[railspider]

Earlier this year I resolved to begin learning Mandarin Chinese from the start of 2009 - actually using my holidays for something productive. I've decided to teach myself, so I can go at my own pace and save money on expensive classes. I'm just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on good language teaching PC software - either a series/brand or a specific product?

And for those looking to make a constructive resolution, perhaps you should consider training to become multi-lingual too!

[PoopiDoggi]

Rosetta Stone is a great language learning program.
Gotta pay for it though, unless that kind of thing isn't an issue for you >.>

[Tom The Bomb]

What about those DS game ones?

[playa271]

Apparently the DS games are a mixed bag for people. some say they only specify to one dialect or country. Also there more for people who already have a grasp at the language. this year I will try to master the basics and what not with Cantonese, Mandarin and Indonesian but also get back into my Japanese.

[/\nthony]

My friend used Rosetta Stone for Spanish and recommended it to me when I tried Japanese. Instant fail. Perhaps it was because of the difference in the languages being used in the same program, but it didnt work. Had me try and learn the difference between Boy and Girl, when the pictures were indistinguishable! Or a picture of a woman driving a car and I dont know if Im supposed to do Woman or Car. FAIL.

For Japanese I listened to Pimsleur audio lessons and used something called Japanese Learning Suite (website seems to be down) for revision exercises. I dont know what the quality of Pimsleur stuff is for other languages but for Japanese its the most useful thing out there.

[(Chibi) ^-^ (Nation)]

In before Japanophiles..... oh wait.....

I want to learn French. But do you know how hard it is to teach yourself a language out of school/uni.

[Obscurus]

(Chibi) ^-^ (Nation), on Jan 4 2009, 05:17 PM, said:

I want to learn French. But do you know how hard it is to teach yourself a language out of school/uni.

I've been trying to teach myself latin on and off. Beautiful language, but I can't get my shite together.

Also, doing it all out of a book makes me sure that I'm pronouncing everything wrong.

[playa271]

(Chibi) ^-^ (Nation), on Jan 4 2009, 05:17 PM, said:

In before Japanophiles..... oh wait.....

...do you know how hard it is to teach yourself a language out of school/uni.

serious? I'm sure school/uni may have more benefits etc but not a great deal of difference. if anything its getting your lazy ass and doing some learning everyday.