# What Are the Chances of Learing a Foreign Language On My Own **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 23, 2008, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502 "2008-07-23T17:06:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GillianBoardman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc79bd/32.png) [@GillianBoardman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GillianBoardman)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/1 "2008-07-23T17:06:09Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/2 "2008-07-23T17:25:18Z")
German, eh? You need to connect with German-speakers. Is there a [Goethe-Institut](http://www.goethe.de/enindex.htm) 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. Is there a university or college near you that offers German? Distance learning? Here’s the German Consulate in Toronto [on learning German](http://www.toronto.diplo.de/Vertretung/toronto/en/06/Deutsch __lernen/Weshalb__ Deutsch__lernen.html). They link to a [page on websites for learning German](http://www.toronto.diplo.de/Vertretung/toronto/en/06/Deutsch__lernen/seite __online__ deutsch__lernen.html). Yes, I found that after a certain basic level of learning, I was able to IM with people in my new language, and that was excellent practice. Got any German channels on cable? Books in the public library? Then there’re [podcasts](http://www.google.com/search?q=podcast+learn+german&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a) in German… ---
**Author:** ![Malienation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Malienation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malienation)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/3 "2008-07-23T17:42:04Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/4 "2008-07-23T18:01:24Z")
Actually, Rosetta Stone no longer sells subscriptions to libraries. Sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/5 "2008-07-23T18:36:21Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![GillianBoardman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc79bd/32.png) [@GillianBoardman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GillianBoardman)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/6 "2008-07-23T20:15:34Z")
Thanks Everyone! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/7 "2008-07-23T20:45:52Z")
My library has a lot of Pimsleur language CDs. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/8 "2008-07-24T05:46:12Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/9 "2008-07-24T06:28:12Z")
[http://www.mangolanguages.com/lesson](http://www.mangolanguages.com/lesson) 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. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/10 "2008-07-24T07:24:25Z")
The best way to learn a foreign language is in bed, with someone who only speaks that language. Amazing how quickly people learn that way. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/11 "2008-07-24T08:31:29Z")
[QUOTE=DMark] The best way to learn a foreign language is in bed, with someone who only speaks that language. Amazing how quickly people learn that way. [/QUOTE] So I’ve heard. But I’ve never had the chance to verify it. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/12 "2008-07-24T21:03:08Z")
Check out [Before You Know It.](http://www.google.com/url?q=http://byki.com/fls/germ/german&sa=X&oi=smap&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=5&usg=AFQjCNEsBkOFVNNeSzxR1MN49MpZDb6faA) 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. ---
**Author:** ![GillianBoardman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc79bd/32.png) [@GillianBoardman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GillianBoardman)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/13 "2008-07-25T12:57:53Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/14 "2008-07-25T13:33:34Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/15 "2008-07-25T14:20:32Z")
[QUOTE=DMark] The best way to learn a foreign language is in bed, with someone who only speaks that language. Amazing how quickly people learn that way. [/QUOTE] Would watching foreign pr0n count? ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2008, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-learing-a-foreign-language-on-my-own/457502/16 "2008-07-26T02:52:49Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > The best way to learn a foreign language is in bed, with someone who only speaks that language. Amazing how quickly people learn that way. [QUOTE=Sunspace] So I’ve heard. But I’ve never had the chance to verify it. [/QUOTE] Although it started long distance, it’s kinda how I got my Japanese to a conversational+ level… :o (embarrassed not a bj)