Learning a new language later in life?

[IROC]

A long time ago (in the pre-internet days) I thought it would be fun to learn German. I bought a couple of books and struggled to make any real progress and gave up. Not only did verb conjugation kill me, but I couldn't figure out how to correctly pronounce words, etc.

Fast-forward 25 years or so and I decided to try again. Now, there is a whole world out there of lessons online, etc. Plus, the admin for our group is German and I have some work obligations that will have me going to Germany a few times over the next few years, so I can "practice". I also bought a textbook (Deutsch Aktuell - sehr gut, BTW), so I am making progress, but it is still hard.

Anybody else learn (or try to learn) a new language later in life? Any tips? Commiseration?

Ich habe so viel zu lernen, aber es ist Spaß...

[drcoastline]

I failed miserably at Spanish in school. In recent years as the Spanish language grows I have been thinking more and more of learning it. I looked into Rosetta stone as I thought the best way for me to learn Spanish would be while driving as it is deadtime. While researching if Rosetta stone was all it was cracked up to be I stumbled upon this video. Gave a little insight into what it takes to be able to communicate in a language vs. knowing a few words. The key is to be able communicate not to speak properly.

[Norm K]

We've had two, year-long exchange students from Germany.

Good experience both times but given that both were high school boys it probably cost us more in food than what we'd have paid for a private tutor.

_

[Yorkie]

I have been trying to learn French as my missus is from there. Its not easy but I'm making progress by using a few tools. I loaded the Babbel ap onto my phone and when I get a spare 15 minutes I go through an exercise. I like to cook so I subscribed to a French cooking magazine (in French) to improve my reading. Finally, I stream French TV programs and movies and use the French closed captions to train my ear as the buggers typically speak too quickly for me to understand them. Watching the programs provides a visual context.

[Mike Billings]

I thought my plan was infallible.

Had a year and a half of German in school.

Then, to get some practice, I started one of those multiplayer games where you communicate constantly with other people. The game was set in Germany, so mostly native speakers. I got by using my limited knowledge plus Google translate.

The plan should have worked. I communicated (similar to social media) for several hours at a sitting. Three times a day. For nine months.

Didn't sink in. I'm just too old. And dense!

Funny one time of the Germans asked if I could improve my communication. Then the other German said "He's English you fool". I learned some profanity as well.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

Gave a little insight into what it takes to be able to communicate vs. knowing a few words. The key is to communicate not to speak proper but that what yu are saying can be understood.

This is an excellent point. I am under no illusion that I will ever speak German fluently, but it would be nice to be able to simply communicate at some level. My admin points out that even if I don't conjugate a verb correctly, she knows what I mean most of the time. That is the most important thing.

Unfortunately, I don't think there is a special trick that will allow one to gain proficiency really quickly. It just takes time.

[drcoastline]

It's a good video to watch. While this video is about Spanish I think what he is doing can be used for any language. At 6:43 he does a video chat with a guy verse in six languages and doesn't speak any with an accent. The guy created the "Mimic method" of learning a language. There is other good info in the video as well.

[Rick Lee]

I started teaching myself German when I was 13 because my then middle school didn't offer it. My German is now almost as good as my English and I get to use it for work almost every day. But I still listen to German news and talk radio on an iPhone app to keep the chops up. It's never been easier to learn with all that's available online. I watched a long series on German job interviews for my current job, spent countless hours on that. When the Skype interview came, it consisted of, "How much do you need and when can you start?" But it was fun research.

[IROC]

I will have to watch that video for sure. The crazy thing is that there is an almost unlimited amount of content out there in almost any language. I am also a huge music fan, so I have been watching youtube videos of German bands (mostly Sportfreunde Stiller und Die Toten Hosen!!). That really helps with pronunciation and phrasing.

I've only been doing this for a few months, but it is amazing how much one can learn. Having said that, the more I learn, the more obvious it is how little I know...

[Rick Lee]

Also be sure to check out some German movies with subtitles (English or German). That way you'll hear how real people speak in normal conversations, which is a lot different than what you'll hear on news shows and radio. German movies are so intelligent and thought-provoking, they'll make you feel dumb for having ever enjoyed an American movie.

[Tobra]

What Mr Lee says, for Spanish they have the soap opera shows with the ridiculously hot women

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Tobra

What Mr Lee says, for Spanish they have the soap opera shows with the ridiculously hot women

And the Spanish channel weather ladies are amazing too.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by IROC

I will have to watch that video for sure. The crazy thing is that there is an almost unlimited amount of content out there in almost any language. I am also a huge music fan, so I have been watching youtube videos of German bands (mostly Sportfreunde Stiller und Die Toten Hosen!!). That really helps with pronunciation and phrasing.

I've only been doing this for a few months, but it is amazing how much one can learn. Having said that, the more I learn, the more obvious it is how little I know...

Most US residents, and I am referring mainly to US born, don't know as much speaking English as any German living here. I was an English major and learn every day. I wish I could write like many of those that I read. And If I could write that well, I'm sure my speaking habits would improve.

[Seahawk]

I am half Spanish and took Spanish in HS AND college.

I can now find the beach and order a beer.

This is not a proud post. I am feo americano in search of a caravan...

[Evans, Marv]

Nothing takes the place of practicing with native speakers, if you can get the opportunity. My Spanish and miniscule amount of French isn't nearly as good as decades ago since I never use it anymore. But I remember speaking to people in Mexico and Spain and going, "Wow, OK that's how they say it." The good thing is you almost never forget it afterwards. Truthfully I had the impression I learned language and math easier as I got older - up tp a point.

[LeeH]

I am learning Vietnamese. I've also said I was too old, didn't have brain for it, etc. But, I started looking in to HOW to learn a new language and found some help. Several videos by polyglots revealed that they used memory joggers to help learn new words. For instance, to have in Vietnamese is "có," which is pronounced "caw." When that word fist popped up, I pictured a crow who "had" my keys and was flying away with them saying "caw."

After a couple of days, I didn't need those training wheels to remember that word. Yeah, this seems like a bit of mental gymnastics, but multiple people who have learned many languages explained they use similar tactics to remember new words. Just repeating via flashcards isn't very effective. There needs to be some context... and motivation helps.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by LeeH

There needs to be some context... and motivation helps.

What a lovely, beautiful woman, Lee.

A friend of mine married a Vietnamese woman...he said it helped, in his mind, to sing the language.

Playa is beach, right?

Or: làm mắc cạn

[vash]

A pretty woman can teach me anything.

[LeeH]

Oh! Forgot to mention... I suggest trying the Duolingo app. It's free and very effective. Commit to 15-30 minutes per day, every day.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Oh! Forgot to mention... I suggest trying the Duolingo app. It's free and very effective. Commit to 15-30 minutes per day, every day.

I have seen Duolingo and I think I have stumbled into it on occasion thru search results. I am not exactly sure how it works, but ought to check it out.

I think my biggest risk is that I have no reason to learn German other than I think it would be fun. That is probably good and bad. The bad is there is a risk that I'll just give up, but the good part is that I can do this at my own pace and can learn whatever I want to learn. I do try to do something every day. I invent little conversations in my head and try and figure out how I would say certain things.

I am sure that no matter what, my "German" is going to be some insulting version of mismatched verb tenses and incorrect plural nouns, etc. Native speakers will stare at me in disgust. So my standard, handy response will be:

Es tut mir leid. Mein Deutsch ist unter aller Sau.