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8. I use an online program called Duolingo everyday
Thu Oct 18, 2018, 02:02 PM
Oct 2018

for Spanish and French (there are many languages available and most are free). It's set up as short tests (maybe 10 minutes each). There are dozens of different topics on Level 1 (numbers, adjectives, etc), and each topic has multiple tests (from 2 to 20). Also you can take an intro test to get out of the easier stuff and you always have the option to test out of any topic (do 1 test to skip 2 to 20 individual tests). Also, you can read an explanatory lesson before trying most of the tests and topics. You can speak your answers or type them, and you can listen to the questions or read them. And there is a "practice" test that you can do any time that covers all the material you have already done.

I would say that if you do a couple of tests everyday and were conscientious, it would take at least 3 months to get through Level 1.

Spanish was my first language although I've never lived in a Spanish-speaking place and I studied French in high school, so I haven't tried it on a language that I have no experience with, but I think this program is probably at least as effective as a typical high school course.

I hope to start Italian just for fun next year. I'm working on Spanish because I want to apply for permanent residency in Mexico and want to nail the required interview. I'm only doing French because my wife decided she wants to go to Paris for her 50th birthday, and I don't like travelling places where I have no idea what is being said.

I've got a tip from my right wing mom.... Glamrock Oct 2018 #1
Lol Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #4
It's crazy. Glamrock Oct 2018 #9
Best way snowybirdie Oct 2018 #2
I agree. I even went one further DFW Oct 2018 #19
I agree. Immersion. Aristus Oct 2018 #22
Immersion sans English is the fastest way... hlthe2b Oct 2018 #3
That idea Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #5
You know you are making progress when you realize you dreamed in German... hlthe2b Oct 2018 #6
Ah yes. Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #7
And you can read German papers from the 30s Corvo Bianco Oct 2018 #29
I use an online program called Duolingo everyday HeartachesNhangovers Oct 2018 #8
Duolingo! Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #13
Memrise is another. bikebloke Oct 2018 #17
I'm Currently RobinA Oct 2018 #42
Unless you're a freak of nature... SKKY Oct 2018 #10
Yea, Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #15
Pimsleur series forces you to speak it Maine-i-acs Oct 2018 #11
Thank you for the tip. Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #12
Call the old folks' homes in your area... Dave Starsky Oct 2018 #14
Wow, great idea! Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #16
Try this: If you have a Netflix account, The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2018 #18
The cases are killing me. Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #20
For correct gender, memorise gender as you learn noun--DER Mann, DAS Kind, DIE Frau bobbieinok Oct 2018 #23
For case, memorize simple sentence for each case for a sample noun, eg--- bobbieinok Oct 2018 #25
Aaurghh! Reminds me of college. The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2018 #27
I wish you'd been able to give me this great advice when I studied German in high schoool 50 yrs ago fierywoman Oct 2018 #32
Consider verbs. And compare to English bobbieinok Oct 2018 #35
Beautiful! (I come from German parents) -- thanks! fierywoman Oct 2018 #39
The gender articles in German don't make any sense to me. 3catwoman3 Oct 2018 #40
The reasons are probably lost in history. There is no obvious reason for any of it The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2018 #41
Der, die, das... 3catwoman3 Oct 2018 #43
Donna Leon's Venetian murder mysteries were done by German tv. I got them fierywoman Oct 2018 #33
There are some excellent youtube videos for kids to learn German! bobbieinok Oct 2018 #21
Ocelot's suggestion is best if you are somewhat immobile. DFW Oct 2018 #24
Thanks for the film and tv suggestions! Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #44
These are films and TV series that captured the whole nation here in Germany DFW Oct 2018 #48
Go hang out with DU'er DFW. Get lots of opportunity to practice! ret5hd Oct 2018 #26
I guess Rosetta Stone is a thing of the past underpants Oct 2018 #28
Speak it with people who speak it. Iggo Oct 2018 #30
My experience. I was in casual conversation with three scientists. A Norwegian, NCjack Oct 2018 #31
On the other hand, I have also been told that if you are visiting one of those countries The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2018 #37
Children's books California_Republic Oct 2018 #34
Larger metropolitan areas have language clubs Buzz cook Oct 2018 #36
Right here..... Hotler Oct 2018 #38
Thanks everyone for the replies! Turin_C3PO Oct 2018 #45
These Are All Great Tips Leith Oct 2018 #46
Listen TuxedoKat Oct 2018 #47
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