I Want To Learn A Language - Fast

[Luigi]

Also, a good way to practice your pronunciation is to read aloud the newspapers, magazines, etc. that you're reading for comprehension.

Obviously, the problem is that you won't know if your pronouncing every word correctly. But mispronunciation is not a mortal sin, especially in the earliest stages of learning a language. Children don't pronounce everything correctly, but it doesn't stop them from trying. And if you're listening to native Polish regularly, the listening and reading aloud will reinforce each other.

[Hubertus]

[quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1346547617' post='2477394']
In all seriousness though, why Polish?
[/quote]
I've been fascinated with Polish language and culture for a year now since being introduced to it on a Polish pilgrimage, but..

[quote name='Norseman82' timestamp='1346553423' post='2477429']
Maybe he's trying to impress a Polish lady?
[/quote]
this is probably what's making me want to actually go through with it.

[quote name='Norseman82' timestamp='1346553686' post='2477432']
Here's a Catholic Polish TV channel - TRWAM:

[url="http://www.tv-trwam.pl/index.php?section=videosite"]http://www.tv-trwam....ction=videosite[/url]
[/quote]
Great! Thanks. Apparently on Polish national radio they have Mass every morning.

[4588686]

[quote name='Hubertus' timestamp='1346526823' post='2477243']
So I want to learn as much Polish as physically possible in a year. I've got the spare time for it. Do you guys have any recommendations for how best to learn this/a language in the most efficient way possible?

I don't have much money to devote to it at present; I can buy books, but I'm not so sure about programs or classes. But I'll still take suggestions regarding those.

I know there's Rosetta Stone, but like I said the money situation isn't great for me right now. And I've never used Rosetta Stone, but I would prefer a classical-type of education that teaches me about word conjugation, proper grammar, and emphasizes vocabulary so I will be able to express myself more.

So, any ideas? I would greatly appreciate any of them!
[/quote]


In all seriousness, I'd stay away from Rosetta Stone. Polish is a Slavonic language and from what I hear Rosetta is bad with Slavonic languages (At least with the major Slavonic language, Russian). Slavonic languages use verbs of motion. So you would use different verbs if you want to drive to the store vs walk to the store and things change if you want to signify if you want to walk to point A vs if you intend to walk to point A and back. From what I understand, Rosetta Stone tends to be lazy and tries to 'Anglicize' Russian by trying to use a generic verb like 'go' for all of these.

If they do that with Russian then I'd assume they do the same with Polish. The best thing for you can do is speak Polish. Find a penpal and talk with them on skype.

[Amppax]

Sweet, let me know how it goes. I've been meaning to learn another language. Just too hard to make the time right now. Probably going to restart Latin over Christmas break, we'll see.

[emmaberry]

[quote name='Hubertus' timestamp='1346526823' post='2477243']
So I want to learn as much Polish as physically possible in a year. I've got the spare time for it. Do you guys have any recommendations for how best to learn this/a language in the most efficient way possible?

I don't have much money to devote to it at present; I can buy books, but I'm not so sure about programs or classes. But I'll still take suggestions regarding those.

I know there's Rosetta Stone, but like I said the money situation isn't great for me right now. And I've never used Rosetta Stone, but I would prefer a classical-type of education that teaches me about word conjugation, proper grammar, and emphasizes vocabulary so I will be able to express myself more.

So, any ideas? I would greatly appreciate any of them!
[/quote]

I have nothing to offer but applaud you for your endeavor-especially if it's to impress someone. They must be pretty special, or you must be desperate.

[Hubertus]

[quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1346589421' post='2477565']
In all seriousness, I'd stay away from Rosetta Stone. Polish is a Slavonic language and from what I hear Rosetta is bad with Slavonic languages (At least with the major Slavonic language, Russian). Slavonic languages use verbs of motion. So you would use different verbs if you want to drive to the store vs walk to the store and things change if you want to signify if you want to walk to point A vs if you intend to walk to point A and back. From what I understand, Rosetta Stone tends to be lazy and tries to 'Anglicize' Russian by trying to use a generic verb like 'go' for all of these.

If they do that with Russian then I'd assume they do the same with Polish. The best thing for you can do is speak Polish. Find a penpal and talk with them on skype.
[/quote]
Wow. Good to know! Thanks for the tip!

[quote name='Amppax' timestamp='1346638523' post='2477736']
Sweet, let me know how it goes. I've been meaning to learn another language. Just too hard to make the time right now. Probably going to restart Latin over Christmas break, we'll see.
[/quote] The article already has been a huge help! All of the other "learn x language easy!" sources that I've found start off by teaching you basic phrases and sayings, not even the alphabet or anything.

But I'm doing as the article recommended, going through the Polish alphabet and getting familiar with the sounds and then reading off words in an effort to be able to pronounce the language right, and associate sounds with their proper letters and thus their proper sound form (found some vocabulary videos on Youtube that go through the whole Polish alphabet and pronounce like 10 words per letter - I just pause the video and try to pronounce each word first and then play and see how I did). Once I can read it okay, then I'll start with vocab and then move on to grammar. Having a process like this makes me feel a lot better than just trying to memorize "Hi, how are you? I am ___ years old."

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1346658975' post='2477830']
I have nothing to offer but applaud you for your endeavor-especially if it's to impress someone. They must be pretty special, or you must be desperate.
[/quote] Haha thanks, it's probably both. But when I think, "Man, I must be desperate," I just remind myself I was wanting to learn Polish anyway. lol

[4588686]

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1346658975' post='2477830']
I have nothing to offer but applaud you for your endeavor-especially if it's to impress someone. They must be pretty special, or you must be desperate.
[/quote]

Polish women tend to be buoyant. That can be a strong motivator.

[TheUbiquitous]

Pimsleur's great. It's also several hundred bucks --- at least, the multi-unit courses --- and even after 90 hours is absolutely [i][b]only [/b][/i]an introduction. You will [i][b]absolutely [/b][/i]need hours and hours of conversation time to be legitimately conversational.

[Norseman82]

[quote name='Hubertus' timestamp='1346557553' post='2477469']
this is probably what's making me want to actually go through with it.
[/quote]

If it's the same Polish lady who left me to enter a religious community then you may want to add boxing or MMA to the list of skills to learn





























(J/K, I see that you are probably too young for her anyway)

Edited September 3, 2012 by Norseman82

[Hubertus]

[quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1346702697' post='2477946']
Polish women tend to be buoyant. That can be a strong motivator.
[/quote] And she makes some freakin' amesome gołąbki!


[quote name='Norseman82' timestamp='1346705259' post='2477955']
If it's the same Polish lady who left me to enter a religious community then you may want to add boxing or MMA to the list of skills to learn [/quote] Well I'm pretty sure she's not in a religious community..

[Norseman82]

The next time April 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday and I am lectoring, I am tempted to add the following announcement: 

 

Next weekend's second collection is to buy vowels for the Polish language.  Please be as generous as you can.

[NotreDame]

I've taught myself spanish and portuguese....  Immersion (traveling/living in the country) obviously had the biggest impact, but there are a few other best practices I learned during my time.

 

Instructional texts - get a dictionary, a verbs book, a basic text book, and a CD that walks you through basic phrases (the latter helps w/ cadence and pronunciation as well.)  All these can be bought used or downloaded free through various online, um, techniques.

 

Media - Children's books are great, especially if it's a story you know.  And these may be hard to get, but a polish movie or two with both polish and english subtitles are also good.  Watch w/ english subtitles a few times, then switch over to polish.  Watch it over and over.  Eventually you should be able to recognize, distinguish, and understand the words.  Also, find a polish band you like, pick a few songs, look up and translate the lyrics and listen to them over trying to sing along. 

 

Get around people speaking it - Join and attend Meetup.com polish groups.  Some language focused groups are focused on learning the language, others are for connecting those who already speak it.  Join and be active in whichever you can.  Make polish friends from these groups and hang out with them (preferably in groups, polish speaking groups.) 

 

Get a polish girlfriend too, if that's an option.  Apparently you already have one in mind.  You could always use your desire to learn polish as an icebreaker.  You are generally going to need a native anyway to help you get things like DVD's with proper subtitles, childrens books, and to advise on which bands to listen to.

[Spem in alium]

Live with my Sisters. Most of them are Polish, so you'll pick it up in no time.  :hehe2:

[AugustineA]

Okay be honest. Is it for the Polish girls or because Russia's probably going to invade Poland?  :unsure:

[Lil Red]