BootsnAll Travel Community

This is how I learn a new language. My final objective is always to be able to have a "REAL" conversation with someone in the native language. Phrase books are generally a horrible way to start. Most of those phrases can be pantomimed. However, they still have their place, as I haven't been able to find a way to tell in-depth travel stories, without first learning 'canned' conversations and phrases. (i.e. Donde esta el bano?) I'm also cheap and lazy, and this will be reflected in my suggestions.

1. Find a library that has the Pimsleur series. Some people swear by Rosetta Stone. It is more comprehensive (reading, writing, listening and speaking). But my main objective is to become conversational, so mostly I just need to know how to speak and listen. And, perhaps they're better in other languages, but I found errors in their basic Chinese Mandarin course (I'm a Chinese translator by trade). Listen to a lesson everyday, 2-3 times per day. At least one of those times, ACTIVELY listen and repeat back what they say.

2. Learn the alphabet (if applicable). No great way to do this. Flashcards (paper or online) seem to work best for me.

3. After you've gotten through the first 30 lessons and know the alphabet, you need to pick up a good GRAMMAR guide for the language. These vary a bit, so the easiest thing I've found is to pick up 3-4 guides from your local library and use them to cross-reference. Also, I'd highly recommend getting one that has a workbook, as it's easy to read and just forget.

4. While going through the grammar guide, in addition to learning grammar, you're sure to run across a ton of vocab that you don't/didn't know. Get two dictionaries, or at least one in both languages (i.e. English to Spanish/Spanish to English in ONE book), to look up the words you don't know. Regardless of what the translation is, look it up in both dictionaries, or in the english section to be sure the word means what you think it means.
Write the word down on a flashcard. Attempt to learn 30 words a day, but keep going through the stack, even after you "know" the word.

5. Rent movies in the native language. It will help get you used to at least listening at native speed.

6. If possible,move to/hang out in the immigrant section of your city where they speak your target language. This is usually the best way to learn to speak the language, even though it may be a 'morphed' version. (If there are lots of countries that speak the language, they all speak it a bit differently. In immigrant sections, they tend to eventually speak a blended version of the countries represented).

7. If there's no immigrant populace readily available, your next best optin is to get a speaking partner in your target language. I know you're thinking that if there's no immigrant community, you won't be able to find a native speaker. Soooo untrue. I lived in rural Missouri for years, and you'd be suprised how many immigrants there were within 50 miles of where I lived. Colleges are the easiest place to find speaking partners. There are also places such as craigslist, online boards, etc. (Just note that if all the ads for 'language exchange' tend to be females with cutsie photos posted, they're likely wanting to exchange more than language with you). The best speaking partners are those who are from the native country within the last 10 years (otherwise their vocab will be stale) and teachers, regardless of subject or country/language they spoke it in. Initially, don't worry about grammar or conjugating verbs. Just speak. If you're partner is good, they'll focus on correcting a few things at a time 1. so you can actually focus on fixing a few things at a time and 2. so you don't get discouraged.

8. If you can't get a speaking partner, talk to yourself. As often as you can. Preferably at least an hour a day. You will look stupid. And you'll make tons of mistakes, without knowing it. Focus on the big 5 verbs (to have, to be, to want, to go, to need). If you have those verbs correct, the others will likely be correct, or at least recongizable, when you get in country.

9. Watch movies and documentaries in the target language. This will get you used to listening at native speed and will improve your speaking speed slightly, without even trying.

10. Listen to music in the target language. If you can understand the word in a song, you've got it. (Think how often you're wrong about song lyrics in your native language).

11. Once in country, don't be afraid to speak the language. Even if you say it wrong, you'll likely still be understood and the attempt will be appreciated. Besides, you misspeak all the time even in your native language. It's not big deal. I still remember running down the streets of sanlitunr, being chased by the Russian mafia, screaming out "Take a taxi!" (instead of yelling FOR a taxi). I think it was the Russians stopping to laugh at my crappy Chinese that allowed us to get away!

12. If you're still afraid to speak, get drunk. Works in every language -- even if you don't know it. (I spent three hours at a Japanese wedding before I knew any Japanese .. but after a couple drinks I swear I was able to converse enough to find out how the bride and groom met, get directions to a nearby fake british pub, and get an invite to a bbq the next day).

13. For women only ... learn the word for tampon. That's the only word you don't want to find yourself having to pantomime.