LindaKay

I do think that's unfortunate. I think people should know the language of their ancestors whenever possible. They should obviously still know the national language for the place where they reside, but that doesn't mean that they can't learn both. It seems like kids are able to learn languages more quickly and easily than older kids or adults, so why not go ahead and knock it out and teach them while they're young?

I definitely think it would be difficult to be friends with someone who doesn't speak the same language as you at all. It seems like you would have to at least know a few common words between you. Otherwise, how can you communicate at all?

I think that's pretty cool. I learned my times tables with a cassette tape that my mom bought for me when I was a kid, and it worked. I think music sticks out in our minds more than regular spoken words do sometimes.

I suppose you have a point. Although English is definitely not the real universal language, it's the closest thing we have to one right now. People are learning English all over the world now.

I haven't gone very long without it at all. My BF and I live together, so we're always chatting. Plus, I talk to my mom on the phone constantly.

Different languages obviously sound a bit odd to me, but I have to say that I don't "not like" any of them. Some just sound more interesting than others, in my opinion. I can see why some people wouldn't like some languages though; some of them definitely do sound rather unique!!

I'm not sure about movies. I have to say that one of my favorite foreign things to watch, though, is Korean soap operas. My best friend's mom is from South Korea. She used to watch those soap operas all the time, and I found them to be so interesting.

I am surprised by all of the responses on this thread, honestly. I really would have thought that everyone felt more comfortable writing in their own languages. I can't really imagine writing much in other languages, although speaking it is a different thing altogether.

I'm not sure. In a way, I think it would be very convenient. It would be a great way for everyone to be able to communicate. However, I don't think it would be easy to convince everyone to learn one language, plus it would make a change in a lot of cultures. Although it might be convenient, I think it would be a bit boring.

It does sort of annoy me. A couple of shorthand abbreviations here and there isn't really a big deal, of course. But I know people who use nothing but shorthand. It drives me up the wall.

I would have to say Italian or French. They both sound so beautiful and romantic to me.

I think this forum is a wonderful idea. I hope it's successful, but I'm sure it will be!

I think the best way is by having conversations with people who speak the language fluently. That helped me a lot more with Spanish than classes and software ever did. You learn how to actually speak it in the way that it's meant to be spoken, and you can use your context clues to figure out the words.

I think that's a great option. Anything that makes it a little more fun and interesting is sure to help. The more interested and engaged you are, the more you will learn. That's my experience, anyway.

I think that's a great way to learn. To me, learning conversation first is easy. Even though you might make mistakes, it will help you get a general grasp of the language. You can learn how to do it more properly a little later. Maybe some people wouldn't agree with me, but that's what I think.