Post: #1

In a few short weeks I'll be starting a new job where I'll be trained in a foreign language. I know there are a few guys on here who already speak several languages as well as others who are learning their first.

Everyone seems to have their own specific ways to keep their skills sharp so I was hoping to hear a bit about everyone's preferred methods of practice.

I personally seek out people who speak the language [preferred natively and with the proper dialect] but that's not always possible.

Skype is a great option for distance learning and language practice, but I do not expect to have that option in the near future.

I've recently found some blogs that are fun to read and double as legitimate practice for seeing how natives express themselves.

http://www.deaihanannpa.com/category35/entry162.html

http://pkup.tokyo/archives/2142

Basically, foreign blogs about dudes picking up girls. Seeing how the locals apply game within the confines of their own culture is something that I always find intriguing.

I also keep a few workbooks geared towards the countries standardized proficiency tests for foreigners for those times I am in a cafe and want to get the mind working.

Basically, what all do you do in order to keep your speaking sharp in multiple tongues?

Post: #2

I like audio tapes. Work books are fine but I like hearing the words since my primary goal is conversation. Michel Thomas works better for me. I have Pimseleur but not liking it as much.

But if you can already speak it. Then just watch movies and tv shows. Especially ones maybe you have already seen and know the story. So just by where you are in the movie you know what is going on and what is being said. This way your brain can keep the connection between the words and the meanings.

Lately, it seems like my brain is overwriting my Spanish with Russian, meaning when I try to think of Spanish I get Russian I have been assured I have not forgotten all my Spanish just need to brush up.

Reminds me of this episode of Married With Children.

Post: #3

(04-22-2016 08:57 AM)samsamsam Wrote:  Lately, it seems like my brain is overwriting my Spanish with Russian, meaning when I try to think of Spanish I get Russian I have been assured I have not forgotten all my Spanish just need to brush up.

When I first started learning Japanese after having studied french in HS I kept putting french words in my head mentally.

I actually forgot to mention watching TV and movies. I use a VPN to change netflix to that of the language I know and watch it with that languages subtitles as well so I don't miss anything.

Post: #4

Watching films and TV is a valid tip. I learned English when I was not even a ten year old lad by watching countless hours of Cartoon Network (laugh all you want ) without translation (although having subtitles then would've helped enormously). That was the base thanks to which I could pull a basic accent from very early on. School was little help, maybe it was good for a bit of grammar but if you asked me now how past tense works I couldn't answer your question for shit (hell, I couldn't tell you even how Polish grammar works ). I just use it by instinct (not that I'm perfect at it). The second stage was refining. I did that by watching Top Gear without subs and films with subs. That took me, I don't know, 6 years until I would understand every single word and meaning in anything I read or heard. Writing is a bit harder, though, I need more practice.

Post: #5

Movies and audiobooks works for me. I catch myself speaking Spanish and mixing in Arabic and vice versa especially if I'm having a stressful day.

Also as crazy as it may sound soap operas. I will listen to them playing while doing work in the background.

Post: #6

If your dreams are in a different language then you're near the pinnacle

Post: #7

(04-22-2016 02:14 PM)Bury Zenek Wrote:  Watching films and TV is a valid tip. I learned English when I was not even a ten year old lad by watching countless hours of Cartoon Network

You say this as if learning a language by osmosis is somehow more difficult to do at age ten than at fifteen or twenty. The opposite is true. Adult beginners aren't able to learn just by watching films and TV. That's a certainly great activity once you are more advanced and have figured out basic grammar and so on.

(04-22-2016 02:14 PM)Bury Zenek Wrote:  ... by watching countless hours of Cartoon Network (laugh all you want ) without translation (although having subtitles then would've helped enormously).

By not having subtitles, you're doing a listening comprehension activity. That's a good thing. When you're reading subtitles in the language you're learning, you're not forced to pay close attention to what you're hearing. In fact, you can't, because you're busy reading a foreign language quickly. You've turned the whole thing into a reading exercise, primarily. Without subtitles, if you don't understand a scene or even a snippet of conversation, just rewind it and watch it several times. You'll pick up more on repeated viewings. If the subtitles can't be turned off, paper them over. Take off the training wheels. If the material is too difficult to follow even the basic gist, look for something else that is at or just above your current level.

Post: #8

I just passed my Chinese HSK1, and level 2 is up next month. Always set a goal for yourself, whatever language you're learning.

Actually HSK1 is pretty basic but on the other hand show somebody the sample exam (which is entirely in Chinese) and they'll totally respect you... and also I scored 199/200 which looks impressive.

Also while the level is basic putting it on my resume has been a massive boost - I always get asked about it at interviews, and while they're talking about that they're not asking me tough HR or technical questions... one place did wheel in a native Chinese speaker to question me though!!!! That's not gonna happen often though.

My Chinese has got a lot better since moving back to the UK (I lived in China for a while). It seems to have taken a while to sink in, but in the UK I signed up to some classes at a much higher level than my current level. That was great because my fellow students talked in Chinese a lot more, so I picked up more. I also have a CELTA and I noticed that as students get better at foreign languages, they use their native tongue a lot less, so you'll learn more in the classes.

Post: #9

I've always used duolingo for my French, but if you use duolingo long enough you start to catch on to all of the rehashed phrases you're drilled on over and over and I think your learning gets stunted at a certain point.

I've been thinking about upgrading to something better like Fluenz.

Post: #10

I am currently learning Russian. There two things I do everyday to keep up with the Russian.

I listen to Russian electronic music while working out not only do they speak Russian but the beats are catchy.

I am also reading Russian children's books like Harry Potter and also other books.

Post: #11

Staying proficient in a foreign language is hard, esp. if you are not using it every day. I am skeptical of utility of passive approaches like listening to music and TV (not that it's bad, but less helpful than people think). To keep my language level, outside of actual practice or instruction, my go to method is still pulling out my phone and going through Anki flashcards.

Post: #12

Using things like TV and radio are far better than something like Anki because language works in context, not individual words. If you only see words in isolation, it may help some, but a lot of language proficiency is having a shit ton of canned responses you can bust out without thinking.

Post: #13

I'm seeing a girl that speaks one of the languages I'm speaking, it makes it a lot easier

Post: #14

On subject of staying proficient.
There is one language I know, but never use. Can not mention it here, for privacy reasons as there are not so many of us
To stay fluent in that language all it takes for me is to read news once every few days.
Very easy way of doing it. You read news anyway. Once you do it for a while you will find your fingers opening the familiar website automatically each time.
The other question is whether you really want to hear news, as it is always negative...


As for learning you might want to check my lazy language learning guide.