helped me a lot, especially in parts of Portugal (and Cape Verde) where English is not widely spoken.
My first language is Welsh, I'm fluent in English and I can get by in Portuguese and French.

Answer 8

If you are a beginner who understands really tiny if any Spanish but you will like to discover a lot more then you have to consider a program https://tr.im/d6zMe the on the web course of Spanish

Answer 9

If shes young enough you could use that Muzzy thing 'developed by the BBC'

Or try this site, http://www.dailymotion.com/gb which is like a French Youtube, although it has an Enlgish page and writing there is some French vids on there.

Answer 10

try some websites...

i have been learning Greek from a website...there are the part of subjects and some example games...
i think,it is the best way other than school...

i want to learn French someday,too...good luck to your daughter =)