The Language-Learning Coffeehouse

[Deleted]

Sorry for the second board revival in a row, but I had an idea and this was the only place I could think to bring it up.

Would anybody be interested in sort of a foreign language PM-A-Friend? Basically just listing off the languages you speak or are learning, and you get paired up with somebody else with that language. It seems like it would be a good way to practice.

I'll probably create a Forum Events thread if enough people want in, I'm just seeing how interested people are.

[PFA]

Sounds like fun to me. :3 I could use someone to bounce my Japanese off of.

[♥ Azzie]

I'd be in. =D (I still need to practice my French and Spanish.)

[Omni]

Could be fun. I'm mostly working on Japanese and I'm planning on picking up German. (Too bad it's hard to do sign language in written format, though.)

[Gelquie]

It wouldn't be impossible to do a sign language thing through Skype video chat. So there could be that.

I have a bit of French under my belt, but it's been a while since I've practiced it.

[Nut]

Sounds like a great idea! Be warned though that I'm a total beginner in anything that isn't Dutch. xD; But it'd be great to practice any of the following: Dutch, Japanese, French, and German.

[Deleted]

Okay, I made the thread. Go sign up for it if you want to participate!

[Omni]

Ah yeah, I thought I'd mention... Reading books in the other languages has been mentioned, though I also thought of something else: Several PC games and DVDs (and channels/TV shows) have settings for different languages, or downloadable language packs. (Or sometimes just plain different versions... some easier to get than others.) Anyway, how you approach it is up to you, though personally I've enjoyed playing first in English, then switching to the German version and then reading and listening at the same time. I generally remember/recognize enough of the context that I can pick up on a few of the words. I also find reading while listening has helped me get a better grasp on how it sounds and how the phonetics work. I also tend to remember words better if I hear them than if I read them, I think. MMOs can also give you other people to talk with, though you may want to make sure you can speak at least somewhat well before attempting that.

(Another fun part: Parts where a character previously spoke in Spanish are in English instead. )

There's also one game I have that's non-voiced, but I think the window size is small enough that I'll be able to play both versions at once without too much trouble.

Anyway, just one other possibility for self-study. Personally, I think it's one of my favorites so far.

[Deleted]

Hey, guys! I just found this excellent website called Busuu. It's a social network-y thing where you can practice a language and get feedback from native speakers. ^^ You can also set goals and track your progress! The site offers English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Turkish, Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese. Right now I'm learning Russian, and it's an excellent supplement to the class I'm taking. Check it out!