Learning a New Language: Where to Start

The hardest part about learning a new language is getting started, especially if it is your first time learning a second language. But learning a new language is fun, exciting and rewarding. It is well worth the effort. This list of suggestions takes a few things into account: time, budget, and speaking, reading and listening skills. Here are some tips for acquiring another tongue, that work for the most popular languages.

Let's start with quick methods for those going to another country soon, for a short trip. The quick options are good for beginners and for tourists, and you can learn to get by in a few weeks, if you study hard. But if you want to be able to carry on a conversation in another language, you need to spend a lot of time in that language. This doesn't mean immersion (although effective, it's not always a practical option), but it does mean meaningful practice, like a combination of language learning and watching movies or reading news articles in the target language. I'll write in a later post about how to better immerse yourself while still in an English-speaking country.

The Quick Route

• Pimsleur, Mango, Pronunciator, etc ($ or free). These options focus on speaking and listening skills. I especially recommend Pimsleur for the tourist. They have a collection of audio CDs for many languages, and they start off with basic conversation: greeting people, meeting people, numbers, shopping, and asking directions. Check your local library to see if they offer any of these, either CDs in the library, or free subscriptions online.
• Duolingo (free). Duolingo.com is a great website for learning languages. They currently offer many European languages, and they are developing programs for Chinese, Japanese, and many others, as well. And it's fun! They have listening, reading, writing and speaking activities.

Online TV programs for kids learning Chinese

There is a new trend among schools to offer language immersion starting in elementary school. But if your kid is in a Mandarin Chinese language immersion program, and you don't know any Mandarin, you may be wondering how you can help them get more practice with the language at home, or over summer. Maybe they've seen "Nihao, Kai Lan," but you want something a little more challenging.

Sites like Tudou, Youku and Soku are Chinese language websites that stream TV programs and movies with commercials, like Hulu. There are many programs available, but it can be discouraging if you can't read Chinese. Here is a quick guide to help you navigate the sites easily. I am most familiar with Tudou, so that is the site I use for this tutorial, but the other sites are quite similar.

Here is a link to Mandarin Chinese language children's shows:

http://www.tudou.com/list/ach4a345b121c-2d-2e-2f1689g-2h-2i-2j-2k-2l-2m-2n-2sort2.html

Here is a screenshot with English translations to help you navigate the site.

The Mainland and Taiwan shows are in Mandarin Chinese, with most subtitles in Traditional characters. 

You'll see this at the bottom of the page, but you might be able to load more programs.

My current favorite is 图图, because it is designed to teach kids things like shapes, counting, etc. So it is a great show for me to watch while learning Mandarin, and my baby enjoys the bright colors and upbeat music.

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The Big Fight over language in India

This video illustrates the language debate in India. Currently, the Indian federal government operates in Hindi and English, while the regional governments conduct affairs in the main language (or languages) for that particular region. There are 22 officially recognized languages in India. And as a result of English imperialism in the past, and the current status of English as an international "link language," English is widely used in India, as well. This English video shows the debate among scholars and government officials concerning the following:

What is the status of English in India today and what should it be?

Should Hindi or English be the "link language" of India?

If Hindi is the language of business in India, then people from the South and other regions that don't use Hindi as their mother tongue are at a disadvantage. While using English as the link language puts all Indians at an equal disadvantage, thus promoting equality among the regions. And English gives Indians an edge on the global job market.

Does the use of English mean that Indians are giving up nationalism?

Are children losing their mother tongues in favor of English and/or Hindi?



What are your thoughts? Leave comments below.



Personally, I agree with the Tamil representative and the corporate representative. I think that if Hindi is put above the other Indian languages, it would encourage inequality. I think kids should be taught 1st mother tongue, 2nd English (to be able to compete on a global market) and then 3rd Hindi (to increase options in India). Learning more languages broadens your horizons and opens opportunities.

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