19 replies to this topic

[krispypuff]

Hey everyone. I am currently trying to learn a foreign language and was wondering if you could tell me the best ways to learn a language fast. Obviously, it takes many years to really learn a language but I'm going to Italy and Spain this summer and I want to be able to converse in the native tongue. As of right now I can carry minimal conversations. Any help would be appreciated.

[NuHoaXuLa]

With me , best way is learning a new language is :
- Compare it with a old foreign language .
- Same learning two foreign language at the moment .
- Search features of nature of two language as a game .
- Think and action as the people of that country .

[thebluekirby]

well for me, the best way to learn a language is to first learn like simple part of the language, like how to say "hi" and "bye". Then try learning a few sentences such as "my name is..." then try memorizing it and teaching it to other people (like make a web page) it kinda sorta helps. Sometimes even making up a game or flash cards can help ^__^ but over all, you have to really find a way to practice that language yourself

[byrdhouse]

One very effective way is to make a new friend with a person who speaks the language you want to learn and ask them to mostly speak their native language to you. Then hang out with them when they go to social events where others are speaking the same language. Ask alot of questions and try to learn the language conversationally, especially since you are planning on going to another country. Learning how to write it can come later. Also,, their are some fairly good language software programs that you can buy fairly cheap. The nice thing about these is that you can work at your own pace.

Hope this helps,
Adios,

Byrdhouse

[Dodger]

I think the best way to learn ANYTHING is through interactions.

[webaurores]

i'm Uruguayan (in south america), and i've been learning English for 6 years, with a teacher. but i learnt that the following things are good to improve your speaking/writing language:
well, if you have a base knowledge, buy an English-(other language) dictionary and read books or surf the net. when you find a new word, try guess what it means and then use the dictionary. or find a pen/mailfriend.

that's for writing. improving your speaking language is a bit harder.
try watching films or listening to music. if you watch dvds, hear, at least, the inteviews in the language you want to learn.

[katif]

I learn foreign languages at school, but you must have a really good teacher and you must want to learn the language..
But the best way to learn a language is to go to that country where that language is spoken and stay there for some time. You'll understand it soon..
When you have a friend who speaks that language very well then you can practice that language with your friend. He/she corrects your mistakes and it's just fun too I guess.. Try to read something easy at first or watch tv..
But the most important thing is whether you really want to learn it or not!

[gotcha41]

i think the best way tro learn a language is to study the main verbs and the most impartant words and then communicate with persons who only speak the foreign language. In this way you are forced to make correct phrases and you are forced to develop your (foreign) language skills. In my opinion, the last statement isn't being perfomed enough at at schools.... you should learn a language by using it.

[eiteljoh]

i travel a lot, and spend months at a time in spanish speaking countries - mostly s. america and spain, i don't have a good hold on the language yet, but i find i make big improvements when i think to myself in spanish, all the time. walk outside and it's hot as hell, i tell myself it's hot in spanish. also, i send emails to my friends in mexico in spanish ... that helps as well.

good luck ... and depending where you are going in spain, you will learn fast because you will have no choice!!! there's lot more english in asia / s. america than in spain!!! hahaha. i'll never forget my first train ticket there ... dos billets por destino pampalona a ocho horas manana de la manana. i got a big smile from the guy, and 2 tickets to pampalona at 8:00 the next morning!

[Dooga]

I think in order to learn a new language, you have to first find a teacher. After that, you should find some resources and read them! It's good practice if you chat with some people who actually speak the language and learn from their accent and their way of speaking. I personally know 3 languages, one is my native, one is a language I learnt in Canada, and the last one is a language I took in secondary. The languages are mandarin, english, and french. Good luck in whatever language anyone is taking!

~Dooga