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Learn a Language to Procrastinate

Posted: July 26th, 2012, 9:27 pm
by Shipple
So, because I wasn't already doing enough things that keep me from writing, I decided to try to learn Spanish.

Honestly, it's something I've always wanted to do, but I just found out about this (FREE!) online program called duolingo.com that is actually really good at incorporating both written and spoken Spanish, and so now appears to be the time. After all, who can resist free? I consider this to be master procrastination because it's not like I'll be done any time soon. Oh, and if you're interested, you can also learn German or French on the site.

Re: Learn a Language to Procrastinate

Posted: July 27th, 2012, 1:07 am
by Amanda Elizabeth
Ehhh... the very first intro page when it introduces the little owl had me hover over the words for their translation and did a literal French translation of "Hello, my name is Duo" instead of the correct "Bonjour, je m'appelle Duo." That makes me question it's legitimacy. I've wanted to get into Rosetta Stone. I studied French for 8 years and a lot of it has fallen out of my head since graduating college -- I was pretty close to fluent once upon a time and I would love to get back there.

Re: Learn a Language to Procrastinate

Posted: July 27th, 2012, 8:33 am
by Shipple
To be fair, they do say that their French version is in Beta.

I'm coming at this with absolutely zero experience in Spanish, so whatever I learn will be more helpful than nothing (since I'm not interested in paying for Rosetta Stone. I looked at some of the Rosetta Stone reviews on Amazon, and many of them are good-about the program. But you can only install it one, and, if, for example, your computer dies, it sounds like you basically need to buy it again. It didn't sound like the help support was very good at all.)

But, Amanda Elizabeth, why don't you join a French forum? I'm not anywhere near fluent, so I can't interact with people who speak Spanish. I think it'd be cool to be able to, though. I know it's not speaking, but you can always talk to yourself aloud as you write ;)

Re: Learn a Language to Procrastinate

Posted: July 27th, 2012, 2:38 pm
by Amanda Elizabeth
I can read and make sense of almost anything written in French. It's speaking/writing it myself -- especially verb conjugations -- and understanding when someone is speaking at normal speed.

Re: Learn a Language to Procrastinate

Posted: July 27th, 2012, 3:16 pm
by CharleeVale
Amanda Elizabeth wrote:I can read and make sense of almost anything written in French. It's speaking/writing it myself -- especially verb conjugations -- and understanding when someone is speaking at normal speed.
This is precisely me. I lived in Paris as a child, and I've lost so much! I can still understand and read, but when i comes to opening my mouth I am lost!

CV

Re: Learn a Language to Procrastinate

Posted: July 30th, 2012, 12:59 pm
by Mira
I'd really like to learn Spanish. It's important for my profession, since I live in California. I'm going to go the Rosetta Stone route eventually, but it's expensive, so I'm saving up. But I'll check out your site in the meantime - appreciate you sharing it. And you're right, free is good! :D

Re: Learn a Language to Procrastinate

Posted: September 8th, 2012, 10:08 am
by Shipple
Sounds like Amanda Elizabeth & CharleeVale ought to start talking over the phone. Getting through these things is so much more fun together.

Mira, hope the site helped!

Re: Learn a Language to Procrastinate

Posted: February 1st, 2013, 11:10 am
by thewordsmith
¿Tu decidido aprender español? Bueno para usted. Ahora necesitas practicar. Práctica. Práctica. Práctica. ¡Y si alcanzas el Carnegie Hall probablemente hizo una vuelta incorrecta en Albuquerque! Buena suerte.

(Y no. No soy una hispanica pero viví en California en pasado durante muchos años y ya que CharleeVale dijo que es muy importante decir una segunda lengua allí. Y la lengua mas popular es mexicano.)

Now figure that out (without cheating and going to a translation software program) and get back to me. After all, the best way to learn a new language is to use it! Good Luck.

Re: Learn a Language to Procrastinate

Posted: September 28th, 2015, 7:00 pm
by SamuelStokes
Certainly a sturdy procrastination tactic. It can also help you along as well. I find my second language (Japanese) has had a large influence on my book. From culture to character names I find it sneaking in all over the place.