ITH Poker Forum

[jrspm]

I have decided that it might be a nice idea to start to learn a new language. Now that my degree and postgrad are out of the way, I have a gap I'd like to fill learning something new. I have always regretted not putting more effort into languages at school.

I have a couple of questions:

1) What language should I learn?

The only one I put any real effort into learning at school was Latin, which obviously has it's benefits with several European languages. Outside of that I know some basic German, French and Spanish, although only really enough to ask for directions or tell someone their breath smells like a hat.

French and Spanish are the languages I come into contact most often (I'm from the UK, for those who don't know) but often people from France/Spain and other countries that use those languages can speak English well, especially those that I come into contact with.

I think there may be some benefit to learning a language that may prove useful in business, as we increasingly deal with Chinese and Indian people at work. This represents more of a challenge of course, as I have no base from which to learn, and if I want to learn the written language it's going to be significantly harder. I do believe however that these emerging countries will play an increasingly important role in business, and it would be nice to be a step ahead in the future.

I believe that in the process of learning something you should attempt to completely immerse yourself in it if possible. If I decided to learn French or Spanish I could easily spend a decent amount of time there, as both are just a short flight away and I have friends living in both. Although there are large Chinese and Indian communities here in London, it wouldn't quite be the same.

2) What's the best way to learn?

Classes? Rosetta Stone? Some kind of app, or another way? Languages are easier to learn the younger you are, so I don't know if that changes my approach. The BBC have some 12 week language classes and interactive video dramas, are these any good?

[Dogs]

I have a friend who is a language expert. We have an influx of Spanish people where I work, so a while back I asked him how he would approach learning. Below is his response. I've never actually followed it through, but that's more a reflection of my laziness that the quality of advice:

People seem to either love or hate Rosetta Stone (http://www.rosettastone.co.uk/learn-spanish). It's a very powerful computer program that tries to get adults to learn languages in the same intuitive way that children too. The result is a pretty quick and solid build-up of vocabulary and grammar knowledge, but the exercises can be very repetitive.

My favourite language program of all time is Selingua (http://www.wartoft.nu/software/selingua/). If you like word games, crosswords and the like, then this thing is unparalleled. You can chose from a few different languages, plus it's completely free to boot.

For exposure to written Spanish (and a fair bit of audio and video in places) I'd then say just get on the web, find a site that covers a topic you're interested in (e.g. for sport - marca.com, for news - elpais.com), save a good online dictionary as a favourite (http://dictionary.reverso.net and http://www.wordreference.com are pretty good) and get reading! Read all the articles that interest you, regularly, making sure to look up any words you don't know and you'll be surprised how quickly you can get up to speed with things.

As for speaking, well, you've got Spanish colleagues so there's the very best resource for building up your communicative skills. There's also the website http://www.myhappyplanet.com/, where you can hook up with a 'language partner' and practice with them via webcam.

[jrspm]

Thanks Dogs!

I like the idea of following something I'm interested in but in a different language. Perhaps I'll finally understand why Spainish players insist on overbet shoving the river with fourth pair all the time.

I think I'm going to give Roseta Stone a go and see how I get on. Hopefully the combination should help with both written and spoken.

[darvon]

Let us know how Rosetta Stone works out.

[maf66]

After just returning from.our annual New Year holiday to France, I've felt the need to work.on my French more. Although this usually results in me getting so far, then realising I'm not getting any better as I don't practice it enough. However it sounds like you've already thought of this.
I recommend the Michel Thomas CDs. They only concentrate on grammar, not vocab, but they are great way to learn. I would advise you try these out in addition to any other methods you may want to use.
I'd also be interested in feedback on Rosetta Stone.

[jrspm]

I know the feeling Maf.

I honestly don't know if I have anything that will actually play a CD anymore. Perhaps my laptop does. I'll look into that too though, thanks.