Picking up Languages

[Tom Yum]

Question for Mike, TTE and others:

How quickly can one pick up a foreign language using the Rosetta system (or other systems) to a proficient level?

For example, Mike - how quickly could you pick up a language like Tagalog with a language learning system?

[Hardball]

It's easier when you are immersed in the culture.

[Tom Yum]

It's easier when you are immersed in the culture.

Agreed.

But what's the best way to accquire the raw language skills other than applying it by hanging around with others who speak the language?

[Blue Wave Gym]

kumusta ka tom

I have a tagalog language coursev that I bought as well as a huge tagalog dictionary that my fiance sent me. to learn simlpe tagalog words and phrases is not hard but because like english words have multiple meaning I can't even compose a simple letter or e-mail witho ut laugher from her.
I can teach you some tagalog on here if you would like tom but if you had a filipina girl friend you would enjoy learning the language alot more

[Hardball]

Agreed.

But what's the best way to accquire the raw language skills other than applying it by hanging around with others who speak the language?

I use the little handbooks for spanish. You can zero in on a vocabulary if you get one of those "At a Glance" books. They teach you useful phrases and keywords. There is no easy way around it, foreign lanuage is hard. You just gotta buckle down and study.

[Blue Wave Gym]

Angeles Bars - Perimeter Bars - Angeles City
here's a good school tom

[jubaji]

Generally speaking, those CD learning systems like Rosetta Stone are of limited value. They will make you feel like you're learning a lot because from 0 to anything is a huge difference, but by themselves they will not really get you much further than a phrase book and tape. They can be a good supplement to formal classes or (the only thing that REALLY works) immersion, but they can only get you so far no matter how well they are marketed.

[ltindiandaeng]

I agree with all of the other people here.Before I came to Thailand I got language books and Rosetta cd and I studied hard but still learned very slowly.I learned more after I got here just by talking to people than I did with books or cds.But maybe this is just me and I am a slow learner.One thing I found very helpful is to carry a little notepad around and when I learned a new word or phrase I write it down and study it every night.However I realize there are times when there are no other people around who speak the language in question.One thing about the cds,at least you can hear what the words sound like,unlike books,which is very helpful with languages like Thai where the same word can have different meanings,depending on the tones and pronunciation.

[Tom Yum]

.One thing about the cds,at least you can hear what the words sound like,unlike books,which is very helpful with languages like Thai where the same word can have different meanings,depending on the tones and pronunciation.

Excellent point - seems good for non-latin, non-western languages.

I've never used CDs and have relied on other people for language practice. Just wanted to see what others thought of these systems.

[jubaji]

FU, spammer.

[GregoryJerry]

Re :

Hello friend ,
Don’t know what to study? Need specific knowledge? About to take a trip? LangLearner makes it easy. LangLearner Lessons allow people from all levels to learn or re-learn the most important things for getting by in another language.
Gud Luck!!!

[Garland]

Rosetta Stone can be hella expensive...it's on pirate bay, but stealing is against my ethical code, and my moral compass tells me I'd be going down for that one.