Learning a New Language

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Hello everyone, long time no see. I am interested in learning a new language, specifically Swedish. I'm sure a lot of people on this forum have learned a foreign language or are in the process of learning a foreign language. I asked my friends who are foreign and speak English how they learned English and they told me they learned just from hanging out with English people online. Unfortunately it seems like it would take awhile to learn a new language like this. That's why I've come here to ask, what words should a person learn when learning a new language? What are common words that are taught when learning a foreign language?

[Vonn]

I don't have any specific words for you, but I do recommend you check out this (http://antimoon.com/how/howtolearn.htm) website. It focuses on learning English, but it is applicable to almost any language, really. This (http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/all-japanese-all-the-time-ajatt-how-to-learn-japanese-on-your-own-having-fun-and-to-fluency) website is also something worth looking into. This one focuses on Japanese, but again, the tips are completely flexible for whatever language you're learning.

One thing both websites stress is the use of an SRS, which you can read about here (http://antimoon.com/how/sm.htm) and here (http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/what-is-an-srs).

It's also important to be immersed in the language; that includes talking with people who speak the language you're attempting to learn.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Thanks for the quick helpful reply. +rep

[Vonn]

Also, the main SRS advertised on AntiMoon, SuperMemo, isn't free. I recommend downloading Anki, if you do decide to use one.

[KrisKindle]

When learning a new language, it's always good to start off with the basics (obviously) but what I recommend is to know a lot of slang. My family spoke french at home until I was 6 years old, and it sort of gave me an advantage in school. The thing I was missing though was the slang part, and that everyday language that a lot of the locals use. I bought a french slang and colloquial phrase book that helped me understand even more french.

Just a question, why are you studying Swedish? Most Scandinavians speak English and from past experience would rather speak in English with you (I sadly tried to speak Danish but just got laughed at). I was also told that of all the nordic languages to learn, Norwegian is the best (and probably the easiest).

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Thanks for the suggestion of anki, its a decent program.

When learning a new language, it's always good to start off with the basics (obviously) but what I recommend is to know a lot of slang. My family spoke french at home until I was 6 years old, and it sort of gave me an advantage in school. The thing I was missing though was the slang part, and that everyday language that a lot of the locals use. I bought a french slang and colloquial phrase book that helped me understand even more french.

Just a question, why are you studying Swedish? Most Scandinavians speak English and from past experience would rather speak in English with you (I sadly tried to speak Danish but just got laughed at). I was also told that of all the nordic languages to learn, Norwegian is the best (and probably the easiest).

Thanks for the tip, I will be sure to learn some slang from my Swedish friends. To be honest the only reason I want to learn Swedish is because a lot of my friends online are Swedish. Besides, I've already gotten into it, don't see any point in stopping now. Anyways I would like to be more than bilingual, Swedish is just a start.

[Guillermo]

LISTEN! That's one of the best things to do when learning another language... Just listen to NATIVE speakers speaking... Look them up online or just any other thing that you can think of.. IF possible find programs that only speak the targeted language. When you constantly listen, you will in turn, start to pick up the language and pronunciation

Yes, the basics will do you good.. But please don't get caught up in them. You don't need to know every greeting or every fruit and vegetable in the market hahaha
byki.com will do you good for the basics

Also, please don't waste your time on shitty grammar books... We worry to much about the fucking grammar and it does you no good and that is why when we take a language in high school we learn nothing.. (unless you keep using the language)

You need to be motivated to learn this new language, because if you're not you won't learn it.. Think of why you wanted to learn the language in the first place (whether it be for the culture, the language itself, or even just meeting new people!)

And finally, if at all possible, purchase Rosetta Stone, because it's an outstanding method for learning a new language. I don't actually have Rosetta Stone but I've tried it over at my friends house and the online demo (haha). It's great because there's no grammar shit or anything like that...It comes naturally. But if you can't do this that's fine.. (i don't even have a job and my parents wouldn't buy it for me).

Good luck in learning Swedish!

[Zenithar]

I asked my friends who are foreign and speak English how they learned English and they told me they learned just from hanging out with English people online. Unfortunately it seems like it would take awhile to learn a new language like this.
Hanging out with a bunch of English-speaking friends online can surprisingly help one who is learning English, but they'd have to know a decent amount to be able to communicate decently. You could learn off of them or have them correct your every wrong move and you'll eventually learn from having field experience. :P

[Azunite]

I've learned English from computer games.
I've learned German by watching German-WW2 movies.
I've learned French simply using a dictionary, seriously all words are of French origin

Oh well, I still have a lot to learn in Russian...

You can't make a list and say "You should learn these first..." you simply can't. Language isn't a concrete thing with limits.
When I talk to myself ( while thinking, etc ) I don't do it in my native language. I either do it in English or German, that also helps

[Black Eight]

You should read books and watch movies and TV in Swedish while learning it. Or at least try to listen and look at it as much as possible. And when reading or watching, don't be translating it in your head into your first language.

[Cicero]

Hello everyone, long time no see. I am interested in learning a new language, specifically Swedish. I'm sure a lot of people on this forum have learned a foreign language or are in the process of learning a foreign language. I asked my friends who are foreign and speak English how they learned English and they told me they learned just from hanging out with English people online. Unfortunately it seems like it would take awhile to learn a new language like this. That's why I've come here to ask, what words should a person learn when learning a new language? What are common words that are taught when learning a foreign language?

I'm in the process of learning Italian. What I do is post stickies everywhere for what it means (or I will ;)). I've learned basic stuff like, how was your week? How are you? Hello, good bye, good morning, good afternoon, good night, keys, bike, car, phone, little Italian (for family members :D).and others, what I did was post those sentences on my iPad wallpaper and learn them whenever I looked at my iPad, learning a language isn't easy and won't get easier as you get older. Try learning what you do knw in English like. Hi bye, good morning, etc, and a few cuss words won't hurt either ;) (when you get mad you can say something they don't understand haha that's what I do except with my parents they know Italian)

[DirtyDog78]

Well when i started learning french, you must learn the basics like hello or goodbye and anything important.

[botwa]

wow, believe me. hanging out with English speaking people online isn't much help without basics. other way your grammar will be miserable and not to mention spelling

[Mortal Coil]

I've learned German by watching German-WW2 movies.

Wirklich? du kannst Deutsch?! Geil!

[RyanKo]

I'm interested in French and learning it but feel quite hard of it.

[Error 404]

wow, believe me. hanging out with English speaking people online isn't much help without basics. other way your grammar will be miserable and not to mention spelling

I see its a bit old post, but since its already bumped...i can't agree :).

99% of English i learned was while speaking (well writing) with other ppl on English.Tho i already knew a bit of it, for rest just took some time.And after a while, i keep looking up for proper spelling, and now i don't make as much mistakes as before.Grammar was a bit of a problem, but i think i am getting better at it :).

And watching movies on English helps too.

[TheMatrix]

I'm interested in French and learning it but feel quite hard of it.
Please don't bump old threads, this one is more than 2 months old.
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