What methods did you use to become fluent in a second language?

1. 70

   ithabiseposted 12 years ago

   What methods did you use to become fluent in a second language?

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2. 59

   SuperheroSalesposted 12 years ago

   In order to learn another language you should immerse yourself in it.  You should either take courses or listen to recordings geared toward teaching beginners.  You will also benefit by finding someone who speaks your language as well as the one you want to learn so that they can coach you and help you as you go along.  Sometimes you can find places online where you can interact with people from other countries (and cheat by using an online translator when you get stuck). Another thing to do is to watch movies or try to read books or articles.  Above all the best thing you can do is go to the country that speaks the language so you will be forced to use it in order to function.  I hope these tips gave you a good starting point!

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3. 78

   Ania Lposted 12 years ago

   All possible methods I could find. Started with typical courses, moved to reading books in that language, watching movies, listening to audio books. Then I have moved to an English spoken country and got to know English people. This helped me to have meaningful conversations in English and I could practise talking.
   And finally I'm here, on HubPages, writing informational hubs as well as fiction stories. It's a challenge but hopefully it will help me to improve my English.
   I know that moving to a different country might not be an option for most people, but everything else is still available

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4. 88

   kerlynbposted 12 years ago

   Love this question because I am user of English as a Second Language.  Here are the things that I've been doing:
   
   - Use English at home, work, or play.
   - Read English novels and magazines.
   - Speak in English when possible.
   - Stay patient. Learning takes time.
   - Don't let a day pass without using English.
   - Watch English movies and listen to English songs.
   - Blog in English.

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5. 67

   samthomasuaeposted 12 years ago

   Learning English was a challenge during my teenage days (1970s).
   
   I did the following and it worked;
   1. Listen radio news in Malayalam and listen English news from the same station.
   2. Listen Christian messages in English, they were easy to understand because I already new the subject.
   3. Engage in conversation with friends who also wanted to improve conversation.
   
   Now it is much easier. Watching films will help you build conversation skills. Watching documentaries will help you polish the language.

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6. 71

   evelynsaenzposted 12 years ago

   I started by taking classes in high school but what really made it happen for me was moving to Costa Rica. Because I was immersed in a Spanish speaking culture, I was forced to use my Spanish and soon I was communicating and even talking on the phone in Spanish.

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7. 0

   whowasposted 12 years ago

   I lived and worked for many consecutive years in Italy, immersing myself in the life and culture of the local, every day folk. I'm now part time in the UK and part time in Tuscany.
   
   When I went out there the first time all I could say was 'ciao' and 'bella' (which is not as useful as you might imagine...) but soon (after about six months or a little more) found myself speaking, thinking and dreaming in fluent Italian - with a hint of a Florentine accent. It was sooner than that that I was able to communicate well enough to get by with day-to-day things.

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   1. 0

      whowasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So what I'm saying is - go live in the country where your language is spoken if you can.

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