the best way of lerning language

IP: *.brnt.cable.ntl.com 01.05.08, 00:27
Let's try to make a list of the best ways to learn languages.
Schools?
No, everyone knows that you learn almost nothing there (especially
when u are a teenager);
Travels?
Yep 50% if u know at least a bit.
a talkative boyfriend - 75% if u have a chance to say anything when
he is tired with talking...
    • Gość: Margot Re: the best way of learning language IP: *.brnt.cable.ntl.com 01.05.08, 00:29
      :)
      • jonathan.oakley Re: the best way of learning language 01.05.08, 11:19
        Another way is to put yourself under pressure and speak it on the
        street. When I was learning to speak Chinese Cantonese (I have
        forgotten most of it!!) I used to go down to the markets (in Hong
        Kong) and try to barter with the sreet vendors..its interesting as
        you pick up the 'local' way of speaking...but can also infuse your
        speech with too much slang!
        • Gość: iza Re: the best way of learning language IP: 83.1.112.* 05.05.08, 23:29
          Hyde Park Corner is one of the finest places to:
          -listen to 'lecturers'
          -ask them
          -talk to yourself

          -years ago I met an English lady,who told me her story of learning a foreign language
          -she married to a German man and wanted to speak his mother tongue
          -every day she picked up a morning paper and learned by heart,the best in her opinion,headline
          -she acted like an actress on stage,watching herself in a huge bedroom mirror....

          -as time went by,she learned longer lines,articles,poetry
          -her husband was impressed by her achievements
          -the reason why he didn't want to help her speak German was his anger with the war world 2


          The lady was very helpful and kind to me
          I will always remember her pieces of advice how to speak English clearly (in my case it is English)

          And one day,if the topic of a romantic love story comes,I will drop some lines from HER life

          kind regards

          • jonathan.oakley Re: the best way of learning language 06.05.08, 12:02
            Nice story! One of my students is desparate to change his job..4
            weeks ago he spoke zero English..now he can hold a basic
            conversation...he is doing well, I believe, because he has a passion
            to learn the language..much like the lady you mention.

            Speakers Corner is a fun place to listen to English though of some
            of the 'lecturers' are 1 sandwich short of a picnic!
            • Gość: iza Re: the best way of learning language IP: 83.1.112.* 06.05.08, 17:29
              Have you heard of Birkenbihl's method?

              Vera Birkenbihl is a psychologist,who:
              -created a painless and joyful method of learning a foreign language
              -is fluent in several languages

              kind regards,
              • jonathan.oakley Re: the best way of learning language 06.05.08, 23:34
                I think the Birkenbihl method is based on learning/translating word
                for word ...which makes sense if the 2nd language is vastly
                different from your own.

                Im very interested in learning language techniques and feel there's
                huge scope for improvement with the regards to some of the methods
                we currently use. Has anyone heard of Koto Lomb? :)
                • Gość: iza Re: the best way of learning language IP: 83.1.112.* 07.05.08, 01:31
                  the birkenbihl method is based on four steps
                  1-understanding the meaning of the words
                  2-active listening
                  3-passive listening
                  4-further learning activities (the chorus method, shadow speaking method,fill-in-the-blanks in writing & speaking)

                  Koto Lomb?
                  Is it the method about reading the book where one line is in English and another in Japanese,and you have to understand the sense without putting any effort in it, (efficient cooperation between the two parts of our brains?)

                  kind regards,
                  • jonathan.oakley Re: the best way of learning language 07.05.08, 12:12
                    Yes...that's the one...I think learning a 2nd language should
                    incorporate practical, creative and intellectual facets belended
                    with (to quote Steiner-Wardorf) 'the natural rhythms of life.'

                    For example...after 5 days in class beginners could be send down to
                    the local market...each with a different list of things to buy...and
                    a target purchase price...simple and stimulating...!
                    • Gość: iza Re: the best way of learning language IP: 83.1.112.* 07.05.08, 12:54
                      again,my story
                      while studying at university,I decided to take a-one-year gap,and spend
                      the time in a hot country = Greece,anyway, I couldn't speak Greek and my English was not even poor,in spite of learning it a few years.
                      I tried to communicate in English there,of course,but after a 6-month-period I was "fluent" in Greek,a language which I hadn't intended to learn....shocking for me that day,shocking for my boss who learned about my conversation from the caller,I had had a business conversation with...and the result was my promotion and increasing salary
                      Today I don't remember much of it,some of the basic words.

                      kind regards,
                      • jonathan.oakley Re: the best way of learning language 07.05.08, 13:30
                        This is the challenge when you become fleunt in a second language
                        and then stop using it!! So...how many languages are you fluent in?
                        I used to do business in places like Paris and Geneva and felt I was
                        beginning to make some progress with French...then stopped going to
                        these places and lost the momentum..!
                        • Gość: iza Re: the best way of learning language IP: 83.1.112.* 07.05.08, 16:52
                          Fluent?
                          None,I have to admit
                          My English is not as good I would like it to be
                          My mother tongue is getting worse and worse
                          I did Russian,German and Latin at school
                          Greek I learned by mistake,
                          and while travelling,picked up some words from Hindu, Hungarian and others

                          My target is English,anyway

                          Kind regards,
                          • jonathan.oakley Re: the best way of learning language 07.05.08, 22:26
                            That's quite a list! Your English seems pretty good...I expect
                            you're someone who has a natural ear for languages. :)
                            • izamroczkowska Re: the best way of learning language 07.05.08, 23:24
                              Yeah,the list is long but there is no language I am fluent in,
                              I'm afraid
                              "Practice makes perfect" as the old saying goes
                              I don't do it,unfortunately

                              Too many hobbies take up a lot of energy and make it scatter quickly
                              leaving me knocked out for days
                              Sometimes I wish to spend a couple of months in a peaceful place,
                              I have never been before,to clear my memory and "recharge my batteries..."


                              I don't know if I have a natural ear for languages,
                              I wish I had

                              Your opinion of my "pretty good English" makes my day successful
                              Thanks,
                              Kind regards,



    • l_koziar Re: the best way of lerning language 09.05.08, 23:43
      TV - simple, but true (at least in my opinion).
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