Good ways to learn a Language?

S

soistes

Well-known member

Sep 12, 2012

2,643

Brighton

• Aug 31, 2017

• #61

Dick Head said:

That's a good way to learn a musical instrument as well. If you want, for instance, to learn the fiddle and you can find an accordionist at a similar level you'll sound like a couple of vieux gitans in no time!

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I'm led to believe that I already sound like an old git...

 

Trufflehound

Re-enfranchised

Aug 5, 2003

14,105

The democratic and free EU

• Aug 31, 2017

• #62

pasty said:

I lived in Rotterdam for a while back in the mid-80's and learnt Dutch that way. Unlike many European tv companies, the Dutch leave all their English and American tv programmes in English and put Dutch subtitles up. It was a brilliant way to learn the language. Listen and read, and as you say, really helped on the pronunciation.

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The Rrrrrrotterrrrrdam accent is rrrrrrrreallly rrrrrrrrrough on the earrrrrrrs though. (Granted, not as bad as "cough/rasp/splatter" Amsterdam... )

 

A

albionite

Well-known member

May 20, 2009

2,753

• Aug 31, 2017

• #63

http://www.michelthomasapp.com/

Michel Thomas method

 

B

brianwade

Well-known member

Jan 31, 2008

414

• Aug 31, 2017

• #64

marry someone who speaks a different language but not yours

 

D

Don Parasol

Active member

Jan 29, 2017

108

• Aug 31, 2017

• #65

Full immersion is the best way, as much as is possible.

Try and get spend extended periods in that country, alongside any day to day learning back home. In Spain for example, try somewhere not frequented by lots of English people. Trickier for adults than children but possible if you surround yourself with it whenever you can

 

hans kraay fan club

The voice of reason.

Helpful Moderator

Mar 16, 2005

61,276

Chandlers Ford

• Aug 31, 2017

• #66

moggy said:

Another thing I do is a couple of online games I play.
I've joined spanish clans/groups so you can chat to your team players having fun playing the game and learning a bit of lingo in the process

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My two teenagers are both studying Spanish (one to degree level, one about to start A-level). They set the commentary of FIFA to Spanish or French or German, as an aid (and because it becomes a REALLY annoying background noise for the rest of us)

I presume they now know by heart, how to say 'He'll be disappointed with that, Clive' in four different languages.

 

4

4goals

Member

Jul 26, 2016

30

• Aug 31, 2017

• #67

Duolingo & Memrise apps have served me well, but nothing beats going to the country of choice to get more fluent

 

G

Gwylan

Well-known member

Jul 5, 2003

31,336

Uffern

• Aug 31, 2017

• #68

Don Parasol said:

Full immersion is the best way, as much as is possible.

Try and get spend extended periods in that country, alongside any day to day learning back home. In Spain for example, try somewhere not frequented by lots of English people. Trickier for adults than children but possible if you surround yourself with it whenever you can

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This. I used to go to Germany with British mates and we spoke German to each other - even when there were no Germans around - you have to completely immerse yourself in the language. So, go to Spain with Spanish people, or Spanish-speaking Brits, and forget English for a bit.

 

pasty

A different kind of pasty

Jul 5, 2003

30,264

West, West, West Sussex

• Aug 31, 2017

• #69

Trufflehound said:

The Rrrrrrotterrrrrdam accent is rrrrrrrreallly rrrrrrrrrough on the earrrrrrrs though. (Granted, not as bad as "cough/rasp/splatter" Amsterdam... )

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I did once get told by a Dutch native I have a Rotterdam accent when I speak Dutch. Personally no idea, but hey-ho.

 

Trufflehound

Re-enfranchised

Aug 5, 2003

14,105

The democratic and free EU

• Sep 1, 2017

• #70

pasty said:

I did once get told by a Dutch native I have a Rotterdam accent when I speak Dutch. Personally no idea, but hey-ho.

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Quick guide:
Rotterdammers like to rrrrolll their rrrrs.
Hagenaars sound like they're talking whilst chewing a toffee.
All Amsterdammers appear to have a serious throat disease.
Limburgers sound like they're inhaling helium whilst talking.
Groningen and Friesland - hard to tell, they're unintelligble most of the time.
Brabants is lovely and soft and easy on the ear... not that I'm biased in any way.

My accent is somewhere between Brabants and a determinedly undutchable Englishman, but since my grammar isn't great and I often get the word order wrong when trying to convey anything complex, I actually sound like Yoda to most Dutch people... If you can manage a passable Rotterdam accent I salute you.