Comments on: What to Do: Learn a Language http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/ Travel Advice and Guidance for Taking Cultural Career Breaks Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:10:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Angela Petitt http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/comment-page-1/#comment-324 Angela Petitt Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:26:56 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=3366#comment-324 Great tips! I am on a new sabbatical and have been researching places to learn Spanish and digital photography. Thanks for the ideas. Great tips! I am on a new sabbatical and have been researching places to learn Spanish and digital photography. Thanks for the ideas.

]]> By: Travelogged http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/comment-page-1/#comment-300 Travelogged Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:38:44 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=3366#comment-300 Great tips! I really hope to spend some time learning Spanish one day... Great tips! I really hope to spend some time learning Spanish one day…

]]> By: Michaela Potter http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/comment-page-1/#comment-299 Michaela Potter Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:34:41 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=3366#comment-299 Thanks for all the great feedback and tips on this post! August is currently off the grid on a remote island in Mexico (poor guy), but I'm sure he'll appreciate your comments! Alonna - Can't wait to hear where your travels take you in South America! Anywhere you choose will be a great place to learn Spanish. Andi - You definitely don't have to be on a career break to learn a language. Surrounding yourself with those that speak the language you want to learn (whether at home or abroad) is a great way to practice. Barbara - I also like to learn a few phrases in a language before going anywhere. Even if it's just hello, thank you, and good bye, I find the people I meet are extremely appreciative of my efforts plus it's very respectful. Mark - I am a very visual person so I'm much better at reading a language, but struggle with hearing & comprehending. I like to download podcasts with language phrases so I can get used to how it sounds. Brian - I have to check out Pimsleur! Thanks for the tip. Living in Paris - I also like to listen to Spanish songs and translate what they are singing. Juanes is a great guy to listen and learn from as his music is played in many Spanish countries! Thanks for all the great feedback and tips on this post! August is currently off the grid on a remote island in Mexico (poor guy), but I’m sure he’ll appreciate your comments!

Alonna – Can’t wait to hear where your travels take you in South America! Anywhere you choose will be a great place to learn Spanish.

Andi – You definitely don’t have to be on a career break to learn a language. Surrounding yourself with those that speak the language you want to learn (whether at home or abroad) is a great way to practice.

Barbara – I also like to learn a few phrases in a language before going anywhere. Even if it’s just hello, thank you, and good bye, I find the people I meet are extremely appreciative of my efforts plus it’s very respectful.

Mark – I am a very visual person so I’m much better at reading a language, but struggle with hearing & comprehending. I like to download podcasts with language phrases so I can get used to how it sounds.

Brian – I have to check out Pimsleur! Thanks for the tip.

Living in Paris – I also like to listen to Spanish songs and translate what they are singing. Juanes is a great guy to listen and learn from as his music is played in many Spanish countries!

]]> By: Living In Paris http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/comment-page-1/#comment-298 Living In Paris Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:04:02 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=3366#comment-298 I think formal lessons are essential for laying the foundation, and from there you can augment with all the other great stuff you mentioned (movies, articles, radio, etc.) Also, I find that listening to French songs helps me to stop translating and just "know" what's being said/sung. I think formal lessons are essential for laying the foundation, and from there you can augment with all the other great stuff you mentioned (movies, articles, radio, etc.) Also, I find that listening to French songs helps me to stop translating and just “know” what’s being said/sung.

]]> By: brian | No Debt World Travel http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/comment-page-1/#comment-297 brian | No Debt World Travel Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:15:11 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=3366#comment-297 Total immersion is the key to learning the language. Lots of free podcasts for learning whether traveling around the world or staying in a place for long period of time. I like Pimsleur myself for prep before you get there. Total immersion is the key to learning the language. Lots of free podcasts for learning whether traveling around the world or staying in a place for long period of time. I like Pimsleur myself for prep before you get there.

]]> By: Mark H http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/comment-page-1/#comment-296 Mark H Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:57:21 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=3366#comment-296 Some really practical tips. I think combining listening and reading takes you a long way towards learning the language as it targets two senses at once. Some really practical tips. I think combining listening and reading takes you a long way towards learning the language as it targets two senses at once.

]]> By: Barabra @ Hole In The Donut Travels http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/comment-page-1/#comment-295 Barabra @ Hole In The Donut Travels Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:28:47 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=3366#comment-295 Excellent tips! I always try to learn at least the basic phrases in a foreign language before I leave and with the Internet there are even sites that have audio files that you can listen to for the pronunciation and accent. Excellent tips! I always try to learn at least the basic phrases in a foreign language before I leave and with the Internet there are even sites that have audio files that you can listen to for the pronunciation and accent.

]]> By: Tweets that mention What to Do: Learn a Language | Briefcase to Backpack - Travel Advice for Career Breaks or Sabbaticals -- Topsy.com http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/comment-page-1/#comment-293 Tweets that mention What to Do: Learn a Language | Briefcase to Backpack - Travel Advice for Career Breaks or Sabbaticals -- Topsy.com Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:40:52 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=3366#comment-293 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sherry Ott, BriefcasetoBackpack. BriefcasetoBackpack said: Ever wanted to learn a foreign #language? A #careerbreak is a perfect time to do so. Learn 5 tips to make it happen http://bit.ly/6BUPvt [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sherry Ott, BriefcasetoBackpack. BriefcasetoBackpack said: Ever wanted to learn a foreign #language? A #careerbreak is a perfect time to do so. Learn 5 tips to make it happen http://bit.ly/6BUPvt [...]

]]> By: Andi http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/comment-page-1/#comment-292 Andi Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:16:45 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=3366#comment-292 All fantastic points!!! I'm trying to learn spanish as well and can't take a career break, so I try to pretend I'm in a spanish speaking country and surround myself with people who speak spanish. Que idioma bonito! :) All fantastic points!!! I’m trying to learn spanish as well and can’t take a career break, so I try to pretend I’m in a spanish speaking country and surround myself with people who speak spanish. Que idioma bonito! :)

]]> By: Andi http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/comment-page-1/#comment-291 Andi Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:14:09 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=3366#comment-291 All fantastic points!!! I'm trying to learn spanish as well. Que idioma bonito! :) All fantastic points!!! I’m trying to learn spanish as well. Que idioma bonito! :)

]]> By: Alonna http://b2b.meetplango.com/2009/12/what-to-do-learn-a-language/comment-page-1/#comment-290 Alonna Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:21:26 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=3366#comment-290 Good tips. I'm currently planning a 3-week Spanish study, hopefully in Eucaudor this January. I tried out the flashcards from lenguajero, they're great! (although it confirmed that my Spanish is a bit rusty) Good tips. I’m currently planning a 3-week Spanish study, hopefully in Eucaudor this January. I tried out the flashcards from lenguajero, they’re great! (although it confirmed that my Spanish is a bit rusty)

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