EPTI am learning Japanese, and my level is somewhere between N4 and N3. I'll be able to fill in a number of resources for Japanese myself, but input for other languages would be awesome. I'll keep the op updated as best I can.
So, let's get started!
Why you should learn a new language
Learning a new language is challenging. In my opinion, the hardest part is staying motivated. Acquiring skills in a foreign language takes time. A lot of time. The time you spend is worth it. There are many benefits to learning a language
- Helps prevent Alzheimer's disease.
- New friends around the world
- Makes travel more fun
- Increases job opportunities
- Insane feeling of achievement when goals are reached
- Most degrees require some amount of language courses, you can test out of them if you start learning now
- Be a bad ass, at least where I'm from. It is stereotypical for Americans to only speak English. Set yourself apart and be awesome.
Where do I start?
So you want to learn, but aren't sure where to begin. The first step is the most obvious.
What language should you learn?
Answering this question takes a bit of self reflection, and you need to answer a question for yourself.
Why do you want to learn?
For fun, travel, etc!
If you want to learn just to learn, I suggest picking a culture that you are interested in, or a country that you want to visit and learning the respective language. This will help keep you motivated and give you more of a reason to study. Use your target language to learn about said culture or country so you can learn while you learn.
To get ahead!
Chinese or English. If you do not already know English, then learn it (Yes, I realize English must be known to understand this). Otherwise, learn Chinese. These are the world's most dominant languages and knowing them coupled with another opens more opportunities than any other combination of languages. But be warned, learning Chinese is not for the feint of heart. Be ready to take on tens of thousands of individual, complicated characters that must be learned for fluency, and pronunciation is no easy task, either. I have, on the other hand, heard some people say that Chinese is easier than English, but this is not my belief.
You play StarCraft
Korean
You're a nerd
Trekkie? Klingon
Fantasy Freak? Elvish
Programmer? Lojban
I wouldn't recommend any of these, to be honest. This is strictly learning only to learn and there are no real benefits beyond being able to speak to yourself and sound like the biggest nerd on the planet while no one understands you. If you really want to pick one of these, give Lojban a look, but it really isn't better than something similar - at least it will never be useful in my lifetime, nor my great grandchildren's.
My significant other is from X country
Cool, learn the language her family uses, and you will be regarded as a fantastic boyfriend/girlfriend by most of her relatives. But be careful, they know you can't understand them, and they ARE making fun of you to your face and laughing together because you don't know what's going on. You might hear something you don't want to hear unless you tell them you are learning.
How do I start actually learning
Language can be broken down into two components. Vocabulary and Grammar. You can't use one without the other, and this is why text books start with very simple phrases and conversations to give you a small vocabulary base before really even beginning grammar. I'm not really a fan of typical text books, it just isn't the style in which I prefer learning, but you have to start somewhere so they are probably your best bet. Check the resources section for recommendations on what material to actually get/use. Do not forget that the internet is loaded with language learning material. Don't be afraid to use google to find resources for your desired language. Please, please, please do not use google translate.
Learning by myself is boring
You're damn right it is! Find a language exchange partner! Get in touch with someone learning the same language you are. Get help from a native speaker. Become pen-pals with a native speaker so you can practice writing (My Japanese looks like it was written by a little kid). You can find a list of TL members at the bottom of this post.
Learning styles, and things you should know about how your brain retains information.
Being good at a language requires massive amounts of information committed to long-term memory. This information comes primarily in the form of vocabulary. "Survival language" or just enough to get buy without dying requires approximately 2,000 words.
6-year-olds know a little over 6,000 words. Highschool graduates should know more than 30,000 words.
So how do you catch up? It takes a lot of time to learn all of these words, it's best to first learn how to use that time wisely.
Typical methods of learning new words comes in the form of flash cards. We've all taken highschool Spanish, French, etc, and seen people with massive stacks of flash cards running through a set of them 30 times before a quiz, or maybe they go through their cards in a similar fashion at home. This is not a good method. Blasting through a set of cards over and over again will get the job done, but it will waste a lot of your time. Here's why:
Lets say our set of flash cards contains 15 words. We go through them 30 times in one day. We'll be able to remember all of the words, for... maybe a full day before we forget some of them. So we go through them again 30 times the next day to refresh our memory, and we'll remember them all for a bit longer - maybe two, or even three days. This is good, isn't it? We're learning so it must be!
Well, this is only sort of good. We are wasting a lot of time looking at words that we still remember rather well. This time could be spent learning new words and refreshing words that are fading. How do we do this? Spaced Repetition.
To explain this idea, let's simplify to one card in our set. We look at it and learn it, so there's no point in looking at it again until we start to forget what it means. Looking at it 30 times in one sitting might let you remember it for a day or two. Looking at it 30 times over the course of six months could allow you to remember this word for years. By extending the interval of time between subsequent views of every flash card, we can save time studying. This allows us to learn more words in a shorter period of time.
Check the resources section for programs that schedule flashcards for you!
Learning Resources
Categorized by target language
+ Show Spoiler [General use, applies to all] +
www.google.com
Use it! Look for books, movies to watch, forums, vocabulary lists, etc. Check prices, find other sources. The internet will be one of your greatest tools.
Textbook Series
http://www.pimsleur.com/
+ Show Spoiler [Pros and cons] +
On October 27 2012 02:22 JieXian wrote:
Pros: Builds fluency and aides remembering phrases and grammar effortlessly, listen to the native speak in imaginary scenarios.
Cons : It's targeted for married businessmen, doesn't explain the grammar rules in detail, just makes you repeat it, which is why I recommend listening to Michel Thomas first. Vocab is better than Michel Thomas but not better than Memrise or Anki but at least you get to hear the words in sentences. Russian one has phrases which are quite different than what a native would say, I don't know why
Pros: Builds fluency and aides remembering phrases and grammar effortlessly, listen to the native speak in imaginary scenarios.
Cons : It's targeted for married businessmen, doesn't explain the grammar rules in detail, just makes you repeat it, which is why I recommend listening to Michel Thomas first. Vocab is better than Michel Thomas but not better than Memrise or Anki but at least you get to hear the words in sentences. Russian one has phrases which are quite different than what a native would say, I don't know why
Vocabulary
- Flash card and Spaced Repetition tools -
Anki
My tool of choice. It's not as simple as some others, but very functional. Also has mobile app so you can study vocabulary on the go. Allows you to attach audio files to flash cards, pictures, etc. It was designed with Japanese in mind, so Chinese characters are fully supported. And even though I have not spent the time to set it up with mine, it also supports LaTeX, so you can use it to learn math equations.
http://ankisrs.net/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anki
Memrise
This one seems popular on TeamLiquid thanks to this thread. My experience with it so far is limited, but it seems like a basic browser based flash card tool that uses spaced repetition. Check the thread for more.
http://www.memrise.com/home/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memrise
- Dictionaries -
I have been told by many, as well as from my own experience (for Japanese and Latin) that Langenscheidt dictionaries are awesome
http://www.langenscheidt-education.com/
Language Exchange
http://www.sharedtalk.com/ - "There are a ton of users, and it's well moderated so you don't have to deal with too many creeps or weirdos." - FuRong
http://lang-8.com/ - Language exchange site designed around writing journals. Write in your target language, and native speakers will provide corrections and suggestions.
http://www.italki.com/ - "Italki is a wonderful resource if you are looking for language partners or people to correct your writing. You can also have skype lessons with professional teachers at a very affordable price." - Tal
www.livemocha.com - "This has some basic lessons for free. It's ok, anyone beyond the very basics will find it too easy. But it is a nice platform to find and interact with native speakers.
Busuu.com - same as livemocha." - DuunSuhuy
Listening, reading, writing and general understanding
http://www.youtube.com/ - Not kidding. Subscribe to some people who vlog in your target language to practice listening.
+ Show Spoiler [Chinese] +
Vocabulary
Pleco - It's available on iOS and Android. "Superior to anything else out there right now." - DuunSuhuy
Skritter - it's 9.99 a month, but it's a good spaced repetition program for learning to write Chinese characters.
Listening
http://chinesepod.com/ - They have updated a lot of their material and it has exercises pre-built for a lot of their lessons. A great learning structure. They have free podcasts, but the lessons are subscription based.
General Study
tv.sohu.com - Watch shows in Chinese + Show Spoiler [Recommendations] +
On October 28 2012 07:41 DuunSuhuy wrote:I would definitely check out:
非诚勿扰 - https://www.youtube.com/user/JSTVFeichengwurao (dating gameshow)
屌丝男士 - http://tv.sohu.com/s2012/diorsman/ (comedy sketches. A lot is funny even without knowing Chinese)
Both of these are great for colloquialisms and comedy. If anyone wants to PM me I can help find TV or Movies that would interest you.
非诚勿扰 - https://www.youtube.com/user/JSTVFeichengwurao (dating gameshow)
屌丝男士 - http://tv.sohu.com/s2012/diorsman/ (comedy sketches. A lot is funny even without knowing Chinese)
Both of these are great for colloquialisms and comedy. If anyone wants to PM me I can help find TV or Movies that would interest you.
+ Show Spoiler [German] +
Vocabulary
1,000 frequent words - Taken from subtitles of television shows and movies. + Show Spoiler [Anki card creation] +
"click on lemma form, copy paste that shit into your flashcard, download audiofile, add audio to flashcard, done." - REDBLUEGREEN
+ Show Spoiler [Japanese] +
Text Books
Yookoso - Used by the class I took for one semester
Genki - Recommend by a ton of Japanese learners
Minna no nihongo - Another very popular series of books.
Manga
Anyone interested in Japanese culture will know what manga is, and anyone wanting to learn the language will enjoy reading them. Sometimes difficult to find hardcopies, but thankfully my girlfriend is Japanese, so I can always get some through her. She might be willing to ship some to me so I can in turn send them to you guys - if you are interested, PM me.
-Beginners-
Doraemon
Crayon Shin-chan
Vocabulary
http://www.jlptstudy.net/ - Contains vocabulary lists for the JLPT, based on previous tests
Kanji
Kanji Alive - Fantastic tool for learning kanji. Great dictionary with multiple ways to search, provides stroke order animation, kanji meanings and readings, and most of them have mnemonics also
Heisig's Remembering the Kanji - Very popular source for learning kanji. + Show Spoiler [Wikipedia excerpt] +
The method differs markedly from traditional rote-memorization techniques practiced in most courses. The course teaches the student to utilize all the constituent parts of a kanji's written form—termed "primitives", combined with a mnemonic device that Heisig refers to as "imaginative memory". Each kanji (and each non-kanji primitive) is assigned a unique keyword. A kanji's written form and its keyword are associated by imagining a scene or story connecting the meaning of the given kanji with the meanings of all the primitives used to write that kanji.
The method requires the student to invent their own stories to associate the keyword meaning with the written form. The text presents detailed stories in Part I, proceeding through Part II with less verbose stories. This is to encourage the student to use the stories as practice for creating their own. After the 508 kanji in Parts I and II, the remainder of the kanji in Part III have the component keywords but no stories. However, in cases where the reader may be easily confused or for difficult kanji, Heisig often provides a small story or hint.
All the kanji are analysed by components—Heisig terms these "primitives"—which may be traditional radicals, other kanji themselves, or a collection of strokes not normally identified as independent entities. The basic primitives are introduced as needed throughout the book. This order is designed to introduce the kanji efficiently by building upon the primitives and kanji already learned, rather than learning the kanji based on the order of their frequency or the dictates of the jōyō kanji grading system.
The method requires the student to invent their own stories to associate the keyword meaning with the written form. The text presents detailed stories in Part I, proceeding through Part II with less verbose stories. This is to encourage the student to use the stories as practice for creating their own. After the 508 kanji in Parts I and II, the remainder of the kanji in Part III have the component keywords but no stories. However, in cases where the reader may be easily confused or for difficult kanji, Heisig often provides a small story or hint.
All the kanji are analysed by components—Heisig terms these "primitives"—which may be traditional radicals, other kanji themselves, or a collection of strokes not normally identified as independent entities. The basic primitives are introduced as needed throughout the book. This order is designed to introduce the kanji efficiently by building upon the primitives and kanji already learned, rather than learning the kanji based on the order of their frequency or the dictates of the jōyō kanji grading system.
Z-Kanji - "z-Kanji is a pretty good program you can download for free, its a english-japanese dictionary with some nice little features, you can f.e. display the JLPT level or the stroke order of the kanji" - Flip9
Grammar
Oxford's Japanese Grammar and Verbs - The Bible of Japanese verbs. I love this book. I saw a list on amazon for $100. DO NOT pay that much. I got mine at a bookstore for $15.
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/ - Tae Kim's guide, very popular. However, it was not made by a native speaker. I have been told some of the information is not entirely accurate, so compare to another source and read the comments.
Dictionaries
Langenscheidt's Japanese/English - Probably the best pocket dictionary you can find that exists in hardcopy
Jim Breen's
WWWJDIC - Highly regarded online dictionary
http://jisho.org/ - Another online dictionary
General Study
http://www.jlptstudy.net/forum/ - Great place to find information on the JLPT
Rikaikun - Chrome extension that translates highlighted material, including kanji. Gives pronunciation for the kanji, also. Very great tool.
Nintendo DS - Play games in Japanese. There are also a lot of games for learning Kanji, as you can practice writing on the DS. I actually play Pokemon white in Japanese on my white DS (white ones are only available in Japan) that I got during my first visit to Tokyo.
animecrazy.net - Anime fans~ For advanced learners, I think a lot of the shows have raw versions available. Most shows have English subtitles. Check the anime discussion thread for ideas on what to watch
+ Show Spoiler [Korean] +
General Study
Talk to Me in Korean "I don't know about the quality of it in higher levels, but the start (level 1-2) is really good and focused on (formal) everyday things and dialogues, which are easily understandable." - FeelTHeBluEZ
Exchange Partners
categorized by native language.
Learn from native speakers
Learn from native speakers
---
If you want to be added to the list of exchange partners, please fill out the form in the spoiler
+ Show Spoiler +
TL: TL.net Username
Skype:
Spoken Lang: native and other languages - level included
Target lang : Target language and current ability
Comment: if you have any special proposition to make, for example, a certain area you want to focus on
Skype:
Spoken Lang: native and other languages - level included
Target lang : Target language and current ability
Comment: if you have any special proposition to make, for example, a certain area you want to focus on
---
+ Show Spoiler [Chinese] +
TL: JieXian
Skype: PM for info
Target Languages:
French (B2),
Spanish (B1),
Portugese - functional,
German and Russian - terrible with all the grammar but functional with the internet by my side
Native/Spoken languages: English, Chinese, Malay
+ Show Spoiler [Comment] +
I don't speak like the English or anything but I can definitely help you since I've been using these 3 languages all my life.
I'm learning languages because I find it fascinating because it's about it's history, culture and moreover, people.
And it feels bloody awesome to be able to talk to someone who you otherwise wouldn't be able to or wouldn't be talking to or understand that song you've liked or understand the subtleties that translations miss in movies and music.
Please PM me and we'll chat via Skype or MSN, or if you just want to chat with someone from Malaysia, especially if you love music :D
I'm learning languages because I find it fascinating because it's about it's history, culture and moreover, people.
And it feels bloody awesome to be able to talk to someone who you otherwise wouldn't be able to or wouldn't be talking to or understand that song you've liked or understand the subtleties that translations miss in movies and music.
Please PM me and we'll chat via Skype or MSN, or if you just want to chat with someone from Malaysia, especially if you love music :D
+ Show Spoiler [English] +
TL: AirbladeOrange
Skype: PM me
Spoken Lang: English (native)
Target lang : German (I'm currently only at a very basic level)
Comment: I'm interested in short Skype learning conversations and finding a penpal
TL: DuunSuhuy
Skype: brown.eric.m
Native Lang: English
Target Lang: Mandarin (A2/B1); Swedish
TL: Flicky
Skype: PM for info
Target Lang: German, A1, maybe A2~
+ Show Spoiler [Comment] +
if you have a B2 or C1 level of English I can chat with you to help you improve and explain the more subtle nuances in british english.
TL: Kohonski
Skype: PM for info
Spoken Lang: English (Fluent)
Target lang : Korean (Very basic/elementary. About a month of study)
TL: Marimokkori
Skype: Nuada2723
Fluent Lang: English (Native)
Target Lang: Japanese, basic conversation, N4
TL: Meepman
Skype: PM for info
Spoken Lang: English (native)
Target lang : French fluency
Comment: + Show Spoiler +
Don't know how good of a teacher I can be, but I'm definitely willing to put serious time into it.
TL: Nanikure
skype: P337isL337
native lang: English
Spoken lang: Thai B2, Japanese A2/B1
Target lang: Japanese Intermediate
+ Show Spoiler [Comment] +
I'm looking for someone to practice writing/speaking with. I also play League of Legends a lot if anyone wants practice while gaming.
+ Show Spoiler [French] +
TL: Anatase
Skype: PM for info
Spoken language : French, English (B2/C1)
Target Lang: Chinese, basics
+ Show Spoiler [Comment] +
So if you are a mandarin speaker and want to learn french i am all-in for an exchange. Arguably i also propose that we play some games (ie sc/dota2/ w/e) and try individually to speak/comment in our target language; for example : if you want to say "i'm getting badly raped there i need help" you should try to say "je me fais défoncer, j'ai besoin d'aide" (good familiar translation if you ever need.
+ Show Spoiler [German] +
TL: FeelTHeBluEZ
Skype: freakonacage
Target Lang: Korean, beginner - 2months of study
Also fluent in: English
TL: Flip9
Skype: please PM me for info
Spoken Lang: German (mother language), English (Fluently, learned it almost 10 years at school)
Target lang : Japanese (between JLPT N4 and N3)
+ Show Spoiler [Comment] +
I seriously study japanese for 3 years but unfortunately have to learn the most on my own. I like learning kanji, but my grammar and speaking skills are very poor.
If you speak no Japanese and want to chat in german, thats OK for me too.
Just PM me your skype name please
If you speak no Japanese and want to chat in german, thats OK for me too.
Just PM me your skype name please
TL: r3dox
Skype: pm me
Spoken: German
Target: korean ^^
TL: Toadesstern
Skype: PM for info
Target Lang: Japanese
Also fluent: English
+ Show Spoiler [Italian] +
TL: Ergalle
Skype: via PM
Spoken: Italian (native), English
Target: korean (basic)
TL: Hatsu
Skype: PM for info
Can also help with English
+ Show Spoiler [Maylay] +
TL: JieXian
Skype: PM for info
Target Languages:
French (B2),
Spanish (B1),
Portugese - functional,
German and Russian - terrible with all the grammar but functional with the internet by my side
Native/Spoken languages: English, Chinese, Malay
+ Show Spoiler [Comment] +
I don't speak like the English or anything but I can definitely help you since I've been using these 3 languages all my life.
+ Show Spoiler [Portuguese] +
TL: LA_Morello
Skype: caiomorello
Native Lang: Portuguese
Spoken Lang: Portuguese and English
Target lang : Japanese
Comment: i'm not thaaaaat fluent in English and I do have a strange accent, haha. We can play some games, for sure.
+ Show Spoiler [Romanian] +
TL: InfusedTT.DaZe
Skype:spqrdaze
Native lang: Romanian
Spoken lang: English C2, French B1
Target lang: Japanese begginer
+ Show Spoiler [Vietnamese] +
TL: foxj
Skype: PM for info
Spoken Lang: Vietnamese ( native ) - English ( writing and speaking )
Target lang : Korean beginner or Thai beginner, English ( Read comment )
Comment: + Show Spoiler +
Surely i can communicate by writing well. But my listening skill is just horrible, mistakes in pronounce and I lack of the confidence in conversation. I really hope this thread will help me out 
Thanks a lot
ps: I have the interests in Thai and korean as well but i have no idea about them, would love to learn one first if any native speaker help me
Thanks a lotps: I have the interests in Thai and korean as well but i have no idea about them, would love to learn one first if any native speaker help me
Study Partners
categorized by target language.
Learn together with others at your level
Learn together with others at your level
+ Show Spoiler [Chinese Learners] +
TL: Anatase
Skype: PM for info
Spoken language : French, English (B2/C1)
Target Lang: Chinese, basics
+ Show Spoiler [Comment] +
So if you are a mandarin speaker and want to learn french i am all-in for an exchange. Arguably i also propose that we play some games (ie sc/dota2/ w/e) and try individually to speak/comment in our target language; for example : if you want to say "i'm getting badly raped there i need help" you should try to say "je me fais défoncer, j'ai besoin d'aide" (good familiar translation if you ever need.
TL: DuunSuhuy
Skype: brown.eric.m
Native Lang: English
Target Lang: Mandarin (A2/B1); Swedish
+ Show Spoiler [English Learners] +
TL: foxj
Skype: PM for info
Spoken Lang: Vietnamese ( native ) - English ( writing and speaking )
Target lang : Korean beginner or Thai beginner, English ( Read comment )
Comment: + Show Spoiler +
Surely i can communicate by writing well. But my listening skill is just horrible, mistakes in pronounce and I lack of the confidence in conversation. I really hope this thread will help me out Thanks a lot
ps: I have the interests in Thai and korean as well but i have no idea about them, would love to learn one first if any native speaker help me
Thanks a lotps: I have the interests in Thai and korean as well but i have no idea about them, would love to learn one first if any native speaker help me
+ Show Spoiler [French Learners] +
TL: Meepman
Skype: PM for info
Spoken Lang: English (native)
Target lang : French fluency
Comment: + Show Spoiler +
Don't know how good of a teacher I can be, but I'm definitely willing to put serious time into it.
+ Show Spoiler [German Learners] +
TL: AirbladeOrange
Skype: PM me
Spoken Lang: English (native)
Target lang : German (I'm currently only at a very basic level)
Comment: I'm interested in short Skype learning conversations and finding a penpal
TL: Flicky
Skype: PM for info
Native Lang: English
Target Lang: German, A1, maybe A2~
+ Show Spoiler [Japanese learners] +
TL: Flip9
Skype: please PM me for info
Spoken Lang: German (mother language), English (Fluently, learned it almost 10 years at school)
Target lang : Japanese (between JLPT N4 and N3)
+ Show Spoiler [Comment] +
I seriously study japanese for 3 years but unfortunately have to learn the most on my own. I like learning kanji, but my grammar and speaking skills are very poor.
If you speak no Japanese and want to chat in german, thats OK for me too.
Just PM me your skype name please
If you speak no Japanese and want to chat in german, thats OK for me too.
Just PM me your skype name please
TL: InfusedTT.DaZe
Skype:spqrdaze
Native lang: Romanian
Spoken lang: English C2, French B1
Target lang: Japanese begginer
TL: LA_Morello
Skype: caiomorello
Native Lang: Portuguese
Spoken Lang: Portuguese and English
Target lang : Japanese
Comment: i'm not thaaaaat fluent in English and I do have a strange accent, haha. We can play some games, for sure.
TL: Nanikure
skype: P337isL337
native lang: English
Spoken lang: Thai B2, Japanese A2/B1
Target lang: Japanese Intermediate
+ Show Spoiler [Comment] +
I'm looking for someone to practice writing/speaking with. I also play League of Legends a lot if anyone wants practice while gaming.
TL: Marimokkori
Skype: Nuada2723
Fluent Lang: English
Target Lang: Japanese, basic conversation, N4
TL: Toadesstern
Skype: PM for info
Fluent Lang: German (native), English
Target Lang: Japanese
+ Show Spoiler [Korean Learners] +
TL: Ergalle
Skype: via PM
Spoken: Italian (native), English
Target: korean (basic)
TL: foxj
Skype: PM for info
Spoken Lang: Vietnamese ( native ) - English ( writing and speaking )
Target lang : Korean beginner or Thai beginner, English ( Read comment )
Comment: + Show Spoiler +
Surely i can communicate by writing well. But my listening skill is just horrible, mistakes in pronounce and I lack of the confidence in conversation. I really hope this thread will help me out Thanks a lot
ps: I have the interests in Thai and korean as well but i have no idea about them, would love to learn one first if any native speaker help me
Thanks a lotps: I have the interests in Thai and korean as well but i have no idea about them, would love to learn one first if any native speaker help me
TL: Kohonski
Skype: PM for info
Spoken Lang: English (Fluent)
Target lang : Korean (Very basic/elementary. About a month of study)
TL: FeelTHeBluEZ
Skype: freakonacage
Fluent Lang: German (native); English
Target Lang: Korean, beginner - 2months of study
TL: r3dox
Skype: pm me
Spoken: German
Target: korean ^^
+ Show Spoiler [Thai Learners] +
TL: foxj
Skype: PM for info
Spoken Lang: Vietnamese ( native ) - English ( writing and speaking )
Target lang : Korean beginner or Thai beginner, English ( Read comment )
Comment: + Show Spoiler +
Surely i can communicate by writing well. But my listening skill is just horrible, mistakes in pronounce and I lack of the confidence in conversation. I really hope this thread will help me out Thanks a lot
ps: I have the interests in Thai and korean as well but i have no idea about them, would love to learn one first if any native speaker help me
Thanks a lotps: I have the interests in Thai and korean as well but i have no idea about them, would love to learn one first if any native speaker help me
+ Show Spoiler [Crazy guy learning too much at once] +
TL: JieXian
Skype: PM for info
Fluent Lang: Chinese, Maylay, English
Target Languages:
French (B2),
Spanish (B1),
Portugese - functional,
German and Russian - terrible with all the grammar but functional with the internet by my side
Native/Spoken languages: English, Chinese, Malay
+ Show Spoiler [Comment] +
I don't speak like the English or anything but I can definitely help you since I've been using these 3 languages all my life.
I'm learning languages because I find it fascinating because it's about it's history, culture and moreover, people.
And it feels bloody awesome to be able to talk to someone who you otherwise wouldn't be able to or wouldn't be talking to or understand that song you've liked or understand the subtleties that translations miss in movies and music.
Please PM me and we'll chat via Skype or MSN, or if you just want to chat with someone from Malaysia, especially if you love music :D
I'm learning languages because I find it fascinating because it's about it's history, culture and moreover, people.
And it feels bloody awesome to be able to talk to someone who you otherwise wouldn't be able to or wouldn't be talking to or understand that song you've liked or understand the subtleties that translations miss in movies and music.
Please PM me and we'll chat via Skype or MSN, or if you just want to chat with someone from Malaysia, especially if you love music :D
Study Tips
Taken from posts in this thread as well as around the web
-Take breaks while studying. It's easier on your mind/body and you remember better if you take short breaks between intervals of studying
-Get new words to learn from things like TV shows and articles, don't pick random words because you don't know how common they are.
-Use new words after you learn them. Use them in your next conversation with an exchange partner, or your next journal on lang-8. This dramatically increases retention rate and recall ability.
-Study vocabulary BOTH ways. + Show Spoiler +
This means (in my case) be able to recognize a Japanese word and know the meaning in English, AND be able to produce the word in Japanese when given the English meaning. Studying both will help not just your comprehension, but you will write and speak more naturally with fewer pauses to think of vocabulary.
-Speak in your target language as much as possible
-Get a hold of an audio lesson program. Pimsleur or Michel Thomas spring to mind.
General links for more information
Spaced Repetition
Spacing Effect - Idea behind Spaced Repetition
Language Education - Typical teaching styles and ideas behind them
