Language learning thread

[BrokePhiBroke]

I decided to learn Spanish like I've learned English. It'll take time but I'm all for it.

Starting from alphabets etc...
When I think about grade school and how we learned our language the process is amazing.

I'm also learning I don't need to know a wide range of words or big words either bc with time my vocabulary will build as it's build is continuing to build with English.

I make silly mistakes with English and I'm pretty sure I'll have a lot with Spanish. Once I got out of the "timeframe" of how fast I can learn a language and realize it will be a process like English. Im enjoying learning more instead of being impatient and given it up when I hit a bump.

Plus I really really wanna learn!

 

[phcitywarrior]

I decided to learn Spanish like I've learned English. It'll take time but I'm all for it.

Starting from alphabets etc...
When I think about grade school and how we learned our language the process is amazing.

I'm also learning I don't need to know a wide range of words or big words either bc with time my vocabulary will build as it's build is continuing to build with English.

I make silly mistakes with English and I'm pretty sure I'll have a lot with Spanish. Once I got out of the "timeframe" of how fast I can learn a language and realize it will be a process like English. Im enjoying learning more instead of being impatient and given it up when I hit a bump.

Plus I really really wanna learn!

English isn't your mother tongue? What is it?

 

[BrokePhiBroke]

English isn't your mother tongue? What is it?

It is.

I'm just saying when you think back to grade school or when you were a kid...

How they started out with alphabets, numbers, speaking to you regularly, vowels, words, colors etc as you went though each level you learned more and more of your language. If I did put a time frame I'll say five years to be a bit more comfortable. Through immersion.

But the problem I find with programs sometimes and even classes. They want to teach you sentences so fast. It's nice to know sentences to have conversations but I prefer the beginning to build my way up to sentences like I learned in grade school.

What's the point of knowing how to ask "where are you from?" And "how are you?" But when they elaborate their answers or you want to know more the convo stops there. I wanna learn like a kid in a sense.

 

[phcitywarrior]

It is.

I'm just saying when you think back to grade school or when you were a kid...

How they started out with alphabets, numbers, speaking to you regularly, vowels, words, colors etc as you went though each level you learned more and more of your language. If I did put a time frame I'll say five years to be a bit more comfortable. Through immersion.

But the problem I find with programs sometimes and even classes. They want to teach you sentences so fast. It's nice to know sentences to have conversations but I prefer the beginning to build my way up to sentences like I learned in grade school.

What's the point of knowing how to ask "where are you from?" And "how are you?" But when they elaborate their answers or you want to know more the convo stops there. I wanna learn like a kid in a sense.

I got you.

I think they start with sentences because as an adult we have greater ability to assign meaning to words and concepts.

As adults we have the capacity to get up to speed quicker than children and such. My $0.02

 

[BrokePhiBroke]

I got you.

I think they start with sentences because as an adult we have greater ability to assign meaning to words and concepts.

As adults we have the capacity to get up to speed quicker than children and such. My $0.02

I wanna learn like a kid

Kid at heart.

Give me the song and dance Alex.

 

[BigMan]

I wanna learn like a kid

Kid at heart.

Give me the song and dance Alex.

For Spanish I would try to learn the pronouns and verb conjugations as they are totally different than english

 

[JuditeTormentor]

I got you.

I think they start with sentences because as an adult we have greater ability to assign meaning to words and concepts.

As adults we have the capacity to get up to speed quicker than children and such. My $0.02

I wanna learn like a kid

Kid at heart.

Give me the song and dance Alex.

It is actually more difficult to acquire new languages as adults, for several different reasons (I could go into those details if you really want me to). But, yes, it is much more efficient to teach adults with phrases and grouped words right out the gate. We have learned to compartmentalize by association, so it is easier for us to grab words and ideas when we see them consistently used in proper context. But man, to have the open mind of a child, that would be INCREDIBLE!! To just be able to ACCEPT the new information without subconsciously questioning or rejecting what doesn't immediately ring as familiar.

My approach to any new language is like this:
1.) Learn the alphabet/character system
2.) Learn basic syntax and grammar
3.) Learn to conjugate the most commonly used verbs (like top 20-50) in present, past, future, and conditional tenses
4.) Learn prepositions, adverbs, how to ask questions, and common phrases/expressions that would be helpful
5.) Start reading children's books, listen to music in that language, and watch something in a language I know but with subtitles of the language I'm trying to learn

 

[phcitywarrior]

It is actually more difficult to acquire new languages as adults, for several different reasons (I could go into those details if you really want me to). But, yes, it is much more efficient to teach adults with phrases and grouped words right out the gate. We have learned to compartmentalize by association, so it is easier for us to grab words and ideas when we see them consistently used in proper context. But man, to have the open mind of a child, that would be INCREDIBLE!! To just be able to ACCEPT the new information without subconsciously questioning or rejecting what doesn't immediately ring as familiar.

My approach to any new language is like this:
1.) Learn the alphabet/character system
2.) Learn basic syntax and grammar
3.) Learn to conjugate the most commonly used verbs (like top 20-50) in present, past, future, and conditional tenses
4.) Learn prepositions, adverbs, how to ask questions, and common phrases/expressions that would be helpful
5.) Start reading children's books, listen to music in that language, and watch something in a language I know but with subtitles of the language I'm trying to learn

It's more difficult as an adult more so because as adults our brains aren't as "sponge like" to information as when we are children.

It's something that can be corrected by constant learning with an Open mind.

I agree with your method of learning a foreign language though. I will say this, immersion is the best.

I don't care per se to speak French to the level of Macron but more so the be highly conversational.

 

[phcitywarrior]

It is actually more difficult to acquire new languages as adults, for several different reasons (I could go into those details if you really want me to). But, yes, it is much more efficient to teach adults with phrases and grouped words right out the gate. We have learned to compartmentalize by association, so it is easier for us to grab words and ideas when we see them consistently used in proper context. But man, to have the open mind of a child, that would be INCREDIBLE!! To just be able to ACCEPT the new information without subconsciously questioning or rejecting what doesn't immediately ring as familiar.

My approach to any new language is like this:
1.) Learn the alphabet/character system
2.) Learn basic syntax and grammar
3.) Learn to conjugate the most commonly used verbs (like top 20-50) in present, past, future, and conditional tenses
4.) Learn prepositions, adverbs, how to ask questions, and common phrases/expressions that would be helpful
5.) Start reading children's books, listen to music in that language, and watch something in a language I know but with subtitles of the language I'm trying to learn

I had an Uncle that couldn't speak his mother tongue. Went to his hometown for a yesr and came back speaking fluently. I think speaking comes easier as an adult but reading and in particular writing is much much tougher without extended study.

I care more so to speak French but I do understand being able to write clearly in your target language is really when you've mastered the language.

 

[JuditeTormentor]

It's more difficult as an adult moreo because as adults are brains arent as "sponge like" to information as when we are children.

It's not something that can't be corrected with constant learning with an Open mind.

I agree with your method of learning a foreign language though. I will say this, immersion is the best.

I don't care per se to speak French to the level of Macron but more so the be highly conversational.

Yep. And I was generalizing, as well. I meant to state that in my original response. A lot of it really is mental. But any adult that is fluent in at least one language is more than capable of learning another. And immersion is by far the best way to acquire a new language.

 

[JuditeTormentor]

I had an Uncle that couldn't speak his mother tongue. Went to his hometown for a yesr and came back speaking fluently. I think speaking comes easier as an adult but reading and in particular writing is much much tougher without extended study.

I care more so to speak French but I do understand being able to write clearly in your target language is really when you've mastered the language.

Yea. Writing is the final step toward mastery. I actually developed my French skills in high school by participating in francophone yahoo chat groups. Granted, it was Quebecois, so that caused a few issues with my school assignments until I realized that I was trying to weave together two different dialects.

 

[BrokePhiBroke]

For Spanish I would try to learn the pronouns and verb conjugations as they are totally different than english

Yes I know!!! Very different. I already have a notebook filled explaining with examples.

 

[forbes]

I taught myself some Portuguese years ago via self-immersion. I would listen to Brazilian music or watch Brazilian movies. I'd watch sports games with Portuguese commentary. It actually worked. I was able to write and understand Portuguese within a year. But I also lost it super fast when I stopped teaching myself.

I'm currently going to try and pick up on French.

 

[phcitywarrior]

I taught myself some Portuguese years ago via self-immersion. I would listen to Brazilian music or watch Brazilian movies. I'd watch sports games with Portuguese commentary. It actually worked. I was able to write and understand Portuguese within a year. But I also lost it super fast when I stopped teaching myself.

I'm currently going to try and pick up on French.

Why you stop breh.

 

[forbes]

Why you stop breh.

I don't really know, my obsession with Brazil died the more I learned about the country.

Also, I sorta hit a roadblock...I don't live in an area with Portuguese speakers, I dont know any Portuguese speakers...so I could read and write, but couldn't speak lol