Learning a language

[Nightshade]

If you havents seen the hysterical joy in the what are you thinking thread- theres a pretty good chance---inshallah--- ( got to say it I dont want ANYTHING to go wrong) of me going to Prauge. Im looking into ERASMUS as well but thats unlikley ( though they did say its possible to do both and my feeling is if I have to have a loan Im going to use it for somthing inetresting) but Im babbling.

What I want to know is is 18 months long enough to learn a languge enogh to survive in a work enviroment. And Can anyone recommend books/ courses/ anything to help me to learn the language?

[Kaltrina]

I think 18 month is enough alright...of course if you have intense learning and studying it...

and now about the books I cannot recommend anything in Czeck, but I would definitely recommend something with CDs where you can actually hear the pronounciation of the words, you'll remember them easier...

[Nightshade]

thats a good idea

[Jay]

Or you could get yourself a handy native speaker to pronounce the icky stuff for you

We have lots of Czech for foreigners courses in uni, I'll try nosing around. I think 18 months is enough to learn at least the basics (understand: reading books in Czech might not be that fun yet ). I was told that Czech's not that easy to learn... personally, I can't see why . Also, is it enough for you to 'speak' the language or you need to do the proper grammar/spelling (ie formal stuff), too? Because THAT could be fishy. There's differences between y/i, mě/mně, capitalization, s/z, prefixes, suffixes, declination (3 grammatical genders, some 14 paradigms though), conjugation (5 classes, can't remember how many paradigms, 10? lol), but hey, we only have 3 tenses (kinda ) and we don't have such fixed word order in a sentence. Questions?

[Nightshade]

Umm what do i need to survive proper work in a library? whivh is what Ill be doing

[Jay]

They didn't tell you how much of the language do they expect you to learn? Are you supposed to write an application in Czech to qualify or whatnot?

[Nightshade]

err no sure havent really asked that much yet
I just said can Igo and bob said YES!


stop raining on the parade Jay

[ClaesGefvenberg]

What I want to know is is 18 months long enough to learn a languge enogh to survive in a work enviroment. And Can anyone recommend books/ courses/ anything to help me to learn the language?

Absolutley... You'll have to work hard, but it can be done.

My suggestion is to really immerse yourself in the new language as much as possible:

Kaltrinas suggestion to use a CD based course is good. It can be made even better by transfering the discs to mp3 and have it with you all the time.

Find a radiostation on the web, shortwave or whatever. No matter if you understand nothing at first. You will still get a feel for the "melody" of the lingo, and soon enough you will start picking bits and pieces up.

If you can find a TV channel or two, that will be even better. (When I was a kid I would cover the swedish text at the bottom of the screen when I watched programmes in English. Mum did not approve, but I learned the language). If not, maybe you can find the lingo on multilanguage DVD discs? Watch them in your own language first, and then switch.

Get courses. The very best idea is, as indicated by Jay, to get help from natives.

There are several othe ways, but you get the idea... combine as many of them as possible. Shock your system

/Claes

[Jay]

err no sure havent really asked that much yet
I just said can Igo and bob said YES!


stop raining on the parade Jay

*shuts up* sowwie!

[ShoutGrace]

A great way to learn basic vocabulary and sentence structure is by reading children's books (courtesy of Themis ). As basic as they get all through every difficulty level . . . this of course if there are no speaking or hearing avenues available.

[Pensive]

I have always loved to learn languages. When I was very little, it was my past time to try to create a new sort of language. Then, one day, I became obsessed with learning French. I was able to find some help-books online, but the real problem was the pronounciation. And then, a girl from Dubai came to our school a month ago, and my actual learning has started. She is so nice, she teaches me words sometimes. I have learnt a few words (just for spoken French) like French for goodmorning, goodevening, thanks, how are you, etc. And now, I am looking forward to buy some CD's or learn other words, and then learn to write it.

The best advise I can give you is that to try and fine some CD's....so you wouldn't have problem in pronounciation. On second, if there is someone around who can speak Czech in your class/neighbourhood or some friend, have conversation with him/her in Czech.

I think that you will do really well, you can learn it in eighteen months (at least the basics) if you work hard.

[Koa]

Nightyyyyy
well but in a way...it seems strange that they offer the possibility to do that but they don't offer support for the language, that is sending you to a place where they speak a language spoken at your uni, or to a place where you dont need the language much at work, or making you have a course before starting work....

anyway, do you have a language centre at your uni? you might find some material there... at my uni we have this cool library (which is where i work) and there is material for even weird languages....

oh i'd so much want to learn czech, we could do it together but then we'd just start chatting around, i know myself.

[Nightshade]

oh i'd so much want to learn czech, we could do it together but then we'd just start chatting around, i know myself.

Maybe we could chat in czech?
and go charity shop hunting

[Koa]

charity shops rule indeed

[Nightshade]

are you laughing at me koa??

They all did when I got to the lecture ( last one but luckily whats his face the lecturer was late too)
got comments about shoping and when I explained what it was everyone thought I was mad.