Upswing for German? (Specific Languages) Language Learning Forum

Upswing for German?
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Language Learning Forum : Specific Languages

21 messages over 3 pages: 1 2 3

Cavesa
Triglot
Senior Member
Czech Republic
Joined 5010 days ago
3277 posts - 6779 votes

Speaks: Czech*, French^C2, English^C1
Studies: Spanish, German, Italian

Message 17 of 21

12 May 2013 at 8:39pm | IP Logged

Yes, I totally agree. Noone asks whether you enjoy English. But that doesn't bother me
that much, after all noone asks whehter you enjoy geography or physics at school and if
you don't, you just have to survive. I trully dislike how English is officially portraied
as the only good option for the first foreign language. And as the simplest foreign
language to learn. Both are lies as generalization because it may or may not be true for
every individual learner. And this educational propaganda extends to German. So many lies
and stupidity resulting in so many people giving up on languages at all.
1 person has voted this message useful

Woodstock
Newbie
United States
Joined 4306 days ago
14 posts - 17 votes
Speaks: English*
Studies: French

Message 18 of 21

13 May 2013 at 4:28am | IP Logged

I agree, English has been overdone. We're even sick of it here. Why do you think everyone in the U.S. is (trying vainly) to learn a foreign language? It's no fun to go overseas and not be able to inflict a foreigner's ears with the pain of bad French, or incomprehensible Italian. I won't even speak about German (not even in German), everyone knows it's impossible. Please everyone remember your own mother tongue so we can torture you with our efforts when we come over.

And remember, money is not everything. They say German is a sexy language and that's reason enough to learn some small talk at least. After all, what good will money do you if the world ends? But you can have sex right up until the final bell tolls. Well worth it.

2 persons have voted this message useful

Paco
Senior Member
Hong Kong
Joined 4278 days ago
145 posts - 251 votes

Speaks: Cantonese*

Message 19 of 21

14 May 2013 at 7:38am | IP Logged

Cavesa wrote:

The only thing that surprises me (but not that much now that I think of
it) about the information is that so many people, no matter how low on budget they
might be (especially as students), stand queues for courses instead of learning by
themselves. I doubt there is any shortage of Spanish based learning sources for German.
That is so sad. Even in 2013, people still think the education necessarily lies in
institutions.

But it does not surprise me.

I would have never believed in I could learn a language all by myself had I not been so
fortunate to have discovered the website of Professor Arguelles and then HTLAL. (I
really treasure what you have contributed, not least this forum - As if a family.)

It might sound ignorant, but I am afraid this is not uncommon. While it must have
something to do with the individuals who are neither as smart or lucky enough to
realise the truth of language learning themselves, I think another hurdle is a critical
attitude (or a myth, or even, power) prevailing in education.

I am pessimistic about the situation, but whenever someone around expresses interest in
foreign languages, I wholeheartedly refer them to the professor's website and here,
wishing every bit counts and we will see the dawn together, alive!

Edited by Paco on 15 May 2013 at 2:01pm
3 persons have voted this message useful

William Camden
Hexaglot
Senior Member
United Kingdom
Joined 6273 days ago
1936 posts - 2333 votes

Speaks: English*, German, Spanish, Russian, Turkish, French

Message 20 of 21

16 May 2013 at 2:46pm | IP Logged

I personally quite enjoyed learning German, and I enjoy speaking the language now. This idea that you have to have a gun to your head to enjoy this or indeed any language is rather bizarre.

I remember once having an Internet argument with an American who informed me that "if it wasn't for us you would be speaking German". I replied "I speak German". Then I got some four-letter abuse which proved if I didn't know already that his IQ was about 50 points lower than mine.
5 persons have voted this message useful

beano
Diglot
Senior Member
United KingdomRegistered users can see my Skype Name
Joined 4623 days ago
1049 posts - 2152 votes

Speaks: English*, German
Studies: Russian, Serbian, Hungarian

Message 21 of 21

16 May 2013 at 3:42pm | IP Logged

William Camden wrote:

I remember once having an Internet argument with an American who informed me that "if it wasn't for us you would be speaking German". I replied "I speak German". Then I got some four-letter abuse which proved if I didn't know already that his IQ was about 50 points lower than mine.

Maybe he'd had a hard day learning Cherokee.

4 persons have voted this message useful

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