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Learning a new language
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Just had a nosey about and I know my biggest downfall is going to be grammar.
My comfort zone keeps drawing me to French as I have a vague recollection of some of it from school days , whereas Spanish is totally new to me.
I need the mental stimulation so stepping out of my comfort zone.
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"Just had a nosey about and I know my biggest downfall is going to be grammar.
My comfort zone keeps drawing me to French as I have a vague recollection of some of it from school days , whereas Spanish is totally new to me.
I need the mental stimulation so stepping out of my comfort zone.
"
If you have some previous knowledge, and feel a bit more comfortable , them go for it.
Don't stress about the grammar; the major elements of grammar are exactly the same in European languages as English ;
Subject/ verb/ object/ tenses etc; you just need to know how things like past/ future tenses are constructed,
The main issue is that in most other languages, everything has a gender ( masculine/ feminine ), and the adjectives must change gender to suit the noun.
You also need to " get" pronunciation ...
As native English speakers, we don't initially " get" differences in sounds, which French hear distinctly; eg the way "e"/ " eu" , or "u" /"ou", or "a"/ "é"/"ai" are pronounced.
You can get French channels on UK TV; it's worth watching the news every so often; you can get the gist of the story from the pictures, and gradually pick up sounds and words and phrases.
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"Just had a nosey about and I know my biggest downfall is going to be grammar.
My comfort zone keeps drawing me to French as I have a vague recollection of some of it from school days , whereas Spanish is totally new to me.
I need the mental stimulation so stepping out of my comfort zone.
If you have some previous knowledge, and feel a bit more comfortable , them go for it.
Don't stress about the grammar; the major elements of grammar are exactly the same in European languages as English ;
Subject/ verb/ object/ tenses etc; you just need to know how things like past/ future tenses are constructed,
The main issue is that in most other languages, everything has a gender ( masculine/ feminine ), and the adjectives must change gender to suit the noun.
You also need to " get" pronunciation ...
As native English speakers, we don't initially " get" differences in sounds, which French hear distinctly; eg the way "e"/ " eu" , or "u" /"ou", or "a"/ "é"/"ai" are pronounced.
You can get French channels on UK TV; it's worth watching the news every so often; you can get the gist of the story from the pictures, and gradually pick up sounds and words and phrases.
"
That's really great advice.
I'm rubbish at other languages but by the end of series one of The Killing I felt I knew a bit of Danish. You do get the gist with enough exposure.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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my son is fluent in a few languages - has only self taught himself a little spanish so obviously gets by welll without it - french german and dutch he uses most |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Purely for leisure.
Can't decide between Français or Español
I don't visit either country regularly so no affiliation with them, just looking to do a part time course
Views/opinions?!?!"
Isn't there a language that would help your career prospects? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Purely for leisure.
Can't decide between Français or Español
I don't visit either country regularly so no affiliation with them, just looking to do a part time course
Views/opinions?!?!"
If you decide to go to Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria learn German, more useful than Spanish |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"never seen the point in learning another language. ..If I meet anyone who can't speak English. .I find doing that typical British thing of speaking loud and slow in English always works. .  "
And shout, remember to shout. Makes it so much clearer
F |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I learned French at school and Spanish when I lived there... I would say Spanish is the easier to pick up...
If you have a smart phone get an app called duolingo... It will really help you whatever you choose |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Have signed up to Babbel for 3 months, I'm off on holiday to Fuerteventura in 5 1/2 weeks so will at least get a taster "
If you are going to a predominantly British resort then maybe you won't 
The main problem I had when I first went to live in Mallorca was that the Spanish speakers wanted to improve their English.. I eventually had to get Spanish lessons  |
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By *amissCouple
over a year ago
chelmsford |
Love Spanish. Speak a little 'holiday' Spanish. Try and learn a new phrase every day when on holiday, from the locals. They appreciate it if we make the effort. Trying to pick up Greek, from our holidays, but find it really difficult! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I keep getting told that I have enough difficulty with English so not gonna risk a new language. Although apparently I'm fluent in french when pissed. Or so I think  |
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"Purely for leisure.
Can't decide between Français or Español
I don't visit either country regularly so no affiliation with them, just looking to do a part time course
Views/opinions?!?!"
I tried to improve my French using a few learning guides but found that I needed the discipline of a structured course.
Institute Francais specialise in teaching French and run a wide variety of classes . There is also the option to do distant learning . The Institute is based in South Kensington .
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"my son is fluent in a few languages - has only self taught himself a little spanish so obviously gets by welll without it - french german and dutch he uses most "
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Have signed up to Babbel for 3 months, I'm off on holiday to Fuerteventura in 5 1/2 weeks so will at least get a taster
If you are going to a predominantly British resort then maybe you won't
The main problem I had when I first went to live in Mallorca was that the Spanish speakers wanted to improve their English.. I eventually had to get Spanish lessons "
Some reckon the best place to learn a language is in bed..  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"never seen the point in learning another language. ..If I meet anyone who can't speak English. .I find doing that typical British thing of speaking loud and slow in English always works. . "
Whereas the Spanish approach is to speak very loud and very quickly. At least on public transport. |
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"Purely for leisure.
Can't decide between Français or Español
I don't visit either country regularly so no affiliation with them, just looking to do a part time course
Views/opinions?!?!
Isn't there a language that would help your career prospects? "
Not really, unless I move to that country and learn their rules,,,, |
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"Have signed up to Babbel for 3 months, I'm off on holiday to Fuerteventura in 5 1/2 weeks so will at least get a taster
If you are going to a predominantly British resort then maybe you won't
The main problem I had when I first went to live in Mallorca was that the Spanish speakers wanted to improve their English.. I eventually had to get Spanish lessons "
That was the problem I had when I lived in Germany lol Spent a fortune on German school and no one to use it on |
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