All Questions
1,377
questions
74
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Are there any studies which address the effectiveness of studying multiple related languages simultaneously?
What studies, if any, address the study of multiple related languages (as in a relatively high level of mutual intelligibility--Spanish, Portuguese, Italian & French; Dutch & German, etc) ...
- 5,132
62
votes
10
answers
3k
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 ...
- 1,162
53
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Have there been any studies into detrimental effects of language learning?
There have been many studies into the varied benefits of being bilingual, but things are rarely uniformly beneficial.
Have there been any studies into whether or not there are detrimental effects to ...
- 633
48
votes
6
answers
2k
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", ...
- 4,975
45
votes
7
answers
3k
views
How can I estimate my proficiency level (A1-C2)?
How can I find out what my CEFR1 proficiency level in a language is, without going to a testing center and paying to take a test? Are there any good resources (free tests, online tests, etc.) or ...
- 787
40
votes
6
answers
95k
views
What are estimates of vocabulary size for each CEFR level?
The CEFR does not specify a vocabulary list or a vocabulary size for each level.
I could find one scientific article attempting this mapping (research paper of Milton J and T. Alexiou (2009), ...
- 523
38
votes
2
answers
670
views
Does having two first languages make you more effective in learning second languages later?
Have there been any studies that study the effect of having two first languages (simultaneous bilingualism) on the capacity of learning second languages later? If so, what was their result?
- 1,861
37
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Has the "direct method" of language learning been shown to be superior to translation-based methods?
The textbook I'm using to learn Latin, called Lingua Latina per se Illustrata, is an example of the "direct method" of language instruction. The text is entirely written in Latin, and progresses ...
35
votes
5
answers
16k
views
Which language is most similar to Esperanto?
I'm just curious about which languages Esperanto is closest to, in order to know for whom it would be easiest to learn this language! For example, could a Spanish speaker learn it more quickly than a ...
- 483
34
votes
1
answer
760
views
How does immersion passively help with learning a language?
It's a commonly claimed idea that just by being surrounded by people speaking a language you can become familiar with it. Sometimes it's even claimed that this can occur without actively learning the ...
- 445
33
votes
6
answers
7k
views
What are the drawbacks to Duolingo?
We've all heard of Duolingo, and we've all probably used it at least a little bit. I have friends who think it's amazing.
But what are the drawbacks to using Duolingo? In particular, have any ...
- 5,132
31
votes
4
answers
4k
views
How can I describe my language proficiency in an internationally recognized way?
I speak three languages to varying degrees of fluency. English is my native language. "Native fluency" is pretty easy to describe. I speak Spanish fluently, among friends and family, and in ...
- 5,132
31
votes
4
answers
677
views
How can I avoid learning an incorrect pronunciation due to a word's spelling?
I've noticed that I and others (sometimes entire communities) mispronounce words in a second language, which they could in theory pronounce well using phonemes of their first language, because of the ...
- 628
29
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Why do experts recommend learning Esperanto?
As a constructed language, Esperanto isn't spoken natively by anyone. Yet some linguists, language teachers, and SLA advocates encourage learning Esperanto. Why? What are the primary reasons that ...
- 5,132
29
votes
2
answers
404
views
What research is there on the efficiency of online language learning compared to in person learning?
Have there been enough studies to draw any definitive conclusions on how well sites such as Duolingo or Livemocha work in comparison to classroom learning?
user136
29
votes
4
answers
629
views
Which of these is more effective: having a silent period, or speaking from day one?
Nowadays, people usually learn languages in one of two ways: silent learning or speaking the new language from day one. They have their pros and cons but differ from each other greatly.
A silent ...
- 5,318
28
votes
10
answers
1k
views
Are there any online resources for practicing spoken Esperanto?
There are already a number of resources online to help learners improve their Esperanto reading, writing and aural comprehension, such as Duolingo, but I want to increase my confidence in speaking ...
- 601
28
votes
8
answers
6k
views
Can one become fluent in a language without studying it formally?
I ask myself if it's possible become fluent in a language without studying it. When you are 1/2 years old, you learn a language without studying it. You need just to listen and listen. So, is it ...
- 391
28
votes
2
answers
828
views
According to scientific research, which languages take the least time to learn for a native English speaker?
Basically what I'm just asking in the question's title. By learning a language, I mean being able to fluently speak it, understand it, write it, and read it. I would think French or German. Please ...
- 9,107
27
votes
2
answers
388
views
Does writing out by hand generally strengthen retention better than computerized memorization methods?
Language learning (well, in my experience) involves a lot of review. A LOT. Pounding that vocabulary into my brain again and again; over and over.
I spend a lot of time on the computer, so, naturally,...
- 4,975
27
votes
2
answers
301
views
Do learners with an L1 without articles have problems using them in an L2 with articles?
Before learning English, I had acquired fluency in Persian and I'm a native speaker of Azeri Turkish. Neither language has articles, but I didn't find myself in trouble deciphering their usage in ...
- 373
27
votes
2
answers
549
views
What are some techniques to better differentiate between the two languages?
I grew up learning Spanish in school (I'm from Arizona) and became fluent in Spanish. Later, in college, I started learning French. I noticed many of the linguistic similarities between the two ...
- 1,881
26
votes
3
answers
468
views
How to start thinking in a new language
I'm fairly fluent in Hebrew, to the point where I speak it intuitively, often accidentally when I intend to speak English. But I struggle to think in it. My question is, what is required to think in a ...
- 483
26
votes
3
answers
401
views
How can language learning techniques be compared for effectiveness?
It's common to ask whether X learning method is effective. A better question is "Is X more effective than Y?"
But how can such a determination even be done? Maybe X is better for vocabulary recall, ...
- 5,132
25
votes
3
answers
951
views
Can listening to music (lyrics) help increase listening skill?
Music is usually everywhere and in every language known on Earth probably. They also contain lyrics in foreign languages - which seemingly can help improve our skills and fluency with that particular ...
- 5,318
25
votes
7
answers
1k
views
What approaches can I take to overcome 'leeches'?
It's not uncommon that I come across a leech while studying my Anki cards. Usually this is the result of confusing two similar items (vocabulary terms, IPA symbols, whatever).
Once I've identified ...
- 5,132
25
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What are the main foreign language teaching methods?
Recently I have been wondering what methods and techniques for learning and teaching foreign languages exist. My quest is to re-evaluate my views on foreign language acquisition, and maybe make some ...
- 787
23
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Is doing a huge amount of grammar exercises helpful for learning English?
Some books that teach English come with pages and pages of grammar exercises. Are these helpful?
I see that a few exercises are helpful to help you understanding the grammar. However, after that, ...
- 1,861
23
votes
4
answers
722
views
How do I lose an accent in a foreign language?
Sometimes, an accent just doesn't go well with a language you are trying to speak. This means that the accent is probably going to go bye-bye. Except losing an accent is really hard. Gaining one is ...
- 5,318
23
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What is the impact of studying a third language in a second language?
when learning a third language, what are the relative advantages or disadvantages of studying the third language in either my native language or my second language?
More specifically, if I choose to ...
- 1,195
23
votes
2
answers
258
views
What is the efficiency of the flipped classroom when teaching to beginners?
The flipped classroom concept started in the US and is gaining ground worldwide in secondary and primary education. The basic idea is that the learner is expected to learn the core of the lesson by ...
- 1,449
22
votes
6
answers
15k
views
Why is Icelandic considered harder to learn for English speakers than other North Germanic languages?
Multiple sources, including this website, claim that Icelandic is a particularly difficult language to learn for native English speakers.
Of particular note, this source claims Icelandic is ...
- 1,195
22
votes
4
answers
259
views
How can gamification improve language learning?
Take a look at Duolingo and Babbel. Both offer online language learning experiences with one major difference: Duolingo claims to be a more "gamified" experience, meaning that you lose some progress ...
- 9,107
22
votes
3
answers
601
views
According to scientific research, which languages take the least time to learn for a native Japanese speaker?
Has there been research done about which languages are generally the easiest to learn for an average native Japanese speaker? Do they have an easier time learning Mandarin than learning a Western ...
- 824
22
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is it easier for native Japanese speakers to learn Korean, or Korean speakers to learn Japanese?
Japanese and Korean are very similar from a grammatical point of view and it is even possible to translate word for word without losing too much meaning.
With respect to pronunciation, Japanese seems ...
- 629
21
votes
3
answers
278
views
Tips on raising bilingual children
My wife and I have been discussing how our kids (whenever that may happen) will properly learn both her native language (Russian) and mine (English) while likely growing up in the US or the UK, ...
- 319
21
votes
2
answers
528
views
What pros and cons do adults face while learning compared to children
Adults and children are different in many ways, including the ways they learn a new language. Children certainly have their pros and cons and so do adults. Adults, relative to children, have different ...
- 5,318
21
votes
4
answers
313
views
How can I help someone improve their listening comprehension?
A bit of background: My girlfriend is Taiwanese and will attend TesDaF (German test) in a week. She has been previously learning for about 8 months now while being in Germany. So far, all points (...
- 511
21
votes
4
answers
247
views
What strategies can I use to learn the gender of irregular nouns?
The problem
When a foreign language uses genders for nouns and pronouns, memorizing these genders is a difficult process.
Sometimes it is possible to follow rules or hints: 1; 2; 3. E.g.:
In French,...
- 354
21
votes
2
answers
990
views
Is SRS more effective than traditional study for vocabulary augmentation?
Spaced Repetition Software (SRS), such an Anki, has become somewhat popular in the language-learning realm for increasing one's vocabulary and similar reasons.
However, is there any evidence that ...
- 4,975
21
votes
3
answers
316
views
Can practicing vocabulary from L2 to the same L2 instead of from L2 to L1 be more effective for learning the vocabulary?
Can practicing vocabulary from a second language to the same second language instead of from a second language to your first language be more effective?
Example: Suppose I know German and I’m ...
- 1,861
21
votes
1
answer
298
views
How to practice speaking a language with no speakers?
How can I practice speaking, and hopefully eventually become fluent in, a language with no fluent speakers, either native or otherwise?
(I'm interested in the constructed language Glosa, but this ...
- 1,195
20
votes
4
answers
748
views
How to remember words and improve my vocabulary
When trying to learn a new language I keep forgetting words, especially the adjectives. I think the main problem is that I don't use them at all and so after a bit I forget all the words that I don't ...
- 373
20
votes
6
answers
3k
views
What are the most common languages among people who DON'T speak English?
My aim in language learning is to communicate with the most people.
I want to learn a new language and thought to learn Mandarin Chinese, because it's the most common language. But I figured if a lot ...
20
votes
3
answers
769
views
Can I have C1-level proficiency in a foreign language even if my pronunciation is poor?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and its A1–C2 scale is often referred to when discussing one's skill in a language. I've never been tested, but, based on the Wikipedia ...
20
votes
3
answers
478
views
How can I avoid confusion or interference when studying two similar languages?
For example, consider Tamil and Malayalam. They are two very similar languages with many similar words.
The point is I get confused by the minor differences as I cannot remember them. I usually ...
- 1,281
20
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How can watching movies help improve fluency and listening skill?
Poems, songs, and book are usually known to help with your listening skills and clearly, your fluency. With movies, it seems different to me for some reason. Movies have a lot of stuff going on with ...
- 5,318
20
votes
5
answers
2k
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 ...
- 317
20
votes
1
answer
2k
views
When learning a foreign language, should one focus on vocabulary or grammar first? [closed]
When I learned Spanish, I focused entirely on learning the grammar and conjugations before learning a plethora of vocabulary. As a result, I was able to speak properly given what I knew, but I often ...
- 1,162
20
votes
4
answers
482
views
Is it possible to learn a language just by being exposed to media and books? [closed]
Say I want to learn to speak Chinese.
Could it be possible to learn Chinese just by watching subtitled Chinese movies/tv and reading books made for children?
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