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I use movies a lot for learning a new language. Try using only the subtitles in the language you are learning. Subtitles in your own language will actually slo

I use movies a lot for learning a new language. Try using only the subtitles in the language you are learning. Subtitles in your own language will actually slow you way down. You'll stop hearing the words in the foreign language and just read your native language. At first it will seem very difficult to have only the foreign language subtitles, but once you start seeing the repeated phrases and see the context in which it happens, you'll pick up new phrases very quickly. It does take a leap of faith, because at first you'll understand almost nothing and it might be a bit boring or frustrating. If you stick with it, it's pretty powerful.

cloverich 9y ago
It's funny because as silly as your suggestion seems, this is how real language aquisition. I'm super interested in any more info you have about your success doing this! (I.e. Language learned or how long before things started clicking etc)
- tchaffee 9y ago
  I learned Italian to the almost fluent level. I can conduct business and get through complex negotiations. I learned a little Spanish before having to switch to Portuguese for business reasons, and I'm now advanced beginner in PT after a few months. I have also learned a little Mandarin. How long before things started clicking? Almost immediately. You recognize what you've recently learned from your other resources and you get to hear different pronunciations, accents, and even slurring. But to learn new things from context takes longer. It's very hard to say. I'm not keeping track of how many times I hear a slang phrase or some other common phrase before it sinks in. I would guess hundreds of times. But that's why this method works so well. The most common phrases and words will be repeated over and over even in one movie. So you are automatically getting more exposure to the most common words.
nileshtrivedi 9y ago
The problem is that you have two things to learn: Foreign script AND foreign language. Subtitles in foreign language will also use their script which makes it completely incomprehensible to you. The barrier is too high. You're right though: At some point the support rails need to be taken away.
- tchaffee 9y ago
  I just know what works the fastest for me, and why. Obviously, you should not be using movies as your only learning resource. You would also be studying the language. Therefore, you will recognize some of the script. You will start to see the words that are repeated over and over and over, and you will hear them too. I start watching movies from the day I start learning a language. I barely understand anything, but I start learning pretty quickly. Try both, and report back. I guarantee you will learn quicker if you only use the foreign subtitles.

cloverich 9y ago

It's funny because as silly as your suggestion seems, this is how real language aquisition. I'm super interested in any more info you have about your success doing this! (I.e. Language learned or how long before things started clicking etc)

tchaffee 9y ago
I learned Italian to the almost fluent level. I can conduct business and get through complex negotiations. I learned a little Spanish before having to switch to Portuguese for business reasons, and I'm now advanced beginner in PT after a few months. I have also learned a little Mandarin. How long before things started clicking? Almost immediately. You recognize what you've recently learned from your other resources and you get to hear different pronunciations, accents, and even slurring. But to learn new things from context takes longer. It's very hard to say. I'm not keeping track of how many times I hear a slang phrase or some other common phrase before it sinks in. I would guess hundreds of times. But that's why this method works so well. The most common phrases and words will be repeated over and over even in one movie. So you are automatically getting more exposure to the most common words.

nileshtrivedi 9y ago

The problem is that you have two things to learn: Foreign script AND foreign language. Subtitles in foreign language will also use their script which makes it completely incomprehensible to you. The barrier is too high. You're right though: At some point the support rails need to be taken away.

tchaffee 9y ago
I just know what works the fastest for me, and why. Obviously, you should not be using movies as your only learning resource. You would also be studying the language. Therefore, you will recognize some of the script. You will start to see the words that are repeated over and over and over, and you will hear them too. I start watching movies from the day I start learning a language. I barely understand anything, but I start learning pretty quickly. Try both, and report back. I guarantee you will learn quicker if you only use the foreign subtitles.