| Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | Poll: In your opinion, which is the best way to master a foreign language? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "In your opinion, which is the best way to master a foreign language?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Edward Potter 
Spain
Local time: 19:30
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Living in the country.
Regarding "a short term language practice", usually the noun in question is non-countable. Can anyone shed some light on the grammar here?
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For me it was living for a long time in a foreign country and be forced to use the language every day, but according to one of my brothers nothing beats marrying a foreigner…
| | | | Marjolein Snippe
Netherlands
Local time: 19:30
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
| Long term stay | Jun 16, 2021 |
For me, definitely a long-term stay in a country where the language is spoken. A vocabulary and grammar course helps, but having to speak the language on a daily basis is certainly what did it for me. During a short term stay, I will pick up a bit but it takes time for me to overcome embarrassment and really start speaking.
My sister's long term relationship with a foreigner has not resulted in the foreigner mastering Dutch to anywhere near the level of my sister's German due to li... See more For me, definitely a long-term stay in a country where the language is spoken. A vocabulary and grammar course helps, but having to speak the language on a daily basis is certainly what did it for me. During a short term stay, I will pick up a bit but it takes time for me to overcome embarrassment and really start speaking.
My sister's long term relationship with a foreigner has not resulted in the foreigner mastering Dutch to anywhere near the level of my sister's German due to living and working in Germany. For several couples I know, the same thing applies: the partner that has moved to another country will end up speaking a new language; the partner who has stayed put will pick up bits of the other's language, but decades on still does not really speak it fluently. ▲ Collapse
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Of the options listed, marrying a foreigner is a class above the rest, provided that you live in your spouse's country. A year of living together with a native speaker may be worth a decade of school-based language studies.
[Edited at 2021-06-16 10:06 GMT]
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:30
Member (2008)
Italian to English
ProZ.com Staff wrote:
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "In your opinion, which is the best way to master a foreign language?".
In bed, with someone who is native in that language.
[Edited at 2021-06-16 10:35 GMT]
| | | | | As many as possible of the above | Jun 16, 2021 |
Different methods supplement and reinforce each other.
I am very visual and text-oriented, so I use texts and written material to reinforce the spoken language. I listen and pick up new words, but I remember them best when I can visualise how they are written.
The same goes for grammar - I have to hear those little inflections and conjunctions and the rhythm when they are spoken, but I get them in writing as soon as I get the chance!
Living in the country is not always a... See more
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:30
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Christine Andersen wrote:
.....Do not use them until you really know what they mean and when they are appropriate or - especially - inappropriate.
Indeed. You have reminded me of a rather important dinner with my Italian girlfriend's family. It was September and there were fresh figs on the table. I asked someone to pass me "una fica".
I've never forgotten that moment.
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| Mixed media and long term practise | Jun 16, 2021 |
For me, it was lifelong learning and practise, through various media: books, song lyrics, podcasts, videos, movies, video games, news, TV shows, and also college.
Travelling/living abroad is not necessary to master a language as the physical place is not the only place where the language is spoken. What matters the most is to really get involved in it.
I only went in England during a one-week school trip. And though I never went to the USA, today I am specialized in US ... See more For me, it was lifelong learning and practise, through various media: books, song lyrics, podcasts, videos, movies, video games, news, TV shows, and also college.
Travelling/living abroad is not necessary to master a language as the physical place is not the only place where the language is spoken. What matters the most is to really get involved in it.
I only went in England during a one-week school trip. And though I never went to the USA, today I am specialized in US English. And when I speak to foreigners, they all tell me my English is excellent and that I speak just like an American. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Studied the language... | Jun 16, 2021 |
at uni, moved abroad and married a foreigner... 
| | | | P.L.F. Persio
Netherlands
Local time: 19:30
Member (2010)
English to Italian
+ ...
Tom in London wrote: Christine Andersen wrote:
.....Do not use them until you really know what they mean and when they are appropriate or - especially - inappropriate. Indeed. You have reminded me of a rather important dinner with my Italian girlfriend's family. It was September and there were fresh figs on the table. I asked someone to pass me "una fica". I've never forgotten that moment.
Your Italian is perfect, so I guess you did have your fair shares of – ahem – figs in the Bel Paese.
| | | | | Marry a native speaker | Jun 16, 2021 |
When I married my Brazilian husband I had already studied Portuguese in school, but I was not at all fluent. He later told me that he had decided not to correct me for two years to encourage me to speak naturally and not be self-conscious. His system worked like a charm. The language quickly became second nature to me. (I recently published a memoir of our life together.)
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| All Of The Above | Jun 16, 2021 |
I believe that those who become the most adept in foreign languages would be individuals who take advantage of every option mentioned by proz staff for this poll.
| | | | Chié_JP
Japan
Local time: 02:30
Member (2013)
English to Japanese
+ ...
| This alternative is made by a non-linguist | Jun 16, 2021 |
I am a bit shocked several people chose "short term stay" as the best way, as much as 35%.
Best diplomats never learn language that way. I smell strong arrogance that these people took it for granted they can call themselves "master" of a language via "short term stay", what are you talking about. This alternative is made by a non-linguist with rather superficial understanding.
| | | | | My two cents | Jun 16, 2021 |
Media consumption (TV, radio, Internet, books, etc.) and living in the country where the language is spoken. But let's not forget how important proper language courses are. My secondary school German curriculum in Ireland was great, as it focused on the four key skills - reading, writing, speaking and listening. Had a good teacher, too. On the other hand, I was very disappointed with my college German courses. They were far too basic. I had the impression that the teachers and course organisers ... See more Media consumption (TV, radio, Internet, books, etc.) and living in the country where the language is spoken. But let's not forget how important proper language courses are. My secondary school German curriculum in Ireland was great, as it focused on the four key skills - reading, writing, speaking and listening. Had a good teacher, too. On the other hand, I was very disappointed with my college German courses. They were far too basic. I had the impression that the teachers and course organisers were catering to the weaker students, which is an awful strategy to take. University studies should be for those who really want to learn and make progress in their chosen subject, not for those who simply want to have "BA" after their name. ▲ Collapse
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