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Hello all, I’m looking for some advice and was wondering if there are any language learners out there who could help me…
I have just returned from a Moderator cut: cut French language course in France, a final part of my degree which has consolidated all what I learnt and left me more or less fluent. It has fired my passion for language learning so much so that I am not only considering languages as a career but also considering learning another language. But this is what worries me, I don’t know whether it really is a good idea or not. I certainly don’t want to lose my French level! Considering one of my main interests is Italy, I thought about learning Italian – but slowly and steadily, whilst keeping up the French too. For this I was considering taking a Moderator cut: course which would basically be going to an Italian school but in a French speaking city. So though the main focus on my language learning trip would be Italian (given that it is the new, target language), I would be mixing with French people (and so practising French) outside of class hours. Furthermore, I was considering giving Moderator cut: cutone to one English lesson to French (or Italian!) speaking people as a way to earn money and a way to meet and mix with people.
What worries me is that the two languages are relatively similar and so I don’t know if this would be a help or a hindrance…
If anyone has experience of learning two languages simultaneously, please do let me know how you manage and differentiate between the two! I’d hate to try for both and end up with none!
Last edited by Beretta; 07-04-2008 at 07:31 PM..
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I took French and Spanish simultaneously and later took a summer intensive Portuguese course while having an internship that functioned as a Spanish language study (Spanish was the language of business for this organization).
With your high level of French, you should be fine. I started French after I had studied Spanish for about 4 years. I've lost most of the French because I couldn't keep up with it past the two courses I took, but at the time I was competing in foreign language competitions and always making top scores.
I think French and Italian are different enough to make it work. I had a hard time with Spanish and Portuguese simultaneously because they LOOK very similar but SOUND very different. French and Spanish or Italian looks as different as it sounds. For me, that makes it easier to learn.
I took French and Spanish simultaneously also, threw in a year of German just for fun. I found the similarity of the languages to be helpful rather than confusing.
I had a french teacher in high school who also taught german. He was very fluent in both languages, so I don't think it will be a problem. I did take both french and german in high school and had no problem differentiating between the two while learning them. Of course, temper that with the fact that I haven't used either in years.
learning romance languages together is easier since they share a common root. so it should be easy learning French and Italian (well easier than learning French and Mandarin for example)
I might be a little late for this thread, but I managed to learn Japanese and Spanish in the same years. It's really not that hard - unless you have the classes back-to-back.
I might be a little late for this thread, but I managed to learn Japanese and Spanish in the same years. It's really not that hard - unless you have the classes back-to-back.
Good day Kuharai,
Your idea and advice are still appreciated.
I believe on a saying " 2 heads are better than 1".
I studied German from 7th through 12th grades (and into college), and in my junior year of high school, I also took French and Russian -- earning A's in each. If you're at ease with learning languages (as I was), it shouldn't be a problem.
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