What do you think is the best way to study foreign language?
437267
I have lived over-seas my whole life.  Before we would ever move we would study the culture of that place before we decided that that is actually where we would move.  I think it's the same with learning the language.  You don't really have to go to the country to learn the language.  Trust me, sometimes it just doesn't work.  (If you want to learn German, going to Germany shouldn't be your first option if you want to learn the language.  You would try to talk to the people in German and they would answer you in English!  It was kind of their little way of saying don't even bother.) You should check out the culture and maybe try to speak a little bit of that language and see if you like it or not.  Otherwise, you just wasted a whole bunch of money on something you don't like and will never even use.
835677
I used to think that about myself.  As a matter of fact, I tried learning Spanish in High School when I was 16.  I failed first-year Spanish.  I thought I was not capable of learning a foreign language until I was about 40, and my oldest daughter began taking Spanish in High School.  At that time I realized that I still remembered quite a bit of Spanish, even though I failed the course, and there were 24 years between the two events.  \n\nI tried an experiment.  I began teaching myself Esperanto (I had heard it was the easiest language on earth to learn).  I'm now fluent in Esperanto, and have gone back and studied Spanish and German to the point of being, more-or-less conversational.\n\nAnyone can learn a foreign language, some just learn faster than others.  Different methods work with different people.  You may be someone who can only learn through immersion.  Keep looking at different course methods.  Go to your local public library and try out different types of courses.  You may find one that works for you.\n\nIf you "really want to learn French" don't give up.
558431
i went to a school with complete french immersion, and i am now fluent in french. this brings up my recommendation: i think that a great way to learn french is by listening and having conversations. there are many softwares that do this, and you can have your choice, you may want to contact the national foundation of french materials, ie. books, tapes, dvds, etc... you have gotta be determined, but it will be worth it because you will be happy to learn french, its a great language. \n\none last thing- don't try teaching yourself from books, you won't. you might learn some vocabulary, but everything else including speaking will be messed up. hope that helped!!!
167492
The best way to learn a foreign language is to immerse yourself in it.  What do you mean by "true way?"  While I believe that learning proper grammer, spelling, punctuation, etc. is important, you do not want to learn to be an english teacher.  Sometimes what is "proper" english is not correct english.  Languages are constantly changing, and usually the last ones to accept those changes are the educators.\n\nExample:  "Proper" English:  I don't know who will be the next president, but I hope he or she does a good job.\n\nCorrect English (an english teacher will mark this as wrong every time):  I don't know who will be the next president, but I hope they do a good job.\n\nSomeday grammar books will say the second is correct.  Why?  Because it is pretty much universally accepted as correct, despite that current grammar books say otherwise.\n\nConclusion:  If you want to learn English, move to America.
250229
General answer -- the way that works best for you to remember the key parts.\n\nReally, the "best way" is different based upon individual learning styles and previous knowledge.\n\nSome common techniques -- read it thoroughly. Summary the main points in your own words, in addition to any quotes you think are important. Really seek to understand the content.\n\nWriting it down longhand (as opposed to typing it) helps if you learn kinesthetically. \n\nReading it outloud to yourself, or reading the summaries, helps if you are an auditory learning.\n\nThe bottom line is that you need to keep your notes short enough that you can retain them in memory, without missing essential concepts.
244233
Here are some tips which may help you to master the English Language!\n\nSpeak without Fear \n\nThe biggest problem most people face in learning a new language is their own fear. They worry that they won’t say things correctly or that they will look stupid so they don’t talk at all. Don’t do this. The fastest way to learn anything is to do it – again and again until you get it right. Like anything, learning English requires practice. Don’t let a little fear stop you from getting what you want. \n\nUse all of your Resources \n\nEven if you study English at a language school it doesn’t mean you can’t learn outside of class. Using as many different sources, methods and tools as possible, will allow you to learn faster. There are many different ways you can improve your English, so don’t limit yourself to only one or two. The internet is a fantastic resource for virtually anything, but for the language learner it's perfect. \n\nSurround Yourself with English \n\nThe absolute best way to learn English is to surround yourself with it. Take notes in English, put English books around your room, listen to English language radio broadcasts, watch English news, movies and television. Speak English with your friends whenever you can. The more English material that you have around you, the faster you will learn and the more likely it is that you will begin “thinking in English.” . \n\nListen to Native Speakers as Much as Possible \n\nThere are some good English teachers that have had to learn English as a second language before they could teach it. However, there are several reasons why many of the best schools prefer to hire native English speakers. One of the reasons is that native speakers have a natural flow to their speech that students of English should try to imitate. The closer ESL / EFL students can get to this rhythm or flow, the more convincing and comfortable they will become. \n\nWatch English Films and Television \n\nThis is not only a fun way to learn but it is also very effective. By watching English films (especially those with English subtitles) you can expand your vocabulary and hear the flow of speech from the actors. If you listen to the news you can also hear different accents. \n\nListen to English Music \n\nMusic can be a very effective method of learning English. In fact, it is often used as a way of improving comprehension. The best way to learn though, is to get the lyrics (words) to the songs you are listening to and try to read them as the artist sings. There are several good internet sites where one can find the words for most songs. This way you can practice your listening and reading at the same time. And if you like to sing, fine. \n\nStudy As Often As Possible!\n\nOnly by studying things like grammar and vocabulary and doing exercises, can you really improve your knowledge of any language. \n\nDo Exercises and Take Tests\n\nMany people think that exercises and tests aren't much fun. However, by completing exercises and taking tests you can really improve your English. One of the best reasons for doing lots of exercises and tests is that they give you a benchmark to compare your future results with. Often, it is by comparing your score on a test you took yesterday with one you took a month or six months ago that you realize just how much you have learned. If you never test yourself, you will never know how much you are progressing. Start now by doing some of the many exercises and tests on this site, and return in a few days to see what you've learned. Keep doing this and you really will make some progress with English. \n\nRecord Yourself \n\nNobody likes to hear their own voice on tape but like tests, it is good to compare your tapes from time to time. You may be so impressed with the progress you are making that you may not mind the sound of your voice as much. \n\nListen to English \n\nBy this, we mean, speak on the phone or listen to radio broadcasts, audiobooks or CDs i
1142660
What field? Learning English? The best way to strengthen any language is to speak it in conversation. You've got to keep using it. I'd love to learn languages. Keep using it!
1090908
study your vocab, speak more of the language
175028
The best way is to talk with someone who speaks that language.\n\nOther things you can do:\n\nWatch a language DVD/video.  The ones we like are the Muzzy series and also the Standard Deviants series.  For French, there is a great series of videos called "French in Action."\n\nYou can also try listening to the Berlitz audio tapes.  We have used those in both German and Italian.  You can listen while driving/riding in the car or while relaxing or whatever.  they really are great for learning pronunciation.\n\nYou can also enroll in a language class but that would be the most expensive.\n\nIf you are on a low budget, try getting audio and video tapes at your local library.\n\nOr ask friends or family who have taken a language class. Most likely they have materials collecting dust that they will give you.
926797
The best way to learn any language is to match yourself up with a tutor who is a native speaker of the language you want to learn and is of the opposite sex.  There does not have to be any romantic chemistry, but people learn languages better from people of the opposite sex because they tend to watch their lips more.  Concentrate on conversation about things you want, learning from books and doing drills and exercises is simply ineffective.
575911
Nobody learns to become fluent in a language by taking two years of it in high school, regardless of the language. We really should be starting foreign language study much younger if we wish to obtain fluency. However, two years of a foreign language in high school will give you a good base upon which to continue studying the language. In fact, even if you plan to learn it by immersing yourself in the language overseas, I definitely recommend taking a couple of years of the language in high school (or at least one in college) before you go there. Otherwise, you'll be lost.\n\nAs to whether a native speaker or an American speaker is the better teacher, I actually find that American speakers, assuming they have an advanced degree in the language, are better language teachers. At the university where I teach French, my former students who end up in one of the native speakers' classes after mine continually complain about how bad their professors are and how they wish they had me instead. A native speaker may have a more authentic accent, but very few American students are talented enough to emulate a native accent anyway. And if they are, strangely enough, they seem to pick up the accent regardless of whether the teacher is native or not. American professors have the advantage of understanding the difficulties that an American student will have in attaining the language.\n\nIf you are serious about wanting to acquire French, then I recommend the following:\n\n1. Whenever you learn a new verb or a new verb tense, make a flash card for it promptly. Keep these in a recipe box and review them weekly.\n\n2. Listen to your favorite DVD's in French with the English subtitles on. If you this over and over again, you start to memorize certain lines. Choosing your favorite DVD's is helpful because you're already familiar with the story line and the scenes.\n\n3. Try to go overseas to study for at least a summer semester once you've taken a couple of French classes in college. Most universities have summer French language classes or programs, and partial scholarships to attend are usually available. Studying a language overseas is an investment not only in your knowledge of that language but in your understanding of the world as a whole. It's a mind-opening experience.\n\nIncidentally, ignore those who tell you to take Spanish because it is "practical." You'll be in competition with 80 bazillion people in the U.S. who speak Spanish, not to mention the effects of the anti-immigration sentiment around here these days. Besides, French is spoken world-wide, whereas Spanish is only good in the Americas. If you go to Africa or the Middle East, French will come in handy, and Spanish will get you nowhere. More importantly, the only way you'll become proficient enough in ANY language for it to be of value is if you love the language enough to actually pursue it past your two year requirement. Take the language that interests you, and you'll go farther than with one that is forced down your throat.\n\nBest of luck! \nor should I say\nBon courage!
786695
If you already have Spanish and French, you can easily pick up Portuguese if you need it; I would suggest something more challenging, that would also open more doors and widen your knowledge base - Russian, still widely understood in the former Eastern Bloc, and will give you some help with Polish, Serbo-Croat, etc; Arabic, you would find it some help in tackling languages that have borrowed heavily from Arabic, such as Turkish, Farsi, or Urdu; Hindi (actually a variant od Urdu); Chinese; Japanese. It would be a great mistake to limit yourself only to European languages if you haver other opportunities. Even languages like Swahili, Bahasa Indonesia, and Korean are well worth consideration. Learning a language means opening yourself up to another culture, different ways of thinking, different perspectives.\nAnyway, go for it, and enjoy!\nGood luck
38463
The best way is not to take classes but to immerse yourself in the language.\n\nSee if you can get an exchange program where you go to an english speaking country for at least 6 months.  If you are immersed in the language at the same time you're studying it you'll become a much better speaker of the language.\n\nIf you're coming to the states avoid Alabama (my french teacher was born in France and moved to Alabama when he was 7, it was hell).
1038827
In addition to learning to talk to native speakers of the language, studying a foreign language can also help you increase your English vocabulary (especially if you study a language like French from which we have borrowed so many words) and improve your English grammar. It also generally makes you more open-minded.\n\nBut here's another benefit of foreign language study that hasn't been mentioned: it protects you from Alzheimer's and dementia in old age. That's right! Studies have shown that elderly people who speak more than one language are less likely to develop Alzheimer's. In fact, bilingualism appears to protect the brain from neurological problems resulting in dementia as well. Furthermore, elderly people who continue to learn new things, and especially those who study a foreign language, have a better memory than those who don't. I suppose it's the "use it or lose it" factor. If you keep learning, your brain keeps building neurological connections. If you don't, the old ones fade without being replaced by new ones.\n\nSo don't give up your foreign language studies! Try to find a local group such as the Alliance Française where you can speak with native Francophones and others who, like you, are interested in improving their grasp of the language. I'm sure there are native Japanese speakers around your area somewhere, as well! You might even consider exchanging English lessons to Japanese students of ESL in exchange for Japanese lessons. I'm sure there would be plenty who would jump at the chance!
338591
I presume you are trying to learn a foreign language, and that's the reason for the question. \nBest way is to start listening to to music in that language. Also watch a lot of TV programs  - it all helps you to get your "language ear" tuned in. That means you will start to get used to the sounds of that language, and it will help you recognize some new words you hear/learn. This is also a big confidence booster - recognizing the word and thinking "Hey, I know that word!"\nSecondly, enter a language class. Do some research and find a class that will suit you best, depending on what you are aiming to learn (speaking/reading/writing). Also make sure the teacher/tutor uses the foreign language in class to actually teach it. Let me explain. In some language classes, the teacher uses the speaker's first language to teach the new language. It sometimes help a little when explaining difficult grammar or vocabulary. But it's important that you hear this new language in class more than you hear your native language. That why there is such a big demand for English teachers in Asian countries - so the kids can learn from a foreigner, in the foreign language.\nThirdly, try to get a language exchange going. There are many websites on the internet where they advertise for people, who are trying to improve their writing skills in different languages, to communicate with each other. Try one of those. Or even better, register on http://www.eslbase.com It's a database for people who want to improve their language speaking skills. They use Skype to talk with each other and so improve their skills. \nWhatever you do, just remember that learning a language takes a lot of time. Most people can only master a spoken language after 4 to 5 years of intensive study, preferably in the country where they speak that foreign language. \nSo, go for it, and good luck!\nPS. I'm an English teacher in Taiwan, and I've been studying Chinese for 3 years. And still I can't speak it properly. But, it's worth the effort.
85098
I'd say hang around people at school who speak that language. You can also take classes. Like Irish said, the older you are, the harder it is to learn.
839607
Total immersion is the best way....have you considered stuy abroad or an exchange student program?\n\nRosetta Stone\nDo you live somewhere were there are a lot of spanish-speaking people? Ask one of them to help you, and maybe you can help them with English.