Learning a new language?

[SC4EVA]

Looking to learn a new language - Probably German - What is everyone opinion on the best way to go about. NYU has a continuing ed program close to me I was thinking about. Like college but no credits - Would go one day a week for 12 weeks for session 1, then if i choose session 2 etc. Is something like a Berlitz better? Course costs $495 a semester. After four semester they give you a NYU Grad Certificate in the lanuage you take.

 

[Y_lifter]

Rosetta Stone software if you are self motivated

 

[TC2]

Looking to learn a new language - Probably German - What is everyone opinion on the best way to go about. NYU has a continuing ed program close to me I was thinking about. Like college but no credits - Would go one day a week for 12 weeks for session 1, then if i choose session 2 etc. Is something like a Berlitz better? Course costs $495 a semester. After four semester they give you a NYU Grad Certificate in the lanuage you take.

pm sent

 

[SC4EVA]

thanks bro's - I cant imagine trying to teach myself

 

[bran987]

ask pintoca, he's mexican and he learned german and english.

 

[SC4EVA]

Pretty impressivo

 

[artrius]

Its not easy, just keep at it. I'm learning japanese at the moment. Its something you have to do every day - don't expect to have it over night. Be sure to make it interesting, and keep it fresh. There are PLENTY of resources on the internet to help you out with learning a new language. Here's a few tips that have helped me.

1. Study in the morning
2. Study often (but in short sessions)
3. Slow and steady is the best way to go (see #2)
4. NEVER try to learn two words at the same time that sound or look alike!
5. Speak and listen as much as possible
6. Get used to hearing everyday language at normal speed

I'm sure this is TMI, but I hope it helps anyways

 

[Raptorex]

I would go with a latin based language since its most transferable to other languages.

I have had extensive French, and Italian was much easier once I had that.

 

[Phenom78]

Rosetta Stone software if you are self motivated

I've been considering that to learn Italian

Have you used it , or know of anyone who has, to learn a foreign language?

 

[artrius]

I've been considering that to learn Italian

Have you used it , or know of anyone who has, to learn a foreign language?

I have it... I think it takes someone with EXTREME patience to use it (unless I missed something). There is no instruction, or real lessons to it. You pretty much just see a picture of a boy, hear the word for "boy" in that language... it has 3 more pics on that screen, basically the same thing (maybe a cat, or a dog, or something else). After it tells you what all the pictures are, it says one of the words, and you have to click on the picture that the word was. So if it said the word for boy, you have to click on the "boy" picture. The further on you go, obviously, the more complicated it gets, but without instruction in grammar... I just wasn't digging it.

Like I said... maybe I missed something. I didn't see any grammar instruction. Just the activity crap.

 

[Phenom78]

I have it... I think it takes someone with EXTREME patience to use it (unless I missed something). There is no instruction, or real lessons to it. You pretty much just see a picture of a boy, hear the word for "boy" in that language... it has 3 more pics on that screen, basically the same thing (maybe a cat, or a dog, or something else). After it tells you what all the pictures are, it says one of the words, and you have to click on the picture that the word was. So if it said the word for boy, you have to click on the "boy" picture. The further on you go, obviously, the more complicated it gets, but without instruction in grammar... I just wasn't digging it.

Like I said... maybe I missed something. I didn't see any grammar instruction. Just the activity crap.

Disappointing.

I was always curious as to how it dealt with the grammar as well. From the advertisements it seems like a computerized phrase book, but Im hoping that isn't the case.

 

[artrius]

Disappointing.

I was always curious as to how it dealt with the grammar as well. From the advertisements it seems like a computerized phrase book, but Im hoping that isn't the case.

I *COULD* be wrong, like I said... but I never did manage to find any actual grammar lessons. And when you think about it, that *IS* kind of how the rosetta stone works anyways. Its one of those figure it out on your own sort of things.

Maybe I need to look at it more, I don't know. I'll take AND YET ANOTHER look at the FAQs on it, but I'm not promising anything.

 

[artrius]

Disappointing.

I was always curious as to how it dealt with the grammar as well. From the advertisements it seems like a computerized phrase book, but Im hoping that isn't the case.

yeah, it pretty much is. I just re-read the user guide. No grammer lessons. So you just have to fumble fuck your way through it and hope you understand what the hell you are doing. It might be a good supplemental tool, but I wouldn't use it to learn the language without anything else.

 

[SC4EVA]

I studied latin in high school and italian in college - never really got fluent with either. Do not really have an interest in ever working in either culture so their low on my list

 

[Y_lifter]

I've been considering that to learn Italian

Have you used it , or know of anyone who has, to learn a foreign language?

Yes, it is good solid stuff across the major languages.
Kinda spendy though, but worth it

I used it for spanish.
Nice thing is you can run it and run it over and over again vs being in a class that if you miss some part you are screwed and can't repeat it easily.