This may actually be GQ, but I really don’t think so.
So, even reading the Dope every day, I can feel my brains leaking out of my head with advancing age (46 next month!). I thought I’d like to combat this insidious progression by learning a new language. But I am completely broke, (as in paying my mother room and board, after sucessfully escaping that house at the age of 17), so I can’t afford software to learn that way. I took 3 years of German in HS, so i decided that would be the language to start with. I remember a tiny bit, my teacher always said my accent was good naturally, (good, not perfect), and I have online friends from Germany that I can at least practice the written language with.
So, do I have a hope in hell that I can do this, and if so, how do I begin?
Have any of the Teeming Millions taught themselves a language?
Is there a Goethe-Institut in your area? They offer courses that are rather pricey, but they may also be able to connect you with a community of German-speakers who can tutor you. I was taking French at the French equivalent, and they had pub nights and other social events.
Can’t afford the software, eh? Try your local library. The one here has online resources for language instruction (they have that Rosetta stone thing goin’ on, if memory serves), but is available only to people with valid library cards.
Our UPS gal taught herself Russian from a course she got at the local library. She had no prior knowledge and appears to be very fluent. She always has a Russian paperback in her hand.
Having learned Japanese by being in Japan versus trying and giving up learning German on my own, the largest differences are the chance to practice with people and motivation.
One problem with text books is that they usually only present one sentence pattern where natives will use multiple patterns. How many conversations you do you which go :
A. Hello
B. Hello. How are you?
A. Fine. Thank you.
I know people who have learned languages on their own, and if you can find ways to motive yourself and to practice with other people, if possible.
This website used to be completely free, but it looks like it’s gone to only mostly free. They still have a lot of good stuff before you have to pay anything. German is one of the languages they offer–I can only speak for their Japanese program, but it’s better than most of the books I bought.
Check out Before You Know It. I’ve been using it to help with learning Hindi (I’m also taking classes through work). The free basic program should be enough to start with.
Thanks again, for the new replies! I will check out all your suggestions. Well, maybe not the bed one, but only for lack of opportunity! It sounds like a superlative method!
If you have a college nearby, definitely check to see if they have language clubs. These are usually casual gatherings (coffee shop, etc.) just to practice the language. All the ones I’ve known were happy to have anyone join in.
Another vote for checking the library, also. I know ours has several languages courses. They may not be the latest & greatest, but they’re free!