misskrystal1982

Do you feel as though you have a fluency in the language now that you have finished?  Or does it seem as though you still need more work?  I am nowhere near being done, but my son is getting closer and I was trying to find out if he will be needing more language learning type classes or if I should be looking for books, and so on for him to use when he is done. 

I personally like the idea of the baby books, and then graduating up from there.  One should always start with basics, either colors or names of objects.  Think of it as how you would teach a child.

After that, I would help them with figuring out the masculine and feminine words.  I love using Duolingo, but that is my personal preference.

Yes!  This is how I remember new words.  I try to somehow link them to something so that I can memorize better.  Sometimes I just can't find a link and then I have some difficulty, but usually I can come up with something.  My kids have been using Duolingo and were having troubles, so I told them this little trick and it seems to be helping them as well

I have never heard about this one.  Is it something like Duolingo where it has multiple languages?  I will have to check that out and see what it's about.  Have you tried it yet?

Its really great they are working on more languages.  I have yet to make it through one, but I need to get back into it.  I admittedly have been a bit lax in my studying.  Life has a way of getting in the way of my studying.  But I hope to lean multiple languages with it.

I honestly don't see how that could be possible.  There is too much to learning a language.  Not only do you have to learn the vocabulary and sentence structure, but you have to learn the slang words and phrases.  Not to mention understanding any regional accents a person may have.

I think if you spend too much time in between lessons, you will forget things which will make it harder to learn in the long run.  But I also think going to fast can be just as detrimental.  You need to do it often enough that you can remember things from your last lesson, but not so often that you haven't had a chance to forget.  For example.  If you work hard every day, you may remember certain words for now, but since you flew right through the lesson, they never stuck in your mind. 

There is definitely a balance that needs to be made, depending on the person.

Personally, I think Spanish is not too hard.  But French is very similar to Spanish.  I do not know about Dutch, I have never even heard it spoken, so I can't be too sure on that.

 They all have their merits and are beautiful in their own way.  It's a very hard choice, but for me I think Tibetan

I don't think you would all together forget the language.  But I can see, after years of not using it, that it could be harder to speak.  After all, you haven't used it, so you will have to reprogram yourself for it.  I don't see how it would be possible to totally forget the language completely, though.

This is a great forum for meeting other people learning languages.  Maybe you can find someone else who is studying Chinese or is fluent?  Welcome to the Forum!

I think sometimes we can push too hard and then burn ourselves out.  Then we end up not wanting to keep going.

I personally think the best way to stay focused is set aside a certain amount of time each day or every other day.  Make that your language learning time and don't skip it.  After a bit it will become a habit and then you will make great strides in your progress.

I have been working on French and Spanish slowly for a while now.  I started in high school, then took a break and now I am picking it up again.  My main reason for starting is that between knowing English, French and Spanish I should be able to communicate with most people I would encounter on a day to day basis.

I am curious how you have gone about learning another language. Did you take classes, or use a computer program?  At what point do you start trying to communicate with native speakers for practice?  My kids and I have been using apps to learn vocabulary, and we are still working with that.  I was just wondering how everyone else has done their learning.

I think it would depend on what a persons goals are.  If you are wanting to be totally fluent, it would be very important.  On the other hand, if you are learning because you are going to take a trip and would like to be able to communicate... writing is not as important.

I have never worried too much about the writing, but I do try to learn it.  I just don't consider it a priority.

I regret not having put more effort into my foreign language classes in high school.  I was too busy being "cool" to actually do the work.  Now I am kicking myself.

I don't think getting older makes it harder to learn, but I do think it makes it harder to concentrate.  As adults, there are many other things we worry about and think on as we try to do other stuff.  In the end, our mind is divided and we can't focus.

It's very easy to make excuses for ourselves on why we can't do something.  But no matter your age, If you truly want to do it, then you will.

I think it would depend on the languages being studied and the person.  Some find that studying two languages that are similar can help them learn.  Others feel it's good to learn two languages that are completely different.  I also have known people that have a hard enough time learning one language, let alone two! 

If you want to try multiple, then by all means, give it a shot.  But if it seems to be too confusing then maybe you should stick to one.

Thank you for your suggestions!  I will bring them up to him when he comes home from school today.  I think a pen pal would be great for him, and it was something I hadn't thought of.  He has become so very interested in Swedish lately!

He has been using Duolingo in order to learn Swedish, but he needs some way to practice his understanding.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  I had thought about maybe finding some tv shows for him to watch but would have no clue what would be suitable for a 12 year old boy.

Thank you so much!

I had never thought of this, but it seems like a great idea.

I would think watching it once with subtitles on and then again without would help quite a bit.  The first time would allow you to get an idea of what would be said, while the second you can work on understanding better.

Personally, I find speaking harder because my own accent can get in the way of speaking another language.  I feel as though I am harder to understand.  With writing, I can think about what I need to say and also there is no worry about accents.

I also think it is the gaming part.  My son, who is 12, downloaded the app a few weeks ago.  He was determined to learn Swedish.  He has done a great job with it and is really learning the language.  I think it is wonderful for all ages.

For me, when I am having fun I tend to learn more.  If I feel I am just doing drills I don't think I retain quite as much.