Learning another language as an adult

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Supplement it with watching novelas on Telemundo to help with recognition at regular speed. Just don't get distracted by the many many well distractions.

My BIL is Mexican and couldn't speak any English when he came to America. He started taking ESL classes and during the day would turn on the soap operas but sit with his back to the TV so he could try to understand without being able to interpret what was going on visually.

 

[BCClone]

My BIL is Mexican and couldn't speak any English when he came to America. He started taking ESL classes and during the day would turn on the soap operas but sit with his back to the TV so he could try to understand without being able to interpret what was going on visually.

Soap operas??? Did he get hit with sexual harassment a couple times before he got english somewhat figured out?

 

[st8ia49]

https://app.memrise.com is another site which can be used for Free. https://www.spanishdict.com/translate is free and can be helpful. Both have several different languages. I use all three sites but agree that it is easier to read than speak or listen/understand. I apologize if these have already been suggested.

 

[Farnsworth]

My BIL is Mexican and couldn't speak any English when he came to America. He started taking ESL classes and during the day would turn on the soap operas but sit with his back to the TV so he could try to understand without being able to interpret what was going on visually.

well that just sounds practical. I was more commenting on the amount of sexiness and boobies on telenovelas.

 

[Rabbuk]

My BIL is Mexican and couldn't speak any English when he came to America. He started taking ESL classes and during the day would turn on the soap operas but sit with his back to the TV so he could try to understand without being able to interpret what was going on visually.

How is his English now?

 

[OnlyCyclones]

Pandemic has sucked, so I just started trying to learn another language to try to motivate myself to get out of a pandemic funk.

Using Duolingo. Anyone else use this? I’m only two days in, so my self frustrations that I’m not nailing it yet are premature, I’m sure, but I keep panicking that it’s not sticking yet.

So far my biggest beef with Duolingo is that it doesn’t teach why, it just tries to teach through repetition.

If you feel like learning a little grammar textbook style, hit the "tips" on the lesson before hitting start. Also, after you complete a question, hit the comment button if you don't understand. Chances are another user has already asked your question, and someone has answered it.

I love Duolingo, but I also had four years in high school of the language I'm studying and a good grasp of the grammar. It definitely let's me learn faster. But take your time, it's a slow process. And listen to as much as you can. Just getting an ear for the sounds helps a lot with listening and your own pronunciations. When I finally studied abroad while at ISU, I couldn't understand anybody for three months! And even longer for anyone to understand me! It takes persistence. I wasn't the best student, I definitely work harder at it now than I did while in school, but I can tell I'm making progress.

Something else I'm going to try doing soon is labeling things around my apartment, and translating tweets and articles on paper. Diversify how you learn so that you give your brain as many different ways to connect the dots as possible.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

well that just sounds practical. I was more commenting on the amount of sexiness and boobies on telenovelas.

Oh, I knew that.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

How is his English now?

Fine, Of course he's lived in the U.S. for about 37 years now.