All Questions
1,423
questions
4
votes
2
answers
184
views
At what point is the best to switch instruction language to the target language
Somewhere I've read the recommendation that one should strive to use the target language as much as possible preferably exclusively, but I guess that doesn't work optimally from day one. Yes, for your ...
- 203
2
votes
0
answers
41
views
Bilingual Chinese poetry books
I am looking for anthologies of Chinese poetry, with the following properties:
bilingual, i.e. includes both original (simplified) Chinese and English translation;
broadly covers classical poetry, as ...
- 21
-1
votes
0
answers
8
views
What is an English idiom similar to Chinese 安贫乐道 , smth like 'to be content with poverty and strive for virtue'? [migrated]
Basically what's in the title, I'm looking for something similar, even if it's not a very used expression. At the very least, what may be a more concise way to convey the same idea?
4
votes
1
answer
87
views
Is it really a good idea to learn to enumerate German adpositions taking the accusative and other cases?
I'm currently freshing up my German knowledge and I remember in school we were taught to remember and recite "für-um-durch-gegen-entlang-bis-ohne-wider", which are adpositions that take the ...
- 203
3
votes
4
answers
109
views
Why, in France, was there an emphasis on cursive handwriting when it's harder to read, and is it the same throughout the Anglosphere?
In France, I was taught to write in cursive when I was six to ten years of age (alongside vocabulary, grammar, grammatical conjugation and so on). Once I completed this instruction, I never thought of ...
- 139
1
vote
2
answers
60
views
Free app/website for learning Japanese
I want to learn Japanese using a completely free (iOS) app or website. I’m currently using Duolingo (very low knowledge level right now), but any simple web search will explain why Duolingo is bad at ...
- 69
0
votes
1
answer
37
views
Will I mix Dutch with German up?
I speak German at C1 and I want to learn Dutch. Will I mix these two languages when I use them all the time and my Dutch is at an advanced level with German? And if I learn Dutch and devote more ...
3
votes
1
answer
29
views
Could the Elo rating system (used in chess, etc.) be used for language proficiency?
I used to be a bit of a chess player, where we rank chess proficiency using the Elo rating system (or the Glicko rating system). When you "win" your rating goes up, and when you "lose&...
- 2,711
2
votes
1
answer
26
views
Under what circumstances is it beneficial for an untrained native speaker to correct a non-native speaker?
I'm becoming increasingly disabused of the belief that average native speakers (i.e., untrained in teaching their native language) provide helpful feedback to students learning their language. Often ...
- 2,711
2
votes
0
answers
55
views
Nowadays, how similar is Duolingo to a gacha game?
Gacha games are known for ethically dubious monetization practices (see this video).
They're free to play games, but you can make in-game purchases;
They're designed to be easy;
They're deliberately ...
- 2,711
2
votes
0
answers
13
views
How to type Vietnamese with tones on a Chromebook?
On Android, using Gboard, all I have to do is long press e.g., "a", and I get tons of choices for which kind of Vietnamese "a" I wish to enter.
But on a Chromebook, yes with "...
- 121
3
votes
0
answers
51
views
Want to find an English vocabulary learning app
I want to find an English vocabulary learning app for an intermediary English user (~IELTS 5.5-6.0)--i know that there are plenty of such apps, such as Duolingo. The problem is, I want to find an app ...
- 131
1
vote
1
answer
91
views
Natural method book for Dutch?
Does anyone know of a book for learning Dutch by the natural method or something like it please?
I'm thinking of something like Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata or Erstes Deutches Buch.
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
52
views
Why do people have an aversion to practicing speaking foreign languages by themselves?
I can't think of any other skill than speaking a foreign language where people (despite having no non-mental obstacle to doing so) often choose not to practice by themselves.
This doesn't apply to ...
- 2,711
1
vote
1
answer
61
views
Is there a precise definition of "sentence mining"?
One of the frustrating aspects of language learning is imprecise definitions; here I'm interested in the definition of "sentence mining". If we google it, we get:
Sentence mining is the ...
- 2,711
2
votes
3
answers
153
views
is it possible to learn English like a native speaker?
I'm Chinese and have been learning English for more than 10 years. As it is a compulsory course in China, so we start learning it from a very young age. I can communicate with others fluently when it ...
fanshu xia
2
votes
1
answer
99
views
What is the school grade level equivalent of each HSK level?
I am just getting started learning Chinese. My goal is to be able to speak Chinese at the level of a first grader. My plan is to evaluate this by completing HSK course(s). But I do not know which ...
- 123
3
votes
0
answers
58
views
I need help with reducing my Indian Accent. I want to move toward an American one
This is a sample of my voice: https://voca.ro/1n9yVi2OmlOm
English is pretty much my first language and the language I know best.
I have an accent and it frustrates me a lot. I want to get rid of it.
...
FranKnash
1
vote
1
answer
23
views
Are there any short and entertaining English animation channels similar to GAG Anime that can help improve my listening skills?
I've been learning Japanese by watching anime and YouTube videos (I think this is my learning style), especially from these channels:
https://www.youtube.com/@parako
https://www.youtube.com/@...
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
84
views
Considerations when learning a very similar language
I'm considering learning Danish, while I am native Swedish speaker. The languages are partially mutually intelligible (and even more so in written form).
Are there any special considerations to be ...
- 203
1
vote
1
answer
20
views
If an experiment is conducted on 1 class of 30 students, is that 1 data point or 30 data points?
Academic papers report language-learning experimental results using methods like those described here. Often they take a class of students (say, 30) and randomly assign some task for one half, and ...
- 2,711
3
votes
0
answers
31
views
What input doesn't count as "comprehensible input"?
I was perusing Reddit's r/languagelearning, and this comment by u/whosdamike piqued my curiosity (especially the parts I highlighted in bold):
Here is an update I made about learning Thai via pure ...
- 2,711
2
votes
0
answers
19
views
Do Krashenian-educated language teachers struggle to answer common student questions?
The Krashenian school of language learning emphasizes comprehensible input and values implicit (subconscious) knowledge far above explicit (conscious) knowledge.
Let's imagine a student who has ...
- 2,711
0
votes
1
answer
50
views
Anki collection stats is showing reviews from years before I started
When I look at my collection stats, it's showing some reviews from years before I started anki which should be impossible.
How can I search for the card causing these phantom reviews and delete them?
- 119
2
votes
0
answers
29
views
How has iTalki, etc., been impacted by the advent of ChatGPT?
I'm curious as to how foreign-language online teaching sites/apps like iTalki have been impacted by ChatGPT and generative AI.
Question: How has iTalki, etc., been impacted by the advent of ChatGPT?
A ...
- 2,711
2
votes
0
answers
10
views
Does research account for improved efficiency due to novelty when comparing language-learning methods?
The papers I look at in language-learning research often take a group of students and tweak their class in one way (like as explained here). Perhaps half will continue as usual (a control), and the ...
- 2,711
1
vote
0
answers
11
views
Recommended Language Learning Method to Write Poetry & Songs
If I am primarily interested in learning a language to write poetry and songs in it, in addition to reading poetry and listening to music, is there a recommended way to build writing skills? I imagine ...
- 993
1
vote
0
answers
26
views
What are some good French educational shows for toddlers?
A more colloquial way of phrasing the question is, Is there a French Ms Rachel?
J'ai étudié le français au lycée et à l'université. Je l'ai appris à partir de l'anglais, qui est ma seconde langue, l'...
- 11
2
votes
4
answers
119
views
What is considered the most effective and efficient method for acquiring new vocabulary in a language?
I believe I've formulated a strategy to ingrain English (or any language) vocabulary into memory for effortless and enduring recall. This method mirrors the natural language acquisition process ...
user14979
0
votes
0
answers
10
views
How important is anecdotal evidence when comparing L2-learning-method effectiveness in language-learning research?
When perusing language learning articles, I see experiments where a small number of students learn words that don't exist (pseudowords) which they are subsequently tested on. Researchers then ...
- 2,711
1
vote
0
answers
22
views
How many basic words in a language one should know in order to look up unknown word in a dictionary in that language?
Suppose I was born and use AAA as a native language, then later I want to learn BBB language. It is pretty straightforward that when I encounter an unknown word in BBB, I can look up the word using ...
- 111
2
votes
1
answer
52
views
Am I using the right approach to expand my english vocabulary?
The process of acquiring new English words, idioms, phrases, and expanding one's vocabulary is most effectively achieved through a method known as contextual learning. This method involves learning ...
user14947
3
votes
1
answer
73
views
What is my first language?
I'm very confused as to whether 'mother tongue' and 'first language' mean the same thing.
Considering the first three years of my life, I was surrounded by Hindi-speaking parents, so that makes Hindi ...
- 31
2
votes
0
answers
34
views
Seeking Guidance for Self Studying Germanic Linguistics
I'm a native English speaker from the USA and I'd like to self-study Germanic linguistics. I've found little success understanding what a degree in the field would even look like because search ...
Nickolas Bogan
3
votes
1
answer
120
views
Are idiom expressions and phrasal verbs systematically taught as part of the American/English school curriculum?
Some background information: I am an EFL(English as a Foreign Language learner).
I lived for several years abroad and attended English-only schools when I was little but repatriated to find the ...
- 39
-2
votes
1
answer
66
views
How to achieve fluency in 1 month [closed]
I've been practicing English for 5 months because I have to go abroad for some work and for that I want to achieve fluency in English. I can understand what somebody is saying in English, but when I ...
- 101
1
vote
0
answers
26
views
Customizable flashcard app or site?
Is there a simple flashcard app or site that lets you import and export a spreadsheet of vocab words and their translations?
I'm trying to find a good flashcard app, but all the ones I'm finding on ...
- 121
2
votes
2
answers
257
views
What exactly does e.g. "95% comprehension" mean?
I recently browsed the paper Schmitt, Jiang, and Grabe, The Percentage of Words Known in a Text and Reading Comprehension, The Modern Language Journal (2011).
Its main aim was to find the relationship ...
- 2,711
1
vote
0
answers
89
views
How to type Japanese chōonpu "ー" long sound mark on Android?
How do you write the "ー" prolonged sound character (as in コート) on Android?
I'm trying to learn Japanese, and I'm using Google's "Gboard" app as my keyboard, and I can't find this ...
- 121
1
vote
0
answers
60
views
How do you learn Balti?
I am trying to take a trip to Pakistan and I want to learn the local language in preparation. The area I am focused on (Skardu and a few other areas in Gilgit-Baltistan) seems to speak Balti but it's ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
195
views
Looking for language learning app to use on subway/while walking
I'm looking for an app to learn Spanish. I'm not finding enough specific information on all the available apps to know which one is right for me. I have three wishes:
The app should focus on fast ...
- 13
1
vote
0
answers
8
views
How are the regular pronunciation rules of Icelandic applied to compounds? [closed]
There are certain rules on pronunciation provided for learners new to Icelandic, a few examples of which are m/n/l/r devoicing before p/t/k, and t-insertion. These rules apply to most words I have so ...
- 11
0
votes
2
answers
23
views
Spanish - German Dictionary under free licence
I am looking for a German - Spanish (or Spanish - German) dictionary, that can be downloaded (if possible for free) in raw-format, to be used in a software application.
Does anyone know relevant ...
1
vote
0
answers
65
views
Dual, double, multiple, parallel language interface display options for digital devices and software
I'm looking for ways to display two languages (English and Polish) together on a user interface (UI) when using cell phones, laptops, desktop pcs, tablets (devices) and operating system GUI's, ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
57
views
Free languages courses
Where or how can I find free language courses? I do not mean just duolingo or some other app, but proper (online) classes with a teacher, homework, etc. It might sound surprising, but it is actually ...
- 208
2
votes
0
answers
72
views
How to type the alif waslah on iPhone?
I have been using an Arabic keyboard on my iPhone for a while now, and one thing I can’t figure out how to type is the alif waslah.
For other markings above the ‘ا’ I hold down the key and I get ...
2
votes
0
answers
30
views
As a lower-intermediate level speaker in a standard dialect, how can I quickly learn to understand a different dialect?
I moved to Sweden in 2022 and am a solid CEFR B1 in Swedish – or at least, I am when I’m talking to people in central Sweden. I'm able to have simple business and social conversations with my ...
- 121
2
votes
1
answer
44
views
How to end conversation due to my own limitations in Korean
I am learning Korean and I have just about enough knowledge to say greetings and order my food in a restaurant (spoken and written). But sometimes my server will assume I know more and I won't be able ...
- 123
1
vote
1
answer
64
views
Learning Nynorsk as a non-norwegian speaker
I am a non-norwegian person who wishes to learn Nynorsk. I don't live in Norway and I also don't know the norwegian language except for a few words. I want to learn Nynorsk even before I learn Bokmål. ...
- 113
2
votes
1
answer
32
views
Are there any services for Audiobooks that have EU languages that work in the US?
Every service I've tried Storytel, Fabel, etc all are blocked in the US. While I'm sure this is because some US company has the rights, the US apps also only have English.
Is there any way to get an ...
- 131