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1396 questions
23
votes
4 answers
How do I lose an accent in a foreign language?
Sometimes, an accent just doesn't go well with a language you are trying to speak. This means that the accent is probably going to go bye-bye. Except losing an accent is really hard. Gaining one is easier but losing one takes lots and lots of time…
Anthony Pham
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22
votes
4 answers
How can gamification improve language learning?
Take a look at Duolingo and Babbel. Both offer online language learning experiences with one major difference: Duolingo claims to be a more "gamified" experience, meaning that you lose some progress in the lesson everytime you answer a question…
fi12
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22
votes
7 answers
Why is Icelandic considered harder to learn for English speakers than other North Germanic languages?
Multiple sources, including this website, claim that Icelandic is a particularly difficult language to learn for native English speakers.
Of particular note, this source claims Icelandic is substantially more difficult to learn than other closely…
Gwen
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22
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1 answer
Is it easier for native Japanese speakers to learn Korean, or Korean speakers to learn Japanese?
Japanese and Korean are very similar from a grammatical point of view and it is even possible to translate word for word without losing too much meaning.
With respect to pronunciation, Japanese seems easier (because there are fewer sounds). But on…
永劫回帰
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22
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3 answers
According to scientific research, which languages take the least time to learn for a native Japanese speaker?
Has there been research done about which languages are generally the easiest to learn for an average native Japanese speaker? Do they have an easier time learning Mandarin than learning a Western language like English?
Christian
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21
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3 answers
Tips on raising bilingual children
My wife and I have been discussing how our kids (whenever that may happen) will properly learn both her native language (Russian) and mine (English) while likely growing up in the US or the UK, depending on my job. It's a pretty big concern of ours…
galois
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21
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2 answers
What pros and cons do adults face while learning compared to children
Adults and children are different in many ways, including the ways they learn a new language. Children certainly have their pros and cons and so do adults. Adults, relative to children, have different advantages and disadvantages in learning a new…
Anthony Pham
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21
votes
3 answers
Can practicing vocabulary from L2 to the same L2 instead of from L2 to L1 be more effective for learning the vocabulary?
Can practicing vocabulary from a second language to the same second language instead of from a second language to your first language be more effective?
Example: Suppose I know German and I’m learning English.
Instead of learning that brain means…
wythagoras
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21
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4 answers
What strategies can I use to learn the gender of irregular nouns?
The problem
When a foreign language uses genders for nouns and pronouns, memorizing these genders is a difficult process.
Sometimes it is possible to follow rules or hints: 1; 2; 3. E.g.:
In French, words ending in -ette are (98%) feminine…
ANeves
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21
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4 answers
How can I help someone improve their listening comprehension?
A bit of background: My girlfriend is Taiwanese and will attend TesDaF (German test) in a week. She has been previously learning for about 8 months now while being in Germany. So far, all points (writing, reading, explaining) except the listening,…
Daniele D
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21
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1 answer
How to practice speaking a language with no speakers?
How can I practice speaking, and hopefully eventually become fluent in, a language with no fluent speakers, either native or otherwise?
(I'm interested in the constructed language Glosa, but this should also be relevant for people learning other…
Gwen
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21
votes
2 answers
Is SRS more effective than traditional study for vocabulary augmentation?
Spaced Repetition Software (SRS), such an Anki, has become somewhat popular in the language-learning realm for increasing one's vocabulary and similar reasons.
However, is there any evidence that using SRS to help one's vocabulary is more effective…
Hatchet
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20
votes
5 answers
How can I expand my active vocabulary in a foreign language?
I’ve been learning a foreign language for 5 years. Now, I easily understand everything I read, I know lots of words and everything seems to be alright, but I still have a problem. My active vocabulary is really poor. What do I mean? When I try to…
Victoria Dove
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20
votes
3 answers
How can I avoid confusion or interference when studying two similar languages?
For example, consider Tamil and Malayalam. They are two very similar languages with many similar words.
The point is I get confused by the minor differences as I cannot remember them. I usually confuse Malayalam words with their Tamil…
Kolappan N
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20
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3 answers
Can I have C1-level proficiency in a foreign language even if my pronunciation is poor?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and its A1–C2 scale is often referred to when discussing one's skill in a language. I've never been tested, but, based on the Wikipedia descriptions, I'd estimate that my Spanish skills are…
Nathaniel is protesting
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