Rosa

I wished I was able to speak several languages but learning five all at one time doesn't seem that cool to me. Maybe three the most since I didn't have a problem doing two. I just think anything over that would get me confused and I wouldn't like to be embarassed with combining the languages.

Before I started learning dutch I'd have agreed with the shy part, but now I must say that some people don't like to speak the language in public because maybe they have issues building up sentences.  I do now with dutch, I don't like to speak it so much because I have the hardest time with the word order... and words like ''er'', ''wat'', ''maar'', ''het'', etc that if you skip them might change the meaning of what

you said.  It's so confusing.  If it wasn't for this I'd be super confident speaking dutch... despite my accent

I understand clearly how you feel now because I had similar issues with Spanish. My confidence in speaking the language in public was boosted when I started commuicating with my daughter around the house and my friend who teaches Spanish on the phone. This practice does elevate your confidence so go for it and best of luck.

Notice and realise have two completely different meanings and one should not be mistaken for the other.

-Notice = to see, to recognise.

-Realise = to come to an understanding, to figure out something.

Practicing using them in written sentences is a perfect way to learn to differenciate the two.

When I was in school, students were always given words to find their meanings and use. We also were asked to make sentences with them most times and I believe that this does help to build a child's vocabulary. The important thing is that the child should be encouraged to read because reading opens up a whole new world of learning but the dictionary is very necesary and can't be ignored.

I use gramar books and dictionary mainly to practice learning language. My greatest result though, comes from writing and speaking the language. Somehow my brain seem to retain it better that way.

I think most non-natives have similar problem with speaking the new language in public. It could be more than just being shy though, it could also be lack of confidence that you won't be able to do well as natives do. Try opening up around non-natives that are learning the same language and that may help.

As you mentioned, everyone will have different opinions. For me, i'd have to say Japanese. This is because from just looking at the writing I get nervous. It just seem like art work and on which i'd have problems catching on to.

Sorry to hear of your frustrations Trellum. I doubt there is much you can do except maybe talk to the person about it again. I know that wanting to reach your goal and having such a setback must be upsetting for you and so the next step maybe to just get someone else to help you.

Before I started high school I had no interest in learning languages and throughout high school I did my best at my lessons but that was all. It wasn't until shortly after graduating high school that I started having an interest. It all began when I read an article in the local paper of a tour guide who taught himself German. I figured if he can teach himself a new language then I could try to master what I was already introduced to in high school and that's what i've been doing.

I can't seem to think of any English words that I have problem pronouncing. However, there are English words of foreign origin that I do have a problem pronouncing. One such word is chamois.

When learning a new language writing is very important for me. I too like to write vocabularies and I also practice writing a whole paragraph at times. When I write I happen to recall things much easier than reading or listening so it is something that I do all the time.

I guess you are right, it may not be the best book to start with and that it would be better for me to get acquainted with the language first before enrolling in a class. And I should check the app mentioned above too. Plus I can also ask other members of the forum about this. Thanks a lot!

You are quite welcomed Anne. We are all here to support you so do keep us updated.

Well, for me to learn two languages at the same time I don't think it would be a big problem. Howevr, it might be for others. I studied two languages at the same time in high school and while it was quite normal for me, there were other students that were making one sentence using both languages. I couldn't understand why, but I guess it's different for each person. I'd say give it a try because if you don't you won't know what your abilites are.

I speak British English and although not with the same accent I defenitely prefer it over American English. British English is much more clearer and one letter isn't pronounced as another. For example, in American English 'T' gets pronounced as 'D' alot.

The book you bought may not be one totally for begginners. Why not try one for begginners and also in my opinion, get acquainted with the language before enrolling into a class. In doing so you will feel less intimidated.

English language certainly has a Z. It is the last of the 26 letters of the alphabeth.I use the Queen's English and I am wondering if these persons are making and error with their spelling because I have never spelt organize with an 's'. However, there are words that sound like they should be spelt with a Z but are actually spelt with an S. The same goes for S and X because they all have similar sounds.

I believe that active listening can actually be a good way to learn a language because in general if you keep hearing something over and over it automatiacally sticks with you. It also reminds me of when we used a method called 'Dictation' in primary school. Our teacher would read several sentences at once and we would have to recall them exactly and write them. It was a hard task but a great way to develope listening skill.

As I mentioned in previous post, some people in my country were raised to speak only standard English and speaking Creole is actually weird for them. It happens to be the same the other way around for the rest of us but we all can still be friends because we switch languages without even thinking about it being weird.

English happens to be my second language and I say this because in my country we speak Creole first and only use the Queen's English when writing or when communicating orally for business. Sometimes you meet someone for the first time or someone who was raised to speak  English all the time and so you may adjust very quickly to English also. All in all, English is quite dominant here and I don't think I need to practice it everyday but I know i'll always have to figure out having a perfect grammar.

No, i've never heard of mango language but it does sound interesting. I'll have to check it out and figure out if it will be of much help in my studies too.

Speaking a foreign language in that same accent is never easy, especially when it is a totally new language. I think most people will make an effort but if it is not for important reasons they won't make it a standard. It does sound more fluent and gives you a sense of achieving though so those who don't try should really make more effort to.

My top 3 tips for newbies would be :

Don't be in too much haste to master the language, start off at the beginner stage.

Have someone you can study or communicate with in the language you are learning.

Practicing all the time is the greatest key to succeeding at the language you are learning so keep at it.

No, i've never given up but I did think about it at one time. When you are studying a languauge and you just do it for fun or because you like it you may think that it is not really worth it, and I was at that point once. I guess my love for it is stronger though because here I am still determined to go all the way.

I don't see informal English as being important and therefore don't think it should be taught in schools. Some things are just easy to catch on to and I think informal English is one of those things. After all, I picked it up quite easily and children these days are quite smart so I don't see them having a problem with catching on to it quickly either.

I don't place a lot of emphasis on studying now but when I did I prefered to do it the old fashioned way with a text book and my dictionary. I'd practice by studying vocabularies and using new words to make sentences. By best results also came from having someone to study with.