KimmyMarkks

I think adding to the list of common names in the US is Nicole, Jackie and Rachel for females and Daniel, Anthony and Joseph for males. I always find it interesting how the most popular names have changed over the decades. For example now a days some of the most popular baby names for females are Sophia, Emma and Olivia.

I've never used this before. I heard that Rosetta Stone is one of the best learning tools. I don't know if they have an app. However, I've heard from several people who've used Rosetta store that it really helps to learn a new language. Has anyone used this before? If so do you have any recommendations about it before I look to buy it?

My family and I definitely make up words in our own language. We have developed our own words for when someone is being annoying and irritating. We also shorten longer words. I am not sure if other families do this but I know my family has been doing it for years. People definitely look at us a little crazy when we talk in public.

I wish I can say I had a language I regretted learning. For me my biggest regret is not learning a second language. Although I studied a language for 8 years in high school I didn't use it much and forgot almost everything I learned. I think it takes time and determination to learn a foreign language, especially at my age.

I definitely think when you have people in your country and life that speak a different language it is much easier to pick up. I know that my father works with a lot of Spanish speaking people and has learned a good deal of Spanish over the years. Likewise, my mother grew up in an Italian neighborhood and was able to speak a good amount of Italian as a child.

I have a more difficult time speaking a language then I do writing it. I think I am a better visual learner and therefore don’t have as much trouble writing in a foreign language then I do speaking it. I have a difficult time retaining information that I hear, unless I see it on paper. Therefore, I definitely have an easier time writing in a foreign language then I do speaking it.

I personally don’t speak a foreign language fluently however I know in many positions in my company they prefer someone who speaks certain languages. This is because we work with the international markets on a daily basis. While our international counter parts do speak English there is still a language barrier. When we are hiring for positions that correspond with these markets we really look for someone who speaks that language.

I also think a teach is the key to being able to a learn a new language. Teachers are there to help your pronunciation and tell you how to correctly say word. It is extremely hard to learn a language without having someone there to listen to you and help coach you how to say words. You may need help in how to structure a sentence or what tense to use a verb. Online programs don’t offer that.

I also give you a lot of credit! I couldn't imagine living in a county where I was unable to speak the language. Are you able to get by at least? I would think immersing yourself in the country continuously speaking the language will help you learn it faster. Are there language programs or groups you can join to help you learn it faster?

I think one of the main reasons to learn a language of a place you may not visit is because the world is so globalized now. Companies do business in so many foreign countries that you may one day have to communicate with someone in say China or a place you may not visit. I believe that learning a foreign language makes you a very sought out candidate in the business world for the sole fact that you are able to communicate with supplier and customers in foreign countries.

What do you think you will get more use out of? I personally think Japanese is much more difficult to learn. However, it is also great to know for the business world. On the other hand French is a beautiful language and would be great to know if you ever traveled there! Would it be possible to learn both over time? I always recommend starting with the easier tasks to get them done then moving on to the more difficult ones... this could go true for learning languages.

Has anyone tried using an online translation website or app? I find them to be very bad. These's websites give me back a sentence that doesn't make sense at all. I think when translating it is important to have an actual person do it compared to a computer. Computers aren't able to correct grammar or make sure the sentence makes sense before translating something. This is a warning to anyone who is thinking about using one!

I think that both Asian and Arabic languages have some of the most beautiful scripts. I can't decide between them because each one is so different and unique. I think these languages' scripts are much more attractive then Germanic language scripts. Unfortunately I cannot write or read any of these languages

I definitely think being angry affects my linguistic ability. When I am angry I don't think clearly and use dumbed down words I would other wise try to avoid. The same goes with speaking a foreign tongue. I can't think clearly enough to use the words I want to use and scramble to think of sentences that go together.

I think in today’s society there is a lot of pressure to learn a new foreign languages. In the business world it makes you more attractive to a potential employee. Also, the internet has sped up globalization and communication between people in different countries. Although it isn’t possible to learn every language I strongly believe knowing several languages makes you a competitive candidate.

I agree, I also like to learn new languages because I have an interest in travelling to these countries (France, Italy, Spain etc). However, also in the business world it sets you apart to be able to speak a different language. Especially for companies doing business in these places. I think for business the most important languages to learn are Cantonese and Spanish (this is obviously depending on the country the company does business in).

I also wish I had the opportunity to learn a language in my younger years. I think even learning it in middle/high school set me back compared to if I were to learn it as a child. Children's minds are better able to develop the skills for learning a new language. I also think speaking it at home (or even often) helps children pick it up faster then if they were to just be learning this language in schools a few days a week. It is important to constantly be around those speaking the language to full learn it.

I've studied a language for 8 years in school. However, because I did not use it in everyday life I am still unable to speak it well. I think it really depends on how often you are using and speaking a foreign language that will determine how long it will take you to master it. If you are immersed in a place where only that language is being spoken you will pick it up much faster then just studying and not really using the language. I also believe that once you stop speaking it continuously it is easy to lose this language skill.

I agree with @hungary93. I have to both visualize and hear the word in order to memorize it. I like repeating the word over and over to myself. I also need to see how to spell the word, therefore I like to write them on index cards to help memorize. A lot of my friends are able to study and memorize words from their not book of textbook. However, I need to both visualize and hear a word to get a grasp on it.

I've also tried a lot of at home learning and found it very hard. I need to be able to ask questions to someone and have them correct my pronunciation when I'm saying something wrong. I think the self taught language programs are good to get a grasp on the language but they are very difficult to become fluent off of.

I think for native English speakers some of the easiest languages to learn are Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. These languages share a lot of similar stem words. I also think a lot of these languages use have incorporated their words into other languages. These are Germanic languages that have all stemmed from Latin, compared to Asian and Arabic languages. I also think it is easier to learn Spanish, Portuguese and Italian when someone is already familiar with one of these languages.

I think unfortunately it is difficult to keep your language skills sharp unless you are continuously speaking it. A good way to keep up with it is to speak it, even if you are speaking out loud to yourself. You can also join clubs or groups with native speakers. While it may be more difficult to speak that language unless you have friends that also speak it I think a good way to stay sharp is to listen to it via shows or books.

Italian and Spanish are two of the top languages on my bucket list. Mostly because I think these countries are beautiful and would love to vacation there and speak the languages. Realistically I think for business purposes Spanish and Japanese are two of the best languages to learn. I went to a business school where they really emphasized learning Cantonese and Japanese. However, I think learning Asian and Arab languages for an native English speaker are much more difficult.

I find one of the biggest challenges about studying a foreign language is being able to practice and speak the language. This is especially true for languages that aren’t so common in my area. In addition, I found this was the biggest challenge when studying Latin. The only time I was able to speak the language was in the classroom as it is not a spoken language anymore.

I can understand where how your motivation and studies are starting to decline. I find it very hard to stay motivated to study unless I am either getting tested on it (in class) or I use it in everyday life. Languages are difficult especially if you aren't in an enviroment where the you are speaking or listening to the language everyday. The only thing I could recommend is joining a club or group where you speak it frequently. This way there will be some motivation to increase your skills.