Anyone Ever Learn A New Language?

[Sofa King]

I was considering learning Spanish.

Anyone ever learned a new language? is so, what did you use to learn it? what was your experience? how long did it take to do so?

i took a couple years in high school, but that was a long time ago and i've forgotten much of what i skipped then.

[Rams Fan]

By "new" do you mean any language that is not your 1st language?

[Jenson71]

I haven't. What is your plan for learning Spanish? Rosetta? College courses? Moving to Mexico or a Spanish neighborhood?

[JD10367]

It's harder to do when you're older. I bought some CD-ROMs and tried to teach myself Spanish but it didn't really take. Unless you grow up with it, or are taught in school, I think it's pretty damn hard unless you can find someone who speaks that language and spend some time drilling with them. So the answer is clear: you need to find some Latina hosebag and do her nightly and then, while relaxing post-coitally, learn some words and phrases like, "Where is the bathroom" and "How much money should I leave on the dresser".

[Rams Fan]

I've learned Hebrew. Not easy.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

I've learned Hebrew. Not easy.

I can read the characters, don't remember very many of the words.

[teedubya]

I know 5 and am learning Portuguese.

Breaking down the languages and learning the top 100-500 most spoken words in English and then learning them in the new language helps... then learn the way the verbs are conjugated.

Tim Ferriss has a good breakdown.

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog...ning-language/

I use Rosetta Stone to help me learn Portuguese, currently.

The army taught me Russian. I learned Spanish in high school and working at restaurants. I know enough Arabic and Mandarin... and I'm getting Portuguese down.

And I speak pig latin.

[JD10367]

Originally Posted by teedubya

I know 5 and am learning Portuguese.

Breaking down the languages and learning the top 100-500 most spoken words in English and then learning them in the new language helps... then learn the way the verbs are conjugated.

Tim Ferriss has a good breakdown.

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog...ning-language/

I use Rosetta Stone to help me learn Portuguese, currently.

The army taught me Russian. I learned Spanish in high school and working at restaurants. I know enough Arabic and Mandarin... and I'm getting Portuguese down.

And I speak pig latin.

Ooh, I bet there's a good story here. Involving hot Russian spy-chicks, poison pellets, fake passports, fast cars, long-range guns with silencers, and spotlights and helicopters.

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Ooh, I bet there's a good story here. Involving hot Russian spy-chicks, poison pellets, fake passports, fast cars, long-range guns with silencers, and spotlights and helicopters.

..and microfilm. don't forget the microfilm.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by teedubya

Breaking down the languages and learning the top 100-500 most spoken words in English and then learning them in the new language helps... then learn the way the verbs are conjugated.

Yes.

I tried learning some Spanish a few years ago when I thought I was going to be working in Mexico for a decent amount of time, but it didn't happen and I never stuck to it... it was based on repetition, and not so much common words.

I've been learning sign language for the past few years, and the two things I've gotten out of it are 1) learn common words first... my first attempt at it was based on categories and repetition, which was nice if we went into a conversation about things found in a home, but pretty much sucked in real life. 2) Interaction is key... take a class, find someone speaks the language, whatever... audio/DVDs are a good start, but it will only get you so far.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by teedubya

I know 5 and am learning Portuguese..

LOL

[Ming the Merciless]

Yes, twice.

The best way is probably taking a college level class ( SPanish 101 or 1A or whatever the equivolent is)...

That way you are forced to study and practice....something 4-5 semester units would be good, so that you are doing it a few times per week. Also you learn language in the traditional way, and to read and write...this is the best way. After 2 semesters (one year) you will be confident enough in your reading and writing skills to engage native speakers easily, which you will want to do to practice the language. You actually would be good to go after one semester...but you would need to really get out there and practice on your own after that.

A second alternative is sites like this:

www.livemocha.com

Using your mic and headset you can take some basic lessons on almost any language. (Also you can speak and record passages so that helpers can correct your pronunciation - it is an excellent resource, try it RIGHT NOW!)

I am a helper on Livemocha and I also speak 3 languages, one of them being Spanish so if you need any help, just PM me.

[Lumpy]

¿No es bastante malo qué cada vez usted fija veo mi asno ... ahora usted comienza un hilo? ¡Vaya sorben un escabeche, Rey de Sofá!

[bowener]

Originally Posted by Lumpy

¿No es bastante malo qué cada vez usted fija veo mi asno ... ahora usted comienza un hilo? ¡Vaya sorben un escabeche, Rey de Sofá!

Well, now we know why he wants to learn spanish at least. First pictures of your ass, now he wants to write you love letters that your husband possibly can't read.

[Lumpy]

Originally Posted by Sofa King

i might start another thread.

Ya know, one of these days I'm going to find a pic of you and you had better believe there will be revenge!

Originally Posted by bowener

Well, now we know why he wants to learn spanish at least. First pictures of your ass, now he wants to write you love letters that your husband possibly can't read.

SAY WUT?!