Some Guy asked:
So I’m a college freshman who is interested in learning another language.
I took 3 semesters of Spanish in high school, but honestly the public school system in America kind of really sucks, so I have to say I didn’t really get much out of it. I’ve always wanted to become fluent in a least one language other than English…but silly me decided that I wanted to learn Japanese. Needless to say, I don’t expect I’ll become fluent in Japanese before I graduate, and have reassessed that decision, mainly because of the writing system (the kanji in particular).
So I’m looking at European languages now, probably German.
To the point though…I plan to take courses in whatever language I do decide on, and eventually do a semester abroad there as well. But I’m just wondering if there is any website or software or book out there that is particularly effective at introducing one to a language and/or teaching the language. I would like to start learning as soon as I can, rather than waiting for next year when I’ll take the class. And, despite the fact that college courses to seem to be less terrible than the classes at public high schools, I do not expect that I will get anywhere near fluency without practicing and further study on my own in addition to whatever is taught in class.
So yeah…anything you may know of would be great. Preferably something interactive (i.e.-it includes ways to test what has been learned and what needs more practice, etc.).
So I’m a college freshman who is interested in learning another language.
I took 3 semesters of Spanish in high school, but honestly the public school system in America kind of really sucks, so I have to say I didn’t really get much out of it. I’ve always wanted to become fluent in a least one language other than English…but silly me decided that I wanted to learn Japanese. Needless to say, I don’t expect I’ll become fluent in Japanese before I graduate, and have reassessed that decision, mainly because of the writing system (the kanji in particular).
So I’m looking at European languages now, probably German.
To the point though…I plan to take courses in whatever language I do decide on, and eventually do a semester abroad there as well. But I’m just wondering if there is any website or software or book out there that is particularly effective at introducing one to a language and/or teaching the language. I would like to start learning as soon as I can, rather than waiting for next year when I’ll take the class. And, despite the fact that college courses to seem to be less terrible than the classes at public high schools, I do not expect that I will get anywhere near fluency without practicing and further study on my own in addition to whatever is taught in class.
So yeah…anything you may know of would be great. Preferably something interactive (i.e.-it includes ways to test what has been learned and what needs more practice, etc.).
(Side note [sort of]: I have acquired the Rosetta Stone software for German, and started working on it. It hasn’t really impressed me…I’m looking for something more direct/tailored to the specific language/up front about grammar and other concepts. I will probably continue using it though, at least until I find something better, for the vocabulary if nothing else.)
Sorry for putting more info than is probably necessary, and thanks for whatever suggestions you may have.
Dana
Tags : Further Study, Semesters, Writing System