Learning a Language?

[vinesse]

Hello! I've posted before about games being used for language learning, and I thought that maybe other people on the boards are also trying to learn languages, and what better way to learn than through communicating with others that speak your target language? So here's a thread for finding pen pals!

My name is Hannah, and I speak English as my first language. I'm looking to learn Japanese. I've had one college-level intro class, though I have textbooks and other resources to supplement my learning now that I've graduated and no longer have access to a structured class. I'm open to texting, emailing, or just PMing on here!

Is there anyone else that's learning a language? What are your experiences? Are you having fun?

 

[TykiButterfree]

I have taken Spanish classes in high school, but I don't remember much of it since I never use it. I can only catch random words if I listen to a Spanish song or tv show. I would love to learn Japanese since I am interested in anime and video games, but I don't really know where to start. Maybe there are educational games. When I was younger I remember playing Treasure Mountain computer games and there were different ones for math, basic science, etc.

 

[vinesse]

I have taken Spanish classes in high school, but I don't remember much of it since I never use it. I can only catch random words if I listen to a Spanish song or tv show. I would love to learn Japanese since I am interested in anime and video games, but I don't really know where to start. Maybe there are educational games. When I was younger I remember playing Treasure Mountain computer games and there were different ones for math, basic science, etc.

There are really good textbooks available on Amazon if you're in the position to purchase them! This is the one that I have, along with the complementing workbook. I highly recommend it! Another thing that I am doing is that I do have a Japanese copy of New Leaf, and I've been using that just for practice sounding out Hiragana and Katakana. There is a really good playthrough of the Japanese GameCube Animal Crossing, where the man reads all of the sentences out loud if that would be something you're interested in? The first episode is pretty slow since he's setting up everything, but it's very entertaining and cute!

 

[TykiButterfree]

That sounds interesting, but I feel like I would need to find a class to take so I can ask questions to someone. I'm not sure if I could just teach myself from a book.

 

[Disneyfangirl23]

I would like to learn Japanese

 

[vinesse]

That sounds interesting, but I feel like I would need to find a class to take so I can ask questions to someone. I'm not sure if I could just teach myself from a book.

That's a valid point! I'm sure there are different forums online where you could ask questions, though it would be missing the real-life personal interaction.

- - - Post Merge - - -

I would like to learn Japanese

That's great! Is there any particular reason that you chose Japanese?

 

[Disneyfangirl23]

That's a valid point! I'm sure there are different forums online where you could ask questions, though it would be missing the real-life personal interaction.

- - - Post Merge - - -



That's great! Is there any particular reason that you chose Japanese?

Because I would like to go to Japan one day~

 

[vinesse]

Because I would like to go to Japan one day~

Oh! I want to do the same, my boyfriend lived there for a few years since his father was stationed there. I've actually never travelled outside of the USA at all, and I think it would be interesting for him to go back, but it would be helpful if at least one of us knew a little bit of Japanese to help us navigate around. Where would you like to go in Japan? Any place specific?

 

[lucylives]

I'm learning spanish, though i suck at learning it cause im supposed to study it for 30 mins everyday and i keep procrastinating ;_;

 

[vinesse]

I'm learning spanish, though i suck at learning it cause im supposed to study it for 30 mins everyday and i keep procrastinating ;_;

Honestly the hardest part about learning a language is staying motivated! What are your preferred methods of studying? Do you like to use flash cards or what?

 

[lucylives]

Flashcards do wonders in learning anything, i do use flashcards and its a great way to get you to remember and recall the things you've learned!! I also like to rewrite the things i've learned in a notebook as that also helps me to remember. though i really need something to keep myself motivated to learn! ;_;

 

[vinesse]

Flashcards do wonders in learning anything, i do use flashcards and its a great way to get you to remember and recall the things you've learned!! I also like to rewrite the things i've learned in a notebook as that also helps me to remember. though i really need something to keep myself motivated to learn! ;_;

Are there any games that you enjoy that have Let's Plays in Spanish? I'm watching Animal Crossing Let's Plays in Japanese, but that's mainly to help me learn the alphabets. I do love to use flashcards and Quizlet, though I think that having a language journal is extremely helpful too! Maybe you could try finding a pen pal that speaks Spanish to help you with conversational skills?

 

[lucylives]

Are there any games that you enjoy that have Let's Plays in Spanish? I'm watching Animal Crossing Let's Plays in Japanese, but that's mainly to help me learn the alphabets. I do love to use flashcards and Quizlet, though I think that having a language journal is extremely helpful too! Maybe you could try finding a pen pal that speaks Spanish to help you with conversational skills?

I've never really thought of watching let's plays, i was considering maybe reading a spanish book or listening to a spanish audiobook or podcast, as for finding a pen pal, i would love to do that, when im a bit more confident with my progress.

 

[vinesse]

I've never really thought of watching let's plays, i was considering maybe reading a spanish book or listening to a spanish audiobook or podcast, as for finding a pen pal, i would love to do that, when im a bit more confident with my progress.

Reading a Spanish book while listening to a spanich podcast might be helpful! Then you can hear correct pronunciation while you read the words! I understand the trepidation about getting a penpal when you're not confident with what you know, but I'm sure most people that are in pen pal programs know that whoever they're writing to is in the process of learning, and they signed up because they want to help others learn!

 

[Antonio]

I'm currently learning c++ but I'm not struggling with it. I got like a 97% in the class.

 

[lucylives]

Yeah, i might actually do that, pronounciation is definitely key, since this language is kinda a tonal language. I might give getting a penpal a try, i just want to be in a place in my learning where i am a little confident and happy with my progress!

 

[vinesse]

I'm currently learning c++ but I'm not struggling with it. I got like a 97% in the class.

I started with C and C++ when I was getting my undergrad degree in computer science! Are there any other languages that you're learning or looking to learn, like python or java?

Yeah, i might actually do that, pronounciation is definitely key, since this language is kinda a tonal language. I might give getting a penpal a try, i just want to be in a place in my learning where i am a little confident and happy with my progress!

I wish you luck! I love listening in my target language, and even just English audiobooks. I recently found out that I've been pronouncing "epitome" wrong my entire life, because I've read the word a whole lot and was convinced it was ep-ee-tomb, not e-pit-oh-me! Threw me for a loop.

 

[Antonio]

I know python3 by heart.

 

[vinesse]

I know python3 by heart.

Nice! I haven't done much python programming, but my current job has me working with java.

 

[lucylives]

I started with C and C++ when I was getting my undergrad degree in computer science! Are there any other languages that you're learning or looking to learn, like python or java?



I wish you luck! I love listening in my target language, and even just English audiobooks. I recently found out that I've been pronouncing "epitome" wrong my entire life, because I've read the word a whole lot and was convinced it was ep-ee-tomb, not e-pit-oh-me! Threw me for a loop.

Thank you very much, also thanks for letting me know how to say epitome right, prob still gonna say it wrong though!! Thanks Again!!