<p>I'm really interested learning in Japanese and Vietnamese. </p>
<p>I think I can self teach myself Vietnamese. I was born in VN and can speak the language (although I would say that I speak it on an elementary level). I just don't know how read/write it. I want to learn this language so that I can communicate with my parents better. I know, the whole 'communication-barrier' subject with first generation AA is old right? Well, it might be old, but it's still a problem -a big problem for me. </p>
<p>Anyways, I was wondering if anyone else here on CC have self-taught themself a language (perferable in the same situation as me). What methods did you use? I'm wondering this because Vietnamese is not taught at either of my choices (for college -nope still have not chosen).</p>
<p>I'm interested in Japanese also because I've been a long time fan of anime and of Japanese culture. I'm asking if anyone here has learned Japanese in college or by self-teaching. How long did it take? Does it feel like you actually know the language? This langauge is available at one of my college choices.</p>
<p>Third option: Chinese. This is avaible at another of my college choices. Personally, I'm kind of crushing on Japan right now. I guess all my questions for the previous langauge (J) goes for this one too. </p>
<p>I studied Spanish for four years in high school, but I would say that I'm no where on the intermediate level. I get all the verbs and pronouns mixed up :x. I just want to know if it's worth it to study another language in college.</p>
<p>I would like any feedback (white skin, dark skin, my asian persuastion lol). Thanks.</p>
<p>Oh, if you studied another langauge like German, French, Russian, etc. feel free to reply and tell me what your experience has been.</p>
<p>EDIT: I know that learning a language usually take 300 hours or one and a half years. That's statistics though, I'm looking for experiences.</p>
<p>I'm self teaching myself french, its actually going pretty well. Its only been around a month or so but I'm catching on to some grammar and tenses. I use Rosetta Stone and I personally think that's the only way to go. I've tried different books and casettes and it just doesn't do the job like Rosetta Stone.</p>
<p>I took Spanish for five years in junior high/high school. This year I am taking German, and I really enjoy it. It's a little harder just because I am breaking away from the Romance language thing, but you get used to it. The word order is a little tough to get used to at first.</p>
<p>I'm going to get proficient in German and hopefully study abroad for a year in Stuttgart. Or possibly take a little Danish and study in Copenhagen..</p>
<p>i learned a bit of danish through rosetta. i found it helpful.
it's hard though when you don't have a teacher breathing down your neck to get things done though, haha.</p>
<p>rosetta stone is ok. It will teach you basic conversation. Pimsleur is much more in depth, though. </p>
<p>I tried pimsleur Japanese, but gave up... the language is just too hard for me to learn on my own. At least I know how to say "watashi wa ne hongo ga wakarimas sen." </p>
<p>I'm currently teaching myself Spanish (pimsleur) with good success.</p>
<p>I tried Pimsleur for Japanese. Got through the first 30 lessons(Japanese 1) but I kinda reached a mental roadblock when I started Japanese 2. I've heard that you've got to talk to others and converse in the language to actually really learn it(to give you perspective, I heard from someone in the military they were a translator and training for that consisted just sitting around having regular conversation with their instructor completely in the language to be learned for 8 hours a day); I think this is true to a great degree. So you've got a real good shot at getting better at Vietnamese(you can learn more on your own and try it out on your parents) but you'll probably hit a wall if you try Japanese alone. Of course this can be rectified by a college Japanese(maybe even anime) club where you can meet people that are learning, want to learn, or already speak it. And of course, classes would help since it makes you go at a set pace, but its hardly necessary. I myself am still interested in tackling Japanese still, learning some Chinese, and getting better at my Polish.</p>
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I tried Pimsleur for Japanese. Got through the first 30 lessons(Japanese 1) but I kinda reached a mental roadblock when I started Japanese 2. I've heard that you've got to talk to others and converse in the language to actually really learn it
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<p>Would someone else learning for the first time with Pimsleur as well be enough, or do I need someone who is already knows the language well? Because I might be able to find someone else to learn with me, but that's not the same thing as having an instructor in a class.</p>
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awb, you used rosetta stone and thought it was a waste? Usually everyone I meet loves Rosetta Stone and only has good things to say.
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<p>I tried it out for a few different languages... it'll teach you a few words, but the exercises aren't very efficient, and it's not anywhere near worth the time investment it takes to get through it (you can learn a language much faster in other ways), not to mention the absurd price.</p>
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i learned a bit of danish through rosetta. i found it helpful.
it's hard though when you don't have a teacher breathing down your neck to get things done though, haha.</p>
<p>i had no motivation.
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<p>Yeah, motivation can be tough in learning languages. I learned German and Russian independently outside of high school (and took Russian throughout my first year of college). I also played video games on German servers for a while and learned/kept up with German that way, as well.</p>
<p>As to Pimsleur, it's OK... but I don't think it should be used beyond getting down the accent right really... it doesn't go very fast either, but it's certainly better than Rosetta Stone.</p>
<p>awb, what is a better way to learn a language then? You didn't list an alternative to pimseleur, so that post was pretty useless.</p>
<p>I've heard from people that've become fluent in Spanish that pimselur was great for setting a foundation for before they started speaking with native speakers in spanish.</p>
<p>Get a decent workbook, and a decent dictionary. Go through the basics of the workbook, learn the grammar, while listening to Pimsleur a bit (to pick up accent/get a little exposure to the spoken language). Then listen to music and watch movies in the language. And talk to native speakers of the language if you get the chance.</p>
<p>Don't pay for software, pirate it.. its all worth it because it really does help. Get Rosetta Stone or Pimsleur.. whatever you decide on, then try to get involved with watching movies/talking to people in that language online or in real life. I wouldn't rule out rosetta stone or pimsleur though.</p>
<p>Take my thoughts as you like, but from personal experience, Rosetta Stone isn't even worth the time investment it takes. There are better ways to learn a language quickly.</p>