Learning a New Language

Is it something you have always wanted to do? Is it your New Year Resolution?

Do you want to learn a smattering for holiday purposes? Are you considering buying a second home or retiring to a new country?

Have new members joined the family? Do you want to welcome a new in-law, a new grandchild whose first language will be different from your own?

Your next step is to decide on your own aims and objectives.

Will you be happy knowing simply some basic phrases, introductions and greetings? If so, check out http://www.smartphrase.com/ which has a great vocabulary section covering many topics.

Do you want to travel? Will you learn enough vocabulary to be able to journey round your chosen country safely and economically? Check out http://www.travlang.com/ which has the benefit of sound files so that you can hear and copy the pronunciation of basic travel vocabulary.

Do you want the language for academic or business purposes?

In that case, you will need a more assured grasp of grammar to help you string your hard-learned vocabulary together in a sensible fashion. Of course people will understand if you suggest, "We together eating meal tomorrow" but in business terms it is not as effective as proposing, "Shall we meet for dinner tomorrow to discuss this?"

One of the most comprehensive grammar based sites is still Marko Huuhilo's web page with notes from his own language learning. Try http://www.sci.fi/~huuhilo/portuguese/

Now take on board everything that has prevented you from learning a new language in the past. Were you always too busy, too tired, or in too much of a hurry, looking for an instant result? Were you unable to attend classes regularly?

Web learning may well be your best option if so. You can study as much or as little as you like. You can choose time and place to suit you. You only have yourself to please.

The golden rule is little but often. Language learning demands patience. Five or ten minutes a day will bring far faster and longer lasting results than an hour or more once a week.

The only problem is that language learning is communicative. Unless you are totally dedicated to your task, you may find yourself flagging. Language is for talking, either vocally or in print, for exchanging ideas. In future articles I shall discuss ways of doing this.

Now go back to the original question--the important one. Why do you want to do this? The best answer surely is to want to do it for you.Then every new step you take, and the progress you make, is a bonus, an achievement.

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