Learning a new language as an adult.

[cjcouple]

Has anyone successfully learned a new language as an adult? Any recommendation on audio books or lessons? I was thinking of swinging by the library to see if they have any audio CDs.  I drive 50 mins each way to work and thought listening on the way in would be a good time to start.  I did download Duolingo but I am not sure how I feel about it yet. Thanks :-)  

[auroraloo]

I like Duolingo. It was recommended to me by our Spanish teacher, so I take that as a professional rec.

If you can afford Rosetta Stone do it.

[momin2013]

I've studied a total of six new languages as an adult (well, one of them I started as a child and continued studying into adulthood). The only one I can confidently say I became fluent in was the one I learned when I was with my former BF, who was from that country, and the only reason I became fluent was because his parents lived with us and I was forced to speak it with them everyday because they didn't speak English. It's definitely possible to "learn" a new language as an adult, but to really become (and remain) fluent I think you need to be using it pretty much daily.

[cjcouple]

Jun 28, 2017 8:54:36 GMT -5 momin2013 said:

I've studied a total of six new languages as an adult (well, one of them I started as a child and continued studying into adulthood). The only one I can confidently say I became fluent in was the one I learned when I was with my former BF, who was from that country, and the only reason I became fluent was because his parents lived with us and I was forced to speak it with them everyday because they didn't speak English. It's definitely possible to "learn" a new language as an adult, but to really become (and remain) fluent I think you need to be using it pretty much daily.

Yes, I am aware. Thank you

 

[gastro]

I've learned Spanish but I took French in high school which was a huge help. I'm conversational at best. I used basic Spanish in many of the kitchens I've worked in over the years. I used Rosetta Stone and it was available through my local library.

[Deleted]

I have also heard good things about Rosetta Stone and my library has them so I was just thinking I might brush up on my Spanish and check them out. I learned Spanish in high school and continued with it by using it when I worked at restaurants. I love Spanish and highly recommend it as your second language since it's so commonly used and fairly easy to learn. I hope your library also has Rosetta Stone! Gl!!!

[susiebw]

I started with some really basic French lessons last summer, but like a PP said, without using it regularly, it's mostly gone now. I used Pimsleur CDs from the library and a "Learn French in 24 hours" vocabulary app, and I really liked them. I also practiced with Duolingo a few times a week, too. I've been thinking about getting the CDs again and starting back up.

I studied Spanish in high school and early college, and I have managed to retain a lot of that even without regularly using it. I guess because I studied it for so many years?

[rosesandpetals]

I read a lot in french, which helps.