Thanks!

Brian, you give SO much “sound” advice – that is, about the importance of concentrating on the sounds of the language! I especially liked your idea of first LISTENING to a book about 3 times before reading it. It’s exactly the sort of thing I constantly stress on my site. I think that if everyone who is learning a language would follow this method, they would end up pronouncing their target language much better. !

Very very good blog, .

Reading this post I remembered Cavafy and his own journey to Ithaca;

“As you set out for Ithaka
hope the voyage is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.”
……

“Laistrygonians and Cyclops, wild Poseidon – you won’t encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.”

…
“Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you are destined for.
But do not hurry the journey at all.”

Wish E. Tolle could write more like your style.

I have the same opinion as well. I learnd spanish in at
merida yucatan and that was the best way to learn a language because I also knew the culture.

You its never a surprise when you walk up one fine day and think of doing something totally out of the box. I really think we should empower ourselves to do many activities which we might think impossible or would never define us. A similar stroke came to me when I thought of learning French… I had been struggling for so many years and every time I would take the initiation I would be struck by bad luck. It become so frustrating that I eventually came to think that its not in my stars to learn French… Weird huh!!! But only recently did I gear myself up once again and this time I did with a group of people. Till date I am enjoying my experience…. But with your added tips I think I will go crazy and try them too… Though actually visiting the place would have never come to my mind but as you stroll down this article, many of the tips are in conjunction with each other… And its true that if you don’t steer yourself from your native language you will never be sincere in learning the second language…. And sincerity counts

I am going to France for a web design competition and really wish I could speak French. I have started learning the language and created a blog called speak french fluently. Please check it out.

Very Good blog, I think you’re right in that the best way to learn a language is to totally immerse yourself in it, and the culture.

Nice post there. I think the best way to learn a language is to study in a foreign language.. I did this a few years ago and learned alot tbh!

Interesting article, Brian. (You know English is my second language)

I think it is strange few Americans attempt to learn another language. In Japan, English class is mandatory, and I believe many countries have similar programs.

When you have second language, it is like having another treasure resource. You know what most others don’t.

Moreover, it is a great way to develop compassion. Just spend several hundred hours listening and speaking (or more like stuttering) that language, and then go to McDonald in that country and watch a kid make an order better than you do. You would never see immigrants, and maybe others who just cannot do certain things your way, the same way you did before.

Akemi
gratitude-magic.com

bonsoir,

to article est vraiment tres interessant. j’ai vecu en France pendant 4, j’ai etudie labas et je jouais au volley ball. thank you for sharing your experience in France.
jaja

I think you are right, immersion is the key. It might be hard to avoid other english speakers, but worth it over time. The more you can “hear” the language the better.

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I totally agree that immersion is the best way to learn a language. But if you can’t go to that country, I think you can still get some of the effects by talking with people online. I’d recommend trying out italki.com for finding language exchange partners.

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