I'm curious as to which of you here can speak multiple languages fluently (aka: most people here who don't live in the US). Tell me about your experiences learning a second language; whether you grew up speaking both or learned them separately at later ages. And, if you used methods aside from a traditional class, I'd like to know! I took a Mandarin class for three years in high school, and while I passed the class with flying colors, to this date I still cannot hold an interesting conversation for more than ten seconds. The curriculum wasn't focused on using the language for interaction at all, it was more about grammar and conventions, which sucked.

I've picked up a new project to learn Japanese as I have backgrounds in two languages that influence it greatly (English + Chinese), I love the language and Japanese culture and there's a big possibility that I'm going to school in Japan next year. So far, my project has been pretty successful. I've been at it for a month now, and I was able to hold an interesting conversation with a girl in my class for 15 minutes just three weeks after I had started. I'm not using any traditional textbooks or courses, and I'm simply using spaced repetition flashcard software (Memrise and Anki) to learn basic structure and grammar, and learning the rest through experience, immersion and human interaction.

If anyone's interested in learning a foreign language, I urge you to watch this:

 

I love Ted talks lol.  

I tried learning Spanish. It was a big pain in the ass. I took it in middle school once, and high school twice. Passed the class with Google Translate <3  

I'm french educated at my school, my main language is Arabic (country/home language), and I've learned English from the web.

In Lebanon we do not consider ourselves as Arab (especially because Arab is mostly used for Muslim these days, and a vast majority is Christian, incl. the president).

So what our language is Arabic + French + English in the same sentence.

For example:
Hi, Kifak, Ca Va?
^ ^ ^
English|Arabic|French
meaning 'Hey, how are you, doing well?'

We do that in almost 90% of all our sentences, it makes you more confident when you forget a word or two.  

As someone interested in learning to expand language skill, you have earned a +rep.  

Taking French next year!  

I know English and Vietnamese. I learned Vietnamese and English as I grew up in America. My parents taught me Viet in America too.

Might take Spanish in highschool.  

Took French for my first year of high school and Spanish for my second year of high school. I liked French a lot more than Spanish, personally, but that's just me. I probably won't continue to do the classes. However, I may end up doing Duolingo and Babbel or something of those sorts.  

That was a comforting lecture. Can't wait to impress my French 3B teacher tomorrow. :3  

I was horrible in Spanish class. I just couldn't remember anything, or wrap my head around it.  

Posted by Johnaudi

In Lebanon we do not consider ourselves as Arab (especially because Arab is mostly used for Muslim these days, and a vast majority is Christian, incl. the president).

So what our language is Arabic + French + English in the same sentence.

Arabic with foreign loanwords doesn't mean anything. Persian has a lot of French loanwords too (merci = thank you). Although the Lebanese are Arab, I can respect that some of them stuck with Christianity in such a hostile region.  

Did Japanese in school, passed, 1 year later and i don't remember the basics.  

Huh? I am lebanese and I do consider myself Arab.  

Posted by viy

I know English and Vietnamese. I learned Vietnamese and English as I grew up in America. My parents taught me Viet in America too.

Might take Spanish in highschool.

That's pretty cool; when your parents were teaching you Vietnamese, did you use it with other kids or just around the house?  

Posted by Zazzi*

Huh? I am lebanese and I do consider myself Arab.

Lebanon has had some minor genetic variation from the crusades and other similar events in history, but it's not even close to being significant. There are some theories that the Lebanese along with some regions of Israel, Palestine, and Syria (basically Levant) are related to another semetic branch (i.e related to Phoenicians) but they're all a part of the Arab world anyway.