Learning Tips

Proficiency Scales and the Courses

Grace_R — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 13:03:41 -0500

I see that the regular courses are broken down into three categories: essential, intermediate, and advanced. Were the courses constructed based on the ACTFL, ILR, and/or CEFR proficiency scales?

irish coursebooks

zippy — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 19:09:07 -0400

I've only done a couple of lessons in the book so far but I noticed a couple of places where they print the wrong answer. For I'm fine instead of go maith they put go breá and in another place they translate it as ceart go leor. They're just little things but are there a lo of mistakes like that in the books?

Where do I start?

dotcom — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 12:05:19 -0400

Hi everyone!

I just purchased the Chinese Platinum Edition and with all the books, CDs, and electronic resources available, I can't figure out where to start. Are all of these supposed to be used together? Am I supposed to start at the books and then progress to the electronic materials? Basically, I'm just not sure how to use the system. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Would it be entirely bonkers--

treestar — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:09:48 -0400

To attempt to use more than one Living Language program at once?

What I mean to say is that I've purchased the complete editions for Italian, French, and German, and I'm wondering if anyone else has had the nerve (for lack of better words) to try tackling multiple languages at once though Living Language software.

I started learning French when I was in middle school, but lost that beginner's level proficiency since no one in middle school actually wanted to know the language, they just wanted an elective written down. I didn't study in high school, but somehow managed to help a few friends with basic grammar and so on, which sparked my interest again, though I didn't act on that urge until earlier this year when I discovered memrise and duolingo. Italian became an interest when I developed a pen-pal relationship with a kind soul in Napoli, and my interest in German came about when a dear friend in college told me she was incredibly nervous about getting back to that language for school. I promised her that I would help with that anxiety, started to learn basic phrases, and would speak or write to her as much as I could in German; somehow, that actually helped build her confidence and she did an amazing job in class.

Sorry, I got a bit off track. Anyway, I was wondering who else might be tackling multiple languages at once and if they had tips.

I was thinking I would separate them from week to week. ex: week one - Italian lessons, Italian radio for immersion, Italian films -- and then a similar layout for the following languages on following weeks. Another idea might be to schedule chat time with native speakers for these designated time frames.

cool learning idea

ShineeSujuExo — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 01:48:59 -0400

Hi :) I found a cool learning guide that was a comic strip. It taught
you the alphabet of Korean by going through vowels and consonants and
relating each to an item, like how english has the A is for apple. It
seemed less scary/overwhelming then staring at the symbols and just
memorizing how to write then and how they sound in different words.

E-tutoring is CRUCIAL

Roe — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:54:18 -0500

Howdy,

For any of your new to language study, I'm telling you: THIS E-TUTORING IS THE MISSING LINK AND THE ULTIMATE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS.

I've self-studied languages since high school (am 35 now) and have done quite well with many of them. And my French and Italian are in fact quite good. But that is because I lived in France, and in southern Switzerland (where they speak Italian). In other words, it was this immersion and forced conversation with native speakers that really helped me improve.

Well, that's what the e-tutoring does, and honestly, without it, you will never truly learn the language. The books, CDs, and games are wonderful---but the e-tutoring is what brings it all together.

And don't be afraid to just jump in. I just started Japanese, and have only made it to page 6, but I am already enrolled in an e-tutoring session, because I know that forcing myself to listen and speak to a real Japanese speaker will exponentially increase my skills. Don't think, "Oh, I should wait until I've mastered the entire book, or the entire lesson". NO! The way to master the book and lesson is... to do the e-tutoring. :)

So sign up for e-tutoring today, and then, as soon as you finish your first session, sign up immediately for the next one. Just keep doing e-tutoring over, and over, and over (and push forward with the reading, the CDs, etc) as well. In 6 months' time, you'll be quite surprised with how much you have improved.

NOTE: It is REALLY discouraging at first with any language. And it often feels like you'll never make any progress (Chinese is one example--VERY hard language), and that you'll never understand what is being said, and you'll never be able to construct comprehensible grammatically-correct sentences. But just force yourself to keep at it, and voila, one day, it will hit you like a ton of bricks: WOW, I TOTALLY UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID! And... WHOAH, DID I JUST SPEAK A TOTALLY COMPLETE SENTENCE? WHERE THE HECK DID THOSE WORDS COME FROM?!

Ti promesso.

Happy learning!
Vives les langues!

-Monroe

How long????

Luke — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 15:10:03 -0400

I know it depends.

I have just started the Complete German course. CD's, books. How should I structure the course work and how long should I spend on each lesson before moving on?

Currently, I listen to the CD for 1 to 2 hours (back and fourth to work over a couple of days) then do some reading and testing in the books and then some on line quizzes. Definately not mastered at this time but feel as though I can move on. Are there general guidelines? Should I move on quicker or slower?

Language Exchange website!

Saljo — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 04:41:46 -0500

Hi all,

Being learning French for a while now, although I understand a lot of things, I believe like all learners, speaking is harder.

I have found some great language exchange partners on http://www.easylanguageexchange.com so thought I would share it will you as a Free language exchange site.

What else does everyone else recommend here?

Tracking Progress

RobW — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 16:45:21 -0400

I am studying Arabic in school at this time and actually purchased the Living Languages to supplement class. I have found the some of your explanations are better than those in the university class. Because of this I tend to jump around the LL (Living Languages) lessons to find the content we are covering in class. I have several questions related to that:

1- Is there there so search function that would allow me to put in a term like a type of grammar construction and have it identify the LL lessons and tests designed to teach that? Even a page with detailed outline of the topics would be extremely helpful. Right now I randomly select lessons and scan them to see if they are addressing my issue.

2- Likewise I'd like to schedule my e-tutoring to coincide with my class material but without an outline I can't match LL to my class to schedule etutoring as far in advance as needed.

3- Because I jump around my profile shows progress in the different levels. I dont know what lessons have been completed. There is no feedback mechanism on the site that shows which lessons are complete. Also I am unclear as to what is required to complete a lesson. Do I have to do all the tests and games or just page through the lessons? Some of the material and vocab I already know so I want to check that off quickly. I want to systematically complete each level and have paged through lessons but my progress score is still very low.

4- The game badges are fine and I assume they are there to motivate students to complete the exercises. Unfortunately I have know idea what tests/exercises the badges map to. Perhaps the badges in your profile could be linked to another screen which shows your progress towards completed that badges-what tests/exercises from whichever chapters are required...

Internet Radio Links (All Languages)

Roe — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:53:31 -0500

Can the instructors post a few good talk-radio links for their respective languages? I know there are many online radio stations, but very few just have talking. Most seem to have some talk, and a lot of music. I think talk alone would be best yes?

Thanks!

Wanted: structure and disciple.

Warthog — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:05:05 -0400

I love the LIving Language learning system.

The Living Language system is far more effective and rewarding then other attempts at learning español.

I have had a huge jump in confidence; having used Spanish for real communication, now I do use español around town.

Here in San Francisco the opportunities are available, especially in The Mission District, if Im assertive and have identified Spanish Speakers, I just speak to them in español. I Dont ask, I just do it.

Successful small talk in eTutoring sessions and around town has been huge for my confidence.

Now in my short time, am I a victim of my success?,

Im up to lección 7 in Spanish Essential, I am a very early beginner and losing motivation! I have new competing interestest and I don't know what is going on. Self paced schooling is difficult.

I knew that but was not prepared for it. Now I need a strategy. What am I going to give up to get Spanish?

How do I keep my motivation? ....Is going on vacation to a Spanish speaking country the answer?

Testing your Spelling using the flashcards in English mode

DawnH — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:15:48 -0500

I found that putting the flashcards on shuffle and in ENGLISH (so they display English first and your foreign language after being flipped over) are very helpful for spelling study. I see the English version of the word (I'm taking German) and then I write the German equivalent. I flip the flashcard over and check the spelling and capitalization against the flash card. Then I play it to hear it spoken and repeat for extra reinforcement.

Language Lab exercises vs "My Courses" exercises

Chase1 — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:36:33 -0500

Are these the same, or are they different? Are the language lab exercises just a smaller version of the "My Courses" exercises? Should I do both or just stick with the my course exercises?

Spanish iPad App for kids: practice with your kids

Anna — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:45:53 -0500

Hello!

Yesterday one student asked me some tips to keep his kids interested in learning Spanish, and I want to recommend this great iPad App to play with:

http://spanglishbaby.com/finds/new-bilingual-ipad-app-kiko-and-kids/

This app is not part of living language, but I tried it and it is very cool.

Find Kiko and Kids, Body & Clothes in iTunes Available for iPad

Recommended for ages 2 to 5

There are many other online and they can help you review vocabulary while spend some time with your kids!