BillyIdol

I guess it makes a lot of sense. The sole reason of an interview is being able to judge whether or not the person was a good fit for a company, and if the both of you couldn't communicate effectively, then the interview wouldn't have been a success. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable in an interview for a language that I'm learning at the current level that I'm at, but I hope to be good enough to communicate well enough that someone wouldn't even know that I had just learned it shortly in the future.

I've heard the the same thing, but it's hard for me to say, because my mother tongue is English. I think it would depend on how fluently one was achieving to be. English can be confusing because it has so many words and terms for the same thing, not sure how that compares to other languages, as I've only learned the basics so far.

In terms of the way a language sounds, I'd probably have to say German. It's such an interesting sounding language and I'm fascinated by the words used. It's probably from seeing so many WWII movies and television shows.

I think I'd be writing in my mother tongue no matter how many languages I knew. I've been using it solely for thirty years, and wouldn't feel comfortable otherwise. Unless I was looking for a challenge.

I could see it being helpful, but as you said, some movies are really bad for grammar and sentence structure because they are trying to be realistic. Documentaries may be better suited for learning a language.

I always thought that Catsup was some sort of American slang for ketchup, kind of like calling Kraft Dinner KD. I've never used the word in my life, but I know that some do.

I used to get stressed when taking exams, but then I decided that being stressed won't change anything. I realized that, at that point where the instructor will no longer allow you to look at notes, etc, there is nothing else that you can do. So why get stressed?

I also use full sentences and good punctuation. I just cannot be the type of person who types "U" instead of "you". Sometimes it takes me a while to send one, because I'm making sure that I've used proper spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.

There are a few that I'd likely misspell quite a bit if it wasn't for my computer alerting me to that act that it incorrect. Words like similar (which I always want to add an "i" to) usually get me, I'm always wanting to add an "i" because I'm sounding out the word in my head.

I think most people do this. It would be interesting to take a book and get a sketch artist to draw the characters of the book, based on each person's description. I'm sure they'd all look very different.

I'm wondering if that's a typo. Maybe they meant twerk?

I do some writing as well and usually when an editor will make a comment like that about grammar they are referring to things like mixing up their/there/they're and stuff like that. Or even using a word like loose, when it should be lose. These are mistakes that even native English speakers make, so I wouldn't be too offended, Oh, that's another one, to/too.

Just wondering if anyone here has successfully used the Michel Thomas system. I've listened to a few of his audio books, one for French and another for German, and what he explained seemed logical, but I'm wondering if it sticks or not. Both times that I started using these courses my life got in the way, and I didn't continue, but I'm ready to give it another shot.

That's pretty neat. I guess in the mean time we can use Google Translate and copy and paste the text from Skype. I don't expect them to be very accurate, as GT is a bit off, of course.

Yeah, Grammar Girl is great. I do a lot of writing, and even though English is my native language, the grammar can be very challenging. I've used Grammar Girl a lot because she's good at explaining complicated subjects, and making them easier to digest.

Both of the teachers that I had in the past were pretty much born bilingual because of their environment. One was born in Montreal, so she had to learn both English and French, and the other was born in Canada, but in an Italian household.

Yeah, I agree, but it would probably be a good idea to learn some basics first, so that you can build a foundation and progress. I've heard of people who couldn't speak a word of a countries' language going to that country and picking up the language because they had to, there was no other way to communicate.

Just curious as to why you are not still using Michel Tomas, does he not offer Japanese? I've listened to a few of his tapes for German, Italian, and French, but I have a hard time listening to the speaker (I believe it's not Michel Tomas, but someone else).

I've been tempted to pick up Rosetta Stone too, but as others have said, I think you may be able to get tools which are just as good for free. The thing is, when I was looking for reviews of Rosetta Stone most of the reviewers were getting a commission if I bought the product, so I really can't take their review seriously.

I'd love to do something like this. I've seen job placements for it advertised, but it looks as though it would take along time to set up. I don't want to apply for it, get accepted, and then have to wait around for 6 months until I go to another country. Does anyone have an experience with this?

I think it would depend on the person. Some will do better at one on one because they'll have much more attention from the instructor, and some people just don't like feeling silly by having to answer a question while a lot of people are listening. Others would probably enjoy learning with more people, because they can also learn from their classmates, and may enjoy that type of atmosphere.

For me, a great motivator is wanting to learn a language so that I can visit the country. I don't want to walk around like a bumbling tourist who needs to make noises with his mouth, and motions with his hands, I want to be able to communicate with people.

There are many free resources that you can find online that are very professional and effective. I personally don't like the idea of having to go to a class or enroll in anything, I'd much rather learn at my own leisure, so I'm not paying a dime.

I've noticed this too. I took many years of French and a year of Italian and can barely string a sentence together for each language. I'd recommend that you go back to the basics and hopefully some of the fundamentals will come back to you.

I want to learn another language because I like to learn new things, but I also want to travel, so I'd really want to be able to hold my own when visiting particular countries.