¤ The best way to learn a language ¤

SallyDP · Active Poster Joined: 16 Mar 2007 Posts: 100

I am perfectly bilingual, and my second language I learned basically in school, and spending a lot of time watching TV on the language I was learning. For Spanish, don't go get crazy trying to read "Don Quijote de la Mancha" right away, because you'll get frustrated. But pick up a magazine, one of those "trashy" ones. You'll learn slang and it will be easier to understand and be understood by the people around you. Also, watch Spanish TV and novelas, they are a very entertaining way to learn.

mteric

I think the absolute best way to learn a language is to go and live in a place where it is spoken; the total immersion approach.

Of course, this isn't always practical for many of us.  I use anything I can get my hands on, from books to movies, to help learn a foreign language.  The Internet is a wonderful resource too.  What did we ever do without it?

newbie · Active Poster Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 99

I think if you are in a foreign country and you have to learn, you will. Also, I tihnk its easier to learn when we are younger (though I do not think we should be confusing babies by trying to teach them too much)!

southboca · Active Poster Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 100

It's a lot more effective to learn the basics of grammar and pronunciation before you embark on your immersion project in another country. I've done this both ways, so I don't just think this, I know it. If you don't have the basics, you learn a whole lot slower and spend most of your time being frustrated rather than just enjoying yourself.