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Friday, June 20, 2014

Want to Learn Another Language? Try this

It's a no-brainer. Knowing another language opens your world. 



I see it with my own husband. His first language is Spanish, but he is also fluent in English and speaks it better than many native speakers. He understands and can function in Portuguese, Italian, and French, as well as Spanish dialects and regional languages, such as Gallego (Galician) and Euskara (Basque).



I, on the other hand, struggle with languages. So, I have searched long and hard for ways to learn another language. For many people, Rosetta Stone is a good option, and writer Tim Ferris, of The Four Hour Workweek alleges that you an learn any language in three monthsbut there are other options as well, many that mirror Rosetta Stone's approach. 

1. Go to school. 
I went to the Boston Language Institute and took an intensive full-time Spanish immersion class before I went to Spain for the first time. It's expensive, but it works. Being immersed in a language is a matter of survival. If you have to communicate, you learn. 



But, there are often classes at local adult continuing education programs. They may be offered through a community college or a local high school. It's a great way to get started. 

2. Meet-Up
Look online for local Meet-Ups. In many places around the country (and around the world, for that matter) are conversational events, where speakers at all levels can interact and learn. 



Even novices have much opportunity to learn. The first stage of language acquisition is known as the silent period, where students listen and absorb everything, decoding what they can before they feel comfortable experimenting with oral language production. Sometimes, simply listening to another language is helpful, as you become familiar with cadence, accents and cognates. 

3. Apps
Today, there are scores of language learning apps, but the one I use most frequently is DuoLingo. DuoLingo is a free app that offers language learning in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and English. It incorporates the four language domains: reading, writing, speaking and listening. And it's all free. 

4. Online language learning
Sometimes, you can find online programs. For example, the BBC offers a program called Mi Vida Loca, a Spanish learning program set in Madrid. 



It's a mystery series featuring 22 episodes of real action video lasting ten minutes each. It's fun and engaging and there's emphasis on conversational and functional language. And it's free. 




5. Live Mocha
Live Mocha is an online language community (bought by Rosetta Stone in 2013) that offers opportunities to engage in 38 languages in the four domains. There is a free component and an option to pay for additional benefits. 




There is no doubt that learning a second language opens your world. Experts stay that it stimulates your brain and can help with memory and protecting against dementia. 

With so many options available at so many price points (and many free options), learning a second language is a win-win. 

Where will you go?

Have you ever learned a second language? What tools did you use?




25 comments:

  1. Great article! My husband travels and wants something he can listen to while driving. Any recommendations?

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    1. Thank you, Sarah. My husband has used a cd series he picked up at Barnes and Noble. I will look to see if I can find it to let you know. Also, maybe there's a podcast. And then, there's the TuneIn Radio app, where you can listen to radio stations from around the world. :-)

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  2. You wrote this at the perfect time. I need to get back into my Rosetta and although I've never heard of Live Mocha or DuoLingo I'm checking them out now as well. Thanks!

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    1. Thank you, Farin! I hope you find the right one for you. :-) Good luck!

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  3. Thank you! I love this. We've decided to teach our daughter Latin when she is four or five, and have been weighing our options. Rosetta Stone looks good, but so does this company they bought.

    Community colleges are such a great resource. I've been longing to start on the extensive coursework in glass blowing that my local cc offers, but just don't have the resources for both the cost of the classes and the babysitters to watch baby!

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    1. How wonderful that you are teaching your daughter Latin. Knowing another language is such a benefit. College courses are expensive. Perhaps the free online courses are another option. Good luck, and thank you so much for stopping by. :-)

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  4. I learned Portuguese as a missionary, but don't practise like I should to keep it up!

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    1. Hi Stephanie,
      I find that if I don't practice speaking, I lose it. Keep it up....knowing another language is such an asset. :-) Maybe you can download Duolingo and practice again.

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  5. I tried to learn some Spanish, through Rosetta Stone, before I went to Spain and it was just a fail! I definitely need to be immersed in the language and try to "survive" in order to learn. I actually learned MORE just being in Spain, then I did with Rosetta Stone. Total waste of money!!!

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    1. Immersion is the way to go, for sure. However, knowing basic vocabulary does help. Immersion is about survival...you will learn because you have to. How did you do with Gallego? :-)

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  6. What a great way to expand life! And it's something I really want my kids to have - another language (or two!)

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    1. That's so wonderful that you want to teach your children other languages. Knowing another language is such an asset. :-) It opens your world. Best of luck! Thank you so much for stopping by.

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  7. duolingo is the best app ever! I'm currently using it to brush up on my italian (I've taken it for four years at school but it's important to me that I keep it up, as well as learning french!

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    1. Hi Natalie,
      I love DuoLingo too....though I'm currently stuck in a level. :-) Knowing another language is such an asset. :-) It opens your world. Best of luck!

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  8. Very cool options. I like the duolingo app! I think I'll download that.

    I took spanish for 8 years and can still understand a lot of it but stumble over speaking it because when you're not using it, your knack for it fades, as does your comfort level!

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    1. Hi Steph,
      I find that if I don't practice speaking, I lose it. Keep it up....knowing another language is such an asset. :-) Download Duolingo and practice again...it will all come back.

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  9. I'm an English speaker but when growing up in Quebec learning French is a must because that's the language of the majority. I had the good fortune of having a bilingual father and very good French teachers in school. Bonne journée! [Have a good day.]

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    1. Hello! You're so lucky to have grown up in a bilingual home. Knowing another language opens your world. :-) And it's good for the brain. A win-win. Thank you so much for stopping by. Bonne journée to you as well. :-)

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  10. That's a lovely article. I've been wanting to learn a second language as well and be somewhat fluent at it. In high school they gave us Rosetta Stone instead of having a teacher teach us and sadly to say I really didn't learn much. I think I am just one of those people who rather be taught with an actual teacher who can correct me if I say something wrong or anything like that. I actually wanted to learn Spanish and ASL (American Sign Language). I thought it'd be beneficial somehow to what I want grow up to be.

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    1. Hi Jazzmine,
      Knowing another language opens your world. :-) And it's good for the brain. A win-win. Thank you so much for stopping by. Good luck. :-)

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  11. HI. I have friends that when moved to America, started watching the news in English to learn the language. My son will now watch cartoons in another language, so I often wonder if I tried, would I learn, too. Just a fun idea.

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    1. Hi Caryn,
      I have heard that from others as well...they watch the Spanish-language soap operas. I'm sure it can't hurt. :-) Cartoons are probably a better choice...less drama. ;-) Thank you so much for stopping by.

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  12. These are great Kelly! I love Spanish and knew many words and such after high school and living in Arizona. When I moved to Philly- no one spoke Spanish. So after years of forgetting everything, all the sudden we have a big influx of Spanish speakers! Thanks for sharing. A re-learn to begin with might be very nice! Thanks for the idea!

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    1. Hi Peggy,
      I find that if I don't practice speaking, I lose it. And I definitely do better if I try and think in Spanish. Give it another try....knowing another language is such an asset. :-) Download Duolingo and practice again...it will all come back.

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  13. These are great tips. I tried to learn French through Rosetta Stone a few years ago, but without people to interact with in French (not too many in Chicago), I lost much of what I have learned. I guess I will just have to ditch my responsibilities and go live in France for awhile, huh?

    Amanda
    www.queenofthelandoftwigsnberries.com

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