Learning a Second Language

Way back when (and even not-so way back when), people learned different languages through teachers of the particular language. It's still a viable option. However, since the invention of the printing press, information gathering and transmitting has become more accessible to the average person. So, let's talk about various ways to learn a new language.

Face-to-Face

For many, this is the best option. There's nothing like having someone there to praise you when you're right and scold you (gently, of course!) when you're wrong. There's also the advantage of being able to ask questions and get immediate answers. For auditory learners, this way of learning is essential. While tapes, CDs, and videos will teach you the actual sound of the language, they can't show or tell you how to correct an incorrect pronunciation.

Students, however, have a special challenge. Sometimes you may get a teacher who knows how to teach the language in a way that motivates you. On the other hand, you may be bored to tears by a teacher who knows the language but doesn't know how to teach it. To learn the language you'll have to motivate yourself and look beyond the boredom to your goal, to speak a new language fluently. That means getting all the grammar you can out of that teacher, whatever her teaching skills may be. Learning to speak a new language is worth the effort! Don't let a little difficulty discourage you.

Of course, speaking with neighbors and acquaintances is always a good option, but there's an even more fascinating way to learn new languages face to face, if you have the time and money. Check out the Internet; you'll find there are many sites inviting you to come learn your new language where it's actually spoken. Who wouldn't want to learn French in Nice, or Italian in Florence? And that way you can combine learning with tourism!

Books

If you take a face-to-face language course, you'll most likely have to get textbooks. The same is true if you learn by Internet. If you have ready access to speakers of the particular language that you're learning, using textbooks alone is a possibility. You'll find some recommended books at the very end of this article under More Resources.

One factor to keep in mind: if you're learning entirely by yourself, you'll always need to motivate yourself to move forward. And you'll still need to ask questions of someone who knows your new language. This option is good for those who are self-starters and don't need someone to be cheering them on regularly.

Please remember that whatever format you choose, you'll always need a good dictionary and thesaurus. I don't just mean one that translates your native language into your new language and back again. Get a good one that's exclusively in your new language, too. You can find dictionaries in 158 languages at World Languages.

And get yourself a sturdy notebook. You'll want to refer back to the notes that you take, again and again. To give you an example, I'm still using the same Kichwa notebook that I wrote my first language notes in 12 years ago!

There are many do-it-yourself courses for foreign languages in book format. But don't forget to get textbooks that allow you to write notes and questions in the page margins! You'll need those notes later on.

Audiocassettes, CDs, and Videos

The benefit of these formats is that you get to hear the language spoken. Yes, this is even true of videos. Videos are aural-visual aids, after all. You'll actually see how the mouth forms the pronunciation of a particular word, and you'll learn any gestures that naturally go along with it.

Usually these formats come with a textbook, as well as the audio media. One great advantage of this system is that you combine the written text with hearing the language. Another advantage is the convenience of being able to carry the tapes with you and listen to them in your car or other places.

Transparent Languages offer audio learning programs that you can use "everywhere." 20% off Everywhere Audio™ Language Learning

CD-Rom courses from Unforgettable Languages were developed by a memory expert and are designed for speed-learning languages.

This method means that you need to be a self-starter and have enough personal discipline to set a schedule and stick to it. It's easy to say, "Well, whenever I'm ironing, or driving, or whatever, I'll do it." That's simply not good enough. That word "whenever" has to be "when." You can't leave learning a foreign language to chance. Get that schedule together, and follow through with it.

Once you decide on a method of study, you'll have a lot of places to go for your study materials. Just take a look at the Resources section at the end of this article. There's a lot out there for you language students! You'll find specific books, audio courses, and software programs for hundreds of languages. Transparent Language Store even offers complete suites offering several learning methods in one package.

Internet and Software

This option is relatively new to students. But for all of its newness, there are a multitude of Web sites that offer instruction. The Internet can give you the convenience of setting your own pace, along with the reassurance of having a teacher, albeit online. Furthermore, there are literally dozens of sites that will help you with the grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure of your chosen language. To give you an example, About.com has section on several languages. Look up the language you want to learn in the alphabetical index.

So, you'll have a support base to be able to build on your knowledge of the language. There are even foreign language sites that invite visitors to chat, join a WebRing, or become "e-pals" with others of that language. That can definitely help you to become fluent. You can find some of these sites in the More Resources section on the last page of this article.

And if you like using the computer but prefer to learn on your own, World Languages offers software learning programs for more than 400 languages.

You can even find laptops and computers in different languages.