Trellum

Ok guys, let's talk about the languages we know and our levels. For that we are going to use the level definitions used by the Common European Framework, they are as follows: A thread I read recently made me thing about this, since there are people on this forum who are learning several languages or that they already speak several languages... I thought it'd be interesting to know what level they considered their languages to be at. I find that super interesting I was actually think about this today... we rarely talk about levels, but lately this is something that is always on my mind, since i need to have a level of A1 in dutch in order to pass my test. So here it goes: Spanish (mother tongue)English C2 - 3 years to master it.Dutch A1 - So far only 8 months - I slacked a lot though French A1 - (6 months, but stopped too soon) Your turn guys! Please feel free to also add how long you have been studying each language!

There is no negativity directed to people learning several languages at once, we were talking about the same group you were referring to in the quote above. That group of kids learning 5 or more languages at once and none of them above A1. Hence the ''negativity'' aka freedom of speech. A kid in particular inspired this thread, it was with him in mind that I created this thread, because he is currently learning more than 5 languages at once, but none of them above A1 or A2, even his English is quite deficient. I have advised him to focus on 2 or 3 languages at a time, but he won't listen. I personally think it's crazy! And I wonder how he has time for that... going to school, having a gf, adding people to practice languages... he spends a lot time on sites like speaky. I really have no idea how he does it! I feel sorry for the kid, he wants to learn so many languages, but I doubt he will ever master them all like that... last time I checked he was learning 11 languages at once. I've met kids who have done well learning several languages, but they have never gone past the 3 language at once mark. To me the ideal is reaching a C2 level before embarking on a different one. I might learn french and German at once once I am done with dutch (since it's very important for me to master it as soon as possible). But I'd not call that multiple language learning

Well, it's official... I am just 8 weeks away from taking that very important exam I've been talking a lot about all those months. It's official, the fees for the exam are paid, the plane ticket is there, the embassy appointment is confirmed. And here I am... hoping I'm already well past the A1 level in dutch. I wish I could say I feel very confident, but I really don't feel that confident yet. I still have to memorize 100 questions with their respective 100 pictures D: And to my horror... yes... I will only have one minute to answer each question. Everything is timed. As if taking that exam in a city so far from my on wasn't stressing enough. I'm not organizing well I think, I am reviewing the course from lesson 21 til 65. At least online, getting more familiar with the content, I still have to review lesson 1 til 20 though. Then memorize those 100 questions (even though I will only need 30 of them - they will randomly pick them). I hope my brain doesn't act up (I've a serious neurological problem) and my memory doesn't go blank! I just feel I might not be doing enough I haven't even completed my brain maps! But this week I hope I can do it. I also hope I can complete my Memrise course, but I've been thinking I might have to restructure it. That basically means more work Oh well, I just hope I can pass that test!

Thanks I'm actually a bit confused to see this this thread in the general English learning section, I am almost certain I originally posted it on the general language learning one. I'd have never posted this thread on this section, since i wasn't referring to an English course, but a dutch course. I'm feeling tempted to report this thread, because it doesn't even belong here D: And to be honest I wasn't very happy when I opened the book and noticed it was one of those active listening ones, but things have gone well It gets so boring sometimes, but this method is not as a bad as I thought, I'm no longer a baby who can learn languages by just listening, but I've done well despite that, hehehehe. Not bad!

Actually this post wasn't meant to be on the English learning section, it was supposed to be in the general language learning. I hope a moderator can put it back in the place where it belongs. And yes, the course I am STILL using to learn dutch IS based on ACTIVE LISTENING. I should know, because I used to be a teacher as well. At first I thought it wasn't working so well for me, but guess what? I started from zero and now I think I am on the level A1 according to the EU guidelines. Active listening does work for some people, basically you learn almost intuitively, by listening and repeating sentences and the look up the meaning. The repeat the process over and over. I'd have preferred a course with a more user friendly method, with at least some clear grammar bits and explanations, but no 100% active listening right there. It's the ''Naar Nederland'' book.

Best of luck to you then I hope you manage to learn Spanish, knowing more than 2 languages is very nice and is bound to impress a lot people (a great conversation starter as well as a great ice breaker if used right). Learning a new language is the best long term investment ever, I know it because I am sure if it wasn't because I learnt English when I was 16... I'd not be where I am right now. So best of luck to you I hope you stay motivated!

I must admit that I wasn't a believer in the ''active listening'' method, since I thought that only worked well for children (we all learned our mother language that way), but as I've progressed wit my dutch course, @Kaffi I am now a firm believer that active listening does work. The more you read and repeat sentences right after listening to the recording of a native speaker the better! I'm still not very happy with this course I am using, but I have to admit it's not as bad as I thought t would be I do remember a lot phrases now! I only need to learn more new words, listen to more dutch in different contexts and I will be all set!

I'm not very familiar with German, but I am somewhat familiar with dutch, and I know both of them are really similar. I know grammatically speaking they are not so similar, but I can easily see the differences, specially when it comes to English. I have noticed that the lack of a separate word for ''when'' and ''if'' can make the dutch sound really hesitant, and sometimes I do wonder if that is how they perceive the world? The fact they lack a separate for for ''when'' and ''if'' makes me wonder what other surprises I'll find on the way. In short, yes I believe your language can really be a determinant when it comes to how you see the world.

Right now I really think of learning German in the future because (to my amazement) it seems that even though I will be living in the Netherlands... it might be a huge advantage to know German! So right after I am done with dutch I might focus on German or french. I never thought that even inside the Netherlands it would be important to know German, I mean, while looking for potential jobs I've noticed some employers ask the person to be fluent in both dutch and German, something German as a plus. But that made me see it is important to learn German.

I was told the same about Dutch Plus learning dutch and taking the inburgering examen is something I need to do before I even think of moving to the Netherlands, I think it's the same for people going to Germany. I was told by so many people clearing to speak dutch well (mostly Brits) was't necessary at all, but I had to explain to them that when oyu are a tourist it's so easy to get by only using English in the Netherlands, but not when you are settling there for good. You need to learn to speak the language well in order to find a good job there, plus isn't safe to assume everyone you will encounter will speak or understand English. I've yet to feel comfy speaking dutch to be honest, but I think I will pass the test, it's a A1 one, I just need to study daily Hopefully nice I am done with that test I will feel more comfortable =D I really don't feel so joyful studying the language by the well, but the advantage is that I understand some German now too, because dutch and German are so similar!

That sounds great So I guess you really like the Japanese culture! I had a friend who wanted to learn Japanese for the same reason. I think I feel the exact same way towards Norwegian, for the simple fact I love that country and I used to live and work there when I was younger. I love that country and its culture, I am so interested in its history, mythology and culture. Everything about that country fascinates me, I even love their home decor! <3 I think I have different reasons to learn different languages as well Learning Dutch is just a chore, English was a natural process, but learning Norwegian will be a true pleasure!

That is great, you know? I have noticed in Europe talking those 3 languages is very important (plus English, of course). A lot good jobs seems to ask for someone who is multilingual. So I'd also like to learn french and German, since I already speak french and English. I think that if you know all those languages you can easily be understood almost everywhere in Europe For me the monetary motivation is very important, but I still dream of having time to learn languages for fun... I'd still like to learn Norwegian, because I totally love Norway. Best of luck to you, I have heard Korean is not easy to learn at all! A girl I know married a Korean, she's been there a couple of years and she hasn't made such a great progress.

I plan to start learning french once I am done with dutch, simply because I will be living in a country that is very close to France and Belgium. There is a big chance I can get a better job if I become fluent in french. I would also like to learn German after that, for the same reason. Over there a lot good jobs ask for people who speak English, Spanish, dutch, German and french! That sounds like a lot languages, but I believe I'm half-way Very soon I might be fluent in Dutch, I am already fluent in both English and Spanish.

Weeeell, when I think of french cuisine I think of french bakery Like baguettes and croissants, lol. Actually there are so many terms that don't seem to have a translation to english, like ''pain au chocolate'' <----- one of my fav ones. I just checked and I noticed your mother tongue is french. Anyways, I got a bit confused because of this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry I will actually start studying french right after I am done with dutch

I had no idea you guys had the ''ñ'' as well, but I guess it makes sense, since you guys were governed by the Spaniards for a while, so it makes sense you guys implemented some Spanish words and even letters like the 'ñ''. I think it's fascinating I have heard you people like to eat things like ''adobo'' and ''menudo'' as well By the way, I've met a lot filipinos in the past, mostly women.

Richard, I tried installing ANKI a few months ago, sadly i couldn't get it to work for me It kept asking me to just my laptop's clock... I tried that, but ended up feeling so frustrated because in the end I couldn't get it to work; it kept asking me the same thing over and over. I tried to find help online, but I found none It's a shame because this software sounded like a great way to learn new words.

I personally love watching series with subs, that gives me an idea of how to use certain words and expressions I've already encountered in dutch, and since the material I am using to learn the language isn't sufficient most of the time So watching movies and TV shows with dutch subtitles gives me a good idea of how certain words are used, also it helps me get more familiar with the language in general... because at first I had such a huge issue with the word order.

For me the Hebrew script is the most beautiful But sadly is one of the main reasons I don't think I will be learning colloquial Hebrew anytime soon: This is a religious text, hence the nikud

Hi there! I think I have mentioned a couple times that when I was 16 years old or so my interest to learn a new language started. Back then I had all the time of the world, so I did that for fun! I actually wanted to learn as many languages as possible! The my top 10 back then were these: 1 - Norwegian 2 - Swedish 3 - Finnish 4 - Danish 5 - Old Norse 6 - Icelandic 7 - Estonian 8 - German 9 - Old English 10 - French Now over a decade later I am learning Dutch, a language I never liked Not even back when I was younger I had interest in it... So here I am! I'm learning it because I am going to have to take an exam in a few weeks. So basically I am doing this because I have to, not because I want to. Despite all that I must say this experience hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be I haven't disliked it that much! And i seem to have made some progress already What about you? Are you learning a new language for fun or is there any other reason?

My mother tongue is Spanish I don't think my language is that special though, the only thing that I can think of as being remotely special is the inverted question and exclamation marks: ¿¡ I guess our letter ''Ñ'' is also kinda cute and unique. A kid the other day asked me why I draw a mustache on the ''N'' letter, lol. Plus Spanish is spoken in many countries, it's one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. I guess that counts

I agree with you. I know a guy who is learning several languages at once, and he doesn't seem to show that much fluency in any of the many languages he has learnt... even English! His knowledge seems so shallow, I think he is the best example of why taking on several languages is a bad idea. You just can't reach an optimal level of fluency if you are taking on 4 or 5 languages at the same time, unless you are a true language learning genius.

I am a bit lost here to be honest, what do you mean by ''industry''?? Do you mean find a place locally where people speak french? I think that would be kinda hard where I currently live, but soon I will be living in a place where I can drive for a couple hours to a place where everyone speaks french But I don't think we will be doing that often to be honest. I do plan to learn french later though (the more languages the better chances to get a good job).

I think the dutch are a really special bunch As for the french... they don't like it when you speak English to them, even if you don't know a word of french and you didn't even mean to end up stuck in their airport, somehow they expect you to speak french. If you ask me they are very arrogant people, specially in the city. As for the Dutch... well, I've been told already a lot dutch will try to speak English to me when they hear my accent But it's ok, I will answer in dutch. I'll tell them politely to talk to me in dutch, since I am trying to integrate. Sometimes you have to be very assertive

Hi there! Well, I think this new software looks great, now it's easier to see the latest activity, and the forum feels more alive than ever! I think that helps a lot! I like that ''latest activity'' bar to the right =D It's awesome! As for Memrise, I think on its own isn't a good way to learn a language at all, but if you use it along with a course I think it's such a great way to learn a lot new words My course so far wasn't enough to be honest, but now I know more words So it's easier to understand what I read and watch on TV. I'm so excited right now... working on my own Memrise course for English speakers. I'm on a race against time, but I think I will make it on time.

I have neurological problem and tend to forget things easily, yet you don't see me losing faith or panic about my exam in just 2 months I'm 28 year old, far from the teen who learned English all on her own in just 6 months without the help of any kind of book or dictionary... I'm so far from that teen, yet, I don't feel discouraged! My memory is bad, but if I keep on working hard to remember the things I have learnt I know I will eventually learn Dutch and pass that test