What should you learn to speak first?

[Denis Hard]

It's easy. When kids learn to speak, when they see something they don't know, naturally, they'll ask you:  what is that/what do you call that, etc.

So, shouldn't the same apply for the language student. Instead of learning fancy grammar rules, etc, etc, wouldn't one learn a language faster just by knowing how to ask the question:

"How do you say. . .[in your language]?

e.g Someone learning English would ask me in their native language:

Comment ça se dit en anglais? [correct me if my French sucks].

and I'd answer

How do you say that in English?

[jubvman]

Yeah I know what you mean Denis, although everyone learns differently so what might work for some won't work for others. Seems like a good idea though.

[Victor Leigh]

You are right, Denis Hard. That's assuming that you are learning a language for use in communications. If you are learning a language just to pass exams, then go the way of the parrot. That, unfortunately, is how many Thais learn English - just to pass exams. I have even met one teacher who has been teaching English for more than a decade and he couldn't hold a conversation in English. Sad but true.

[FatesWing]

I could see this being a good idea.. It really makes sense actually. When I was in school studying French, yes, there were tests, quizzes, and exams to pass so I was more interested in learning things at my teachers academic pace. However, now that I am out of school and continuing to learn new languages for my own personal "know how", I do find it easier to focus on the socializing and communication aspect. I think really it just depends on the context a person will be using the language that they're learning.

[sidney]

Yeah I agree that that's a good idea, I think you should really just start by asking which words or sentences you really want to know in another language, then the other words can just be studied later on.

[Baburra]

I agree. Rules are there only as a guide to have some sort of standard but shouldn't necessarily be given the top priority, especially when you are only starting to learn the particular language. Often, I think correcting yourself down the line is a bit better because you get to start learning without much hesitation on whether or not you are saying things wrong and instead just focusing on trying to put together a good enough sentence to be understood which you can then just improve on as you go along.

[marmunmrhundun]

I think your idea is great. I mean you should only learn what you think will be needed, and what you think will be used. I know so many people learning new languages, just learn them to be learning them without actually understanding a lot of whats going on.

[pipps]

That does seem like a good idea but I think that you should learn whatever you feel like you should learn first. I think it's best to start off with simple but conversational items such as hello, how are you? I'm good, I'm not so good, what's your name and goodbye.

[sos]

Yes that is one way to look at it because learning a new language requires that you begin with the basics.When I started to learn French,I started by learning how to ask questions.

[Hedonologist]

Indeed, sometimes I simple immerse myself in television or a newspaper and translate sentence by sentence with a grammar and a dictionary. It's always helpful if you have a basic grounding in grammar and common vocabulary first though.

Sometime I will simple rote memorise hundred of words so when I do come to read this way, the words come to me a lot faster.

[LindaKay]

I think that's a great way to learn.

To me, learning conversation first is easy. Even though you might make mistakes, it will help you get a general grasp of the language. You can learn how to do it more properly a little later. Maybe some people wouldn't agree with me, but that's what I think.