What is the absolute best way to learn languages?

Question

I would like to finish learning Italian and begin learning French or Spanish. I do not have enough classes open to take either class in high school and I am weary of classes at the community college since I learned very little when I took Italian there. Since I don't have the required years of foreign language that most colleges look for, I have decided that I could make up for it by learning to fluently speak two languages on my own.

What would be the best programs or the best ways to go about it?
Please and thank you=)

Answer 1

The very best way to learn a language is by immersion, with support of textbooks so you can keep up with the rules of grammar and spelling.



Since I doubt you can go spend time anywhere to learn by immersion, I suggest you try one of the CD programs. I have heard that the Rosetta Stone programs are really good, but I also know they are extremely expensive. However, if you are serious, that's probably the way to go. If you can, I also suggest that as an adjunct to studying on your own, you try and find someone who is either a native speaker, or fluent, in the language you are studying. Try and get together with them regularly for an hour or two of conversation. I have found that real live conversation is absolutely the best practice.



I wish you the best :)

Answer 2

Painted Stick is right. As a native Spanish speaker I can tell you the absolute best way to learn another language is to live in a foreign country. This way you're forced to listen, speak, read, and write in Spanish. It's complete immersion. If you can't live outside the country, spend a lot of time in your nearest "little Italy", or "Chinatown", or some place where people traditionally speak a foreign language. And if this is not an option, I recommend the Rosetta software. It's very interactive and fun to use. Kudos to you for wanting to learn a foreign language(s). Keep at it, si se puede, bon chance.

Answer 3

My college uses a software called TeLL me More, by Auralog. It covers not only the basics, but also intermediate or advanced level. It is also a lot less repetitive. My goal was to become fluent so it was perfect for me. It has a lot of different activities: picture/word association, videos, dialogues,..., includes also grammar and conjugation. It has also more content than any other language software. Their speech recognition is great so you can have a dialogue with the computer. You can check out their website at http://www.auralog.com for a free demo and compare too. You can check out independent reviews on the web too (htthttp://learn-spanish-software-review.toptenreviews.com/ or about.com websites).



The best way to learn a language would be through immersion, visiting these countries. Learning a language will require some time. In addition to software, you can have books which are useful as well. Audio CDs like Pimsleur for instance might help you out but you cannot get any feedback on your pronunciation so I did not like it so much.

Answer 4

I recommend Javascript (word that it's relatively certain from Java). You already recognise a few fundamental HTML, that's the groundwork you wish to have for utilizing Javascript. The advantages of Javascript are that this can be a scripting language, it's particularly effortless to debug, it calls for no specialised application, it stocks a identical syntax with outstanding languages like Java and C++, you get loose rendering and UI by way of the browser (instead than having to make use of a console), you get loose timing and occasion dealing with, and you'll use it to put in writing person scripts and fast scripts. The drawback is that it lacks the pace and vigor of extra complicated languages, however for a newbie you should not be overly worried approximately the ones matters. It may be weakly typed and elements an eval position; a few individuals (like me) view this as an knowledge, others (regularly hardcore programmers with anal-retentive attitudes) view it as a drawback.

Answer 5

The best way to learn a language is to completely erase your mind of the rules of your native language (English), and learn as an infant does. Not by memorization, or tedious textbook study. How would you teach a baby to speak? That is the best way to learn. I would recommend trying the Rosetta Stone. Though it is quite expensive, and in my opinion overpriced ($195 for level 1/ $225 for level 2/ or $329 for levels 1&2 as a package), it is very effective. It is easy and it wasn't a chore memorizing things. It just came naturally. I'm very glad I bought it.



www.rosettastone.com



There is a demo on the rosetta stone site if you want a taste of how it is set up.

Answer 6

You could go to France or Italy and enroll for language courses at a university. Here, in Nice (France) they have a center for teaching French to foreigners at all levels at the university. And you get to pass an exam afterwards and obtain a certificate. If you have time to spare, that is one of the best solutions + you will have a better accent.

Answer 7

language software like "pimsleurs" or something is really helpful when it comes to learning another language. make sure you stick to one language first like either french OR spanish coz you might get mixed up. also live like a french person or spanish person. listen to french/spanish music. try to find people online on like myspace or something to add and start talking to them on msn or something. people are always willing to help. take a course in uni or visit that country to get a even more authentic lesson. :)



i'm in the same boat. i really really wanna learn a new language and i think that's one of the best things we can do for ourselves!

Answer 8

I would think that one of the best and fastest way of learning a foreign language is by their songs.

Answer 9

Pimsleur has mutliple language learning systems. It's not free, unless you know where to look. This question comes up a lot and I try and spread the word.

Answer 10

i think that the best Way to learn a language its being in contact with people that talk the languages that do you wanna learn,,,that the way that i learned English

Answer 11

private tutor, live in the country, talk to someone who speaks the language a lot.

Answer 12

Go to that country and avoid other English speakers while you are learning.