True2marie

No, I don't forget words in my language.

I usually am just tired and can't bring forth what I want to say.

Also, since I live in my native land, I get a lot of practice.

Spanish is a global language.  So many other tongues spring off of it.  Anyone who travels understands this truth.  Also, depending on where you live in the U.S., learning Spanish helps in relating to your neighbors and even finding a job.

Immersion is one method of learning a language. It's actually very effective because you get used to hearing the enunciation of words and situations in which they are used. What you need to do is befriend Italians and spend time with them. After a while, learning Italian will be easier.

I wanted to learn Spanish because my family moved to a Spanish-speaking commonwealth. It was Puerto Rico.  In order to communicate with other kids and make friends I needed to better understand the native language. So, this event was my inspiration.

No - I watch novelas for entertainment.

They are so over-the-top. I love watching all of the exaggerated scenes and story lines about different characters.

Check out http://www.imdb.com/list/sBiH19CUXdE/.  It's a list of ranked novelas.

I did learn Spanish from a combo of going to school and taking a course and being around Spanish-speaking people.

Both help.

The great part about being around Spanish-speaking people is that they help you learn slang. Slang is typically not taught in Spanish classes. They also don't teach - at least in America - Castillian.

Inside language between friends is so much fun. Mine is always based on different experiences I have with them. One of my friends is from a different culture, so for the longest he used the word 'cheese' to refer to any kind of food. 

He understands better these days the correct names of foods, but we still use this a joke word to describe food and anything else new.

When I first began learning a second language, my teacher encouraged me to talk to as many people as possible in that language.  Although this process was scary, I noticed that it forced me to pull words out of my memory. Also, I began to get more comfortable speaking in the second language.

When I began speaking in Spanish regularly, I also started dreaming in this language.  My dreams seem to be either/or.  They are either in Spanish or English.  They also occur about 1x a week depending on how active I am at using Spanish.

What about you?

I have never used Software to learn a foreign language. Although I am a fan of using technology to help me learn a foreign language. Ever since I was young I would use different types of translators to help me learn a foreign language better or easier.

I never thought about using a translator.  I only know one.  Her native tongue is Persian and she translates this language to English.

The benefits of learning another language? There are several  .  .  .

1. Fending off dementia.  Research indicates the center of the brain grows because of the acquisition of a new language. So, you stay alert longer and fight off factors that lead to dementia.

2. A wider spectrum of friends. Who are your buddies? You can enlarge your circle of friends if you have the ability to speak to other people who don't know your native tongue.

3. Understanding other cultures. All of the classes I've ever taken to learn a second language involve getting information on a culture different from mine.  You understand better how people from other lands think.

4. More attractiveness to employers. These days, employers are trying to accommodate a variety of customers. So, they are looking for people who speak more than one language.

5. The ability to listen better. Studies indicate people who are bilingual hear better. They distinguish between sounds and words more easily.

The above are just 5 reasons to learn a new language. Of course, there's one that's missing; it's just fun.

The hardest part of learning another language (to me) is writing it.

I have found this to be true for Spanish. I struggle to write out the words correctly and misspell words. Also, I struggle with verbs.  Yet, for some reason, I am able to speak and read Spanish without a problem.

I have never used software to learn a new language.  However, I have a friend who swears by Rosetta Stone. She used this program to learn Spanish and speaks well.

I learned Spanish through school, travels and engaging with other Spanish-speaking individuals.  I don't know which path is better. I think it depends on the individual.

I wish my native tongue was Spanish. 

In my opinion, Spanish is the international language of the world. You can travel all over the globe and if you understand how to speak Spanish well, you can make-out many other tongues.

I also have noticed recently that U.S. employers are seeking workers who are bilingual.  This reality is especially true in regards to gigs in customer service. So, if you speak Spanish, you have an edge in gaining employment over others.

I am a military brat ( an adult who grew up on Air Force bases). 

Because of my family's travels, I became interested in learning other languages.

In order to communicate with the natives and also enjoy the usual (semi-usual) daily activities, I had to learn another language.