Comments on: Why Language Classes Don’t Work: How to Cut Classes and Double Your Learning Rate (Plus: Madrid Update) http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/09/22/why-language-classes-dont-work-how-to-cut-classes-and-double-your-learning-rate-plus-madrid-update/ Tim Ferriss's 4-Hour Workweek and Lifestyle Design Blog Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:23:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Marie P. http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/09/22/why-language-classes-dont-work-how-to-cut-classes-and-double-your-learning-rate-plus-madrid-update/comment-page-1/#comment-60010 Marie P. Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:22:50 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/?p=609#comment-60010 Wow Tim, I am impressed. I have always had a talent for language. I learned this when living in Germany, and picked up Spanish easily. I am not fluent in either and would love to get fluent in both languages, and perhaps others. i would love your advice. You are an inspiration. I do have levels one and two Rosetta Stone, Latin Spanish. I am not a firm believer in the way language is taught in University. I had an unpleasant experience in the last class. It was interesting because I always excelled but according to the most impressive powerful teacher I should give up. Never. I know what I am good in. Thank you for this. Wow Tim,
I am impressed. I have always had a talent for language. I learned this when living in Germany, and picked up Spanish easily. I am not fluent in either and would love to get fluent in both languages, and perhaps others. i would love your advice. You are an inspiration.

I do have levels one and two Rosetta Stone, Latin Spanish. I am not a firm believer in the way language is taught in University. I had an unpleasant experience in the last class. It was interesting because I always excelled but according to the most impressive powerful teacher I should give up. Never. I know what I am good in. Thank you for this.

]]> By: 20+ Free Language Learning Resources | Happenchance http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/09/22/why-language-classes-dont-work-how-to-cut-classes-and-double-your-learning-rate-plus-madrid-update/comment-page-1/#comment-59998 20+ Free Language Learning Resources | Happenchance Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:26:13 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/?p=609#comment-59998 [...] 6. Tim Ferriss speaks German, Spanish, Japanese, and Mandarin. In his post How to Learn any Language in 3 Months, he explains how he does it. Most important takeaways: word frequency lists and choosing highly interesting and relevant material. He also has a good post called Why Language Classes Don’t Work. [...] [...] 6. Tim Ferriss speaks German, Spanish, Japanese, and Mandarin. In his post How to Learn any Language in 3 Months, he explains how he does it. Most important takeaways: word frequency lists and choosing highly interesting and relevant material. He also has a good post called Why Language Classes Don’t Work. [...]

]]> By: Jackie http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/09/22/why-language-classes-dont-work-how-to-cut-classes-and-double-your-learning-rate-plus-madrid-update/comment-page-1/#comment-59669 Jackie Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:58:32 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/?p=609#comment-59669 Tim, You mentioned the Hartnachschule and that you took classes for 4 hours a day to start....but you didn't say which classes you took there. I am looking to study German in Germany and am getting very confused by all the courses they offer. Which courses did you take through them? Tim,

You mentioned the Hartnachschule and that you took classes for 4 hours a day to start….but you didn’t say which classes you took there. I am looking to study German in Germany and am getting very confused by all the courses they offer. Which courses did you take through them?

]]> By: dude http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/09/22/why-language-classes-dont-work-how-to-cut-classes-and-double-your-learning-rate-plus-madrid-update/comment-page-1/#comment-57469 dude Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:57:05 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/?p=609#comment-57469 One methodology that worked really well for me was to force myself think in a foreign language. I'd carry a small dictionary with me and when I couldn't "think" of a particular word I'd look it up in a dictionary. Also translating what others say to you in your native language into the foreign language works really well as well. One methodology that worked really well for me was to force myself think in a foreign language. I’d carry a small dictionary with me and when I couldn’t “think” of a particular word I’d look it up in a dictionary. Also translating what others say to you in your native language into the foreign language works really well as well.

]]> By: Jay http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/09/22/why-language-classes-dont-work-how-to-cut-classes-and-double-your-learning-rate-plus-madrid-update/comment-page-1/#comment-56609 Jay Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:25:43 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/?p=609#comment-56609 Nice videos. I liked your Spanish video, you did a good job of masking the Argentinian accent, only at "secillos" you kinda gave it away. I agree that classes are not the way to learn a language. You should use them as a tool to get started. However as soon as you When i went to Spain i took classes but also signed up immediately for a couple of intercambios. Another method i use is self-study. During the self-study i see a lot of grammar and vocab on a fast pace. The classes are good for feedback on my accent, questions about grammar, to find out expressions, ... Intercambios are excellent for practising. Ask anyone how they became good at something, the secret is practise (effeciently). Nice videos. I liked your Spanish video, you did a good job of masking the Argentinian accent, only at “secillos” you kinda gave it away.

I agree that classes are not the way to learn a language. You should use them as a tool to get started. However as soon as you

When i went to Spain i took classes but also signed up immediately for a couple of intercambios. Another method i use is self-study.

During the self-study i see a lot of grammar and vocab on a fast pace.
The classes are good for feedback on my accent, questions about grammar, to find out expressions, …
Intercambios are excellent for practising. Ask anyone how they became good at something, the secret is practise (effeciently).

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