Learning another language

gali · Post by **gali** » 12 Jul 2017, 10:22

Jax14 wrote:One of the major problems of learning a language through a native speaker is picking up their quirks or mannerisms. A native speaker tends to use the language, dare I say intuitively, without understanding why he is, they are etc is used. Conversely when you learn a language at school that is taught by a non-native speaker you get to learn the rules but not necessarily the colloquial usage. Practising with a native speaker is key, but I think it is really up to the individual as to the best way for them to learn. Coming from a country that has 11 official languages we are certainly exposed to the written and spoken word!

11 official languages?? Wow! It is great that you are exposed to so many languages.

Emmaky · Post by **Emmaky** » 12 Jul 2017, 15:19

I believe a native speaker would be the best teacher however I've met people who are so gifted in learning other languages easily and would make great teachers.

I would love to learn Italian or French.

jimthorne2 · Post by **jimthorne2** » 13 Jul 2017, 08:59

Learning another language is more about learning another culture than learning another vocabulary. Immersion is the best method employed by babies and humans who really want to learn.

raikyuu · Post by **raikyuu** » 13 Jul 2017, 10:49

I'm learning another language for research purposes. Of course, I also need to be immersed in the culture.

ilovechickens777 · Post by **ilovechickens777** » 13 Jul 2017, 18:54

I personally think you don't have to learn from a native of the language you are trying to learn. However, I think it is helpful because the native probably has a better understanding of the language and culture. I think purely putting yourself out there and trying to speak the language is key, even if you have to say a few words you do not know in your own language. As for a language I would like to learn; I would love to learn Hebrew! This is because with the knowledge of Hebrew you would be able to understand the scriptures in a different way.

Belynda White · Post by **Belynda White** » 14 Jul 2017, 01:33

I don't assimilate languages so easily so I download apps that teach me. I don't think I have to be in a particular country before I learn their language

Afuglsan · Post by **Afuglsan** » 14 Jul 2017, 13:14

I have been trying to learn Spanish on my own through a few different apps for 4 years. I often get bored and give up for months at a time. Eventually, my excitement gets rekindled, but by the time I access my apps again, I see I've forgotten much of what I learned. I have noticed, however, that I can usually understand what someone is saying to me in Spanish if they speak slowly, but I am unable to reply. I have been told that the best way is to learn through a native speaker, but I haven't found anyone to help me out with this. I listen to Spanish music and watch movies, and for now, I'll continue on with my apps. Hopefully one day I'll be able to contribute to a conversation!

kislany · Post by **kislany** » 14 Jul 2017, 14:14

The easiest way I learned a new language (German) was by living in the country, and interacting with the locals, reading German books, watching German dubbed TV. So yes, in a way it was through interaction with native speakers. Also while I did learn English back in school many years ago, I've only really learned it well while living in an English speaking country (a few years after I moved from Germany). I tried to learn Spanish on my own and while I did learn it, my proficiency is nowhere near that of the other languages learned through direct native contact.

CrescentMoon · Post by **CrescentMoon** » 14 Jul 2017, 15:40

I took Spanish in high school and there were a couple of native speakers in my class that I practiced speaking with. Although it helped a little bit, I found that the best way to learn the language for me personally was just practicing it and speaking it myself. The more I spoke with my fellow classmates and teacher, the better I got at grammar and pronunciation. Just studying it wasn't good enough for me. As far as learning a new language, I would absolutely love to learn Polish. I have heard some students in my classes in the past speaking Polish and thought it sounded so cool.

Emilyflint · Post by **Emilyflint** » 14 Jul 2017, 17:07

Learning from a native speaker for sure would be the best for me. You get the cadence and the rhythm of the language so much better. Also you get those little words and sentences that mean something other than what you are taught. I always wanted to learn German.

Rebecca Henderson · Post by **Rebecca Henderson** » 19 Jul 2017, 23:22

I speak German as a second language and I've found immersion to be the greatest way to practice the language and get better. You have to be able to speak, think, and write in the second language to really grasp it. I've taken many years of German and earned my Master's degree in German, but I'd say I still have a lot to learn. There are also a lot of things about the language you don't learn in a classroom. It's not just topics that might not necessarily be appropriate; it's the culture and history and the colloquialisms and idioms that color the language as well.

If I could learn another language, it would be Spanish. I think it's a very useful language to know, even though they say German is the closest language to English of them all.

dhwanis · Post by **dhwanis** » 19 Jul 2017, 23:39

I think each person has their own learning curves, so it is different for different people.

Aubrey Lewis · Post by **Aubrey Lewis** » 20 Jul 2017, 02:32

For me, there is really no need to learn English from a native speaker. Truth to be told, English is my third language. I learned it from a young age by reading countless books and even comics. Of course, I also had the help of English movie cartoons or series, but I mostly developed my vocabulary and grammar from both fiction and non-fiction books.

If I could learn another language, I’d pick Korean. I would also choose Japanese as well, and maybe even Taiwanese. I am already in the middle of learning how to write their alphabet (hangeul, hiragana... those kind of things) and I am excited to advance further! Knowing a lot of languages will help you in the future, after all. Plus, it’s fun!

ItHeights · Post by **ItHeights** » 20 Jul 2017, 04:26

You must learn to listen before you can speak. Every language sounds strange the first time you hear it, but the more you expose yourself to it the more familiar it becomes, and the easier it is to speak it properly.

Kelebogile Mbangi · Post by **Kelebogile Mbangi** » 20 Jul 2017, 05:55

kandscreeley wrote:I do think learning through a native speaker is best. I can learn bits and pieces, but learning through a native speaker would be most efficient. I learned French in school, and I've always wanted to be completely fluent in it.

Well said. I agree, learning through a native speaker and immersing yourself in the culture is the best way to learn because you get to experience the thinking and perspective of the people who speak that language, thus giving you a better grasp of the language. Doing so is also scientifically proven to increase your IQ!