Best way to learn a foreign language?

[Anonymous]

I learned both Spanish and French fairly well to an intermediate level just by book learning and listening to tapes.

I had already studied German and Japanese through college and high school classes, so learning a language wasn't new to me.

After an intermediate level, though there is no substitute for interacting with a native speaker!

Still OP -- if your choices are 20 minutes a day versus not at all -- I think 20 minutes a day would be a great start.

[Anonymous]

To echo what others have already said, consitently speaking to someone in the foreign language is key. The wonderful lady who cleans my house once a week is from Guatemala and the entire time she's at my house, we speak nothing but Spanish to each other. This has really helped me with my Spanish, unlike any class I've taken in high school/college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a language teacher/research--here's my advice.

First, don't even bother with software or tapes. You learn language by speaking to PEOPLE. Unless you have some sort of communication going on, you won't get any feedback and nothing will stick.

You could take a class (a short 8 week night class at your local community college would get you a long way). I don't know how old your kid is, but no way could I fit that in my schedule.

So here's what I recommend. Sit down and write a list of all the Spanish words you know. (I *know* you know "hola." And I'm sure there has been some Sesame Street/Dora in your recent past, no?) From that list, figure a couple small-talky things you could say to the Spanish speaking parents. (Hola. Es su nino? Cuante anos?). See what they say in return. Learn how to say "Como se dice X en Espanol?" --"How do you say X in Spanish?"). Learn how to ask someone to repeat something and how to say you don't understand. Think about the kinds of pieces of language you want to use in your interactions, then learn those specific pieces.

good luck!

Roseta Stone fan here.

This is how I started learning all 3 languages I know. Obviously, immersion was a huge part of it but to get started is a very good way if you're committed enough.