Ask HN: What is the best way to learn a language?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7826745

by nahcub • 12 years ago

11 12 12 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

A spoken language, that is. I know immersion is the best way overall, but what's the next best way if that's not an option?

hoboon• 12 years ago

I once heard about a system based around a game: Where Are Your Keys? (http://www.whereareyourkeys.org/)

vellum• 12 years ago

You should give Duolingo a try. It can take you to the A2/B1 CEFR level. After that, read native language books and watch foreign Youtube videos.

le_meta• 12 years ago

Have someone Spanish read you a story every night before bed.

GmeSalazar• 12 years ago

Livemocha is pretty cool. They offer lessons to help you exercise the four major skills -- reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

khyryk• 12 years ago

Get a bilingual significant other. :P

a3n• 12 years ago

My French teacher in the eighties told us the best way to learn French is in bed with a native speaker.

siliconian• 12 years ago

Watching movies/TV in that language with subtitles (also in the language you're trying to learn) really helps

x13420x• 12 years ago

I recommend against most tv and movies because the level is too advanced. You want material that is slightly beyond your level. This is why I recommend reading books. There are graded reading books. Eventually you also need to find a native speaker to practice with. You can do a language exchange or offer something else in return.

languagenerd• 12 years ago

Assimil is superb.

I have used their system for multiple languages. Far better than Pimsleur, easier than Linguaphone and pretty cheap. Small bite sized lessons entirely in the target language, with parallel text. Quirky humour.

danielkyulee• 12 years ago

Use a proven program like Rosetta Stone.

Then while you are learning vocab, grammar, etc., watch movies/videos in that language with subtitles.

stevekemp• 12 years ago

I found that using the foreign language regularly was the only way it "stuck". So as you say "immersion".

I've married a Finnish woman, and we go through phases where we speak only Finnish at different times. We also agreed she'd never say "no" if I spoke Finnish, so I started with all the obvious things to say "One black coffee, please", etc.

Brantt• 12 years ago

The best way if you have the opportunity is to travel to a country where you want to learn the language from. This way gives you lots of advantages because you will feel forced to speak to be able to move around. Practice makes the difference!

Ask HN: What is the best way to learn a language?

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