FabSwingers.com forum: Learning a new language

By *ingle Beds Lass OP Woman
over a year ago

Bedfordshire

Purely for leisure.

Can't decide between Français or Español

I don't visit either country regularly so no affiliation with them, just looking to do a part time course

Views/opinions?!?!

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By *j85Man
over a year ago

Wilmslow

From my experience Spanish was easier to learn x

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By *olgateMan
over a year ago

on the road to nowhere in particular

¿Qué?

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By *ingle Beds Lass OP Woman
over a year ago

Bedfordshire

Have signed up to Babbel for 3 months, I'm off on holiday to Fuerteventura in 5 1/2 weeks so will at least get a taster

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Either. Or both.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Choose whatever but have you tried duolingo? I always found spanish easier than french if that helps xx

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By *randMrs Spanish BrunetteCouple
over a year ago

home sweet home

Castellano

Mrs SB

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Castellano

Mrs SB

Esté

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By *ingle Beds Lass OP Woman
over a year ago

Bedfordshire

"Choose whatever but have you tried duolingo? I always found spanish easier than french if that helps xx"

Ooooh will give that a try, thanks

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By *olgateMan
over a year ago

on the road to nowhere in particular

"Castellano

Mrs SB

Pajero

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By *enard ArgenteMan
over a year ago

London and France

Most people seem to find Spanish easier..

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By *ingle Beds Lass OP Woman
over a year ago

Bedfordshire

Just had a nosey about and I know my biggest downfall is going to be grammar.

My comfort zone keeps drawing me to French as I have a vague recollection of some of it from school days , whereas Spanish is totally new to me.

I need the mental stimulation so stepping out of my comfort zone.

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By *enard ArgenteMan
over a year ago

London and France

"Just had a nosey about and I know my biggest downfall is going to be grammar.

My comfort zone keeps drawing me to French as I have a vague recollection of some of it from school days , whereas Spanish is totally new to me.

I need the mental stimulation so stepping out of my comfort zone.

If you have some previous knowledge, and feel a bit more comfortable , them go for it.

Don't stress about the grammar; the major elements of grammar are exactly the same in European languages as English ;

Subject/ verb/ object/ tenses etc; you just need to know how things like past/ future tenses are constructed,

The main issue is that in most other languages, everything has a gender ( masculine/ feminine ), and the adjectives must change gender to suit the noun.

You also need to " get" pronunciation ...

As native English speakers, we don't initially " get" differences in sounds, which French hear distinctly; eg the way "e"/ " eu" , or "u" /"ou", or "a"/ "é"/"ai" are pronounced.

You can get French channels on UK TV; it's worth watching the news every so often; you can get the gist of the story from the pictures, and gradually pick up sounds and words and phrases.

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"Just had a nosey about and I know my biggest downfall is going to be grammar.

My comfort zone keeps drawing me to French as I have a vague recollection of some of it from school days , whereas Spanish is totally new to me.

I need the mental stimulation so stepping out of my comfort zone.

If you have some previous knowledge, and feel a bit more comfortable , them go for it.

Don't stress about the grammar; the major elements of grammar are exactly the same in European languages as English ;

Subject/ verb/ object/ tenses etc; you just need to know how things like past/ future tenses are constructed,

The main issue is that in most other languages, everything has a gender ( masculine/ feminine ), and the adjectives must change gender to suit the noun.

You also need to " get" pronunciation ...

As native English speakers, we don't initially " get" differences in sounds, which French hear distinctly; eg the way "e"/ " eu" , or "u" /"ou", or "a"/ "é"/"ai" are pronounced.

You can get French channels on UK TV; it's worth watching the news every so often; you can get the gist of the story from the pictures, and gradually pick up sounds and words and phrases.

That's really great advice.

I'm rubbish at other languages but by the end of series one of The Killing I felt I knew a bit of Danish. You do get the gist with enough exposure.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

my son is fluent in a few languages - has only self taught himself a little spanish so obviously gets by welll without it - french german and dutch he uses most

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Purely for leisure.

Can't decide between Français or Español

I don't visit either country regularly so no affiliation with them, just looking to do a part time course

Views/opinions?!?!"

Isn't there a language that would help your career prospects?

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By *obyn GravesTV/TS
over a year ago

1127 walnut avenue

never seen the point in learning another language. ..If I meet anyone who can't speak English. .I find doing that typical British thing of speaking loud and slow in English always works. .

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Purely for leisure.

Can't decide between Français or Español

I don't visit either country regularly so no affiliation with them, just looking to do a part time course

Views/opinions?!?!"

If you decide to go to Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria learn German, more useful than Spanish

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"never seen the point in learning another language. ..If I meet anyone who can't speak English. .I find doing that typical British thing of speaking loud and slow in English always works. .

And shout, remember to shout. Makes it so much clearer

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By *arkstaffsMan
over a year ago

Rugeley

One language I would love to learn is Latin. Don't know why but it fascinates me.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I learned French at school and Spanish when I lived there... I would say Spanish is the easier to pick up...

If you have a smart phone get an app called duolingo... It will really help you whatever you choose

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Have signed up to Babbel for 3 months, I'm off on holiday to Fuerteventura in 5 1/2 weeks so will at least get a taster

If you are going to a predominantly British resort then maybe you won't

The main problem I had when I first went to live in Mallorca was that the Spanish speakers wanted to improve their English.. I eventually had to get Spanish lessons

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By *amissCouple
over a year ago

chelmsford

Love Spanish. Speak a little 'holiday' Spanish. Try and learn a new phrase every day when on holiday, from the locals. They appreciate it if we make the effort. Trying to pick up Greek, from our holidays, but find it really difficult!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I keep getting told that I have enough difficulty with English so not gonna risk a new language. Although apparently I'm fluent in french when pissed. Or so I think

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By *at69driveMan
over a year ago

Hertford

"Purely for leisure.

Can't decide between Français or Español

I don't visit either country regularly so no affiliation with them, just looking to do a part time course

Views/opinions?!?!"

I tried to improve my French using a few learning guides but found that I needed the discipline of a structured course.

Institute Francais specialise in teaching French and run a wide variety of classes . There is also the option to do distant learning . The Institute is based in South Kensington .

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"my son is fluent in a few languages - has only self taught himself a little spanish so obviously gets by welll without it - french german and dutch he uses most "

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"One language I would love to learn is Latin. Don't know why but it fascinates me. "

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Have signed up to Babbel for 3 months, I'm off on holiday to Fuerteventura in 5 1/2 weeks so will at least get a taster

If you are going to a predominantly British resort then maybe you won't

The main problem I had when I first went to live in Mallorca was that the Spanish speakers wanted to improve their English.. I eventually had to get Spanish lessons

Some reckon the best place to learn a language is in bed..

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

I've learned both but find Spanish the most fun as well as versatile around the world. It was easier too - but I had got French and Latin already behind me.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Espanol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"never seen the point in learning another language. ..If I meet anyone who can't speak English. .I find doing that typical British thing of speaking loud and slow in English always works. .

Whereas the Spanish approach is to speak very loud and very quickly. At least on public transport.

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By *ingle Beds Lass OP Woman
over a year ago

Bedfordshire

"Purely for leisure.

Can't decide between Français or Español

I don't visit either country regularly so no affiliation with them, just looking to do a part time course

Views/opinions?!?!

Isn't there a language that would help your career prospects? "

Not really, unless I move to that country and learn their rules,,,,

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By *ingle Beds Lass OP Woman
over a year ago

Bedfordshire

"Have signed up to Babbel for 3 months, I'm off on holiday to Fuerteventura in 5 1/2 weeks so will at least get a taster

If you are going to a predominantly British resort then maybe you won't

The main problem I had when I first went to live in Mallorca was that the Spanish speakers wanted to improve their English.. I eventually had to get Spanish lessons

That was the problem I had when I lived in Germany lol Spent a fortune on German school and no one to use it on

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By *ingle Beds Lass OP Woman
over a year ago

Bedfordshire

Thanks for all your posts and input.

I have a few ideas but will be going with Spanish

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By *randMrs Spanish BrunetteCouple
over a year ago

home sweet home

"Thanks for all your posts and input.

I have a few ideas but will be going with Spanish

Muy bien.

Sra SB

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I would go with Spanish as they predict in a number of years it will be the most spoken language in the USA.

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