Quote:
Originally Posted by Mortis
Believe it or not, that is the best way to learn a new language, because you are being forced to think in the target language much faster than if you were translating every word or phrase. Give it time and try as much as possible to speak only in French.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stitchawl
[...]To take a class where your native language is used will NOT do you well in the long run. Total immersion is the ONLY way to quickly learn a language.[...]
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yep yep, but I think we should like know at least what the teacher is talking about, not really exactly but should get the gist, huh? It was like listening to a song sung in a language you don't know a thing about. I know using native language in a language class isn't good, but there are times when you can't guess blindly, right?
My first 2 days with Vietnamese teacher went well, she knew what was the best for us and restrictedly used our language once or twice to explain "difficult" words, and never more than a sentence each time. Much more easier for all of us. On the contrary, we, as well as our French teacher, had to struggle hard.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stitchawl
Something that works very well for me is to buy a couple of children's books, the sort they call 'first readers.' Made for 3-4 year olds... Like this: See the ball. See the red ball. See the dog. See the green dog. See the green dog run.
As long as you don't need to discuss quantum physics, these books can really give you a boost into a new language.
Stitchawl
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oh right, I'll try those books
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mortis
This is an excellent method as well, just don't get caught up trying to translate the books [...]
Learning a second language is always hard, but you all ready learned the most difficult second language, English, so French will be a cakewalk  |
after reading the first page in a book written in English, which in my case was
20000 leagues under the sea, I stopped trying to translate them into my native language altogether
isn't reading way too painful when 50% of the used word are alien?
ah no, in my opinion French isn't exactly a "cakewalk". French has some influence on our language, and the fact that it's easily confused with English makes things hard. I'm scared: what if I want to say some words in English and say them in French instead? you know, person - personne...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stitchawl
Interestingly enough, the average Japanese university English teacher can NOT speak English. They can translate the written language perfectly. They can write and compose with perfect grammar. But they can NOT speak and usually not comprehend spoken English. It's quite sad.
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My friend's father told us that when he came to Japan some years back, he needed directions once or twice and couldn't manage to ask anyone but the hotel concierges. Nobody spoke English, except for those who worked in hotels. I myself didn't believe it so, and I thought maybe it was a suburb area. Until you confirmed that.