[Nascimento]

Great datasheet, thanks.

How much would you say your languages atrophy when you're not actively using them? Is it just a mild rust (that is easily fixed when you start speaking again), or do you regress in your ability to a certain extent?

I've been bilingual for most of my life but only recently trilingual (Spanish). I'd like to continue expanding.

[godzilla]

Duolingo is the shit. They're coming out with a bunch of languages from EE soon. If your just getting started, its an amazing tool. I used on and off for 2 months before I went to Mexico and after about 1 week of Intensive classes, I was conversing pretty well. Frankly, you just need someone whose willing to speak slow to you so you can practice. Otherwise, that language will sound like gibberish.

I wasn't a big fan of movies or soap operas. My listening comprehension is pretty shit. You should gotta focus on your strengths I think.

I've been learning French recently, also used Duolingo, it is not as good for French. Your ear just doesn't catch some of pronunciation nuances that you need to know. People think its way harder then Spanish and while the grammar and pronunciation is bit harder, verbs conjugations are much easy. The vocab is also as close to English as it gets. The hardest part is finding someone speak to on a daily basis. The French just haven't had the patience that Spanish and American people (well sometimes) hearing a broken language.

[DrCotard]

I'm actually using duolingo for learning brazilian Portuguese from Spanish and the results have been satisfactory. I'm able to read websites and books in this language with a fair understanding of the language. Fortunately for me, Portuguese and Spanish are somewhat similar regarding words and grammar.

Like Nascimento, I'm bilingual too (I speak Spanish and English) but now I'm in the verge to become a trilingual man too.

If your intention is to learn a new language without spending crazy amounts of money in the process, duolingo and the tips given here are the real deal.

[Vinny]

(06-16-2016 03:34 PM)Nascimento Wrote:  

Great datasheet, thanks.

How much would you say your languages atrophy when you're not actively using them? Is it just a mild rust (that is easily fixed when you start speaking again), or do you regress in your ability to a certain extent?

I've been bilingual for most of my life but only recently trilingual (Spanish). I'd like to continue expanding.

One of the languages I nearly never use and I am surprised how quickly it picks up after you start using it again. Just read some news in the language you never use once in a while and you will be alright.

[sonoran_]

so ive been doing this for the past 95 episodes of Muneca Brava (Argetenian spanish) and I can definetely see improvement in my ability to understand Spanish. Ive been using duolingo since the beginning but for the past 2 weeks ive also started using language zen. it is a new app and brings a different twist compared to duolingo.

[christpuncher]

Is it not recommended to work on beginners skills for more than one language simultaneously? I'd like to improve on my very basic French and Spanish to get up to conversational, but don't know which to tackle first.

I figure I'll eventually have to keep them straight in my head with a more advanced level of each down the road anyways, so why not just struggle from the beginning with both?

[Vinny]

(08-20-2016 09:34 PM)sonoran_ Wrote:  

so ive been doing this for the past 95 episodes of Muneca Brava (Argetenian spanish) and I can definetely see improvement in my ability to understand Spanish. Ive been using duolingo since the beginning but for the past 2 weeks ive also started using language zen. it is a new app and brings a different twist compared to duolingo.

Glad to hear of your progress. Especially while following datasheet so precisely

I also started with Duolingo and Muneca Brava. Although later I switched to Betty la Fea. Argentinian Spanish is not as easy and Argentina is way down on my list anyway.

So next step for you is Tinder travel to Colombia or Peru, get girls numbers, call them and talk about random stuff. Works wonders with your speaking skills.

Got to give a try to this language zen. Is it free as well?

@christpuncher: As we are on RVF and not just random language forum I say take Spanish. That gives you access to more hot girls than French. I am only learning Spanish cause I already speak Russian, so if you don't I say tackle the Spanish and go on to Russian after that. With English, Spanish and Russian you will have access to majority of hottest girls on earth.

[sonoran_]

I got hooked on the story line of Muneca Brava so after i'm done that, I will try out Betty la fea. Initially, I found an amazing show called Quien es quien, but they have 1/5 of each episode on youtube with english subtitles while the remainder is on the telemundo website with only spanish subtitles. I cannot wait to understand enough spanish to finally watch quien es quien.

Is chatting with them online enough?

Language zen is free for like 10 mins of usage then you cant use it for another 3 hours.

[Vinny]

(08-22-2016 06:00 PM)sonoran_ Wrote:  

I got hooked on the story line of Muneca Brava so after i'm done that, I will try out Betty la fea. Initially, I found an amazing show called Quien es quien, but they have 1/5 of each episode on youtube with english subtitles while the remainder is on the telemundo website with only spanish subtitles. I cannot wait to understand enough spanish to finally watch quien es quien.

Is chatting with them online enough?

Language zen is free for like 10 mins of usage then you cant use it for another 3 hours.

Chatting is fine, but the greatest thing ever is calling and talking. It is fun and it really makes you start speaking. Talking conversation is always more random than a chat.

Any language learning process consists of 4 parts. Reading, writing, listening and talking. You can easily have a person who can understand but can not talk. Or one who can read and write but can not understand the live speech. So it is important to work on all of 4.

Duolingo covers writing and reading pretty well. But listening and speaking part there is really not worked on enough. Telenovellas improve your listening greatly, so there is only last and most important for us speaking.

Tinder travel helps.

[Lux Interior]

Fantastic work.
Duolingo for me is the best application.
Also, when speaking with people in the language you are learning it really helps to carry a notepad.....any words you don't understand ask what they are , you can write them phonetically....this action really helps to store the information in the brain.

[vaithen]

Music is also a great way to learn! I look up old disney songs that I know by heart, but are localized and sung in russian or whichever language.

[christpuncher]

@ Vinny. So you wouldn't recommend simultaneous language learning?

Certainly there are way more Spanish speakers out there than French, but,

1) I am Canadian, and there are Quebecois all over this country. I hear French all the time, in Alberta even, can't recall if I've ever heard Spanish spoken in Canada though.

2) The French are rich and like to travel. Any tourist destination I've ever been has been swarming (no not literally) with Frenchmen.

I seem to enjoy Spanish more though. I can last for 15-20 minutes on duo lingo in Spanish, but switched to French I'm bored of it in <10. Maybe it's bringing back unpleasant memories of learning basic French in grade school here in Canada.

[sonoran_]

(09-01-2016 10:30 AM)christpuncher Wrote:  

@ Vinny. So you wouldn't recommend simultaneous language learning?

Certainly there are way more Spanish speakers out there than French, but,

1) I am Canadian, and there are Quebecois all over this country. I hear French all the time, in Alberta even, can't recall if I've ever heard Spanish spoken in Canada though.

2) The French are rich and like to travel. Any tourist destination I've ever been has been swarming (no not literally) with Frenchmen.

I seem to enjoy Spanish more though. I can last for 15-20 minutes on duo lingo in Spanish, but switched to French I'm bored of it in <10. Maybe it's bringing back unpleasant memories of learning basic French in grade school here in Canada.

Agree with your points, being in Canada myself. I do wish I had actually learned French from 8 years of it in school. I also took Italian for a year in high school, wish I had continued with that. But for now Spanish is my number 1 choice. In regards to French, I'd rather learn Arabic before it lol considering the state of France in the future.

[gske]

(06-10-2016 10:10 AM)Easy_C Wrote:  

Heres a big one I've found.

If you have STEAM installed, check each games options and see if the language you want is listed. Most big budget games will. Select it and Steam will automatically download the necessaryb language pack.

Works best with open world type games.......they're more or less a simulated total immersion.

Games helped me a lot to learn English when I was younger. There was an MMO called "Guild Wars" back then.
It had the option to switch languages with a key short cut. It switched from English to your native language and back again. A Feature that is higly underestimated nowadays.
It helped me raise my level of English within a year significantly. From 3 to 1- (German grading system, from C to A-).

[Vinny]

(09-01-2016 10:30 AM)christpuncher Wrote:  

@ Vinny. So you wouldn't recommend simultaneous language learning?

Certainly there are way more Spanish speakers out there than French, but,

1) I am Canadian, and there are Quebecois all over this country. I hear French all the time, in Alberta even, can't recall if I've ever heard Spanish spoken in Canada though.

2) The French are rich and like to travel. Any tourist destination I've ever been has been swarming (no not literally) with Frenchmen.

I seem to enjoy Spanish more though. I can last for 15-20 minutes on duo lingo in Spanish, but switched to French I'm bored of it in <10. Maybe it's bringing back unpleasant memories of learning basic French in grade school here in Canada.

There is nothing wrong with learning languages simultaneously in my opinion.

I am no guru, but I think one language is affecting your ability to learn another less if the levels are different. Lets say you are intermediate in French and start to learn Spanish. But if you start 2 new languages from scratch I think it might blur.

Also after 3 languages it gets easier. And you get better at flipping the switch, from language to another.

[Vinny]

An update on Duolingo.

Don't rely on this app heavily as it is only suitable for the first steps.

I am approaching the end now. 5 lessons left. I have completed 57 lessons out of 62 (including one bonus skill - I choose flirting obviously) and I am sad to say I am nowhere near being fluent.

I do converse and can express my thoughts but I need much more practice.

[sonoran_]

What do you use to spoof tinder locations for 1 of the steps. I tried spoofing but it wouldnt load any girls to swipe after. ( any other app that is suitable other than tinder?. )

[262]

(10-17-2016 02:23 PM)Vinny Wrote:  

An update on Duolingo.

Don't rely on this app heavily as it is only suitable for the first steps.

I am approaching the end now. 5 lessons left. I have completed 57 lessons out of 62 (including one bonus skill - I choose flirting obviously) and I am sad to say I am nowhere near being fluent.

I do converse and can express my thoughts but I need much more practice.

Agree. I did Duolingo for Polish. Only gets you to a beginner level.

[Vinny]

(10-17-2016 09:59 PM)sonoran_ Wrote:  

What do you use to spoof tinder locations for 1 of the steps. I tried spoofing but it wouldnt load any girls to swipe after. ( any other app that is suitable other than tinder?. )

Actually since I bought galaxy S7 none of spoofing apps work. So I am using an old S3 phone for that purpose.
I think paying is not such a bad option with Tinder, cause it also gives you unlimited swipes. I don't do it cause I really don't use tinder that much these days.

@262: So its not just me, good!
Duolingo is still the best way to make first steps in learning a language.


Learning languages is so easy these days with all the apps, google translate the speech functions and unlimited ability to look for partners to talk to all over the globe. After I am done with Spanish I will surely start another one.

[redbeard]

Telenovelas - does anyone have a good place I can download telenovelas by the season....legally? I have a new computer I'm *trying* to keep clean from viruses. I don't mind shelling out cash. I'd like to download so I can watch on planes.

[cascadecombo]

Quote:

Learning languages is so easy these days with all the apps, google translate the speech functions and unlimited ability to look for partners to talk to all over the globe. After I am done with Spanish I will surely start another one.

If anything there is an oversaturation of apps and people often times pick up ones that aren't very useful but are flashy.

After learning a language in bars and on the street I'm getting formal training in another and it's world's apart in terms of how I am learning/ the speed/and how methodically. at 2ish months I'm already in possession of about a 500 word vocabulary and that's not counting conjugated verbs and such.

[Vinny]

I have already banged 9 girls during my Colombia Trip speaking Spanish. 7 did not speak a word of English. Spanish definitely helps. And the lazy method works.

[Vinny]

(01-29-2017 10:42 AM)redbeard Wrote:  

Telenovelas - does anyone have a good place I can download telenovelas by the season....legally? I have a new computer I'm *trying* to keep clean from viruses. I don't mind shelling out cash. I'd like to download so I can watch on planes.

Watch Betty la fea on youtube. Colombian spanish is the easiest to learn. Also all Colombian chicks will be happy to know you watched it.

[SanMiguel]

(02-03-2017 11:29 AM)Vinny Wrote:  

(01-29-2017 10:42 AM)redbeard Wrote:  

Telenovelas - does anyone have a good place I can download telenovelas by the season....legally? I have a new computer I'm *trying* to keep clean from viruses. I don't mind shelling out cash. I'd like to download so I can watch on planes.

Watch Betty la fea on youtube. Colombian spanish is the easiest to learn. Also all Colombian chicks will be happy to know you watched it.

It's been mentioned a few times on the forum - Pablo Escobar: Patron del Mal. Not as well made as Narcos but there's over 70, 45 min episodes, all in Spanish. I'm watching on Netflix with Spanish subtitles - don't understand everything being said but can follow the plot and I'm sure some of it is getting through. Very easy to watch too.

And a good, original Spanish film is Relatos Salvajes - it's 6 mini films in 1 all about revenge in one way or another.

[redbeard]

Started doing some "Vinny Style Learning" at the gym. Instead of music, put on Pimsleur to hypnotize me into the spanish pussy.

What audiobooks do yall like?