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Most ridiculous ways to "learn" a language | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : General discussion |  | |
| Luso Hexaglot Senior Member Portugal Joined 5854 days ago 819 posts - 1812 votes  Speaks: Portuguese*, French, EnglishC2, GermanB1, Italian, Spanish Studies: Sanskrit, Arabic (classical) | Message 9 of 61 15 June 2013 at 2:01am | IP Logged | ||
That reminds me of the following: Some friends of mine own a Norwegian Forest cat. An acquaintance said she was sorry for the cat not being able to understand their owners. When asked why, she replied: "Oh, but one here speaks Norwegian. Poor cat." Edited by Luso on 15 June 2013 at 2:12am 2 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| s_allard Triglot Senior Member Canada Joined 5223 days ago 2704 posts - 5425 votes Speaks: French*, English, Spanish Studies: Polish | Message 10 of 61 15 June 2013 at 5:00am | IP Logged | ||
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In addition to the most ridiculous methods, there should be a section for the most outlandish claims. For example, without mentioning any names, here is the text from the home page of well-known language institute based in London, England:
"Regardless of your current level - whether you speak absolutely none or just some of the language you want to learn - our aim is to have you conversing in it by the end of your two days with us! ... Unlike conventional language courses, there are no textbooks, there is no rote-memorisation and no lecturing is involved. Most people who have ever tried to learn a language come out of the process convinced that they are actually incapable of learning one - in spite of the fact that they somehow managed to learn to speak their own language – and this when they were only toddlers! When students come to learn a language with us, no one fails – that is an absolute promise! If you can speak English then we can teach you to speak another language and to speak it well." Can you really learn to converse in two days? 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| leosmith Senior Member United States Joined 6343 days ago 2365 posts - 3804 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Tagalog | Message 11 of 61 15 June 2013 at 5:52am | IP Logged | ||
Once again, you haven't defined the level. 3 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| Cavesa Triglot Senior Member Czech Republic Joined 4802 days ago 3277 posts - 6779 votes Speaks: Czech*, FrenchC2, EnglishC1 Studies: Spanish, German, Italian | Message 12 of 61 15 June 2013 at 6:02am | IP Logged | ||
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As long as you find asking for directions and buying something to eat to be a conversation, sure. :-)
The cookie method sounds good. :-D 2 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| tanya b Senior Member United States Joined 4571 days ago 159 posts - 518 votes Speaks: Russian | Message 13 of 61 15 June 2013 at 6:32am | IP Logged | ||
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For the most ridiculous language learning methods, here are my recommendations--
Sleep with TL dictionary under your pillow. Work as panhandler in front of embassy of TL country. Call total strangers in TL country, pretending to be long-lost relative. Open up your studio apartment to impoverished refugees from TL country. Pose as drunken illegal alien in order to be placed in Immigration holding cell with speakers of TL. Stow away in taxi driven by TL speaker. Record his cell-phone conversations with loved ones. To maximize language absorption into entire body, only wear clothing manufactured in TL country. 12 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| Cavesa Triglot Senior Member Czech Republic Joined 4802 days ago 3277 posts - 6779 votes Speaks: Czech*, FrenchC2, EnglishC1 Studies: Spanish, German, Italian | Message 14 of 61 15 June 2013 at 7:42am | IP Logged | ||
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You forgot: Eat only meals typical of the TL's countries.
3 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| kujichagulia Senior Member Japan Joined 4640 days ago 1031 posts - 1571 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Japanese, Portuguese | Message 15 of 61 15 June 2013 at 11:04am | IP Logged | ||
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Marry a native speaker of your TL. Oh, and go to a foreign country and just let the language "soak in."
Oh, and this is a doozy: "If you want to learn how to read a newspaper in your TL, read a newspaper in your TL." Okaaaayy... how am I supposed to understand all those strange words, then? Edited by kujichagulia on 15 June 2013 at 11:06am 5 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| tarvos Super Polyglot Winner TAC 2012 Senior Member China likeapolyglot.wordpr Joined 4500 days ago 5310 posts - 9399 votes Speaks: Dutch*, English, Swedish, French, Russian, German, Italian, Norwegian, Mandarin, Romanian, Afrikaans Studies: Greek, Modern Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese, Czech, Korean, Esperanto, Finnish | Message 16 of 61 15 June 2013 at 11:10am | IP Logged | ||
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In the beginning you use a dictionary, or an online one.
When I started Romanian (I knew a little bit) I started talking to one of my friends (we switched from English to Romanian). In the beginning she'd just translate a sentence if she figured I would not understand; within two months she was only translating individual words for me. She'd also correct me if I made any egregious grammar mistakes (but usually let it slide). Within three months, I was chatting in Romanian, and we were having discussions about university and future plans, and I could understand her point. It takes a bit of time to get over the initial hurdle, but I got really good at chatting in both Romanian and Russian this way. This is not to say I speak either perfectly, I don't, but I can hold conversations in both. 3 persons have voted this message useful |
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