How do you study? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!



Go Back   TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards! > Backpacker College Student Travel Message Boards > Language Club- How do you say...?

Language Club- How do you say...? Languages, Translations...What's the word, yo?!

Raileurope.com: See Europe by train
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-04-2005, 07:52 PM   #1
TheJake
To Smart For Mensa
 
TheJake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 5,585
Thanks: 3
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Send a message via AIM to TheJake Send a message via MSN to TheJake Send a message via Yahoo to TheJake Send a message via Skype™ to TheJake
Default

Hey guys I need to start studying spanish again and I don't have time for college classes. Has anyone used a do-it-yourself study course for a language before? I did a cd one for portugese that helped alot before I went but I am pretty much past most of those CD ones.

Any ideas?
__________________
Adventure needs to be as much about discovering yourself as it is about discovering the world.
TheJake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2005, 07:31 AM   #2
Ryder
Members
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Boston
Posts: 260
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

get the the "Teach Yourself ____" Their really good, if you're at the bookstore their in a yellow and white packaging, make sure you don't just by the book though.

http://books.mcgraw-hill.com/getbook.php?i...ate=foreignlang
__________________
Jake Ryder
Ryder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2005, 10:37 AM   #3
starpiste
Members
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: From Vancouver, Canada but living in Nottingham, UK
Posts: 78
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via MSN to starpiste Send a message via Yahoo to starpiste
Default

Depending on where you live there's sometimes conversational groups, who just kind of meet and speak a different language over coffee to practice. I've seem them held once a month or once a week, but usually it's a drop in thing so you just go when you can. Also the level of language tends to be pretty high, but it depends where you are now.

I also second the "Teach Yourself" series. I've only used the books as grammar help, rather than conversation, but found it great.
starpiste is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2005, 09:50 PM   #4
kingcrazylegs
***** gear guru
 
kingcrazylegs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 6,299
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Send a message via ICQ to kingcrazylegs Send a message via AIM to kingcrazylegs Send a message via MSN to kingcrazylegs Send a message via Yahoo to kingcrazylegs
Default

Best way to learn a language is to go immerse yourself in it....go to spain or mexico or somewhere for 3 months. You'll learn fast

Conversational groups sound good too. I've always learned best by having to use the language. I learn Maltese fluently, my Spanish and Italian aren't bad, and really started picking up the Creole while in Belize (seriously a hard language). When I took classes I had a hard time.
__________________

all that is not given is lost
kingcrazylegs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2005, 11:36 AM   #5
elfmaiden
TPunk Emeritus
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 676
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via MSN to elfmaiden
Default

These are good suggests! I've just started learning french. I got a "French for Dummies" books for xmas which is pretty funny actually and I found out my work will pay for college french lessons. which I have started taking. Mostly it's a refresher of what I learned in grade school, but having a few co-workers who are learning is helping out alot!

Even if you find other people at your level, I find I learn more when I'm explaining a question to someone or beind told by someone who's doin' the exact same thing. I guess different brains waves help out too. :D

Au revoir!
__________________
My igloo is melting...
elfmaiden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2006, 09:28 AM   #6
happy travels!
Members
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 16
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

You guys all have some great advice, I just wanted to "second" them!
I studied French for 12 years in school but still didn't speak all that well. After a year in the French part of Switzerland, I can finally say I'm fluent. Forsure learning abroad is the best way to learn a language!

I also learnt some German and Italian with those silly TRAVEL C.D.'s!! They're okay but the problem is you only learn how to ask certain questions but when the other people answer....oie!!! it kinda leaves you a bit limited! but still a good starter!

I'm now on the search to find a Spanish school somewhere in South America, preferably Argentina. I've been looking on-line to find a site where I can compare the different schools and prices and whatnot! Otherwise to look for each individual school will take me forever...so if you have any suggestions let me know!!

Thank you, merci, gracias, danke, shalom!

happy travels! is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2006, 11:27 AM   #7
blinkchick2134
TPunk Emeritus
 
blinkchick2134's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,633
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I third or fourth (whatever we're on) the conversational groups. Or any cultural group for that matter. If anything post an ad on Craigslist looking for a tutor. I was debating getting a cd/book kit but I'll probably just take a class Summer session at school (that way I get 3 credits out of the way and update my Spanish).
__________________
Amber

"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006

blog of travels and such
flickr

Currently located in HAWAII

Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle
blinkchick2134 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2006, 11:31 AM   #8
blinkchick2134
TPunk Emeritus
 
blinkchick2134's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,633
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I also wanted to add that when I went to Germany my homestay sister and her friends were fluent in English, German, French and light Italian. I asked them how they did it (other than the amazing school system - their teacher spoke over 100 languages...some only a few words but he had a short conversation with one girl in our group from Ethopia) and they said they have study session every week or so. In the sessions they print out lyrics to their favorite songs at the moment and translate them using their textbooks and dictionaries. I thought it was really neat!
__________________
Amber

"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006

blog of travels and such
flickr

Currently located in HAWAII

Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle
blinkchick2134 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2006, 12:56 PM   #9
omisan
Minister of Offense
 
omisan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Fran Disco
Posts: 6,528
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to omisan Send a message via Yahoo to omisan
Default

Like happy travels, I studied French for years, but it didn't really all gel until I spent some time in Paris and was pretty much forced to speak it 24/7... Same thing with Spanish - although I didn't study much, total immersion in the language forced it all out of me. It's amazing how adaptive we can be, and how rewarding that experience is.

As far as self-study goes, I'm a big fan of it. I've tried the Teach Yourself _____ method for Dutch (and have the set for Catalan) and it worked pretty well, at least for doing a 2-week DIY course and then heading off to the Netherlands. While I naturally hadn't mastered the language after two weeks, Dutch folks were marveling at my pronunciation - which is one of the great things about using CDs. You can also get Teach Yourself in book form, and while the exercises in there are very good, you won't get crap for pronunciation.

My favorite all-around DIY method is Pimsleur. They're audio-only, so it's crap for literacy and spelling, but in terms of quickly getting up to speed in a language, their stuff is amazing. (However, from what I understand, you can get versions with workbooks so you can read along if you wish...) I got the intro Spanish set (only a weeklong course) before going to Spain and by my 3rd day in Spain I was able to give people directions, hold conversations about cooking, and feel fairly confident conversing with locals - though not very proficieintly. I decided to do the rest of the full course via my iPod and car stereo, and wound up having no problems at all talking to people in Costa Rica, after an initial day of fumbling with the language.

I swear by DIY systems, but that's just the way it works out for me. Some people need a class environment, others just need full immersion. Before spending a lot of time/money on any method, I'd recommend taking a little sampler. The Pimsleur intro courses are very cheap at Barnes & Noble, you can audit a class or two at your local community college, or you can find a conversational group by looking up Activity Partners on Craigslist.. Try them out and see which method suits you best.
__________________
¿Donde esta Omid? Omi-san wa doko desuka? Ou est Omid? Wo ist Omid?

Find out @ http://omidabroad.blogspot.com

omisan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2006, 06:44 AM   #10
bluepea
TPunk Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Indefinite.
Posts: 2,857
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to bluepea
Default

"Tables" (conversational groups) are really popular among college language classes. You might want to pop by the local university and talk to the head of the language department or a prof in whatever class and see if they can get you in on some studying/working with a tutor.

Yes, immersion is the best. It's amazing how many little things you can pick up and how much a language you've studied can improve.

We met a German woman who became an American soldier maybe 10 years ago. She didn't have an accent at all. She said she learned by watching kids' cartoons since the vocabulary is usually simplified.

Right now I'm studying Korean at my school but would rather be in Korea learning since I really think it'd be less confusing than how my prof is teaching it.
__________________
~~ Jamie ~~
You give me the most gorgeous sleep That I've ever had And when it's really bad I guess it's not that bad




Have some general questions such as whether or not to get a rail pass or how much money you'll need? Visit here!

First time travelers/travelers with a lot of questions - this forum is for you![b]
bluepea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2006, 12:08 PM   #11
happy travels!
Members
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 16
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Conversation groups are great. I did a French and German TAMDEM language exchange with 2 different guys who wanted to practice their English. We got toghether once a week and spoke both the languages and asked questions, it was good fun! Of course my 1st question was always "teach me some dirty words"...you know the important stuff you don't learn in a classroom! I met my French partner in a bar once and started making a list of all the "important" words, I went to the loo and when I came back some other guy had read it and asked me what the hell I was doing! I was a little embarrased you could say!

I think I'll invest in a begginer Spanish book or c.d. to start learning. I've been going crazy searching to find a site on the internet with a list of spanish schools in Argentina but I finally found one the other day! I'm not exactly the most computer-intelligent so sometimes it takes me awhile! I just thought I'd pass it on in case anyone else was looking to study Spanish abroad, it's www.learn-spanish-guide.com . I guess the name kinda says it all doesn't it!! (should have known!) So now I just have to decide which school to go to! I emailed them for some advice and a good recommendation, so hopefully that will help me. But I would definately appreciate any of your suggestions as well!

Anyways, I wish you guys all the best with your language studies!

happy travels! is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2006, 07:40 PM   #12
TimmyJames1976
TPunk Recognized
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Xinzhuang, Taiwan
Posts: 1,247
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

i think it really helps to find someone to help above and beyond a book. or CD....so you can tell if you are saying things right. of course im trying to pick up some Mandarin, and its tonal, so you need to make sure you say things right..but it helps for whatever language you wanna learn...so yeah, a converstaion group or native speaker will help tons
__________________
www.movetotaiwan.com
TimmyJames1976 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2006, 10:45 PM   #13
kingofsoulz
Members
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 14
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

just as long as there's music... just not to loud... i feel relax and inspired to study...
kingofsoulz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2006, 07:50 AM   #14
goyincognito
TPunk Recognized
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: somewhere...
Posts: 490
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to goyincognito Send a message via MSN to goyincognito
Default

I learned Hebrew at an ulpan which is basically an intensive course...I imagine they have equivalent courses in other countries (ulpan is essentially Hebrew taught like ESL is in the US...total immersion and only Hebrew allowed and spoken at all times even from day 1...for many, many hours per week, plus ridiculous amounts of homework).

Ulpan was surprisingly low cost too (NIS 390...about USD 85 per month for around 23 hours per week of instruction), and I'm willing to bet the equivalencies in other countries are similarly priced (or, if not, then at least reasonably priced) and every bit as intense.

But right now since I'm really good (or, at least good enough ) at Hebrew I'm learning French now by just talking to my friend in French.

It's a headache that way for the first couple hours then you get the hang of it, it becomes easier and just requires you to use it and not be shy...just hope any friend you utilize is patient during the learning curve

Either way, immersion is really the only way to truly learn a language...
__________________
goyincognito is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2006, 10:29 AM   #15
LiveFreeorDie
TPunk Emeritus
 
LiveFreeorDie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newly relocated to C-bus - USA
Posts: 2,858
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

The two DIY language courses that I have heard good things about are Pimsleur (and try this site for good pricing: Cheappimsleur.com) and Linguaphone. Good luck!
__________________
\\Jamie\\



"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin

"The plural of anecdote is not data"
LiveFreeorDie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2006, 02:40 PM   #16
TheJake
To Smart For Mensa
 
TheJake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 5,585
Thanks: 3
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Send a message via AIM to TheJake Send a message via MSN to TheJake Send a message via Yahoo to TheJake Send a message via Skype™ to TheJake
Default

yeah pimsleur was extremely helpful when I learned Portugese.
__________________
Adventure needs to be as much about discovering yourself as it is about discovering the world.
TheJake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2006, 02:49 PM   #17
omisan
Minister of Offense
 
omisan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Fran Disco
Posts: 6,528
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to omisan Send a message via Yahoo to omisan
Default

The Pimsleur Conversational Czech was pretty awesome. The great thing about an audio system like there's is that you get the pronunciation down like a native. So while I was speaking really broken Czech, at least the words I did know sounded perfect
__________________
¿Donde esta Omid? Omi-san wa doko desuka? Ou est Omid? Wo ist Omid?

Find out @ http://omidabroad.blogspot.com

omisan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2006, 07:59 AM   #18
elfmaiden
TPunk Emeritus
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 676
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via MSN to elfmaiden
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by omisan@Apr 12 2006, 04:49 PM
The Pimsleur Conversational Czech was pretty awesome.* The great thing about an audio system like there's is that you get the pronunciation down like a native.* So while I was speaking really broken Czech, at least the words I did know sounded perfect
[snapback]112023[/snapback]

HA HA, when I was in Cesky Krumlov we had this awesome guy try to teach us some basic Czech. And lets just say it's fun to have a native speaker teach you over a bite to eat. But it made me realize I'm definitely not a linguist...People who can sound like they've been born there impress me!

Jenn
__________________
My igloo is melting...
elfmaiden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2006, 12:57 AM   #19
JeanB
Members
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Near London
Posts: 265
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via MSN to JeanB
Default

I just wanted to add to something that Blink chick picked up on. I think if you can find a band that plays a style of music that you like, and sings clearly in the language you're learning, then that is perfect for reinforcing a DIY approach.

For example Jake, if you are learning spanish and love your ska (as i do) then Ska-P is the spanish band you're looking for!

English speaking people often wonder how continental europeans speak english with ease, and i think the answer is that english is everywhere for them......internet, the movies they watch, music. They simply can't avoid it. So the trick to learning their language fast is the same....find a person you can chat to and practice with through yahoo or msn (easily done), rent out spanish movies with english subtitles, listen to their music, and really although you don't realise it, you're studying all the time.

don't get me wrong, this way of learning can only complement a teach yourself approach with books and tapes, it can't substitute for it completely.........But it does make recognising and remembering the words much much easier!

also, if at work download a virtual teacher screensaver......subliminal learning works!
__________________
Last night i had a dream about reality. It was such a relief to wake up. - Stanislaw Lec.
JeanB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2006, 04:40 PM   #20
DC_Jessica
call me Condi!
 
DC_Jessica's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 800
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I've learned the most and improved the most of any language by forgetting about being bashful and basically just bombarding anyone with any degree of knowledge in what I'm studying with my crappy, crappy language skills. My *mistakes* have helped me more than any class or immersion session teaching me proper grammar. OR when you're traveling: learn ONE word. Just one. And repeat it constantly. Please is a good one. Try not to let your one word be dirty. I know two words in Czech: please and help. Hmm, maybe thank you. Oh, and "I am a vegetarian." But I have really spent five seconds, approx, in the Czech Republic. I just walked around saying, "Prosim, prosim, prosim," whenever I needed to get someone's attention ask a question, whatever, even though everything I had after I got "prosim" out of my system was going to be English.

It's not infallible, however, as when I attempted Turkish (several times, mind you) everybody laughed at me. I was just trying to say thank you! Just play. Learn something silly. I know people like the teacher mentioned above who can say at least something in 100 different languages (so many, hard to believe!). They just repeat the same thing, non sequitur or not, over and over. And those are the phrases they'll never be able to forget.
__________________
"I set out alone, finding no companion to cheer the way with friendly intercourse, and no party of travellers with whom to associate myself. Swayed by an overmastering impulse within me, and a long-cherished desire to visit those glorious sanctuaries, I resolved to quit all my friends and tear myself away from my home."
---Ibn Battuta, CE 1325


Latest travel crushes - Arizona, Morocco, The Baltic States, Tunisia, Portugal, Mexico
DC_Jessica is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply






Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Study overseas on EU passport nzboy Studying, Living, Working, Volunteering Abroad, Expats 3 11-07-2006 05:58 PM
study on traveling alone solobackpackers Traveling Alone or Family Travel 1 12-28-2005 05:48 PM
travel vs study/job etc mermaidnz General Discussions 22 11-24-2004 08:41 AM
Where to study abroad 200proof General Travel Tips and Advice 8 07-23-2004 08:39 AM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:35 AM.



 

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.2.0 (Unregistered)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121