Comments on: Language Learning and Weight Lifting http://thelinguistblogger.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/language-learning-and-weight-lifting/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:18:01 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Sandy McManus http://thelinguistblogger.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/language-learning-and-weight-lifting/#comment-172 Sandy McManus Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:57:12 +0000 http://thelinguistblogger.wordpress.com/?p=129#comment-172 "Do you feel caught between the beginner and intermediate stage of your target language?" Oh yes, this is me alright!! However, after having just spent a rather embarassing month or so in Russia, I have resolved to renew my Russian language learning activities and reach the dizzy heights of good intermediate within a couple of years. In this way, the next time I go back, I won't be suffering from 'smart dog syndrome' - understands every word he hears, but can't utter much more than the odd grunt. Very nice blog, BTW. Please take a look at mine... “Do you feel caught between the beginner and intermediate stage of your target language?”

Oh yes, this is me alright!! However, after having just spent a rather embarassing month or so in Russia, I have resolved to renew my Russian language learning activities and reach the dizzy heights of good intermediate within a couple of years. In this way, the next time I go back, I won’t be suffering from ’smart dog syndrome’ – understands every word he hears, but can’t utter much more than the odd grunt.

Very nice blog, BTW. Please take a look at mine…

]]> By: alexcase http://thelinguistblogger.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/language-learning-and-weight-lifting/#comment-161 alexcase Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:26:37 +0000 http://thelinguistblogger.wordpress.com/?p=129#comment-161 It's a nice metaphor, but more precise expansion of it into language learning would be one big challenge that seems far beyond your level but gives you the push you need, e.g. reading Harry Potter or giving a presentation when you are still only Pre-Intermediate. Unfortunately, the metaphor also extends into sport injuries and/ or fatigue- after reading Norwegian Wood in the original Japanese I was so exhausted by the experience and ecstatic that I'd achieved what for me was the equivalent of the marathon that I haven't studied Japanese once in the last 2 years, despite still living there... TEFLtastic blog- www.tefl.net/alexcase It’s a nice metaphor, but more precise expansion of it into language learning would be one big challenge that seems far beyond your level but gives you the push you need, e.g. reading Harry Potter or giving a presentation when you are still only Pre-Intermediate. Unfortunately, the metaphor also extends into sport injuries and/ or fatigue- after reading Norwegian Wood in the original Japanese I was so exhausted by the experience and ecstatic that I’d achieved what for me was the equivalent of the marathon that I haven’t studied Japanese once in the last 2 years, despite still living there…

TEFLtastic blog- http://www.tefl.net/alexcase

]]> By: Ryan http://thelinguistblogger.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/language-learning-and-weight-lifting/#comment-158 Ryan Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:22:24 +0000 http://thelinguistblogger.wordpress.com/?p=129#comment-158 Jeff: That's a good question. I think I was conversational in Portuguese after month and fluent in about a year. I also learned Portuguese after I was pretty fluent in Spanish. Although there are those who like it, I find that studying more than one new foreign language at once isn't really effective. But that's just me. After learning about four languages, Ziad Fazah started studying three at once. I don't think there is just one correct way to learn a foreign language. Jeff: That’s a good question. I think I was conversational in Portuguese after month and fluent in about a year. I also learned Portuguese after I was pretty fluent in Spanish. Although there are those who like it, I find that studying more than one new foreign language at once isn’t really effective. But that’s just me. After learning about four languages, Ziad Fazah started studying three at once. I don’t think there is just one correct way to learn a foreign language.

]]> By: Jeff http://thelinguistblogger.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/language-learning-and-weight-lifting/#comment-157 Jeff Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:13:35 +0000 http://thelinguistblogger.wordpress.com/?p=129#comment-157 This is certainly an interesting metaphor...I'm sort of resorting to this in my Portuguese studies at livemocha.com I've enrolled myself in several different courses, each at a different level, so it's definitely challenging, but very manageable as well. I can proudly say that my understanding of Portuguese can no longer be associated with "monkey gibberish," although my Portuguese oral skills are another story entirely. How long did it take you to master your Portuguese? Did you do this after you had mastered Spanish? This is certainly an interesting metaphor…I’m sort of resorting to this in my Portuguese studies at livemocha.com I’ve enrolled myself in several different courses, each at a different level, so it’s definitely challenging, but very manageable as well. I can proudly say that my understanding of Portuguese can no longer be associated with “monkey gibberish,” although my Portuguese oral skills are another story entirely.

How long did it take you to master your Portuguese? Did you do this after you had mastered Spanish?

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