christendenkt

Have you considered buying not just an audiobook for a novel, but the accompanying hardcover of the novel? That way, when the audiobook is reading the story, you can go along with the text. It's not a learning book, but immersion into a language is still very helpful. Also, you could do the same with movies (just turn on the subtitles to the language you want to learn).

Thanks for that article!

Though I like the idea of learning subliminally, I don't know that it is possible. However, what has been studied and proven helpful is to nap AFTER learning something. So if you study some words for an hour and nap immediately after, the study proved that the information is better retained. Flash cards with pictures are always very helpful for learning words, and repeating a phrase over and over throughout the day. Just saying the word doesn't always help. The brain works with all yours senses, so if you can say the word out loud, read the word at the same time, and accompany with an image of the word, then your brain has a more complete understanding of what you're trying to learn.

I love speaking German, and would love to learn Dutch. When I was in the Netherlands, Dutch sounded like a fast melding of German and English. I swear I understood what was being said, but it's as if my brain couldn't figure out WHY. After taking several other languages, I'd have to say my least favorite is (so sorry for this) French and Italian. They both were too "sing-songy" for me. It was very hard to get over the confidence necessary to speak something that "melodious." I don't know how else to explain it. Has anybody ever felt similar when comparing languages you've learned?

I do like watching German films and attempt to watch them without subtitles. My favorite German film to watch is Lola Rennt. The scenes are repeated often enough that a student can really get an understanding of the language. That being said, I wish there were more access to foreign language television. Does anybody have a source they turn to for news broadcasts, or television shows that are streamed in other languages? If I find one, I'll let you know, but perhaps somebody on the forums has a trick? Share your secrets!

Yes! I have used PG in the past, but it did not occur to me to check their foreign language titles. Thank you!

Forgive my English, but what is Tagalog? Where is it spoken? What makes it sound cheesy? I'm very curious!

Wow, Lingua! It looks like you have quite a few varied languages under your belt! That is fabulous. One of the greatest benefits of speaking German (though I am not fluent; only wish to be) is the spread of the language across Europe. When I traveled through Poland and the Czech Republic, when English did not, German was helpful. When that failed, my then-boyfriend's Russian came in handy. I am hoping to return to Europe many times! Thank you for introducing yourself to me! --c.

For me, it was an aunt who was studying Spanish. At the time, she told me she was hoping to be a translator. When I went to look up what that was (I around eight years old at the time), I found International Interpreter, and ran with it. It turns out that she did not want to be an international interpreter and work for the UN, but the job had so much glitz and glamour attached to it, that I decided I wanted to do that. I am not an international interpreter; however, it opened the doors for me. It was fascinating to learn that other languages come with nuances that depend on culture and a direct translation is not always the best interpretation. It still fascinates me, and if I could do it all over again, I'd pay more attention to making interpreter a reality.

This is a great question for people who were raised bilingual. I know that Franz Kafka was Czechoslovakian, but he wrote in German. It was thought that he wrote in German because many people believed that German was the "higher" language, and therefore more respected. I've written poems in French, but since it is not a first language - nor was I fluent - I can't claim to have found more meaning in French than in English. I can understand that would be the case for some people. One language can have words that are indefinable or don't exist in another language. If only I could get to an understanding of German that such distinctions would be clear and meaningful.

My son is a private school, Kindergarten, and they have Spanish one day a week. I'm glad he gets that, but would prefer he had it every day. I'm thinking about getting some children's books in Spanish to advance him. However, I speak German, and would love for him to learn that language as well. The brain benefits are huge and I'd hate to squander the opportunity. Does anybody have a good source for children's books in other languages, such as Spanish or German? I would want them for myself, as well as my son. I think they are great learning tools.

At first, I thought a group setting would be most beneficial, but the differing levels does throw a wrench in things. I think it would depend on if a native speaker were present. That would be most beneficial because I wouldn't want to adopt something as correct when it is not - but was used often enough in the group to be accepted as correct. In the end, I'd prefer one on one. Has anybody ever hired a native speaker for practice? I met a woman once who did that as a job; she hired herself out for an hour of German conversation with somebody who was learning the language. The idea is tempting, but I imagine it would be awkward. I'd love to hear about some other experiences.

I have one. I had studied 6 years of French in high school and college, but then I left college for a few years and started new languages. When I went back to school, I was getting a degree in German. My French and Italian had basically disappeared despite having spent so many years learning and speaking them. My university was partnered with a local and successful music school so many classmates were music students, including opera singers. While in class one day, we had to read a passage that was written in French. When the professor asked if there was anybody who could speak French and wanted to read the passage aloud, I raised my hand. That was a mistake. I hadn't spoken French in several years, but I had always been a confident language student. Little did I know how true it was to "use it, or lose it." I started reading the paragraph and there were several sniggers. Finally, a music student who spoke French and Italian and German, offered to read it when I was barely through the second sentence. It was a mortifying moment for me, especially because I had always, up to that point, excelled in foreign languages. I still remember it, and it's been 14 years. :cry:

"Use it, or lose it." I think this is spot on. I've recently felt more determined. I've studied a few languages: French (high school level for 5 years; college level for 1); Spanish (1 year at high school level); Italian (2 years at college level); Attic Greek (2 years at college level). I finally ended up with a degree in German. German was my favorite language, and I dove into it with a passion. I spent a month in Berlin, and have since visited twice. But since then, I've married, had a child, and realize that when I hear German news reports, my language skills have been severely impacted. I'm finding hope using Duolingo. I am revisiting my German-language novels, especially collections of short stories. Reading material that I became comfortable with while studying in college (specifically, Kafka) has been especially helpful because I am so familiar with it. Short of going back to Germany, what other things have you tried?

After perusing this forum, I stumbled upon a suggestion regarding books written in other languages and uploaded to the forums. I love this idea, but not as a forum, per se. Rather, I think it would make a great resource page broken down into languages and level or age group with accompanying links for the works in question. For instance, I'd love to find copies of Judy Blume books in German. Perhaps a forum like this could have subforums for each language and posters supply links (texts within reason, as well?), and a general language-level (beginner, intermediate, etc.) Such a list and exchange of information would be great. As an afterthought, a foreign language book exchange would be fantastic! Anybody know of one of these? Tschuss!

I love this suggestion. I studied Attic Greek in college (it is what led me to major in German, actually). It would be fun and interesting to peek back into the language. I was one of those unfortunate types who did not have access to dead languages in high school, which was only made apparent to me when in an Attic Greek course; all the other students had studied Latin. A resource page for learning Latin, or a page with oft-used phrases with translations, would be great to read. I'd rather that on an interactive forum than through a collection in a blog post that I found on Google. Keep this suggestion in mind, please! I think it would get good results.

I'd love for this thread to keep going! Ich wuensche dass habe ich mehr Deutsche Woerten zu sprachen! Habe ich nicht sein viele Jahren gespricht. I'm curious if those are remotely translatable!

This is fascinating. I take "true to word" to mean a direct translation, such as "How are you?" "True to meaning" sounds more like a cultural understanding that is being interpreted. For example, while some languages may use the word "heavy" as a descriptor for weight, another may use it as an emotional descriptor. This is why some translations of fictional works are preferred over others in academia. I particularly remember preferring one translator of Kafka works. When I studied Kafka, in the original German, I found that some translators missed significant interpretations for key phrases when discussing the meaning of a story. The terms "judgment" and "torture" come to mind. I imagine working for the courts would require the utmost confidence, relying on instinct to correctly translate both the cultural history and meaning of a word, as well as a direct translation of that word. I'm not sure I could handle that sort of pressure, to be honest - especially if my translation could impact a person's guilt or innocence. Bravo to those who can! It is admirable.

I also use Duolingo and really enjoy it. However, I learned my language in college and Duolingo is helping me to hold onto it. For learning from the very beginning, I'm not sure how I'd retain the knowledge. By reading the comments here, however, I suggest you find audiobooks in the language you are studying. It would be even more helpful if you found children's books on audiobook. Audible, owned by Amazon, has a category for Foreign Language. It may also help to just read children's books that have been written in your desired language, not to mention newscasts that are streaming online. The way Duolingo is set up, with repetition and translation so close together in a short amount of time, your brain is trained to get immediate satisfaction and approval. By separating yourself from that process, you can better retain what you've learned. Struggling gives your brain new muscles! News is the easiest to access. If you don't understand a word, keep at it! Eventually, the two combined should help. Have fun!

I have been using Duolingo on the PC and on my smartphone. I use it to learn German, and admit that I'm not sure if Indonesian is an option. However, if you live nearby a college, it may be worth it to contact their English as Second Language department (ESL). Typically, they have lists and resources for their students that would include a huge variety of languages. I'm sure they could direct you to something helpful (perhaps even a support/study group for a particular language, in which case you could trade your assistance in English with theirs in Indonesian!) Good luck!

Guten Tag! I have always loved languages. I started with French, studying it for six years. After some upheavals in life, I abandoned French and turned to Italian. I really enjoyed it, but like French, I realized the sing-songy aspect of the language (compared to English, that is) was holding me back. For reasons I can't explain, I never felt comfortable with the words on my tongue. I moved on to Attic Greek, a language no longer spoken but interesting in its structure. At the same time, I started taking German courses. The two worked with each other. Before I knew it, I was majoring in German. I had fallen in love with the language. It felt so great to speak, and I craved more! Interestingly, I learned only later that my grandfather was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States as a child. I spent a month in Berlin one year, was certified as a speaker through the Goethe Institute, and graduate college - only to speak it a few times a year while traveling through Eastern Europe. I've recently discovered Duolingo, and am excited to see that I still have some of my German skills! I currently am a professional writing tutor to college students, many of whom are ESL students. My various language classes are a great asset in this relationship; I'm able to approach the students as language learners, as well as writers. I joined this forum in the hopes that I can find more immersion opportunities, be it through post exchanges, reading recommendations, or even apps and videos that are helpful. Share everything! Thanks for having me. Tschuss!