Is it normal to have issues learning a language?

92% Normal
8 Comments

This is not really about school but they had no education section. So it is suppose to be education. Is it normal to have issues learning other languages. I am ok at my first language but I often have difficulty learning others. I know people who know 3-6 and they act like it is no big deal. They learned it from books and I bought a bunch of books but I really do not understand it on my own.

Voting Results
92% Normal
Based on 49 votes (45 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • dappled
    11 years ago

    The best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it (i.e. visit a country it is spoken). For most people, this isn't practical so a few companies have simulated that experience. I don't usually give endorsements but RosettaStone is a company I have personal experience with. Their solutions aren't cheap ($349 dollars in US, $451 in UK) but they're absolutely excellent.

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    • [Old Memory]
      11 years ago

      I second RosettaStone. I have the first level of Tagalog and remember everything I learned on it so far.

      You have to use the language in real life OP to really start getting it. Practice everyday. I change my Facebook to Tagalog sometimes and try to navigate it that way, I also have a cousin who speaks it and I go on her Facebook and try to understand what she's saying.

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    • dinz
      11 years ago

      Quite true Dappled, I realised that to successfully immerse myself with a language I found by interacting with native speakers online ie. IIN and the chatroom this has been extremely beneficial to my uptake of the English language.

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      • dappled
        11 years ago

        English isn't your first language? Wow. You've never said a single thing that would have tipped me off, and I do tend to notice things like that.

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  • gubbie
    11 years ago

    Spend more time on comprehension and vocabulary. You can achieve better comprehension through watching film or listening to music in the new language. Even if you don't understand every single word, you eventually will. Look words up if you don't know them, and don't be afraid to make mistakes!

    I started learning French when I was about 12, and I've had no problems with it. Just make sure you have a good understanding of your native language before taking on another, and you'll do just fine!

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  • flowergirl87
    11 years ago

    Very normal! I wish I was better at French and German. I partly blame the language department of the school I went to, it wasn't very good. It's one of my biggest regrets about my education - that I wasn't taught languages very well and wasn't encouraged and thus didn't get off my arse with it enough myself. I know I'm deligating some responsibility there, but you start when you're about 11 and you do need a strong start in languages to progress well. And at that age, you're not exactly going to do it all off your own back. Well, not unless you're a super child! I'm always a little envious of bilingual people.

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  • ASealedHeart
    11 years ago

    Try Movies and songs in the target language.

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  • dinz
    11 years ago

    I struggled in school when I was learning English or any other subject in general. One of my teacher explained to me the different styles of learning that students embrace and ways of learning to adapting your study habits to the way you learn.

    This has helped me for the past 10 years or so.

    <a href="http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/learningstyle.htm" rel="nofollow">http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a...</a>

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