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glitterbag

(45 posts)
36. Two languages
Wed May 18, 2016, 10:45 PM
May 2016

I think 2 languages in a classroom setting could be daunting, but I've been working with a family of Polish immigrants who came here about 15 years ago. The mother, have become more comfortable with English, her oldest son speaks with a slight accent, the younger son is fluent (you can't tell he ever lived anywhere else), her daughter is also fluent and about 8 years ago she married another immigrant from an Arab country (just don't know which country he's from). So in the daughters house, three languages are spoken, the adults struggle, but the 5 year old boy shifts easily between the languages. Of course, he's 5 and has been hearing all three since he was born.

I'm not sure why you want to learn 2 languages at once, however, I suppose a lot would have to do with necessity. An urgent need would be much more motivating than a desire to study languages. I'm not criticizing the desire, I just know how languages studies have affected me. I find it's easier to read foreign languages than to properly spell the words. I was ok with French and English until I studied Romanian. I think Romanian is lovely to the ear, but I make far too many mistakes in French and English, I'm constantly checking dictionaries. Perhaps because Romanian was the last language I studied, and I'm getting old.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

When I was in school Turbineguy Dec 2014 #1
I learned French and Spanish together in JHS and HS and college. CurtEastPoint Dec 2014 #2
Yes, I've learned Croatian, whathehell Dec 2014 #5
Some might make sense... Ex) if you were going to N. Africa/Morocco French & Arabic hlthe2b Dec 2014 #3
Yes, what you are saying sounds right.. whathehell Dec 2014 #6
It is common in many countries to study two languages at once Lydia Leftcoast Dec 2014 #4
Great question Starboard Tack Dec 2014 #7
Thanks.. whathehell Dec 2014 #9
I've never used Rosetta Stone Starboard Tack Dec 2014 #10
okay, thanks for the info.. whathehell Dec 2014 #11
Thanks for the tip about duolingo! nt valerief Mar 2016 #26
Depends. Igel Dec 2014 #8
I took French and German TuxedoKat Mar 2015 #12
Wow. You're ambitious. whathehell Mar 2015 #13
Thanks! TuxedoKat Mar 2015 #14
Thanks for your interesting information whathehell Mar 2015 #15
good advise vasco Jul 2015 #16
I Agree With Your Point. Elessiana Feb 2016 #23
It would depend a little on how old you are, dofus Aug 2015 #17
Could be, but whathehell Aug 2015 #18
Young children are amazingly adept dofus Aug 2015 #19
I'm aware of that whathehell Aug 2015 #20
Two languages glitterbag May 2016 #36
My personal thoughts: Elessiana Jan 2016 #21
Thanks whathehell Jan 2016 #22
Don't Be Shy, Just Try! happy wendy Feb 2016 #24
What is your native language, Wendy? whathehell Mar 2016 #29
My native language is Chinese. happy wendy Mar 2016 #31
Hi Wendy! whathehell Mar 2016 #32
This message was self-deleted by its author whathehell Mar 2016 #33
Concentrate on one MemphisMoocows Mar 2016 #25
I think that is best... whathehell Mar 2016 #28
Just learn them! patrick23 Mar 2016 #27
Just do it, huh? whathehell Mar 2016 #30
My brother (English-borne) lives in Germany with his German wife. Tab May 2016 #34
Thanks for that interesting example.. whathehell May 2016 #35
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Languages and Linguistics»I have a question: What ...»Reply #36