learning a new language

[TUG]

Has anyone thought about it, or done it? Reason i ask is, i want to learn italian for the Aprilia stuff and german for the bmw's. Why you ask? Just incase i feel like leaving country and being a spanner monkey abroad, besides it will give me a decent goal and get me out the house.

I was thinking of joining a night school or something and maybe getting a few books and software to help me, but what helped you lot out most?
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Haz ER-5, innit!

[st3v3]

I started to learn Spanish, know a bit of German from school since I wanted to be fluent in business/computer terms...

Didn't quite finish but it's easy stuff imo.
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Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[colin1]

learn some vocab, learn some grammar, then take a block of text in the foreign language, and break it down line by line until you understand it underlining and looking up words you dont know.

The more vocab you learn, the quicker it will become.

Also, watch movies in english but with foreign subtitles.

So for example, use torrents to download the dark knight with german subtitles. You still enjoy the movie in english, but pick up a bit of german along the way.

Its much easier to do it this way than watch a foreign film with english subtitles and try to work out the dialogue. You can do this too though, when you get good.

3000 words is a good starting point for learning a language, so you can start being able to learn by reading or listening

you can learn them by making flash cards

one side english, one side with the foreign word
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Flip]

[Ariel Badger]

Volcab is one thing but you also need grammar. I speak Russian and it is a grammatically top heavy language. You need both the formality of lessons and the informality of conversational practice with native speakers. Look for a good school, places that only offer holiday courses are not worth doing.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[superstacker]

Like Arial above me, I'm a Russian learner as well, and can vouch for the grammar being quite a handful!

My advice to anyone who is interested in starting in a language?

Get onto your favourite Torrent site, and download Levels 1-3 in Pimsleur in your chosen language. The lessons are half hour each and each level is 30 lessons.

Meanwhile, you want to be working on Michel Thomas Foundation, Advanced and possibly Vocabulary if they do it in your language.

All of which will be available in the Torrent world, and will give you a pretty good grasp of the grammar and your first few hundred words.

Expect it to be hard, expect you have your off days. If you need any more info, keep plugging here or do a google for "Language Learning Forum", lots of good advice on there.

Good luck!

[D O G]

Ho studiato Italiano fra un'anno, con mia espousa. Usiamo un libro, e ascoltiamo a CD in nostra macchina, con le nostre ragazze.

Non è facile trovare il tempo per studiare, ma troviamo tre o quattro ore per settimane nelle sere.

Penso c'è molto importante studiare con un amico, allora fate il conversazione. Mi piace il studio, e la linga Italiano e abbastanza facile, quando hai i rudimenti.

Il mio Italiano è rudimentalo ora, ma posso scrivere questo post senzo aiuto, tranne cerco alcune parole nel dizionario.

Buona fortuna!

[hellkat]

[GhostRider]

[Clanger]

I learnt a little Spanish at night class, I find learning easier if in a regulated environment, and other people to chat to and listen to and pictures and repeating and practice.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[NickD]

I think evening classes are the way forward, depending on how much other support you have. I messed with books for years before taking classes, and I wish I'd just done classes from the start.

I agree with DOG about having someone you can speak with regularly. I asked my Senseis not to speak to me in English anymore, and they were happy to help. I don't always get what they're saying first time (or even second time), but I reckon it really helps.
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I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Redoko]

Everyone talks English.


Eventually it will be English around the globe.
Don't bother.
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"Let's face it, this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing."
Sudika Sportsman SK50QT > Gilera DNA50 > Honda CBR125 RW7 > Kawasaki Zephyr750 > Suzuki GSXR600 > Honda Hornet CB600F '51

[Flip]

[colin1]

[hellkat]

I wish someone would tell that to all them foreign cunts shouting into their mobiles on my bus, then.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[colin1]

Once again, hellkat is more hardcore than hetzer, as he protects his karma by saying cvnts, rather than hellkats i-dont-give-a-shit version.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[MarJay]

[phantomtek]

I am in the process of learning German as I love the language and hope to move there one day, and would prefer to have the language learnt rather than expect the Germans to know what I am on about, as it is their country (though to be fair most of them do know English due to schools etc.)

I think it would always be a more fulfilling experience to know the language even on a holiday. I have downloaded a program called 'Rosetta Stone' which seems to be working well so far, just need to put more time into it on my part. All you need is a microphone input and it has voice recognition and visual input games to recap what you have learnt.

Would recommend if you can find it.

[ms51ves3]

I'm another Russian learner but just use a phrasebook I picked up from the library.

[Jenks]

[D O G]

How have you found the move to Germany from a language perspective?

Oh, and Hellkat, I said I did it without help, but I didn't say how long it took me!!

[Ariel Badger]

[phantomtek]

Its ok for free, teaches the basics, but I reckon if I'm ever to become fluent I would need proper classes or the best thing would be to move to Germany and immerse myself that way!

You been there long? Where abouts are you living? Do you have a job? How much did the move cost etc?

My Dad used to live in Hanover so I think if I was ever to move it would be to there because I already have roots there still so to speak!

[colin1]

[Ariel Badger]