Learning a new language
Discussion
FWIW, I have long drives from the UK to Italy and back and have the Michel Thomas Italian (basic and advanced) CDs loaded up on a memory stick to run though my car audio.
I find that works quite well although doubtless there are a number of Italians, Germans and Dutch regaling their friends with stories of the English nutter talking to himself as he whizzes down the autobahn.
I find that works quite well although doubtless there are a number of Italians, Germans and Dutch regaling their friends with stories of the English nutter talking to himself as he whizzes down the autobahn.
Sorry this is off topic but a mate and his wife moved to France.
Sold up and bought a big farmhouse, settled for life or so we thought.
Six months later and they’re on their way home.
The reason is they couldn’t speak the language so he couldn’t get a job there !!
You gotta wonder about some folk.
Drawweight said:
Sorry this is off topic but a mate and his wife moved to France.
Sold up and bought a big farmhouse, settled for life or so we thought.
Six months later and they’re on their way home.
The reason is they couldn’t speak the language so he couldn’t get a job there !!
You gotta wonder about some folk.
Sold up and bought a big farmhouse, settled for life or so we thought.
Six months later and they’re on their way home.
The reason is they couldn’t speak the language so he couldn’t get a job there !!
You gotta wonder about some folk.
All the countries a “Rosbif” could pick and not speaka da lingo ... and they pick the land of the garlic and cheese eating surrender monkeys
psi310398 said:
FWIW, I have long drives from the UK to Italy and back and have the Michel Thomas Italian (basic and advanced) CDs loaded up on a memory stick to run though my car audio.
I find that works quite well although doubtless there are a number of Italians, Germans and Dutch regaling their friends with stories of the English nutter talking to himself as he whizzes down the autobahn.
MH is old school but I’m quite sure still works brilliantly - his technique suited me whilst learning the basics of French. I find that works quite well although doubtless there are a number of Italians, Germans and Dutch regaling their friends with stories of the English nutter talking to himself as he whizzes down the autobahn.
Googie said:
Thank you but the language I want isn’t listed on there. I can’t attend college/night school.Might help if you tell us what language you are trying to learn?
For mainstream languages there is now lots of free stuff on YouTube. A google search should also bring up other free resources on the web.
I’ve taught myself a few languages (have been struggling with current language Japanese for over two years). Lots of effort is the key. Try doing something every day.
For mainstream languages there is now lots of free stuff on YouTube. A google search should also bring up other free resources on the web.
I’ve taught myself a few languages (have been struggling with current language Japanese for over two years). Lots of effort is the key. Try doing something every day.
Ruskie said:
So I’m go to try to learn a new language to assist with a new job role.
What are the best apps/websites paid or free? Can afford to give it 30 mins a day at least possibly more.
First up, you have a definite goal i.e. work related. Second, you need a realistic idea of what level you need to be at, what timescales, and how much effort is required. Have a look at the Common European Framework of Reference for LanguagesWhat are the best apps/websites paid or free? Can afford to give it 30 mins a day at least possibly more.
I would honestly forget apps for the time being - Duolingo is good to get an introductory flavour, that's it - and do some research on your chosen language to get a feel for a good text/work book & materials to get the basics, and then use iTalki or similar to find a 1-2-1 teacher. 30 mins - 1 hour w/ a dedicated teacher is much, much better (and cheaper in the long-run) than evening / weekend classes.
I would advise using flashcards (Anki is a powerful SRS - spaced repetition software - but is a swiss tool that requires significant set-up to get the best out of it) software because you need to do some learning everyday to retain knowledge from short-term into long-term memory.
Spend some initial upfront time on learning efficiently, and then doing some research on the different options to achieve efficient results. Unless you actively use the language, what you have learnt will start to erode.
Edited by putonghua73 on Wednesday 12th February 17:44
Ruskie said:
So I’m go to try to learn a new language to assist with a new job role.
What are the best apps/websites paid or free? Can afford to give it 30 mins a day at least possibly more.
What I would do is go to your local University, find someone who is a native of the language you want and offer them £10 per hour to teach you...... What are the best apps/websites paid or free? Can afford to give it 30 mins a day at least possibly more.
Jasandjules said:
Ruskie said:
So I’m go to try to learn a new language to assist with a new job role.
What are the best apps/websites paid or free? Can afford to give it 30 mins a day at least possibly more.
What I would do is go to your local University, find someone who is a native of the language you want and offer them £10 per hour to teach you...... What are the best apps/websites paid or free? Can afford to give it 30 mins a day at least possibly more.
Stuart70 said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Ora è in palio!
(obscure joke, unlikely to be got by anyone)
I am being thick - “now it is in play” would be my rough translation, don’t get the joke - am I missing some idiomatic Italian?(obscure joke, unlikely to be got by anyone)
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Stuart70 said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Ora è in palio!
(obscure joke, unlikely to be got by anyone)
I am being thick - “now it is in play” would be my rough translation, don’t get the joke - am I missing some idiomatic Italian?(obscure joke, unlikely to be got by anyone)
Ruskie said:
Dari is the Language. I am working full time abroad and moving around so getting a teacher/1 to 1 isn’t an option.
An app would suit my learning style and enable me to jump in and out with a spare hour. The only one I have found with Dari is Utalk.
1-2-1 teacher *is* still an option - just not F2F. When I returned to the UK after 6 months in China, I used iTalki to find a Chinese teacher. My 2nd attempt was successful (the first one was a failure early on during the trial lessons). We used Skype to communicate.An app would suit my learning style and enable me to jump in and out with a spare hour. The only one I have found with Dari is Utalk.
That said, there are only 2 community tutors providing Dari 1-2-1 on iTalki (the experienced one charges $12 per hour).
Apps provide supplementary learning. You need primary learning re: books, media, teacher, native speaker (practice) et al. Whatever you decide, you really will need access to a native speaker because you'll only develop and progress through using the language.
All the best!
putonghua73 said:
Ruskie said:
Dari is the Language. I am working full time abroad and moving around so getting a teacher/1 to 1 isn’t an option.
An app would suit my learning style and enable me to jump in and out with a spare hour. The only one I have found with Dari is Utalk.
1-2-1 teacher *is* still an option - just not F2F. When I returned to the UK after 6 months in China, I used iTalki to find a Chinese teacher. My 2nd attempt was successful (the first one was a failure early on during the trial lessons). We used Skype to communicate.An app would suit my learning style and enable me to jump in and out with a spare hour. The only one I have found with Dari is Utalk.
That said, there are only 2 community tutors providing Dari 1-2-1 on iTalki (the experienced one charges $12 per hour).
Apps provide supplementary learning. You need primary learning re: books, media, teacher, native speaker (practice) et al. Whatever you decide, you really will need access to a native speaker because you'll only develop and progress through using the language.
All the best!
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