Easy ways to speak a second language?

1. 87

   tsmogposted 9 years ago

   Easy ways to speak a second language?
   
   I am trying to learn Swedish. I find it difficult, although I only half heartily try. My bust :-( ! I have the most difficulty with pronunciation, so I think a tutor or a class would be best especially with reading it. They have a lot of different enunciations for verbs plus how to write them. Any suggestions what may helped you to learn a second language?

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2. 83

   Buildrepsposted 9 years ago

   Your native tongue is English (or American?). German, Dutch, Swedish, etc. are not easy to learn since pronunciation is so different. I speak five different languages. It's absolutely crucial that you've to develop a kind of native 'voice' in your head. So, in your case this voice has to be Swedish.
   
   What you can do is this.
   
   You can start easy with watching all Swedish movies with English subtitles. Look the movie the second time without subtitles. Remember which parts of the movie you absolutely missed, because you didn't understood what they said. Note these passages, and look them back with subtitles on. You'll then understand the essence of the conversation.
   
   You can try to practice and download the original Swedish subtitles file to speak along with the actors.
   
   Of course, taking an online course with a living tutor is good too, but it will be very expensive.
   
   Here's a link to Swedish movies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Swedish_films
   
   There are many ways to find them on the internet. Good luck!

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   1. 87

      tsmogposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you so much! I never gave that a thought. I listen to music from Sweden, but now definitely will seek out movies & such at YouTube and your link. Thank you!!! I have CD's, but as shared I have not devoted really enough time. I will  now!

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      integraterposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Wonderful advice, especiaally watching the movie with subtitles and then without sub titles .

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3. 87

   tsmogposted 9 years ago

   (Continuing the comment with/to Buildreps) My first language is English being a native in the U.S. A minor second language is Spanish, however its tone is related to the culture here in California. Some call that 'Spanglish' while actually it is Mexican Spanish. It is not as proper as the Spanish of Spain.
   
   There is very little differences with the enunciation for it especially with the written language. With Swedish I think I have a mental barrier because of all the enunciation markings with the written language. They boggle my mind, although like I said I really have not tried hard.
   
   I like your approach with seeking out films with sub-titles. I have never thought of that. Plus, it will be entertaining and fun. One old saying is we learn with the mind of a child having fun learning. Maybe I will look at cartoons first or see about children shows. Basic language stuff. What do you think?
   
   Again, Buildreps thank you so much :-)

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      Buildrepsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You're welcome, Tim. Of course you can watch cartoons. On the other hand will the Swedish movies give you a direct access to their culture, habits and language. It's the easiest way to develop a Swedish 'voice' in your head.

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   2. 87

      tsmogposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I agree strongly with your suggestion Buildreps. I tried it yesterday watching Swedish movies. I understand your emphasis of getting a look at the culture for Sweden. I became aware of much more. I will probably do that as a weekly event now :-)

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4. 61

   Akriti Mattuposted 9 years ago

   The best way to learn and be comfortable in a new language is to keep speaking it regularly even if you make mistakes. Trust me after a while, you will be proficient :-)

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   1. 87

      tsmogposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Akriti Mattu. The only person I can practice with is when I phone a friend in Sweden. Maybe I should look for Swedish social groups here in my local. Great idea and thank you :-)

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5. 86

   liesl5858posted 9 years ago

   Learning a second language is not easy. I am a Filipino and I learnt my second language which is English in school along side my own Tagalog language as you know there are many dialects that we Filipinos speak so I had to learn my own language with English language but I found it easier to learn the two languages together. However, I also learnt the spoken Kuwaiti Arabic language when I was working in Kuwait. I had to persevere learning the spoken Arabic because my employers children don't speak English but their parents did. So what I did, I listened to what the kids say to me then I asked their parents to translate it to me in English. With a notebook to refer to I wrote every word or phrases they speak and translate it after. This worked for me and since then I speak their Arabic language. I made a hub about it if you want to peek. But yes it is great to know at least one second language. I am very interested in other languages and so I will persevere to learn a new language any time. Good luck in learning the German language. With many You Tube videos, I am sure you can learn from videos.

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6. 86

   Kristen Howeposted 9 years ago

   There are a couple of way to speak a second language. You can go to college or take a distance learning course. You can do an Internet search or read books and books on tape at your library or bookstore. You can try Rosetta Stone and others like it to learn Swedish. I learned French in high school and college, though. I still have my French dictionary.

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7. 85

   Venkatachari Mposted 9 years ago

   My experience is living in a colony for some period where Swedish people live and interact with them. Keep a book on learning the language and try to communicate in their own language. You may use signs also sometimes, but avoid English so that they will understand your messages and signs and spell out or repeat them in their own language. Interacting, especially with their children is more useful. This will make you catch the words and phrases more easily and you will learn speaking with them. This can make you learn the language within 3 months.

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