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learning a language on your own
Topic Started: Dec 6 2007, 05:36 AM (145 Views)
pianojerome
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HOLY CARP!!!
Anyone self-learn a language? I'd like to learn some German over my winter break, but I'm not quite sure where or how to begin! My goal is more to be able to read, rather than speak, although both will take a bit more than winter break.
Sam
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
English.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
American. ( :P )
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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jon-nyc
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Cheers
It depends on what you mean by self-learn. I learned Portuguese and Spanish quite well, but I was living in countries where those languages were spoken. Does that count?
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
jon-nyc
Dec 6 2007, 05:55 AM
It depends on what you mean by self-learn. I learned Portuguese and Spanish quite well, but I was living in countries where those languages were spoken. Does that count?

IMO, that's the best (and perhaps only legit) way to learn a language on your own.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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sarah_blueparrot
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Fulla-Carp
My great uncle learned German completely by himself before the war, and he can speak it and understand it but he says he isn't understood by other people when he talks. Though I tried the same with a book he lent me (which was very old and perhaps explained why he's not understood), and found it very easy to learn the basics, I think once you get to a certain level you need interaction.

I think it can be done, but not to completeness - but since your goal is more to read, then absolutely, yes, give it a go. Good luck!
Death is simply a shedding of the physical body like the butterfly shedding its cocoon. It is a transition to a higher state of consciousness where you continue to perceive, to understand, to laugh, and to be able to grow.

- Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
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Phlebas
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Bull-Carp
German is a difficult language to learn on your own. I would recommend taking a year of classroom - or some Berlitz type classes - and get a tutor.
Reading German newpapers and magazines also help - with the exception of Der Spiegel, which to me has its own version of German.
Random FML: Today, I was fired by my boss in front of my coworkers. It would have been nice if I could have left the building before they started celebrating. FML

The founding of the bulk of the world's nation states post 1914 is based on self-defined nationalisms. The bulk of those national movements involve territory that was ethnically mixed. The foundation of many of those nation states involved population movements in the aftermath. When the only one that is repeatedly held up as unjust and unjustifiable is the Zionist project, the term anti-semitism may very well be appropriate. - P*D


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taiwan_girl
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Fulla-Carp
There is the joke

If you speak two languages, you are bilingual.
If you speak three languages, you are trilingual.

If you speak one language, you are American! :P
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
At university you can take reading for comprehension in foreign languages which are typical for grad and post grad proficiency requirements. I simultaneously took the intro to Italian and the reading comprehension courses for one semester and was able to pass the reading proficiency exam in 5 months. If you can fit those courses into your academic schedule, that might be a better way than trying to self study when you already have required studies that would divert your attention.
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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