Learn a second language?

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 10-28-2007, 03:54 AM

Just wondered how many of you out there have learned a second language (or more)? And how did you go about it? Classes? Self-study? Immersion? How did you build your vocabulary?

I want to learn German...planning to take classes at the college starting in the summer (already have my Spring semester planned)...but wondered about tips for any prep I could do to help make learning easier? And any advice about getting the most out of the classes?

I'm really excited.

I picked up an audio CD for learning basics...thought that would be a fun "preview"...

**wanderlusting** · 10-28-2007, 07:05 AM

I'm learning German since we're moving to Germany in January. I bit the bullet and bought the Rosetta Stone program. I LOVE it! I'm learning more than I did in 3 years of high school German. I have a hard time learning by listening-so Rosetta Stone is awesome-it teaches by sounds, sight, reading and talking.

**Royal** · 10-28-2007, 08:47 AM

I am bi-lingual. I speak fluent English (imigrated to Canada at a very young age) and fluent in Dutch. I learned Dutch very quickly because litterely the day after I remigrated to Holland I went to school here full-time (in Dutch) for 2 years and got my Business degree. I read the newspaper every day. I also took 5 years of French, but if you don't use a language for a long time you tend to forget it a little. I am now trying to teach my boys little by little how to speak English.

**FrugalMomof3** · 10-28-2007, 09:02 AM

I learned Spanish and never had a class at all, just learned it from listening ... I am not a pro at it but I can get around, lol

**Jaded** · 10-28-2007, 12:23 PM

I studied Spanish in HS, and I always wanted to know more, but never did pursue it. I have a few hispanic friends at work who are helping me with my vocabulary. I'll probably go back and study again at some time, especially in the face of the change in the racial mix here.

**lullaby80** · 10-28-2007, 12:46 PM

Just an FYI, many libraries offer Rosetta Stone software and other language learning stuff.

I'm tri-lingual but on top of those three I've also studied Japanese, Spanish and French. Would love to learn Japanese again, maybe after I'm done with school.

**pita1213** · 10-28-2007, 08:55 PM

i took latin in high school, not exactly a conversational language, but i did find it helped with learning it to think in latin as much as possible when working on translations. i also took a sign language class in jr high and i still remember enough to carry on a basic conversation with it. it helped that the girl that i took the class with and i used to use it to talk to each other in class when we sat across the room from each other.
you can make notecards with the german word on them and stick them all around teh house, like door, window, milk, plates, etc.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 10-29-2007, 02:52 AM

Spanish was my major in college (actually have a degree in it). I am more or less fluent. I was completely fluent when I graduated, but have gotten a bit rusty. I use it daily at work.