What do you think is the best way to learn a foreign language?

1. 61

   LensMan999posted 11 years ago

   What do you think is the best way to learn a foreign language?
   
   Is learning the grammar or talking directly the apt way?
   
   

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2. 83

   Paul Kuehnposted 11 years ago

   The best way to learn a foreign language depends on your purpose and motivation in learning the language.  If you plan on using the language as a second language to satisfy basic needs in the target language of the country where you will be living, it would be best to learn the language through immersion.  For example, if you will be living and working in the U.S., it would be best to learn through immersion.  If your goal is to learn the language more as a foreign language and less as a second language, then I would enroll in a school which offers small classes and can introduce the grammar and sentence structure needed to be successful academically.  If neither of these ways is any good for you, you could also learn by self-study by getting such programs as Rosetta Stone and Pimseleur.

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3. 72

   marieryanposted 11 years ago

   I totally agree with Paul Keuhn above. I think that the key to learning another language is understanding there is not just one -best- way. Like a lot of things in life, the answer is BALANCE. Even though you may not believe it , you always need grammar, even to just 'speak directly'! Grammar is simply the language patterns that make up any language. There can-t be speaking without grammar (at least a little!). The aim is to balance the amount of grammar you need to fit your particular needs. If you are learning the language for using on holiday, to converse in hotels, bars and restaurants, you need limited grammar skills, but you still need them! Otherwise you would have to learn by heart every single item and phrase. Without understanding the grammar, even the simplest grammar, you will not be able to fully "USE" what you are learning. Good luck with your language learning!

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4. 72

   everymomposted 11 years ago

   The best way to learn any language (the grammar and how to speak directly) is by living, studying, working in the country (or countries) where that language is spoken. Barring that, a study program that involves speaking and listening to the language as you learn (immersion-type), especially in a small-group setting (so you're not just listening and speaking to one person, as in a 1-1 individual lesson). You need to _receive_ the language from a variety of inputs (videos, dvds, cds, books; music, tv news and other programming, movies, radio programs) and to _produce_ the language, beginning with social language and (hopefully, even if you just want to "get by" in a language) culminating in a more academic language. To produce the language if you're not living and working/studying in an environment where it is mainstream, Skype and creating animations or games, greeting cards, etc. are great ways!

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5. 70

   IslandBitesposted 11 years ago

   I agree with marieryan and Paul. When I was learning Italian (at the Univ.), I read, watched movies and chatted with italian friends. I dont think you could effectively learn if you dont mix both.

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