www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I am too. I listen to tapes, read, write, all that and it still takes time and occasionally I forget things I thought I had learned. Well, I'm in a meeting with my accountant today and I ask about his son whom I already knew graduated college and had been traveling all over the world. I don't think the guy is more than 26 or 27. It turns out he's with the State Dept now and is a language "genius", a Mozart, so to speak. He's certified fluent in nine(9) different languages but speaks a lot or most of 12 others. His dad told me he learned Farsi in three weeks just reading books. He's in China for three years and more than likely speaks some or all of both major languages there(Chinese and Mandarin?). It really astonishes me that someone can grasp it all that easily. I wish I could.

There has been research studies that indicate that Ch*ldren taught multiple languages at an early age tend to pick up additional languages al ot faster that a person that was brought up learning one language.

TF, I also consider that to be one of the wonders of the world. How can someone comprehend so many different languages!! I met a girl online one time, we conversed for several months. She was middle eastern by birth but spoke Arabic, English, Spanish, Italian, Russian, German and French. She was a certified translator. If there is one thing that will impress me it is the ability for someone to speak muliple languages. However, it is pretty common these days.

I lived with a Filipina for 9 years. She was fluent in Tagalog (native language), Pampanga (regional dialect), English and pretty damn good with Spanish. Spain occupied the PI for many years.

In some aspects I feel it to be impossible to learn so many languages. But, in my feeble mind, I think about it like this... Even the most unintelligent members of our society can communicate verbally. They may not be able to read or write but, can converse fluently. Look at the many immigrants in our country. Many came here with little or no education at all and speak the native tongue and English with no problems. So, I have come to believe you don't need to be "smart." Immersion, I think, is the key. I have immersed myself with hispanic/latins and have picked up a good deal of Spanish and can communicate pretty well. Am I "smart?" Nah..

To address the SPEED at which you mention some people can learn. I don't know. That is a mystery and that is what impresses me the most. I can only think of it as a God given talent.

dapanz1

I agree that learning a new language is difficult. My approach was to take classes at the university. I had 4 grammer classes and 3 conversation classes. In addition, I had a grad assistant from Colombia and now a grad from mexco city. We converse daily in spanish. Also, every Friday we have "la mesa de español" (spanish table) where native speakers, teachers and students gather to speak spanish, play spanish scrabble,or bingo. Lot's of fun, plus many young college hotties to gawk at.

I found that the road is long and hard. It takes time and a great deal of effort, especially for an old man like me. To immerse yourself in the language really speeds up the proccess.

Another tool I use is to watch HBO latino to keep my ear in tune. Practice, practice, practice.

I checked out some of the aforementioned software programs and if you are disciplined, they may do the trick. Buena suerte!

Atentamente. kenj8

I find languages very difficult. I think it is one of those left brain things for me. Technical things come easy for me but learning a language is near impossible . I met one of those guys who pick it up easily last trip at Vista Linda. He helped me a good bit with my Spainish and he was self taught is Spainish, Portuguesse and Thai and fluent in all. His Spainsh was as good as any gringo I have been around. It seems easy for some and so hard for outhers.rbc100

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I don't know about you guys, but I need to set aside a few hours per week to review my Spanish lessions CDs in order to retain what I learned. In my last 2 trips to CR, I was able to switch myself into Espanol mode much easier and faster than before.

Yes, though it seems obvious, working at it is the key. No matter how much software or how many books you buy, putting in the effort is what makes it happen.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis