How to learn a language... fast?

[WoShiDavid95]

As a student studying in Singapore, a Mother Tongue is compulsory and I am stuck with Chinese. (I could have taken the easier option in Malay as it is pretty similar to my native language Indonesian, but my parents wouldn't let me) Learned it for about 3 years or so, but my Chinese is pretty sub-par, I either flunk it or scrape a pass all the time. My other subjects are perfectly fine, but Chinese will be the end of me, so how do we learn a language efficiently? It's not the same with Math or Science.

[kuuliluuk]

You gotta spend your time in Chinese environment, that forces you to use the language and others speakers can correct you on the fly

[Azunite]

It's not that hard to learn a language. Determination is the key. Es ist nicht so schwierig, eine Sprache zu lernen. Manche Sprache haben schwierige Grammatik, manche haben schwieriges Vokabular. Ama önemli olan, çalışmak ve uğraşmaktır. O dille pratik yaparsan eğer, kısa zamanda öğrenirsin :)

Voila, c'est ça.

[pageplant77]

It's not that hard to learn a language. Determination is the key. Es ist nicht so schwierig, eine Sprache zu lernen. Manche Sprache haben schwierige Grammatik, manche haben schwieriges Vokabular. Ama önemli olan, çalışmak ve uğraşmaktır. O dille pratik yaparsan eğer, kısa zamanda öğrenirsin :)

Voila, c'est ça.

Sie wissen ein bisschen Deutsch? haha Ich auch! Aber meine Grammatik ist nicht so gut :P

What helps me out is to start thinking in the language you want to learn. And I know this sounds weird, but, EAVESDROP on other peoples conversations to try and pick out as many words and phrases you know.

[judahtics]

practice. i'm bilingual. soon to be fluent in 3 languages, but i'm not quite there yet in german. :) so far i'm fluent in ASL (my 1st language) and english.

[Monster.Mike]

Yeah, u gota speak it all the time!

[Genghis Khan]

1. Listen to the radio/news, watch dramas, t.v shows and get as familiar with the sounds and expressions as reasonably achievable.

2. Obviously, get a phrasebook, a grammar book, a dictionary and possibly this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Teach-Yourself-Chinese-CDs-McGraw-Hill/dp/0071430334/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1313277081&sr=8-4). Teach yourself series never lets you down.

3. Speak as much as you can, or find some kind of partner with whom you can practice it with, in most foreign countries people don't care how badly you speak, it's likely they'll try to help you as much as possible. It really helps you get into grips with it once you speak it, also gives you a good understanding of colloquial expressions/phrasings and written form.

[athleticteen]

Well, there really is no fast way to learn a language unless it is complete immersion. What I find helpful is really jumping into the culture, so watch chinese movies, listen to chinese songs ect. You might also get Rosetta Stone, Im doing it in Italian on the side of learning French in school. Good Luck, and be patient it won't come over night.

[LaxFB3]

You could try that Rosetta Stone thing. My dad got it and was speaking whole conversations in a few weeks

[Angel Androgynous]

You could try that Rosetta Stone thing. My dad got it and was speaking whole conversations in a few weeks

This and I usually like to listen to music in other languages. c: I try to pick out what I understand. I'm listening to a lot of German songs right now...

[Imaussie]

This and I usually like to listen to music in other languages. c: I try to pick out what I understand. I'm listening to a lot of German songs right now...

Would that be techno? :S

[Angel Androgynous]

Would that be techno? :S

No....


I listen to lots of Rammstein, Oomph and German versions of the songs by Tokio Hotel.

I also listen to a few French pop/dance songs. x)

[Love.Hate]

I found that having a good teacher really helps, one that inspires you. Also if you go to the country, you will pick it up suprisingly quickly :D

[Imaussie]

No....


I listen to lots of Rammstein, Oomph and German versions of the songs by Tokio Hotel.

I also listen to a few French pop/dance songs. x)

i listen to dubstep and metal but thats off topic lolz :D

[Modus Operandi]

I found that having a good teacher really helps, one that inspires you. Also if you go to the country, you will pick it up suprisingly quickly :D

Yeah, a good teacher is key. For the two years of French I took, I had a spectacular teacher (from Germany, spoke German, French, Latin, English, a bit of Spanish, and Russian) and learned more than students who got another teacher learned in four years.