What, with the exception of immersion, is the best way to learn a new language?
I have the desire to learn a new language (and have for some time). I’ve already learned that I do ok with learning weird pronunciation.
I am torn between Korean, Arabic, or Russian.
What would be the best way to learn any of those languages?
btw, I’m not in a position at present to take a class in school. I might be next year. But I’d like to get started ASAP.
Get access to audio clips to familiarise yourself with the sounds of the language, the BBC offers audio in these languages but I’m sure there are more resources online. Most Arabic language cinema is made in Egypt meaning thatthe Egyptian dialect is the most widely understood - get out some DVDs and watch with English subtitles, you’re bound to start picking up some set phrases and basic vocab.
As the languages you mention all use different alphabets It would be worth investing a fair amout of time in simply familiarising yourself with their characters, rewriting names and English words in them so that you can start to look at basic (perhaps children’s) books in the language you settle on. If there is a large immigrant population where you live visit the specialist shops/supermarkets and read the labels, listen to how the language sounds spoken by the ‘natives’.
With a living language, though, there really isn’t any substitute for practicing speaking and listening with someone who knows the language. If you’re not going to take a class, can you find someone who knows the language you want to learn and who is willing to help you practice?
I’m an ace with accents so I borrowed (and copied) Russian language tapes from the library just for a lark. Playing the tapes and repeating out loud really programs the brain and tongue to work in unison. Ultimately you’ll have to go native to really learn the language. I’ve done it with French but not Russian (my Yakov Smirnov impression is bang on though) What helped me to learn french was borrowing and watching french movies with english subtitles. Just keep watching them over and over and pay less and less attention to the subtitles. Use subtitles like training wheels.
I have found the Pimsleur CDs to be excellent (I’m attempting to learn Chinese). You can find them used and then sell them when you’re done. The turnover cost is fairly small that way. They only give you verbal, not written, material, but it’s top quality stuff.
The Rosetta Stone software is pretty good also, and does include written material along with the audio.
So nice to see this thread spring back to life!
I have access to Russian speakers, and can find Korean, but Arabic (either egyptian arabic or other dialects) might be a bit harder to track down.
Thank you all for the leads, however. This will give me something to do while I’m on summer break!
This sounds a bit old-fashioned, but it helped me when I was learning Arabic back around 1980. I just determined that I wanted to learn Arabic (speak, read, write), and I made practise fun. I’d make my own labels and tape them around my house and car, something that I’d see every day (or several times a day.)
I’d pick out what I’d call “tool words” and they’d help me learn even more words. I also made friends with a lot of Arab foreign-exchange students, and they’d help me actually use the language.
I’d even listen to Voice of America broadcasts in Arabic on my short-wave radio, just to see what words I could pick up.
Learning a few swear words and the like made things kind of fun as well. I just determined that I’d learn to speak Arabic and that was all there was to it.
It’s never easy to learn a language, but the results are sure worth it, especially when you can make friends with a person whose language you’ve tried to learn! The smile is a great part of the reward!
Immersion.
Doesn’t mean you have to live abroad, it just means that you need to listen to a lot of the language being spoken and no subtitles. Korean would probably be the easiest (in those terms) of the languages you mention as they have a decent film industry.
Of course Arabic and Russian would probably be closer to English which may make them easier from a “wrapping your brain around it” sense. I can’t admit to knowing much about them though so take that with a big grain of salt.
Read the language. Packaging, books, whatever. Reading a book about a subject you already know, or a translation of a book you’ve read in English, is extremely helpful.
Translate store signs.
Listen to the radio or watch TV in the language. This helps you get used to its sounds and rhythms, even if you don’t understand most of what’s going on. These days there are plenty of audio and video feeds on the internet if you don’t have access to actual local broadcasts.
Once I was past a certain basic level of knowledge, I emailed people. As I got betterm I found that instant messaging with friends was extremely helpful, more so than live text chat. In live text chat, IMHO, the advantage of connection is overwhelmed by the disadvantage of everyone else seeing your keystrokes as you type. At least in instant messaging, you have time to compose your message before sending it.