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From: rte@elmo.lz.att.com (Ralph T. Edwards)
Subject: Re: Acquiring a language as an adult
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References: <DFBGJt.370@midway.uchicago.edu>
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 18:23:54 GMT
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In article <DFBGJt.370@midway.uchicago.edu>, oser@hep.uchicago.edu (Scott
Oser) wrote:

> Here's a topic that might be of general interest:
> 
> What are the best methods for learning to speak a
> foreign language as an adult?  (Assume for a second
> that total immersion in that language's environment
> is not an option.)  How useful are such things as:
> 
> 1) translating texts from that language into your native one
> 2) translating texts into the foreign language
> 3) memorizing large lists of vocab words
> 4) trying to keep a journal in the foreign tongue
> 5) listening to tapes of native speakers
> 
> What works?  What doesn't?  What are extra factors to
> consider when you're learning a language through
> self-study?
> 

Language is first and foremost a spoken medium, so you must
acquire the correct idea of how it is spoken, you must
hear it spoken by a native, preferably to you personally.
A tutor will give you feedback on how you are mangling the
phonemes of the foreign language, which you will instinctively
try to cram into the phonemes of languages you know already,
normally with disatrous effects.

Nothing beats the shear terror of attempting to communicate 
in a foreign language to stimulate learning.  Immersion in
the country is best.

Once you have some idea of the phonology and basic grammar
(books are good for basic grammar) I recommend comic books
for building vocabulary.  Past a certain point movies help too.
But you won't learn to speak a language unless you try to
speak to another human in that language.

-- 
R.T.Edwards rte@elmo.att.com 908 576-3031
