Trellum

I would say drill vocab, some basic grammar then look in a dutch newspaper. There is so much familiarity that it shouldn't be too hard to get a basic grasp very early on. Immersion from the start will probably help you more than anything else.

I was thinking that would be the best pick for me at this moment as well.  I got a dutch dictionary, but I don't think that will help me learning new words (this dictionary only comes with a dutch-English section, and not an English-dutch one!!!). So, I'm thinking of mostly searching for words online, write them don on a notebook and try to memorize them.  I'm basically doing that with the audio course I'm using to learn dutch!  It has helped me a lot.  I think the grammar isn't so hard, and once I learn a lot words I will be able to handle the language even better

I'll try with online news sites, since right now I have no access to fresh newspapers   I liked your idea  

My boyfriend likes that kind of songs   He used to send me a long songs when we were starting to get to know each other   They were so beautiful, but I often told him I had no idea what they were saying!  Sadly we weren't very lucky finding the lyrics of most of the songs he sent me.  Hopefully one day I will learn dutch so well I will understand all those songs

Right now I'm using mostly the Pimsleur audio course.  I won't lie t you, I have learn  lot thanks to that course, I mean, now I can recognize and know the meaning of several words whenever i hear them, but I don't think I'd be that lucky if I had to reach a text in dutch. 

My problem with that course is the fact it doesn't include a transcription of every conversation or a small glossary at least!  So I could also learn to spell the words.  It comes with a small reading booklet... just 2 or 3 pages, I think.  But it's not all that useful like a full transcription would be. But I can't complain, the course have taught me to speak some dutch   I will buy the course that you are supposed to buy if you are going to apply for the test you need to pass in order to get your MVV permit.

I really wonder if in those numbers the different dialects are included?  Because I know there is a big difference between a language and a dialect, but not everyone is aware of that and sometimes they mistakenly include dialect in that group.    I also wonder if dead languages are included in that group?

I've been wondering how many different languages and dialects there are in the world ever since I felt interested in learning languages.  One thing is for sure: we will never really know how many languages there have been in total since the begging of time! That mere thought intrigues me and fascinates me!

Right now the only thing I'm using to learn is an audio course, I'm planning to order a very specific dutch course in the future, the same course you need in order to approve the test you need if you want to get a MVV visa.  So right now my language learning resources are limited, plus I spend too much time working, so no idea when I will be able to finally sit down and study the language at least on a 30 minutes long period... daily.

Right now I'd say my main tool are the free podcasts I have found... they re very useful, but useless if you want to learn to spell and write right.

I think I'm thinking in English most of the time, because I work using it a lot during the whole day. I'm not quite sure tho, because I haven't even thought about it until now.  Believe it or not I hadn't even thought about this until now that I'm reading this post.  I write in English daily and speak it as well, despite the fact I live in a Spanish speaking country, so my guess is 50/50.

But English is so natural to me now I no longer notice! I guess English is truly my second language now...

I really agree with the poster above, when you make a post on a topic like this you are actually expected to give some examples, because most folks here are interested in learning and practicing the language. 

Next time you create a post like this, please include EXAMPLES.  So everyone knows what you are talking about and everyone can just chip in and add more info to the conversation.  That way we will all learn something new After all this is the point of this kind of forums   We are all here to learn and practice the language.

No, I'm proud to say that I learnt to speak English all on my own!  I started when I was just 16 years old, I'm not bragging at all, by the way, I'm just mentioning this because back in the day they didn't care about teaching English in most schools. 

Actually they still don't care that much about it, but they're doing better than when I was a kid, at least they're putting more effort.  That doesn't mean the kids over here will be bilingual after their education is done.  If you want your kid to be bilingual you have to send them to a specialized school to learn English well, because if you rely on the English they teach at school then your kid won't get too far in terms of learning English.

I write in English quite often, actually most of my poetry was in English.  I rarely ever did it in Spanish to be honest, it just didn't feel a right as when I did it in English. I did use Spanish sometimes, not often but I did it, and it turned out ok.  The poem had a totally different feeling to it tho, but in English everything seemed so natural and not forced at all.

I'd like to write a book or maybe a few books in the future, there are several topics I wish to cover. I believe using English is better for certain topic, while Spanish is better for others.

Sasha Baron Cohen.  I loved his Ali G movies, as well as the Borat one.  The last few movies haven't been so good tho, I hope he isn't losing his touch!  He used to be so funny when he was doing his Ali G act, but his last movie was just over the top. 

I felt like he was trying too hard, while with his other movies... well, everything seemed more natural.  Like he was naturally funny without even trying and that was wonderful! He is still one of my favorite British comedians tho   I like the fact he isn't afraid about censorship or playing around with taboos.

I might go back to the Netherlands in a few months actually, I might take a course over there.  Actually my boyfriend said he is been investigating where I could take a dutch course in the Netherlands.  So I might end up taking a two months long dutch course   I hope it's an intensive course, because I can't stay longer over there, at least not for now.

So yeah, not my choice or favorite activity during a holiday, but if it's needed then yeah... I can definitely study during my holidays

I strongly believe Norwegian is far easier to learn.  English is also easy to learn, mostly because everyone has contact with this language on a daily basis.  I still think the conjugation of most verbs in Norwegian is way more predictable than the conjugation of most verbs in English.

English isn't the easiest language to learn, that's for sure.  I mean, not with all those irregular verbs and colloquialisms.  But it sure is one of the most spoken and widely spread languages in the world, no doubt about it   It's so easy to learn it if you pay enough attention to TV and music

The word ''Bear'' has always intrigued me, because it can be used as a verb and also as a noun.  It never ceases to amaze me how this word can be given two very different meanings!

Another one is ''Rose'', it can be used either as a verb and also a noun.  Well, to be exact rose is the past tense of ''rise''.  Quite interesting stuff

This is a very interesting thread, I will try to add more to this thread later on.  I'm sure we can all come up with several words

For me having a good grammar is vital, sadly it's easier to say than to do most of the time.  I'm actively working as much as I can to improve my English, but I still have some issues with my pronunciation and the use of some propositions.

Native English speakers will be scrutinizing us non native speakers most of the time, and that's why it's so important to keep up with that. I mean, one of my teacher back when I was going to junior high school said that speaking a mediocre English wasn't good enough, we had to work on it, because depending on our language and communication skills we could come across some really nice opportunities.

Thanks a lot, honestly!  That graphic is just brilliant!!!!!  If only I could find a poster version with that very same image I would be so happy.  Most schools where English is taught should have this, for real! I actually saved this image   Will surely come in handy... as a reference   I often have issues with prepositions, no matter how much I practice and practice, I guess I need to get a poster like this and put it on my wall!

Well, it really depends on the person and what said person is trying to achieve.  Some people like to tell their stories in first person using present tense, sometimes they abruptly switch back to past tense in one point or another. It really depends on the kind of story you are writing and what you want to achieve.

I personally find so intriguing the stories that are told in present tense, rather than the past... even more when they start with the main character telling the story in present tense and going from there. It makes me feel like there is so much to that story and can't wait to know more!

Well, you can simply remind yourself this:

Their: A possessive pronoun denoting an object belongs to someone.

There: is a noun, an adverb, a pronoun, or an adjective and it shows NO possession.

They're: They: subject and pronoun.  Are: verb. 

Not as hard as it seems, but sometimes teachers just don't know how much they're screwing things up when asking this kind of assignments (often causing more confusion).

The only thing that has really helped me with my grammar so far is making a list with all the grammar issues I have - By being fully aware of what my grammar issues are I can work on them in a more efficient way.  Otherwise it would feel as trying to cover the sun with only one finger, just like they say in my home country.

Isn't as hard as it sounds, you just have to think long and deep about the areas in English grammar that cause you more trouble.  Then focus on those areas only, that way it will be easier to solve this.  I'm sure you can do it

I never tried to learn sign language, but some kids in my class used it.  I learn a few words, mostly swear words but that's it.  I guess I could have learnt it if I had tried it, but I never had an interest for it.  I just didn't see a use for it, and I've always been interested in languages that could actually be heard and pronounced.

My class had a lot kids like that, we often saw the using sing language, but we never thought much of it to be honest (me and my friends).

Completely mind bowing!  I loved to hear her sing that line in my mother language... after hearing her sing in perfect dutch   Just amazing, I wonder how she did it?!  Her japanese pronunciation was quite amazing as well.  She is a very talented singer (who ever sang this).  I might watch that film soon

I have read plenty of books in English, I actually prefer to read fiction in the native language it was written in, because so many things (coloqulism, cultural references and such) get lost during the translation process and that's something I have never liked (same goes with movies). 

Sadly isn't always possible to read/understand other books write in other languages, but being able to read in English has been so useful so far   I read the complete Harry Potter series in English, and it was waaaay better than the Spanish version!  Way better!

To be honest this is the first time I ever hear about this school, but I just checked the web site and it sounds awesome!!  I definitely need this!  I never thought there were courses like this out there, I'd definitely love to take a curse like this, because as I have mentioned earlier... my main issue right now is my accent and pronunciation in general.

Awesome course, would definitely take the course if I could! Maybe one day, but for now I will just speculate

Errr, did it say your kid should read those texts aloud?  Isn't that kinda weird? 

As far as I'm concerned it's harder to truly grasp what you are reading aloud, mostly because your mind is too busy with your pronunciation of each word and volume of your voice. I have noticed that whenever I read aloud I end up paying more attention to my own voice and the way I sound that the actual content of the text, lol. 

Actually someone posted a post about this SAME topic a few days ago, as I said that time...  Some people like to pronounce the words as they read, and that is actually a huge mistake! Because it means they didn't learn to read the right way; we are supposed to read in silence (no lip moving either) that way we are completely focused on the text's content.

I'm not specially proud of this or anything, but I have already given up on learning other languages that interested me in the past (Norwegian, old Norse, old English, Swedish, Finnish, etc). Mostly because I grew up and life started to get harder and harder, I had to get a job and make a living out of said work.  So yeh, I stopped being the naive dreamer I once was and became a more realistic and practical person.

Don't misunderstand me, I still love learning languages, but now I am way more practical... when I was young I was practically delusional, lol. Right now I'm learning dutch just because I need to, but dutch isn't my language of choice.  I actually dread it when I was young and never tried to learn it.  Funny how life can be so ironic.

If this actually free (unlike English central) and it offers audio, then I must say this is a brilliant web site.  I just checked the web site and it look promising.  I might subscribe later on, because I truly need to improve my English vocabulary and pronunciation.  Hopefully this web site will be helpful, plus it's always nice to learn new things!