All Questions
1,376
questions
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
38
votes
2
answers
671
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
4
votes
1
answer
75
views
Should I use original version subtitles or subtitles in my language? [closed]
I watch every TV series and movies in English but sometimes I can't understand some really specific words that are rarely used by the English native speakers themselves.
Should I use subtitles in my ...
- 345
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
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why are flash cards effective in learning a language?
As seen, flash cards are very common in learning other languages. Flash cards seem to help learners learn words faster and more effectively. Lots of language learning programs use flash cards as well ...
- 5,318
16
votes
1
answer
176
views
What are the advantages of the Image Recall Technique over other traditional classroom learning methods?
I found an article on the Omniglot website that states that the Image Recall technique is a good method to learn a new language. It also states that software like Rosetta Stone use this technique.
...
- 1,281
18
votes
2
answers
4k
views
When using flashcards, should the word or the definition be hidden?
A lot of language learning methods use flash cards to allow them to remember words and their definitions and to test their memory. Some people hide the words, while others hide the definition, which ...
- 5,318
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
20
votes
3
answers
771
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 ...
12
votes
2
answers
180
views
What are the pros and cons of learning noun classifiers along with vocabulary?
There are classifiers in several languages (e.g. Chinese), also known as measure words, for each noun. I think that it is a good idea to start learning them when I do not yet know many nouns, so that ...
- 1,861
11
votes
2
answers
91
views
Is repetitively studying a proficient subject more efficient?
Whenever I've learned a language, I've usually learned in two ways:
By quickly learning the material (learning more material in less time), later coming back to improve proficiency.
Spending large ...
- 1,088
29
votes
4
answers
631
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
10
votes
1
answer
211
views
Are there studies on the effectiveness of Rosetta Stone as a language learning tool?
Rosetta Stone gets a lot of publicity, perhaps because of its large marketing budget. And finding individual reviews is easy--some people love it, some hate it, some have mixed feelings.
But has any ...
- 5,132
19
votes
5
answers
462
views
Is there a method to learn which grammatical gender a noun in French has?
In French, some nouns are considered male and some female (le/la). Is there a way which can help me understand which grammatical gender to use with which noun?
- 401
19
votes
1
answer
229
views
How can immersion in the language's country improve beginner skills?
As a beginner in language X, how will immersion in that language's country help learn the language faster and better?
Are there any studies that show that visiting the language's country helps to ...
- 968
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?
- 379
34
votes
1
answer
761
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
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 ...
20
votes
1
answer
440
views
Which alphabet should I learn for Tatar?
I'd like to learn Tatar, particularly Kazan Tatar (not Crimean Tatar), but there are three alphabets in use: Zamanälif (Latin), Cyrillic, and İske imlâ (Arabic). My grandfather only knows İske imlâ ...
- 319
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
18
votes
2
answers
409
views
What metrics can be used to gauge language similarity?
What metrics exist to describe relative language similarity?
I've sometimes heard Spanish and Portuguese said to be something like "70% mutually intelligible." Although mutual intelligibility in this ...
- 5,132
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
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
10
votes
0
answers
87
views
Do any studies show what the effect is of skipping daily language practice for one day? [closed]
Most language teachers that you talk to strongly recommend daily practice. Some applications, like Duolingo, add incentives to encourage users to practice every day.
Is there actually evidence that ...
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
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