Post: #1

I am wondering if it is possible to learn two new languages at the same time or should I focus on one, get it locked and move on to the next.
I am trying to complete my French because I hate not finishing what I have started but my true love is with Spanish and I like the vibes and the culture of Spanish speaking people.

I have heard differing opinions on the dual language acquisition process. Is this possible to do both at the same time or will it just prove to be confusing?

My method of acquisition is attending socials with people that speak the target languages in mind as well as listening to podcasts of the language mainly by Michel Thomas.

I sometimes read comics in French like Soda and Asterix. I haven't found any in Spanish that I like.
It is also easier for me to get it in with French since Canada is bi with that and English.

What doest thou thinkest?

Post: #2

(11-14-2011 11:40 AM)Moma Wrote:  I am wondering if it is possible to learn two new languages at the same time or should I focus on one, get it locked and move on to the next.
I am trying to complete my French because I hate not finishing what I have started but my true love is with Spanish and I like the vibes and the culture of Spanish speaking people.

I have heard differing opinions on the dual language acquisition process. Is this possible to do both at the same time or will it just prove to be confusing?

My method of acquisition is attending socials with people that speak the target languages in mind as well as listening to podcasts of the language mainly by Michel Thomas.

I sometimes read comics in French like Soda and Asterix. I haven't found any in Spanish that I like.
It is also easier for me to get it in with French since Canada is bi with that and English.

What doest thou thinkest?

Focus on one and try an immersion program. Once you learn one really well, then learning a similar 2nd one will be easier than both at once.

Post: #3

No, don't do it. When learning two languages simultaneously, it takes longer to memorize words because your brain has to figure out which "file cabinet" to put it in. So you waste a big chunk of your efforts.

I tried once, never again.

Post: #4

For French and Spanish, definitely not. They are way too similar and, unless you have a special gift for languages, you are going to get them both all mangled up and end up speaking neither properly. It could be possible with, say, Russian and Mandarin, as it will be easier for your brain to separate them, but still not recommended.

I speak both French and Spanish, to some degree, but find I can be only "active" in one at any given time. If I've been speaking primarily Spanish for a while and try to speak French, I'll confuse many words and/or pronounce them incorrectly. Learning them both together would be a mistake.

Post: #5

I suggest you consider one language . After 5 , processing this kind of information can be a bit confusing. I speak and comprehend Spanish and German fluently, but that was drilled into my head at a young age. Try learning a language that is similar in phonemes. Languages that rely on tone and pitch to alter a word, will definitely fuck your brain up at this stage.

Post: #6

I speak 5 languages...French, German, Spanish, English and Italian.

When I was younger I learned French and German simultaneously, which was fine but everyone knows our heads are sponges when younger. Also I have a knack for them.

That aside I think you should definitely focus on one at a time. French and Spanish have a high lexical [vocabulary] similarity being both derived from Latin, so confusion is easy - even more so as we're adults with more responsibility, less time to study and more commitments, meaning less time to learn two languages.

I am currently improving my Italian. I want to learn Portuguese for business opportunities and also to prepare for a visit to Brazil. But I am going to focus on getting my Italian locked down first then moving onto Portuguese.

Post: #7

(11-14-2011 04:29 PM)Pusscrook Wrote:  I suggest you consider one language . After 5 , processing this kind of information can be a bit confusing. I speak and comprehend Spanish and German fluently, but that was drilled into my head at a young age. Try learning a language that is similar in phonemes. Languages that rely on tone and pitch to alter a word, will definitely fuck your brain up at this stage.

Do you think this is just a matter of age and your brain just not being as flexible or sponge-like, or do you think it's because being an adult has more difficulties and responsibilities that don't allow our brains to open up new pathways due to present obligations?

I wonder how someone would do with learning a language in a year if he was able to let his mind roam free in a new country without any obligations. I wonder if learning a language later on in life is just more difficult because we don't get to make the same mistakes we could as kids.

Post: #8

I did it twice: with English and Italian, and French and Italian. I never had problems in the first situation, but in the second I sometimes mixed the grammar of both languages; however, it didn't happen very often, and it was still the best method for me, because when I got bored of one language, I started with the other, so in the end I put more hours learning both of them (which is the only thing that really counts).

So, my advice is: give it a try! Maybe they'll get mixed up, but you want to do it and you have nothing to lose except a few weeks or months. If you discover that you're brain is whining, you can always stick to French, and you'll remember a few Spanish sentences to hit hot Latina women.

Bear in mind that French is closer to Italian than to Spanish, so you'll face less difficulties than I did.

Post: #9

(11-14-2011 06:17 PM)kerouac Wrote:  

(11-14-2011 04:29 PM)Pusscrook Wrote:  I suggest you consider one language . After 5 , processing this kind of information can be a bit confusing. I speak and comprehend Spanish and German fluently, but that was drilled into my head at a young age. Try learning a language that is similar in phonemes. Languages that rely on tone and pitch to alter a word, will definitely fuck your brain up at this stage.

Do you think this is just a matter of age and your brain just not being as flexible or sponge-like, or do you think it's because being an adult has more difficulties and responsibilities that don't allow our brains to open up new pathways due to present obligations?

I wonder how someone would do with learning a language in a year if he was able to let his mind roam free in a new country without any obligations. I wonder if learning a language later on in life is just more difficult because we don't get to make the same mistakes we could as kids.

I've seen women in their sixties in immersion classes learning new langs. It's doable, but really boring and repetitive. If you can set aside an hour a day basically every day and want to spend a year or two, you can teach yourself a language as an adult. Especially with ipods, kindles, etc, it's really easy to obtain the self-learning resources needed.

Post: #10

Moma,
Focus on one language at time as others have suggested. Then once you have a certain level of mastery and confidence in that language, then you branch off to a new one. I tried doing the 2 linguages at the same time last spring by taking 2 courses in college simultaneously (Japanese and Mandarin) and it was a fiasco. Lesson learned. Oh and the best programme to learn a lingo is Pimsleur. That is gold right there my friend.

Post: #11

I'm in high school so my brain might be better at this than yours but I do french and Latin at school and Welsh at home. I sometimes mix up new French words with Welsh ones but for the most part I'm decent. Pulling a's

Post: #12

In college I took Swedish and Spanish at the same time. WHile very different languages it caused a lot of confusion. Besides I always learned far more on the street talking to people than I ever learn in class as far as languages are concerned. Focus on one for 3 to 6 months and than work on the other one for 3 to 6 months and go back to refresh the first one.

Post: #13

as most have already said, focus on one at a time.

Post: #14

Its easier if you focus on one, but it can be done.

Your mind automatically classifies the words and sentence structure of each language, so you dont need to worry about getting them wrong, specially if both languages are dissimilar. And specially with the method you are following. If you where just getting regular classroom lessons it would be harder.

Thats the reason children can develop their language aquisition skills in early childhood in spite of everyone talking to them in goo-gaa silly voices. Whats important is that you have actual interactions in the language you are trying to learn.

But for now, id say focus on french until you are satisfied with your conversational level, and then turn to spanish.

The Michel Tomas tapes are great (I have the French ones). You can also get Asterix comics in spanish (they are quite as funny).

Post: #15

(11-21-2011 08:39 AM)germanico Wrote:  Its easier if you focus on one, but it can be done.

Your mind automatically classifies the words and sentence structure of each language, so you dont need to worry about getting them wrong, specially if both languages are dissimilar. And specially with the method you are following. If you where just getting regular classroom lessons it would be harder.

Thats the reason children can develop their language aquisition skills in early childhood in spite of everyone talking to them in goo-gaa silly voices. Whats important is that you have actual interactions in the language you are trying to learn.

But for now, id say focus on french until you are satisfied with your conversational level, and then turn to spanish.

The Michel Tomas tapes are great (I have the French ones). You can also get Asterix comics in spanish (they are quite as funny).

I grew up on Asterix. I read them quite often in French and they helped with my reading enjoyment. I am trying quite hard now to land me a Spanish lizard so I can practice Spanish with her. If she gives up the chocha, that's a bonus but my primary purpose is to extract information from her.

Post: #16

Back when I was at high school I was studying three langages at the same time (English/Spanish/Italian).

I guess that one can study as many languages as one wishes however bear in mind that if you're not dedicated and motivated enough you'll probably end up focusing on one rather than the other unless you have nothing else to do.

Given that self-study requires a fair share of discipline and dedication it's important to have clear goals in mind.

Putting your French studies on the side for a while wouldn't be a bad idea imho since you clearly seem to be more interested in Spanish. You'll still be able to brush up your French on the side with radio programs, magazines and what not when you have extra time to devote to language learning...

I'd also add that confusing two languages can be a real danger even when they aren't closely related. For example I've noticed that the foreign students to whom I give French lessons often calque their syntax on English (like using "en" instead of "dans" as a calque of the english preposition "in") or make weird sentences filled with English French-sounding words.

Post: #17

Definitely focus on one at at time. I tried the multiple language learning thing, was trying to learn Norwegian, Polish & Portuguese - just insane!
Focusing on one at a time is the way to go. As you get better, you gain more confidence as well and that inspires to get better.
Good luck with it - definitely worth it.