Posted by Minnie-Haha on June 5, 2005, at 22:26:05
In reply to Learning languages, posted by Deneb on June 4, 2005, at 22:38:40
I wish I'd learned more than one language when I was a kid. It really pisses me off that public schools here in the USA don't teach a second language from Kindergarten on up. Spanish would be my first choice. Latinos are the fastest growing group here... it just makes sense to me. With those juicy little kid brains, all wired for language. What a waste!
I learned German in highschool, which I've mostly lost (though I can understand a bit when I hear it). Then I studied Spanish when I went back to school at 42. But I've lost most of that too! (Only 4 years later, though I understand a lot, if it's not spoken too fast -- always a problem -- and I can still speak a little.) I was really sick when I got up into the 300- and 400-level classes, and was just struggling so badly. I even did a 10-day immersion course down in Mexico (they are GREAT, if you get a chance), but I was even more sick then. (My doctor actually didn't want me to go.) Still, after 5-6 days, I started thinking in Spanish. That's when you know it's clicking.
Pick one and study it. You can do it! I plan on going back to study Spanish someday. I'm also interested in Russian, for some reason, and French too. We'll see...
poster:Minnie-Haha
thread:507806
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050603/msgs/508209.html