Read the article 5 Tricks to Learn Spanish (or any other language) from 2 People who Speak 11 at
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https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/tips-learn-spanish?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=CON&utm_campaign=cd_engall_gen_ceu_spanishtips&utm_term=ibtimes and present your ways of learning/improving foreign languages.
Comments
In my opinion it is important to learn only the most common words at the beginning. All language courses that I attended in my life were mostly waste of time. Teachers waste our time with forcing us to learn words like ‘loan shark’ or ‘sullen’ when we have problems with basic vocabulary. We can really communicate with others without knowing such vocabulary. I'll bet that never in my life I will neither use them nor hear in someone's speech.
Most importanlty saying that Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian can barely consider each other foreign languages is a big overstatement. It's pretty much like saying that Polish and Russian are the same.
Obviously there are similarities inside the language family groups, but this is a little too much.
Same with the part about democratisation in defferent languages - no, you're not learning four languages at the same time. You're learning one word in four languages. And probably end up mixing them up.
What I strongly agree with is that when you learn a language you should speak it whenever possible. Speaking is the most important aspect in my opinion. If you're about to use a language in daily life it's definitely going to be the spoken language. And because of that I don't like the way we're taught languages in schools. It's focused on grammar too much. Of course basics are necessary but the rest should come somewhat naturally. 'Cause seriously, who's going to check our grammar? Only tests we sit in schools or to get certificates.
As for my tricks to learn languages - I love listening to music, I always listen to music. And I sing along. This way I get a grasp of accents, at least a little. Plus checking for translations can boost one's vocabulary.
These are very good tips, I like the most one with getting surrounded by foreign language stuff like tv, movies, news etc. Sometimes even hearing a language in background can help you learn something new. That's something I definitely must do.
Do you know where I can find a partner for skype conversation? How does it work?
https://www.duolingo.com
However, I agree with some of the presented methods. I think it's crucial to use the language, listen, talk. TV series or music, as Aleksandra said, are a good and fun way to memorise words and expressions. Besides, I like to chat with people from other countries online and I think it really improves your vocabulary.
Anyway it is very important to include the language you're trying to learn to your life. Change your phone language to Swedish, put up some stickers with Japanese names all over your house, watch Spanish movies and try to find a native whom you could talk to in French. I've heard about some websites on which you may put an advertisement that for example you are searching for a Greek that wants to learn Polish - you set up a meeting for two hours, speak Greek for one of them and Polish for the other. It is beneficial for both of you and you don't pay for it.
Another very important thing is to speak a language that you're learning. In many cases people know grammar very well but they are afraid to speak a language because they're not fluent in it. It may be very helpful to put yourself in an environment where you HAVE TO speak a language you're learning, for example summer job in a foreign country. Fluency comes with practice, so practice, practice, practice!
The first thing to consider it if we want only to be able to comunicate with the forigners or we want to really know this language. I can't imagine talking with someone in the language which grammar I didn't tackled. Before I take classes with native speakers, I learn the whole grammar rules, I watch films in this language, I read books and watch TV. Then, when I'm fully aware of my skills, I use it in comunication with foreigners. I never use the language, when I know only the basis of it. When it comes to vocabulary, I try to practice it in every free moment, for example when I'm coming back to Warsaw from my hometown (it's about 3 h), I use the application which is called 'Quizlet'.
With this simple method (firstly grammar & vocabulary which is constantly boosted by natural forms of studying like books/movies etc. and then comunicating with others) I've learned English, German and French, and lately, I've began Norwegian. The most important is the inner motivation, the most suitable form of leaning will come itself.
1. Moving to the country where you can talk only this language. I think it is one of the best ways to learn it fast. After few weeks you will clearly understand oral language and after other few weeks you will brake language barrier.
2. Connecting to native speakers. If you don't have the opportunity to move to another country you can always find some friends that speak this language. Today there are a lot of web sites where you can find people from the other countries and just start chatting.
3. Reading, listening to music, watching videos. However, vocabulary is a very important thing. The more you know the easier you express your thoughts.
So I believe that best method to learn new language is to move to country that uses chosen language and just have native speakers all around so you can have that 'background noise' talk to you in foreign language.
I've also used Duolingo app and it's great - it allows you to learn language and reminds you about your daily dose of vocabulary. Also, what's missing when you buy 30 days course paperback edition, it helps you to learn basic pronunciation and signals you when something is wrong.
My personal favourite trick is forcing my brain to switch to thinking in another language - I believe that's the only way to get comfortable with any language and you will have to do that sooner or later anyway if you are trying to speak fluently.
However, by trying to do that at an early level of training you risk having problems with pronunciation - there's usually nobody to correct speaking mistakes inside your brain after all - something to remember!
Watching movies with subtitles or reading books can also be very helpful.
ON YouTube i have found very interesting lecture about learning languages (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0yGdNEWdn0).