I've been thinking about learning another language sometime in the future. I know there are benefits to learning languages simultaneously, but I'd rather wait a few years before introducing another one. I like to do as much immersion as possible, so I think I'd be overwhelmed if I was trying the immersion method for another language. Plus, I don't know what language to choose.
I believe that "creating a need" is an important part of language learning. I have to ask myself, what other language would we have a need to speak? Of course I could pick Italian or French for the fun of it, but I don't know if I'd stay motivated because I can't think of a situation where I'd need to use those languages, and I don't know if I'd have easy access to native speakers.
Mandarin is popular these days, but I don't know. I can see potential problems with that.
There are so many different languages in the world, it seems a shame to limit yourself to one or two. I am going to keep thinking about it, but for now I guess I have enough on my plate with trying to increase my Spanish proficiency.
Showing posts with label language learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label language learning. Show all posts
Monday, October 10, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Best Way to Learn a Language
Bean and I are following the immersion method of learning. I'm not going to spend time reviewing grammar books or any other conventional method. We are simply going to immerse ourselves in the Spanish language.
As a sidenote, I will be using SRS (or space repetition software) so that I can retain phrases, but other than that I am trying to keep things as natural as possible.
So what does that mean?
In general, I don't like TV, but if it's on it's going to be in Spanish. Books I read need to be in Spanish. When I teach songs, colors, etc to Bean- it will be in Spanish. I'm going to find a church that's conducted in Spanish. Websites I visit...you guessed it, it's time to start incorporating Spanish sites into my day. And so on and so fourth.
We also have to get out and meet native speakers, etc- which shouldn't be too hard because there are many of them in this area. Grammar drills, vocab lessons, traditional classes- been there, done that, wrote a postcard- and I don't think that's the best way to learn a language. It works for some people and that's great- but I learned English without sitting in a classroom being quizzed so I feel confident that my baby can learn Spanish the same way.
As a sidenote, I will be using SRS (or space repetition software) so that I can retain phrases, but other than that I am trying to keep things as natural as possible.
So what does that mean?
In general, I don't like TV, but if it's on it's going to be in Spanish. Books I read need to be in Spanish. When I teach songs, colors, etc to Bean- it will be in Spanish. I'm going to find a church that's conducted in Spanish. Websites I visit...you guessed it, it's time to start incorporating Spanish sites into my day. And so on and so fourth.
We also have to get out and meet native speakers, etc- which shouldn't be too hard because there are many of them in this area. Grammar drills, vocab lessons, traditional classes- been there, done that, wrote a postcard- and I don't think that's the best way to learn a language. It works for some people and that's great- but I learned English without sitting in a classroom being quizzed so I feel confident that my baby can learn Spanish the same way.
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