Comments on: 5 Reasons to Learn a Foreign Language, and 2 Selfless Ways to Do It http://www.startbeingyourbest.com/2009/10/5-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language-and-3-selfless-ways-to-do-it/ Become Who You're Meant To Be Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:28:31 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Sam http://www.startbeingyourbest.com/2009/10/5-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language-and-3-selfless-ways-to-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-687 Sam Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:03:37 +0000 http://www.startbeingyourbest.com/?p=1067#comment-687 Thanks. Long time reader first time reply-er... I'm a youth pastor at a multi-lingual church, and it annoys me that I can't keep up with the parents of my students in conversation. I've tried to teach myself using flash cards and "Spanish for Dummies" type books to no avail. I think a more structured program would help me, so I'll give either of these programs you mentioned a try. Thanks. Long time reader first time reply-er… I'm a youth pastor at a multi-lingual church, and it annoys me that I can't keep up with the parents of my students in conversation. I've tried to teach myself using flash cards and "Spanish for Dummies" type books to no avail. I think a more structured program would help me, so I'll give either of these programs you mentioned a try.

]]> By: Brian Barker http://www.startbeingyourbest.com/2009/10/5-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language-and-3-selfless-ways-to-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-684 Brian Barker Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:26:41 +0000 http://www.startbeingyourbest.com/?p=1067#comment-684 As far as learning another language is concerned, can I put in a word for Esperanto? I suggest not only because it has become a living language, but because it has great propaedeutic values as well. Esperanto helps language learning! You can check this out at <a href="http://www.lernu.net" target="_blank">http://www.lernu.net</a> As far as learning another language is concerned, can I put in a word for Esperanto?

I suggest not only because it has become a living language, but because it has great propaedeutic values as well. Esperanto helps language learning!

You can check this out at http://www.lernu.net

]]> By: penelope http://www.startbeingyourbest.com/2009/10/5-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language-and-3-selfless-ways-to-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-645 penelope Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:46:42 +0000 http://www.startbeingyourbest.com/?p=1067#comment-645 recently at my high school i learned how to put on a switch in electrical. it was boring but hey i learned something new. and even though i could bet you that if you were to tell me to put on a switch i would have so many mistakes...all i can say is practice makes perfect recently at my high school i learned how to put on a switch in electrical. it was boring but hey i learned something new. and even though i could bet you that if you were to tell me to put on a switch i would have so many mistakes…all i can say is practice makes perfect

]]> By: Jason D Barr http://www.startbeingyourbest.com/2009/10/5-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language-and-3-selfless-ways-to-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-643 Jason D Barr Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:24:06 +0000 http://www.startbeingyourbest.com/?p=1067#comment-643 Hey, Sam! Thanks for stopping by. As far as language learning software goes, it can definitely be a mixed bag. Rostetta Stone is a GREAT program to get you the basics. I personally prefer Pimsleur, but I'm a pretty good auditory learner. If you're not an auditory learner, Pimsleur is going to be tough for you. I've found that Pimsleur can take you farther along the proficiency track than can Rosetta Stone. Most of the other tools I've seen are pretty much junk, in my opinion. YMMV, of course, and neither Rosetta Stone nor Pimsleur courses are cheap. That being said, you'll never develop anywhere close to true proficiency in a language simply by using tools. You'll actually need to engage in conversations with people who speak the language. Learning to actually speak and understand a language is more than memorizing vocab and grammatical patterns. Hey, Sam! Thanks for stopping by. As far as language learning software goes, it can definitely be a mixed bag. Rostetta Stone is a GREAT program to get you the basics. I personally prefer Pimsleur, but I'm a pretty good auditory learner. If you're not an auditory learner, Pimsleur is going to be tough for you. I've found that Pimsleur can take you farther along the proficiency track than can Rosetta Stone. Most of the other tools I've seen are pretty much junk, in my opinion. YMMV, of course, and neither Rosetta Stone nor Pimsleur courses are cheap.

That being said, you'll never develop anywhere close to true proficiency in a language simply by using tools. You'll actually need to engage in conversations with people who speak the language. Learning to actually speak and understand a language is more than memorizing vocab and grammatical patterns.

]]> By: Sam http://www.startbeingyourbest.com/2009/10/5-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language-and-3-selfless-ways-to-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-642 Sam Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:14:55 +0000 http://www.startbeingyourbest.com/?p=1067#comment-642 This article was especially interesting to me, as I've always wanted to learn another language but never seem to have the time. What are your thoughts on language learning software (i.e. The Rosetta Stone)? This article was especially interesting to me, as I've always wanted to learn another language but never seem to have the time. What are your thoughts on language learning software (i.e. The Rosetta Stone)?

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