Language Barrier

[Dead & Grateful]

Hey, I'm back!

Today I'm wondering: What's the best method(s) to go about learning a second language? Input from people with personal experience learning foreign languages would be greatly appreciated.

Specifically, I'm taking on Japanese. I'm not sure if this is a completely realistic goal because of school and other stuff, but it's still an idea I'm humoring.

Thanks,
Drew

[Draken Benvolaid]

Probably the best way is to learn as a child, being talked to in both languages.
(If only I remembered what I knew long ago...)

Next to that is take a class, whether it be in school or private classes, you can't really go wrong..., unless you don't pay attention.

After that, learn from a friend/family member who knows the language well. It'll take a while but with enough exposure, you'll get the hang of it.

Lastly, buy some books and CDs learning tools to learn it on your own. That BBC Muzzy I think is good for kids. Rosetta Stone program works too. When the DS versions of the language trainers comes out global, that'll help everyone.


I unfortunately had to learn the dead language, Latin in high school, as it was the only class that wasn't full. If you learn Latin, however, you'll have an easier time learning the European languages.

For Japanese, I'd take the classes or the CD tools if I was you. Multiple ones don't hurt either.


Breaking the barriers around you are handy. You'll have a freer mind to think in.

[Unknown Entity]

I'm looking into learning Japanese aat my school too... classes start 21st of April, and i can't wait! I have my GCSEs coming up in a few weeks too, but i've been wanting to learn Japanese for months, and all i can say is 'Nani?' (What?), 'Doshiyo?' (What shall i do?) and how to say SOB (from watching advent children in Japanese, lol...).

I agree with Draken Benvolaid on being able to learn two languages when you were a little child. There is something about that age when stuff like this stays with you for most of your life.

Another good way is to maybe listen to Japanese music, and watch Japanese films (or any film, but watch it in Japanese with English subs!). Or you could make friends with someone who knows the language, and who wouldn't mind teaching you. I have a Chinese friend who teaches me a few words every now and then...

This is also a good way to learn a language: visit the country the language comes from. Maybe even move there... but thats a long shot, lol... maybe go with a few friends who are also interested in learning the language. You will pick so much of it up in a few weeks over there, than you ever would in a classroom, lol!

I think thats about it from me for now, lol! But if i find that something helps me, i'll post again!

Good luck!!!

[Jin]

How is telling him to travel back in time helpful?

The best way to learn a language that doesn't involve time travel is simple immergion. Watch movies with subtitles, pick up novels or short stories, anything that exposes you to the language. For this to work, you'll also need to find someone that knows the language, be it a teacher, a friend or anyone else. This person or people can act as a bridge and put what you're seeing into context. Taking a class at the same time will also be helpful of course. This is of course assuming you have things to do; if not, the easiest way is to just go to Japan and live with some bilingual family.

[Unknown Entity]

Time Tavel? When did i say that, lol!

What i ment was go to the country where people speak that language. Not only will it be a great holiday, but will be very educational as well - thats my excuse, so DON'T use it, lol! Trust me, you will learn one hell of a lot. I have family and friends out in Japan, and my aunt visited them a few years back. She came back knowing how to say the basics, and even taught us how to spell our names in Japanese!

Unless you mean go back in time to when you were a young child, i'm sure we didn't mean it like that, - its just something factual that could prove handy to someone reading through this, lol... or very handy if a time machine is invented... hehe...

[Meier Link]

well with out floating a bill to japan you could always just do what i am doing with sign language just hang out with people that speak the language you desire to learn after learning a few of the basics. oh yeah and practice practice practice i always find myself going over what i have learned or trying to sign sentences before i say them (to myself of course)

[Fluffy]

I honestly won't be saying much more than what others have said, but I wanted to have some input anyway.

Since obviously the best option isn't available to you anymore, I personally think the next best way to learn would be a series of steps.

First would be to take classes. This is very helpful for learning some of the basics of a language, like basic words or grammar. This can really only take you so far though. Some people can learn without classes, but I wouldn't suggest skipping this for most people. Take as many classes as possible.

Next, and also can be done in conjunction with the first, watch movies and read things in the language you're learning. Movies, or TV or whatever your choice of things to watch can really help you with pronunciation and understanding the spoken language. It can sometimes be difficult to understand things being said in a foreign language, especially when spoken quickly. This will help. Reading can help with the written aspect, of course. In addition, if available, having a friend that is fluent in the language is a great help, especially if their whole family speaks it. Spend time with them if possible.

The second step is largely a helpful point for the transition into the final step: total immersion. If at all possible, by all means, go to a nation that speaks the language you're learning. This not only is a step further than watching movies and reading, or talking to a friend, but also more or less forces you to use what you've learned of the language, and forces you to learn what you haven't. You'll most likely learn out of necessity. You'll also learn what you most likely won't from taking classes. Spend as much time there as possible. A few weeks can be helpful, while a few months or a year or so is probably best.

That last one can be a real problem to accomplish, but it's really the best way to learn. If you wish to be fluent, you'll pretty much have to do it at some point.

Make sure you actually use what you've learned. If you don't practice speaking, it's possible you won't gain (or will lose) the ability to speak well. Having friends that speak the language is great for this. If that's not available, then people you're taking classes with, or a teacher, is probably the next best option.

Good luck learning. I, too, wish to learn Japanese at some point.

[Govinda]

Everything's been said, really.

I'm studying languages at university just now, and the best advice I can give is to try to find yourself a language buddy. They can be found in various places - language dept. noticeboards, the internet, and so on. Usually they're people looking to learn English - but the great thing about it is that they can teach you their language while they pick up yours. Everyone wins. Plus, they teach you the lyrical (read: swearing and the fun stuff classes don't tell you about) language, not just the technical language.

Immersion, watching films, listening to music, reading, all great ways to learn. Once you start learning, try to get into the habit of thinking in the language. You're wanting to learn Japanese? If you see something odd, try to get into the habit of thinking 'Nan des-ka?' instead of 'What's that?' Little things like that. Really helps.

Learning languages is a brilliant thing. Every culture has its own ways of thinking and dealing with life - and these differences are always reflected in language. Get far enough into it and you find things that you can't translate into English but understand nontheless - a new thought that goes beyond anything your mother tongue could have taught you.

Bonne chance, bonna fortuna, Хорошее везение, Dobre szczęście, and good luck!

[Walter Sobchak]

You are back!

If it was Spanish, I would suggest hanging out with them and being forced into it. You can associate things that way.

But Japanese is tricky. If you watch anime/kung fu, I say watch it subtitled. Get to know the scenes, and then watch them without subtitles. That way you can make the associations.

You may notice I didn't mention Rosetta Stone or any of that hogwash. I imagine you want to talk to others and not write papers, so its better to learn from pop culture. I have taken four years of Spanish, and it has all left me between every semester. But when I hang out with my friends Spanish parents, I learn useful things.

[You]

Everything's been said, really.

Exactly why i dont post in most threads.

I will say this however.

The second step is largely a helpful point for the transition into the final step: total immersion. If at all possible, by all means, go to a nation that speaks the language you're learning. This not only is a step further than watching movies and reading, or talking to a friend, but also more or less forces you to use what you've learned of the language, and forces you to learn what you haven't. You'll most likely learn out of necessity. You'll also learn what you most likely won't from taking classes. Spend as much time there as possible. A few weeks can be helpful, while a few months or a year or so is probably best.

Speaking from experience this the best way to learn, although it can be a bit hard at first. As fluffy said it forces you to use every once of language knowledge you have and being surrounded by the language everywhere you go and are you soon start to pick things up exceptionally quickly...

[Joe]

I've found that the most useful way to learn languages is to talk to people who speak that language, and try to pick up some of the things they say.

I've taken three semesters of Spanish, and what I retained from that was barely the basics, yet, I've learned many skills, and greatly expanded my vocabulary from listening to my friend speak in spanish, and trying to converse in spanish with them, wihle asking questions, about meanings.


Hope this helps, though most stuff has already been said.

[Yuki-onna]

Get someone who's bilingual in japanese/english. They'd be the only ones to tell you all the real things you need to know about language: inflection, tone, how many uses a single word has, slang, expressions, etc.....spending time in the country of origin is a must. Seriously, if you learn it from a book, it's not the same. You'll go to japan and have no clue what anyone's saying.

[Saransoah]

Besides time traveling into Early early japan and becoming a samurai and sleeping with a bunch of sexy women i'd say taking a class if possible is a good way but i personally like the CD's because you can learn from the comfort of your own home. Ofc going to japan is also a good way because you will be submerged in the language but i seriously doubt thats a plausible possibility.

ofc being submerged in Japanese when you are a child is easy too.