turtledove

I'm currently learning French, and I'm finding all the conjugations and rules difficult to handle. Almost every rule that exists seems to also have an exception, which is a real pain. There are also a huge number of irregular verbs, and I find it quite difficult to remember all the different conjugations.

I like to write a lot, because it helps me remember conjugations for different verbs. I also like to write down new vocabulary, as it helps me remember it and it's good for me as a reference in the future. But, for me, speaking is definitely more difficult, since I need to be more confident to try and speak in a foreign language!

I think speaking in a foreign language requires a lot more confidence, and to write you just need to know the basics of the language. Even if you write something wrong, it won't be as uncomfortable or awkward if you make a mistake. As well as this, speaking means that as well as the language itself, the pronunciation, accent and fluency are also heard, so it can be a lot harder for some people.

I definitely prefer offline learning. I'd rather have somebody actually in front of me, so that I can talk to them and I can ask them questions personally rather than over a computer. However, even if I go to a language class, I would use an online resource as well to learn more vocabulary.

There are so many different ways to learn languages. Doing online courses, using websites, learning from teachers, using workbooks, having an online tutor... There are so many different options. I personally like learning from someone who's already good at the language, so I like learning from a teacher, although I do often use online resources to help me. How do you learn a language best?

I like reading through my old work or my old notes. Sometimes I watch movies or read magazines in the language. I also like to go onto language websites (like duolingo or babbel) to refresh, they help quite a lot. It is a bit of a pain at times to go back after a long time and try to remember what you used to know so well, and it may take a while to get back up to speed, but you'll get there eventually!

When I first started learning languages, I felt incredibly uncomfortable. I felt like I would make so many mistakes, or I would sound silly or do something horribly wrong which would be humiliating. However, after a little while, you get used to it. You may be feeling shy because you're worried that you'll make a mistake - I think most people feel that way. Just keep trying, and soon you'll feel confident speaking.

This is a really interesting idea, and I think it could actually be true. If german speakers and english speakers see the world differently, then it's highly probable that people who speak both languages see the world in a completely new light. It's quite a fascinating theory, and I hope that in the future we do find out whether this really is true or not!

This is great, Lena. Clearly you're doing pretty well with your English, and I'm really happy that this method has worked so well for you. I don't know if I could learn to speak a language fluently by myself at home, but I'm so glad that you've motivated yourself to do it!

This may sound childish, but one of my favorites (I don't have one definite favorite) is Tangled. Yes, a Disney movie. I just love the main character's outgoing and excited character, and I really enjoyed watching it.

I think that generally it's knowing that you'll be able to talk to people fluently in their language that motivates me. I usually feel far less motivated if I'm not doing well, but if I'm doing well, that's great motivation too. If you're learning the language just for the sake of knowing it and you're not genuinely interested in it, it will be hard to feel motivated. However, if it's just the odd dip in your performance, once you're doing better again you'll probably be up and running!

If there's such a technique, I'd really like to know. However, I think that 15 minutes would be enough to learn a few sentences and conversational phrases, nothing more. I think it's pretty much impossible to be fluent in a language and know lots of vocabulary in just 15 minutes!

Language sharing seems like a very efficient and easy way to get help on a language. Both people involved are generally interested, as they're getting something from the arrangement and giving something as well. It's a very good way of improving your language skills, and although I don't think you can fully learn a language through this, it could be very useful.

Informal English should definitely be taught in classes. It means that students will be more comfortable talking to people. It shouldn't be the most important thing that students learn, because informal English is pretty easy to catch onto. However, I think that informal English is particularly important if you want to improve you're communication with other people who are fluent in English.

I started learning languages as they were compulsory in school. I found them really interesting, so I decided to learn more online from websites like Babbel and Duolingo. Languages are a great way to learn about a country's culture, and I think that it's nice to try and talk to someone in their own language rather than expecting them to know English. Why did you start learning languages?

A few years ago, there was really only one way to read. Pick up the copy of the book and read it. But now, there are so many different ways to read. E-books, audio books, graphic novels... There are so many options now. I personally still prefer reading the book (e-book or normal book), and I don't think I'd want to listen to it. How do you like to read?

My favorite online resource for language learning is probably Duolingo. It's pretty good for getting good at the basics of a language, and they have quite a few languages to choose from now. I'm really excited for the release of even more new language courses like Russian! I haven't used it, but I've also heard that Babbel is pretty good, and similar to Duolingo.

I generally stick post-it notes on my wall. That way I HAVE to see the new vocabulary every day whether I like it or not, and slowly over time, it just sticks. I have a few friends who love to make flash cards and get other people to check whether they've got the right words. Another method which works for some people is just making huge lists, and setting apart time to read through them.

I like loads of French words, because they all sound to fluid and pretty. However, there a few which I just love saying! - Pamplemousse: Word for grapefruit. It's such a cool word! - Malheureusement: Word for unfortunately. It's a pain to spell, but it's so lovely to say. What French words do you like using?

Since Spanish is such a well-known, widely spoken language, there are tonnes of online resources you can use! Here are just a few: - Duolingo. I'm currently learning Spanish from Duolingo, and it's a pretty good interactive course. I wouldn't say that you'd be fluent in the language at the end, however it's a great foundation for Spanish learning. - Babbel. It's a free online course, similar to Duolingo. - Google other Online Courses. There are plenty of online courses for Spanish if you just have a look online! - Get an online tutor. There are many people out there who are willing to teach Spanish online, however this may cost money. - Blogs. There are lots of blogs online which can help you learn Spanish. - Watch Spanish movies with subtitles initially, and gradually, start watching the films without the subtitles. This may be a slightly slower method, but you do get very good at speaking the language if you watch Spanish movies regularly. I have learnt a language that I can now speak fluently purely from watching movies in the language. - Read Spanish magazines. This is a great way to get exposure to written Spanish, and if you do this for a while, you may get the hang of some basic verb conjugations quite quickly and some other grammar and vocabulary. Hope these tips help!

Duolingo offers a pretty good Italian course. You can get the free Duolingo App for iOS or android, and it's really worth it. You'll learn lots of vocab, basic verb conjugations and conversational phrases. If you get the app, you can also use it to test your pronunciation. You can practice listening and understanding, writing and speaking all from this app, it's great!

I learn both French and German in school anyway at the moment. However, I also like to use websites like Duolingo for vocab and often, watching movies in the language or reading magazines in the language can be very useful for learning new vocab. I'm also learning Spanish from Duolingo. I highly doubt I'll be fluent at the end, however I'll probably have some good conversational phrases to use.

I'm currently learning Spanish from Duolingo. It's quite simple, and you may not be fully fluent in the language even when you're done with the course. However, you can pick up a good few words and conversational phrases, and some good grammar. It's free as well, so all round it's totally worth it!

I while back, I read 'Room' by Emma Donaghue. It was a very moving book, which everybody really should read. It can be quite strong and slightly disturbing at times, however it's a very powerful book which really moved me. The themes are mature at some points, but I think that if you're old enough you'll really appreciate this book.

I'm currently learning French and German in school, and I'm also learning Spanish from Duolingo. I'm also fluent in English and I can speak two Indian languages (one of them being my mother tongue). I really want to learn Italian, Russian and Portuguese (and I've just started Italian and Portuguese on Duolingo). What languages do you want to learn next?