Selecting Self-Study Foreign Language Materials

[Forresmechy]

Professor, excellent video's with excellent advice. As a mature learner of foreign languages I find the easiest way is definitely mainly audio based. In recent years I have became very proficient in German and for that I used Germanpod101 and complimented that with Rocket German and it worked well for me.

My next big challenge is to learn Lithuanian which is more difficult due to the lack of learning resources. That one is going to be the more traditional method with books, perhaps TYS?

[andrewl5201]

When you say you recommend 5 methods of study. Do you mean all together, or is it just as efficient to do it in an order. Ex. Do you suggest you go back and forth between say Assimil, pimsleur, rocket, teach yourself, etc. in one week or Can I just do Rocket German, finish the course, then do Pimsleur, and so on..

[deutschemauser]

How do you find time to study so many languages? Do you have a job or make money with this? Nice videos

[ma1achite]

Thanks for the thorough overview, but endless reviewing and polishing with manuals, drills, and grammar books will never help me speak my target language. After working my spanish up to late beginner level I've found it better to just expose myself to the language by reading and viewing children's materials in the target language. Maybe I won't reach high level fluency this way, but it is more enjoyable and therefore a program I am more likely to continue following. Native materials rule!

[ProfASAr]

@ma1achite Of course you need to switch over to native materials at some point - that is the very goal of studying a language in the first place, is it not? While some people prefer to get there as fast as possible because they have no patience with didactic material, I have no problem with it if it is substantive and well-designed, and I find that the better a foundation I have from such material, the more I can profit from native materials which I switch over.

[fanofcorrs]

Speaking of different learning styles you may wish to add some diversity into these sort of "talking head" videos that you make. This is the worst one I have seen of yours because you are way too close to the camera, and one soon gets eyesore staring into your face, with the added discomfort that the video is terribly framed in that you have a vertical line going straight through the top of your head to the bottom and another vertical line going straight through your head starting below one ear.

[stubs13]

Dear Professor,

I have recently purchased, "Russian For Beginners", by Charles Duff and Dmitri Markarov, is this a good book for learning the language?

[piercegardner]

Register and meet real people benaughtyman.info

[ProfASAr]

@danlittledan I haven't seen the latest version of Rosetta Stone German in particular, so it may be vastly different from what I have seen of RS before. Unless it is, though, I can't say that I would recommend RS. If you happen to have inherited a copy, give it a try, but if you need to invest in materials, then if you look elsewhere, you should easily find more substance for a serious learning endeavor.

[bcdc2434]

None of this "product lines" crap, there's more than enough materials online.

If you are like me and realise that there's a certain standard amount of attention you need to invest in learning a language,I suggest google Books & other online sources to learn grammar (easiest part), and than TV, radio, movies, books etc. to study a language. Keep a file, write down & repeat new words. Oh, and forums. Just ask people if you don't get something.

If you are looking for a shortcut, it won't suit you.

[YouStoleMyTube]

It's interesting that you say that. I was told that it's better to stick with a narrow source of materials because it ensures that the same neurons in your brain are being triggered each time, effectively strengthening the knowledge you're getting.

[rayneval]

What is the most efficient way to be able to read Latin (only read&understand) in a few months? Will doing book I and then book II of Lingua Latin be sufficient? Or would i need to also use Wheelock's or a different resource?

How long would it take after beginning Latin to be able to read parts of Aeneid being able to understand the poetic techniques? Will just doing the two books be enough?

Thanks!

[ProfASAr]

@rayneval These two volumes will get you off to a very good start, but I doubt you will be able to digest their content in a few months of study even if you work very intensively. The natural learning curve of Volume II in particular gets quite steep. You may understand the poetic technique of the Aeneid when have finished Volume II if you are content to keep your eyes on an annotated edition, but if you want to read fluidly and with appreciation, it will take years to work up to that.

[rayneval]

@ProfASAr Oh ok thanks for reply. I haven't yet seen pars II so i'll take your word that it takes time, though i'm quite sure i can finish pars I in just over a month. Then roughly how long would the pars II take if i worked at 1hr per day? (note that i will have pretty good Italian proficiency).what other resources can I use with LL? Wheelocks? Should i attempt these only after both the books? I will eventually after several months have to learn to interpret&uderstand Aeneid.

[Huyennguyenthanh2603]

I am happy to watch it.

[mcjon77]

Excellent video! As i was listening to the video, I realized that i was already naturally gravitating towards the method you gave for those who learn by doing. I am a big fan of Pimsleur and found that using FSI type courses and drill books, with regular speaking practice suited my learning style quite well. I wasn't consciously aware of following the pattern you described. It was just what "felt right" to me.

[baroninthetrees7]

ProfASAr, I just wanted to say that I'm thankful for you sharing your knowledge with us without getting any money back. The best thing is that I can learn far more from you than from my language teachers. Actually I would go so far and call you an hero of autodidactism.

[Jate0000]

what would you say about ancient classical languages like ancient greek or latin? I'm starting with Le grec ancien by assimil. I'm also about to start Lingua Latina per se ilustrata by Hans Orberg wich I seriously recommend. If you like languages learning materials you need to take a look to Orberg's books. It would be very interesting to listen to your thoughts about them.

[ProfASAr]

@Jate0000 Orberg's books are wonderful - they are my very first recommendation for learning Latin!

[ProfASAr]

@Jate0000 Orberg's books are wonderful - they are my very first recommendation for learning Latin!

[ridthedelusional]

I'm glad there are videos such as these. I can't describe why, but i have an unusual fascination with languages and constantly teaching myself new words and languages. It's some what of an obsession, that I'm glad to have.

[ursfun]

Professor U r soo COOL!!! i would like meet u one day:(

May Allah be with u

[jceja24]

ojala que algun dia eprenderia frances, italiano, y aleman. ya se espanol y ingleses! 2 more and three to go! i wish i had i took french in highschool and not spanish!

[Nowl8]

@jceja24 se ve que las clases no te sirvieron mucho igual.

[troecurov]

Спасибо Вам большое за Ваш труд на сайте.Мне очень нравится Ваша методика (шадоин).Может Вы сможете рекомендовать материал для этого(FSI,Assimil dont have any material to study English -the most equiered language in the Word)Thank you very much.Andy

[Fatface34]

I would appreciate it if you could explain how I should find out my language learning "style".

[ronaldovalete31]

Olá professor, sou um estudante brasileiro e gostaria de ouvi-lo falar português em um de seus futuros vídeos. O que você acha da idéias? Parabéns pelo seu trabalho.

[skeptikulo]

Oi compatriota. Você quer ver ele falando português? No vídeo "Berlitz: Foreign Language Learning Series Reviews" ele lê um texto em espanhol e a mesma versão em português, aos 5:25. Você vai se surpreender quão diferente é ao que você espera.

[skeptikulo]

Oi compatriota. Você quer ver ele falando português? No vídeo "Berlitz: Foreign Language Learning Series Reviews" ele lê um texto em espanhol e a mesma versão em português, aos 5:25. Você vai se surpreender quão diferente é ao que você espera.

[xnightxamex]

i cant express how helpful this video has been for me. thank you so much, i really appreciate it.

[MissSAlexander]

Prof you are really good!:) keep doing videos!

[rosycarolina]

Nice work. keep it up. mean time come for social media marketing for esteembpo**com ghgjh

[HappenStance]

What are your thoughts on learning materials such as Rosetta Stone(sp)?

[Anajox]

I just found your videos. I'm very interested in your videos and hope to view many of them soon. However, your English is strangely very difficult for me as a non-native to understand because you pause every few words . . .

[engraver52]

prof, what about hebrew?

[thelinguistblogger]

First and foremost, you always post great information in your videos. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. Secondly, I have tried to find your comments about Pimsleur but have been unable to. Have you used their products and, if so, what do you think? If not I would be willing to hear other people's comments as well.

[ProfASAr]

My thoughts about Pimsleur can be found in the "Audio-Only" video. In brief, this method certainly has a useful role to play for certain kinds of learners, such that I would want to have the whole product line of their complete length courses available in a language learning resource center. However, it ought not to be so widely marketed as the best method for everyone, as those who are capable of learning more and faster are likely to grow frustrated in their studies if they use it.

[sheepthing]

100% true -- they are far too slow, and it becomes a major pain to use them when written resources are so much more efficient overall.

[Green4321]

Thank you again for your content-rich videos.  I'm looking forward to your future offerings.

[MashaGu]

There is also a large range of material online. (101pods for example). However, I find that my brain absorbs much more from books/textbooks rather than learning from the screen, as this tires me quickly and reduces my learning capacity.

Joining language groups online can be problematic, as most people who join are actually learners too.

However, online radio and clips is beneficial, as well as actual interaction with natives when possible!

Learn every day! even if it's only for 20 mins.

[stormie24]

Thank you for the helpful tips!

[NelsonMan90]

I seriously wish you were my professor. Colleges need more professors like you.

[ProfASAr]

Thank you very much for these kind words! I only wish you were on a selection committee as in point of fact I am actively looking for a new position at the moment and all too many institutions do not even acknowledge receipt of my application.

[SevenSixTwoNato]

Well, personally, I'd recommend the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities campus), if you hadn't already tried there, that is (if only on the basis of convenience to me personally).  Of course, it's a very large university, which may not be what you have in mind.

[zocurtis]

Great vid once again! And long too!

[parasitius]

It's really great with the new camera — no more florescent light bulb hum, and I bet it's going to make text on pages way clearer. (Hopefully it has macro mode?)

[laoshu505000]

Nice video Professor.

[LiorC]

Thanks for this video series, I've been following it very carefully! You mention doing the last video of the series about recommendations for specific languages, can I ask that you include Dutch in that video too?

Dutch was the first language I attempted to self-study 12 years ago when I was 18. I used the 1990's Teach Yourself Dutch and even though I never finished the final 3 chapters, I think it was an excellent book insofar as I can still manage to converse in Dutch 12 years later.

[ProfASAr]

I am mainly planning on talking about a group of languages for which uniform study materials exist, such that students (who may not initially conceive of doing so) can ultimately study them all with greater and greater ease. Dutch, unfortunately, is not one of these, but I will try to remember to say something about it and a few others as well.

[paulinobrener]

do you have a new camera? the sound in this video is much better than previous ones! no buzzing sound in the background. you can use just the audio alone for a podcast if you want.

good job!

[ProfASAr]

Yes, I do have a new camera, one that will let me put up to 30 minutes in 1 gb rather than only 9 minutes, and, as you note, one without the mechanical buzz, so I am happy with it thus far, though I have yet to figure out how well it will work when I try to focus in on text pages.

[paulinobrener]

good. what camera is it?

[ProfASAr]

It is a Flip Mino 360W.

[paulinobrener]

good choice!

[drhanyang]

It seems like you always post your videos when you burst in the door after running 2 miles home from the library.

[ProfASAr]

What do comments like this mean? In point of fact, I am indeed a long-distance runner, and I cover more like 6 miles every morning and often every evening as well, but I do not then sit down and make my videos...

[parasitius]

Just delete his comment. I'm almost certain it is an impolite inappropriate sarcastic way of telling you that in the videos you often sound so intensive as to sound nervous/out of breath. Actually it makes me a bit nervous, but I'm overjoyed to have the videos in the first place so it's rude for him to...

[Jonzwelet]

Professor, can you please give any tips as to how to accurately determine one's language-learning style?

[ProfASAr]

Working all on your own - unfortunately, no, apart from lengthy trial and error with various types of materials.

An experienced language-learning coach should be able to determine this much more swiftly and accurately. In fact, helping students determine this would be the initial stage of assistance offered at the kind of language-learning skills institute I aspire to establish.

[falujah]

Thanks for the video, can't wait for the next one :)

[vixen020202]

Professor, can you please give some idea how long it should take to get to the intermediate level working on your own like this? In particular, for a Korean person who knows English and now wants to learn French.

[ProfASAr]

I can't give a set answer because this depends upon too many variable factors such as:

regularity of study habits

time spent studying each day

sustained motivation and enthusiasm

aptitude for and experience in language learning

quality of methods used

skill in techniques used

relative difficulty of language being studied

etc., etc.

Still, for an Easterner learning a 2nd Western language, tangible results should be obtainable within a year given at least an hour a day of intelligent study.