Advice on learning a new language

Ljaykuy on 19/01/2016 - 11:23

Hi everyone!

I've recently started to learn a new language and actually quite excited about my own progression (not extensive but the little things!) and in a way, its motivating me to learn and study more.

However, I feel that my method of language learning is only capturing a small proportion of that language and its culture. I've begun receiving lessons from a University friend who is proficient at the language but not from that country. While I am happy with this level of learning, I feel there is a cultural component lacking. Whilst, travelling to that country has been a definite thought but not feasible due to my current situation :(.

Thus, I wanted to ask the OzB community for advice on how to really immerse yourself and steadily pick up a new language. Or tips & tricks that you may have found useful over the course of learning a new language!

I know there is an abundance of online courses and UDEMY but surely there should be more fun and immersive ways of learning a new language?

Education & Work

Comments

  • retiredfeline on 19/01/2016 - 11:33
    +1

    What is the language? Can you mix with a bunch of native speakers doing everyday things for the immersive experience?

    • jaykuy on 19/01/2016 - 12:02
      +1

      The language is Mandarin. I've considered getting in touch with a few university friends once my basic conversation develops a tad more

      • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2016 - 12:28
        +1

        Check out the tv show, "Are you the one?"
        The whole show is in Mandarin with English subtitles

        • unco on 19/01/2016 - 12:58
          +4

          If You Are The One

        • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2016 - 13:01

          @unco:

          Sorry, I mean that one

  • ESEMCE on 19/01/2016 - 11:41

    Netflix and region unblocker to start watching some shows in the language?

  • lysp on 19/01/2016 - 11:56
    +1

    Maybe downloading some shows in that language?

    Or watching some news from that country too?

    Often there are foreign language radio stations in particular languages too.

  • Yadekul on 19/01/2016 - 12:13
    +1

    I reckon one of those online video chat services specifically set up to help you learn another language sound awesome. I read an article on Lifehacker about it and they recommended WeSpeke and Verbling.

    • jaykuy on 19/01/2016 - 14:17

      Will definitely check them out! Thanks

  • enzioFirenze on 19/01/2016 - 12:15

    universities might have language exchange programs, for instance, I know UNSW has one and they mix you up with locals to that language and let you learn from them.

  • inherentchoice on 19/01/2016 - 12:25

    Heaps of foreigners come to Australia to specific English language schools like Lexis English. They can even organise for students to stay with a host family for their time in Australia. Sometimes they just come for a month or a few weeks.

    Just Google something like "learn Spanish in Spain/Mexico" or "learn Japanese in Japan" and heaps of similar language schools pop up.

  • BuyoTheCat on 19/01/2016 - 12:41
    +1

    My pathway into different languages has always started with songs. listen to mandarin songs. some of them are even quite good.

  • scrimshaw on 19/01/2016 - 13:12

    Get a chinese girlfriend and marry her, that's the best way to experience the other culture without having to leave the country :)

    • cDNA on 19/01/2016 - 13:28
      +2

      Make sure you have a lot of money. Asian girlfriends are high maintenance, especially the north shore ones. The religious ones tend to be less stuck up.

      • airzone on 19/01/2016 - 14:47

        You're referring to shanghai girls… Not all are high maintenance and expensive.

        • cDNA on 19/01/2016 - 14:55
          -1

          and Hong Kong, and Beijing and Guangzhou etc.

    • jaykuy on 19/01/2016 - 14:27

      sadly… an experience my wallet can't afford!

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2016 - 14:36

    Duolingo for Mandarin seems to be taking a while…

    Info in the fifth comment on this page - http://www.duolingo.com/comment/1332760 may be of interest to you.

  • rgr on 19/01/2016 - 14:55
    +1

    There's no short cut to learning languages. I speak a couple myself and the best way is to be disciplined and do a lot of practice and work alongside immersion. Don't believe crap like "fluent in 30 days/3 months" and the like - if you really wanna be near fluent/local sounding then it takes a couple years depending on the language itself. Asian languages are high up the difficulty chain but once you nail one, the rest come easier.

  • johninmelb on 19/01/2016 - 15:37
    +3

    Many many years ago I started to learn Italian.

    The teacher of the class gave us these tips:

    1. Try to think in the language during the day and not think in English
    2. Label everything in your house with the Mandarin equivalent and get used to referring to things in Mandarin, not English
    3. Perform everyday tasks like counting etc in Mandarin.
    4. If possible try and find another Mandarin speaking person to have conversations with from time to time

    Whilst it doesn't help the cultural stuff that much, it gets your brain thinking in the language, and helps increase your vocabulary, and sentence construction etc.

    Even now, 40 odd years later, I still count in Italian, and know the Italian word for most things in my house. But I have lost the grammar etc. Seriously thinking of taking it up again this year.

    • Max Power on 19/01/2016 - 15:50

      Your Italian teacher told you to do all those things in Mandarin? ;P

      Good advice about thinking in the language. You don't want to be translating on the fly, you want to be speaking naturally in the language.

      • retiredfeline on 19/01/2016 - 15:53

        His Italian teacher gave him a suggestion he couldn't understand. :)

      • johninmelb on 20/01/2016 - 15:51

        Sorry for not making myself clear and writing this to Year 2 level.

        However, I am sure you realised that I just substituted Mandarin for the Italian I used in my case. I guess most of the others worked that out.

        I sometimes wonder about some of the members of our Ozbargain family!

        • Max Power on 20/01/2016 - 17:51

          Why so defensive? There was no misunderstanding or malice. This ;P means joke and was only next to my first sentence.
          I gave your comment a positive vote and complemented your advice. That was sincere.
          It's a bit hypocritical saying I'm in Year 2 when you made the mistake.

    • jaykuy on 21/01/2016 - 10:43

      Much appreciated for the advice!
      I've gone ahead and began labeling things around the home :)
      And changing your thought process to that language is definitely ALOT better than rote learning!!! However, I'm still in the process of acquiring enough vocab for everyday thoughts and conversation.

  • lenlynn on 20/01/2016 - 11:04

    Learn the basics and throw yourself in China for a couple of weeks! :)

    But good luck and try to have fun. I had to take Mandarin since young and had always found it difficult, but totally worth it in the end.

  • Sweetnsour on 20/01/2016 - 13:23
    +1

    Dont be afraid to practice it in public. If you are in Sydney or Melbourne. Head out to suburbs/areas that have more Chinese speakers and practice practice. Its similar to if you live in China forcing you to use your memory/brain. Watching tv shows if also a good way.

  • anntip on 20/01/2016 - 13:34
    +1

    Good to hear that you want to learn Mandarin. I have recently started to learn Mandarin and finds it easier learning by singing Mandarin songs.

    Here is a youtube link to a very simple song made famous by the legendary Teresa Teng.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B5gAczFJps

    This one is sung by Bon Jovi.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVBEXS7LHJ8

    I also download the Panda app on my phone which reminds me everyday to learn some Mandarin.

    Good luck and have fun learning.

    • jaykuy on 21/01/2016 - 10:44

      It's so catchy!
      Much appreciated :)

  • supernova155 on 21/01/2016 - 18:51

    Watch Moses and the methods he uses.

    Great to watch him do his shopping and speak 5-10 languages with randoms.

    youtube.com/user/laoshu505000

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