Questions tagged [self-learning]
For questions regarding teaching oneself a language with minimal or no prior experience with it
118
questions
4
votes
0answers
55 views
The “fully grammatical” approach towards learning Indo-European languages
I have stumbled upon this video on Youtube (sorry - it is in Russian).
Here's a short summary:
The spokesperson introduces the following scheme of learning an Indo-European language:
"Learn by ...
8
votes
1answer
135 views
How does language learning in a classroom affect self-learning?
Circumstances require me to take a ~3 month break from my formal/classroom/directed language studies soon. Prior to studying my L2* under a teacher I was learning independently. How will my classroom ...
2
votes
1answer
60 views
French pronunciation
I'm looking for a guide to master my French pronunciation.
Ideally, pictures with proper tongue positioning inside the mouth.
For now, after 10 years of living in a French-speaking country, I ...
5
votes
1answer
108 views
Learning Persian with Latin alphabet
Is there any free online resource for learning basic Persian without learning arabic script? I tried several online courses but they all begin with teaching script first. This is very demotivating to ...
19
votes
4answers
307 views
How can you verify your grammar during self-study?
This similar question regarding pronunciation made me think about verifying other aspects of language when you do not have access to a native speaker frequently or at all.
I have many self-...
2
votes
2answers
66 views
Difference between C1 and C2
Lovely community, what's the difference between the advanced and the proficient levels of English (or any other European language)?
I have calculated the cumulative hours of my language learning: it ...
7
votes
2answers
156 views
Learning Indonesian (bahasa Indonesia) on my own
I have decided to try to learn Indonesian on my own, so I have a couple of questions. For starters, what (ideally free) resources are available to one who wants to learn Indonesian to college class ...
3
votes
1answer
16 views
How can I prepare for a discussion involving pre-specified Chinese words with my teacher?
Like a lot of learners, my Chinese reading and writing abilities far exceed my speaking and listening. As a result, my teacher says I should study a certain page (高级口语（I） p.8) in a textbook, and be ...
0
votes
2answers
113 views
Why is it that I can understand German when I have had low amount of exposure to it?
I have noticed something interesting to me. Over the past 10 or so years, I have been exposed to German in 2 main contexts, studying German vocabulary and seeing German words in music. This exposure ...
7
votes
2answers
434 views
Is it possible to learn grammar through spaced repetition, and if yes, how?
Spaced repetition is mostly used for learning vocabulary, but learning vocabulary is not all there is to learning a foreign language. Grammar also needs to be acquired, one way or another. Since doing ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Chatbot to practice spoken language?
Are there tools/chatbots/websites to practice spoken language with computer partner? Or any tools to evaluate pronunciation?
I know about ELIZA for text chat, running on several websites like https://...
5
votes
1answer
102 views
How can I make sure my pronunciation based on IPA is correct?
I have read this question and answers titled "How can I learn IPA?" and now start to (finally) learn IPA and phonetics.
However, while the question asks about the way to learn the IPA, which focuses ...
3
votes
2answers
79 views
Can Speak Chinese; Need Learning Resources to Bring Reading Skill to Same Level (HSK4)
Good Day!
I have an interesting conundrum - I can speak Chinese just fine (in fact I just took an HSK placement exam at the local Confucius Centre and was ranked at 4 for listening and speaking). I ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
How much time will it take a beginner to reach a B2/C1 level Russian language proficiency by self-learning?
Is it possible to reach a B2/C1 in Russian in 4~5 years, when I have no prior experience with Russian or any related language?
I'm studying Russian 1 hour a day every single day. Is this enough? I'm ...
0
votes
2answers
61 views
Resources for self-teaching spanish
I'd like to use free resources learn enough Spanish that I'll be able to understand menus, ask basic questions (e.g., where is the train station, how far is the whatever), not butcher pronunciations, ...
6
votes
3answers
201 views
Latin, Italian, or French?
(I hope this is on-topic.)
I am deciding which language to learn next. I am a native Spanish and fluent English speaker. My three options are Latin, Italian, and French. I would like to receive your ...
4
votes
1answer
53 views
How can one learn to be a professional translator on their own time?
Is it possible, with a high-level study of grammar and a deep knowledge of the terminology used in whatever area you intend to translate in (obviously not in medicine or law, where such things are ...
3
votes
0answers
43 views
How important is to find language exchange partner?
Currently, with all social networks and internet, it seems that everybody suggest [citation needed] that the primary way to learn a language is to find a language exchange partner.
Beyond the obvious ...
2
votes
0answers
26 views
How can I identify a Youtube video URL for a lesson's video from FluentU?
I'd like to track down a URL for a video for one of the lessons on FluentU.
What, if any, means exist to find out a video URL for a YouTube video used as a lesson video within FluentU?
Thanks,
1
vote
2answers
51 views
1 Month Curriculum For Learning Spanish Conversationally
I have set a goal to learn Spanish at a conversational level in 1 month, with 2 prior years of experience at a traditional highschool, with information retained but still not able to hold a ...
-1
votes
3answers
43 views
How to choose a foreign language to learn based on my interests? [closed]
I already know Russian and Ukrainian, I study English.
I'd like to find the next language to learn.
In fact, I'd like to know all the Romance languages, but I should start somewhere.
To begin with, I'...
43
votes
6answers
1k views
How can I verify my pronunciation without a native speaker?
I've been learning Japanese for a short while, and it uses some sounds that aren't in my native language (English). (For example, the "r" sound, which has been described to me as a combination of "d", ...
1
vote
2answers
104 views
When studying Japanese, how much should I be able to retain at the end of a Genki textbook chapter (Self-study concerns)?
I've been studying Japanese since about January using the Genki second edition workbook and textbook. I try to get in an hour session each day but I have been a little on and off with it; I think its ...
2
votes
0answers
26 views
How can I efficiently find lists of chance correspondences?
Where can I find such compilations or lists systematically?
This Japanese-English example is from
John McWhorter PhD Linguistics (Stanford)'s The Power of Babel (2003), pp. 226-227.
I'm aware of r/...
3
votes
0answers
47 views
Good text-to-speech resource for learning Hebrew
So I was sent here to ask my question from here.
I'm currently into my third month of learning Hebrew. I have been using the very limited text-to-speech dictionary from hebrewpod101.com to look up ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
How did Cardinal Mezzofanti learn foreign languages?
Giuseppe Caspar Mezzofanti (1774-1849) was an Italian cardinal who also became famous for his language skills. According to his biographer Charles William Russell, he spoke at least 30 languages very ...
5
votes
4answers
417 views
Is it possible to learn a language without translation?
Let's assume I have no knowledge in a language I want to learn. I know only some basic alphabet, but don't know any words. Is it possible to learn a language just by watching videos and reading books ...
7
votes
2answers
86 views
Should I correct my grammar mistakes or just ignore them while practice speaking?
While practice speaking a foreign language, I often find myself make a mistake during the speech and correct it immediately. The mistakes usually come from grammar, which I rarely do in writing. For ...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
Do most language learners use a tutor/teacher?
I had a language tutor for a number of years and did not progress to fluency.
I've seen that many language learners, once they get convinced that they can learn a new language, go on to learn ...
6
votes
1answer
74 views
How can I avoid the huge gap between paper and oral skills?
I learned four foreign languages but all of them have one thing in common; reading is the best and writing follows it, and then after the huge gap come listening and speaking. My reading and speaking ...
2
votes
0answers
59 views
How to learn Malayalam without any resources
I've been interested in learning a language called Malayalam. The problem is though, there is a complete absence of any well-written comprehensive Malayalam textbooks or grammar guides for English-...
4
votes
1answer
62 views
How can you understand the pronunciation differences if you don't understand them even on minimal pairs training?
The minimal pair training seems to be the best way for adults to distinguish the sound difference on a foreign language that doesn't exist in his/her native language. According to Fluent:
But it’s ...
2
votes
1answer
27 views
How can I add an audio to my SRS if it is missing on Forvo?
I like to have an audio file play automatically on my SRS. In fact I found out that most words I have trouble in memorizing lack the audio file, and thus I always add the audio file which I download ...
3
votes
0answers
41 views
How can I find an appropriate image for a word on SRS?
I'm writing a script that converts my list of bookmarked words into SRS, with audio and image on it. Now, I'm writing a script to fetch an image from Google Image, but the images I got are mostly ...
57
votes
9answers
1k views
How can I prevent myself from forgetting a language?
Many people forget languages entirely after enough time. I've become fluent in Spanish, but I haven't used it in over a year, and most of my family and friends don't speak it fluently. With all the ...
6
votes
0answers
56 views
What is the proper etiquette for a nonnative speaker who wants to practice Mandarin at a Chinese supermarket in the US?
There is a Chinese supermarket in the US I often shop at. I often hear the staff speaking Mandarin or Cantonese, and occasionally Hakka or Fujianese, amongst themselves and to Chinese customers. I can ...
3
votes
2answers
129 views
How can I get over lack of learning resources in “minor languages”
Sometimes I want to learn a language but give up due to the lack of resources available. These languages tend to be the ones that very few people learn using English.
In my opinion, one of the core ...
11
votes
5answers
161 views
Are there learning resources to drill my Dutch?
When I was learning English we used lots of exercises that were referred to as use of English, which help you train some particular grammar.
Now, I am learning Dutch and most of the exercises ...
5
votes
0answers
41 views
Learning the Navajo Language
My colleague is really interested in the Navajo and their language. He is tying to learn the language for some time now and has done all the courses he could find on the internet, only those were only ...
1
vote
0answers
17 views
Should the answers on SRS also be the target language?
I bookmarked words I didn't know while reading texts in a foreign language, and then created my own Anki deck from the list of bookmarked words. Originally I used English as the answer (translation) ...
9
votes
1answer
126 views
How to overcome limitations of memory palace?
I frequently use the loci method (memory palace) to learn vocabulary, but I find that after 150-200 words my house is full with words/images and there is no space left.
I know of people who can ...
20
votes
4answers
823 views
How can I expand my active vocabulary in a foreign language?
I’ve been learning a foreign language for 5 years. Now, I easily understand everything I read, I know lots of words and everything seems to be alright, but I still have a problem. My active vocabulary ...
4
votes
1answer
71 views
Does learning a new language while in the target country instead of learning the current language reach the goal of acquiring both faster in the end?
Here is the situation:
I have now been learning French for two months.
I will start to stay in South Korea for one month.
After staying in Korea, I'll stay in France and attend language school for ...
6
votes
2answers
119 views
kannada learning - beginner's way
I am a native Marathi (Maharashtra, India) speaker and I wish to learn Kannada.
These 2 languages are totally different except for a few words in common.
To start with, I would like to learn basic ...
6
votes
1answer
152 views
What is the better way for structure the learning of 5 languages in 1 year and 6 months?
It's really this, I have a dream to speak Japanese, Korean, Standard Chinese, French and Russian. I know it is hard and very difficult to learn five language at the same time.
Right now, this is my ...
4
votes
0answers
40 views
Best way to improve your ability in a language post A-Level (Exams at age 18)
It is fairly clear how to get your standard of language up to an A-level standard (exams taken at age 18 in the uk) due to clear syllabi and textbooks up to this standard. However, I find that past ...
6
votes
2answers
86 views
How can an advanced learner in an FL context get rid of grammatical errors?
Imagine someone who learnt foreign language (FL) from the same language family as his native language (L1) for three years at secondary school and then continued studying this language at university. ...
13
votes
3answers
249 views
How to make vocabulary acquisition fun?
I have been learning French for around 2.5 years. I am currently around the B1 level and have attained this by practising reading, writing and speaking and basically immersion. But one of the biggest ...
7
votes
2answers
122 views
Should I start studying Norwegian when living in Denmark and about to move to Norway?
I am, at the present, living in Denmark and actively studying Danish on the state-funded courses, using Duolingo, and other means like reading, following a lecture course and conversations.
I will be ...
2
votes
0answers
48 views
how can I structure my plan learning korean?
I am not a native speaker of Korean and not-native speaker English. I want to make a plan for learning Korean well and maybe arrive to B2 in July 2019.
I do not have a lot time because I get up 6 Am, ...
