Comments on: My Mistakes and Triumphs in Learning a Foreign Language http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/01/18/my-mistakes-and-triumphs-in-learning-a-foreign-language/ Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:53:24 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: How to Speak Japanese http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/01/18/my-mistakes-and-triumphs-in-learning-a-foreign-language/comment-page-1/#comment-394304 How to Speak Japanese Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:10:37 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/?p=1380#comment-394304 With every language I started to learn, I felt the best when I started to dream in the new language. It takes some time and total immersion, but it feels so good when you finally encountered the progress you made. Don't worry about your mistakes too much. As you see, the episode in Belgium is nice to tell and you probably learned a lot during that visit - not only to use the correct gender. With every language I started to learn, I felt the best when I started to dream in the new language. It takes some time and total immersion, but it feels so good when you finally encountered the progress you made.

Don’t worry about your mistakes too much. As you see, the episode in Belgium is nice to tell and you probably learned a lot during that visit – not only to use the correct gender.

]]> By: Tyler Tervooren http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/01/18/my-mistakes-and-triumphs-in-learning-a-foreign-language/comment-page-1/#comment-375935 Tyler Tervooren Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:26:32 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/?p=1380#comment-375935 Good point about the disconnect between a life of true adventure and simply marking stunts off of a list. I spent 4 years in school trying to learn basic Spanish, doing better than most of my peers but never really "getting it." Then, I went to Spain for a month and spent most of my time around people that spoke very little English. And yeah, it was really awkward and embarrassing at first, communicating mostly with hand signs, but on the day I left, I was conversing quite comfortably with my new friends. It was awesome and the only reason it worked was because it was authentic. There was no escape, no translator in most situations. 1 month of immersion beat the pants off of 4 years of formal education. I'll never spend more than a couple months anymore trying to learn a language formally. You'll spend more on tuition and fees and more time than you can imagine compared to buying a plane ticket and finding cheap accommodations overseas. Good point about the disconnect between a life of true adventure and simply marking stunts off of a list.

I spent 4 years in school trying to learn basic Spanish, doing better than most of my peers but never really “getting it.”

Then, I went to Spain for a month and spent most of my time around people that spoke very little English. And yeah, it was really awkward and embarrassing at first, communicating mostly with hand signs, but on the day I left, I was conversing quite comfortably with my new friends.

It was awesome and the only reason it worked was because it was authentic. There was no escape, no translator in most situations.

1 month of immersion beat the pants off of 4 years of formal education. I’ll never spend more than a couple months anymore trying to learn a language formally. You’ll spend more on tuition and fees and more time than you can imagine compared to buying a plane ticket and finding cheap accommodations overseas.

]]> By: Eliane Chan http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/01/18/my-mistakes-and-triumphs-in-learning-a-foreign-language/comment-page-1/#comment-375795 Eliane Chan Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:19:07 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/?p=1380#comment-375795 Scott, It is really not easy to learn a new language but when the motivation is like yours, to travel and get immersed in another culture, it is totally worthy. I've been living in the US for two years now and the best thing of this adventure is that I got to learn to be more humble and more confident. You learn so much about yourself, appreciate even more your own culture, and also appreciate people from other countries and their cultures. It is so amazing to learn how people from different countries think and their values. I just hope it won't take much longer for me to sound like an American...sometimes you just have to forget you have some self-esteem and practice your communication skills ! What's next ? Chinese ? My husband is Chinese descendant and the phonemes seem impossible...hehehe Scott,
It is really not easy to learn a new language but when the motivation is like yours, to travel and get immersed in another culture, it is totally worthy. I’ve been living in the US for two years now and the best thing of this adventure is that I got to learn to be more humble and more confident. You learn so much about yourself, appreciate even more your own culture, and also appreciate people from other countries and their cultures. It is so amazing to learn how people from different countries think and their values. I just hope it won’t take much longer for me to sound like an American…sometimes you just have to forget you have some self-esteem and practice your communication skills ! What’s next ? Chinese ? My husband is Chinese descendant and the phonemes seem impossible…hehehe

]]> By: Steve Kaufmann http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/01/18/my-mistakes-and-triumphs-in-learning-a-foreign-language/comment-page-1/#comment-375753 Steve Kaufmann Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:02:02 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/?p=1380#comment-375753 Great post Scott. One big key to language learning is the willingness to accept uncertainty, and regular set backs, and even the willingness to appear foolish. You have to believe that you will only get better as you expose yourself more to the language, as long as you want to get better. And you have to enjoy the process. Great post Scott. One big key to language learning is the willingness to accept uncertainty, and regular set backs, and even the willingness to appear foolish. You have to believe that you will only get better as you expose yourself more to the language, as long as you want to get better. And you have to enjoy the process.

]]> By: Karen http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/01/18/my-mistakes-and-triumphs-in-learning-a-foreign-language/comment-page-1/#comment-375696 Karen Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:23:46 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/?p=1380#comment-375696 Great post! I just wanted to let you know that I know exactly how you feel. I studied Spanish in high school and early college, and when I studied abroad in Spain I found myself with exactly the same problems (English speaking roommate, too many other exchange students around, and the embarrassment of being comparatively inarticulate in Spanish when I was used to being quite articulate in English). I particularly relate to your description of your own fluency - "I'm fluent in French, except when I'm not". I use almost the same words to describe my own Spanish. I also have a suggestion that helped me a lot - when you have free time, try reading books out loud in French. It's best if you can actually speak up, but even mouthing the words helps (though you'll look like a crazy person if you're in public). I found that practicing out loud like this helped to keep my mouth and mind limber and accustomed to the rhythms of Spanish, so when I wanted to say something in my own words it would come out more easily and closer to how a native might speak it. Good luck, and I hope that you're able to keep up with the French after you come back! Great post! I just wanted to let you know that I know exactly how you feel. I studied Spanish in high school and early college, and when I studied abroad in Spain I found myself with exactly the same problems (English speaking roommate, too many other exchange students around, and the embarrassment of being comparatively inarticulate in Spanish when I was used to being quite articulate in English).

I particularly relate to your description of your own fluency – “I’m fluent in French, except when I’m not”. I use almost the same words to describe my own Spanish.

I also have a suggestion that helped me a lot – when you have free time, try reading books out loud in French. It’s best if you can actually speak up, but even mouthing the words helps (though you’ll look like a crazy person if you’re in public). I found that practicing out loud like this helped to keep my mouth and mind limber and accustomed to the rhythms of Spanish, so when I wanted to say something in my own words it would come out more easily and closer to how a native might speak it.

Good luck, and I hope that you’re able to keep up with the French after you come back!

]]> By: Eilidh http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/01/18/my-mistakes-and-triumphs-in-learning-a-foreign-language/comment-page-1/#comment-375644 Eilidh Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:02:50 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/?p=1380#comment-375644 I don't know if you've seen it, but freerice.com lets you practise learning various things including French through answering multiple choice questions, and with each one you correctly answer, 10 grains of rice are donated to the world food program. (Advertisements on the site pay for the donations) I've found it fairly useful in brushing up my skills in various things, and even if I'm having an off-day, it's nice to know I'm doing a very small amount to help at the same time. I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but freerice.com lets you practise learning various things including French through answering multiple choice questions, and with each one you correctly answer, 10 grains of rice are donated to the world food program. (Advertisements on the site pay for the donations)

I’ve found it fairly useful in brushing up my skills in various things, and even if I’m having an off-day, it’s nice to know I’m doing a very small amount to help at the same time.

]]> By: Richard Shelmerdine http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/01/18/my-mistakes-and-triumphs-in-learning-a-foreign-language/comment-page-1/#comment-375640 Richard Shelmerdine Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:17:08 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/?p=1380#comment-375640 Well done on the development Scott. I'm glad you're doing so well. Love language and will always have a place in my heart for the French language. Have you looked at Tim Ferriss blog for information on rapid language acquisition, it's great stuff. Cheers! Well done on the development Scott. I’m glad you’re doing so well. Love language and will always have a place in my heart for the French language. Have you looked at Tim Ferriss blog for information on rapid language acquisition, it’s great stuff. Cheers!

]]> By: Scott Young http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/01/18/my-mistakes-and-triumphs-in-learning-a-foreign-language/comment-page-1/#comment-375624 Scott Young Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:33:46 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/?p=1380#comment-375624 Benny, I agree with you and Benjamin, definitely I'm going to make some strategic decisions differently when working on picking up the language next time. Yes, incomplete immersion may not cut it, I don't know. We'll see how my current approach of dealing with the incomplete immersion along with increased small steps fares. It definitely won't be fluency in three months, but I'm patient. Once my classes finish, I have about another 3 months in France, so I may go with your 30-day complete immersion trial approach in May or June. -Scott Benny,

I agree with you and Benjamin, definitely I’m going to make some strategic decisions differently when working on picking up the language next time.

Yes, incomplete immersion may not cut it, I don’t know. We’ll see how my current approach of dealing with the incomplete immersion along with increased small steps fares. It definitely won’t be fluency in three months, but I’m patient.

Once my classes finish, I have about another 3 months in France, so I may go with your 30-day complete immersion trial approach in May or June.

-Scott

]]> By: Craig Thomas http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/01/18/my-mistakes-and-triumphs-in-learning-a-foreign-language/comment-page-1/#comment-375611 Craig Thomas Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:16:20 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/?p=1380#comment-375611 Excellent point on mistake 3. Only recently have I been 'rewarding' myself and I was fairly shocked by the benefit. Having a list of items I wanted really spurred me on to my goals. Good luck with the language! Excellent point on mistake 3. Only recently have I been ‘rewarding’ myself and I was fairly shocked by the benefit. Having a list of items I wanted really spurred me on to my goals.

Good luck with the language!

]]> By: Benjamin http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2010/01/18/my-mistakes-and-triumphs-in-learning-a-foreign-language/comment-page-1/#comment-375584 Benjamin Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:55:26 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/?p=1380#comment-375584 Hey Scott, I know exactly how you feel. I'm currently a Sophomore from the University of Missouri-Columbia, studying abroad in Japan for about a year. I've been here since July (so for about 6 months as of today.) I got here after having taken only a year of the language, but once I got here I felt like I knew nothing. From there it's been the same up and downs you've experienced, but I've come to realize I'm going to make mistakes. The only thing I would recommended to those who want to become truly fluent and immersed in a language is to live in a homestay if possible and try to stay away from your native language as much as possible. It's good to know people are having the same problems as I'm having, and great blog post! Hey Scott,
I know exactly how you feel. I’m currently a Sophomore from the University of Missouri-Columbia, studying abroad in Japan for about a year. I’ve been here since July (so for about 6 months as of today.)
I got here after having taken only a year of the language, but once I got here I felt like I knew nothing. From there it’s been the same up and downs you’ve experienced, but I’ve come to realize I’m going to make mistakes.
The only thing I would recommended to those who want to become truly fluent and immersed in a language is to live in a homestay if possible and try to stay away from your native language as much as possible.
It’s good to know people are having the same problems as I’m having, and great blog post!

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