Register  Login  Active Topics  Maps  

Languages and Programs

 Language Learning Forum : Language Programs, Books & Tapes Post Reply
burgler09
Diglot
Groupie
United StatesRegistered users can see my Skype Name
Joined 6047 days ago

72 posts - 88 votes 
Speaks: English*, Spanish
Studies: Portuguese

 
 Message 1 of 4
06 December 2009 at 9:44pm | IP Logged 
One thing I've really noticed about this site is the high importance everybody puts on programs. People are in search of "the best program" but in my opinion programs are over rated. Sure they are a nice supplement, but it really seems to me like people are relying on these programs and a lot of people think that by using this program they are going to speak the language. I understand there are also a lot of talented people on this board, but I think it needs to be put more out there, the importance of learning how to form your own sentences, the importance of being able to listen in a free conversation and follow along and forming your own opinons on the run, it makes a huge difference. I would take a 5 dollar grammar book and a penpal or native friend over a 400 dollar language learning software. Just my 2 cents ;) hope this helps someone
1 person has voted this message useful



Paskwc
Pentaglot
Senior Member
Canada
Joined 5676 days ago

450 posts - 624 votes 
Speaks: Hindi, Urdu*, Arabic (Levantine), French, English
Studies: Persian, Spanish

 
 Message 2 of 4
06 December 2009 at 10:48pm | IP Logged 
I'm not so sure. As far as I know, nobody here really says that any program will make you fluent. What many people do say, though, is that some programs will give a solid base to build on. Even then, some of the more popular programs here are fairly cheap (Assimil @ 30$, FSI & DLI @ 0$).

Plus, most people here do buy onto the need to use various techniques such as 1000 sentences, word lists, scriptorium, shadowing (as well as finding people to talk to).

Edited by Paskwc on 06 December 2009 at 10:49pm

1 person has voted this message useful



Luai_lashire
Diglot
Senior Member
United States
luai-lashire.deviant
Joined 5827 days ago

384 posts - 560 votes 
Speaks: English*, Esperanto
Studies: Japanese, French

 
 Message 3 of 4
07 December 2009 at 4:59pm | IP Logged 
I think programs can be very helpful for people who don't have a learning style that allows them to do well with
your "grammar book and penpal" method. For some people, sure, reading through that book will be all they
need to start talking to and learning from a native speaker, but a lot of people will just get confused. There are
many different styles of learning so it is impossible to say any one method is "the best" because what works for
you may not for someone else.

Personally, I took classes in Japanese for two years and that was a great base for me to work from (I had a
FANTASTIC teacher). I do self-study now, and I use a grammar book, an SRS, and some online lessons as my
current method. I've tried Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, and LiveMocha and they were terrible for me. "Let's Learn
Japanese!", however, is great. It's just a matter of personal taste.

Also I have to second Paskwc, I've never seen anyone here claim that X program will give you fluency, only that X
program combined with other methods can help you pass the beginner level. Almost everyone here seems to
feel that to get to an advanced level you absolutely need to read tons of native material and/or talk to a lot of
native speakers.
1 person has voted this message useful



datsunking1
Diglot
Senior Member
United States
Joined 5584 days ago

1014 posts - 1533 votes 
Speaks: English*, Spanish
Studies: German, Russian, Dutch, French

 
 Message 4 of 4
07 December 2009 at 5:34pm | IP Logged 
I should make a language program that brings you to a basic fluency.

It would be 1000 pages lol and a year long :P


1 person has voted this message useful



If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login. If you are not already registered you must first register


Post ReplyPost New Topic Printable version Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum - You cannot reply to topics in this forum - You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum - You cannot create polls in this forum - You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page was generated in 0.1875 seconds.


DHTML Menu By Milonic JavaScript
Copyright 2024 FX Micheloud - All rights reserved
No part of this website may be copied by any means without my written authorization.