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I was happy to read some comments here reinforcing the experience I had - that immersion is absolutely necessary. For the sake of anyone who might ever be inter
by dkga 1y ago
I was happy to read some comments here reinforcing the experience I had - that immersion is absolutely necessary. For the sake of anyone who might ever be interested, and because today marks literally one year since I began doggedly learning Danish, here is how I get immersion while being thousands of kilometers away from a community of speakers (currently live in Brazil, before that Switzerland).
- The system language in my cell phone is Danish
- I started with Duolingo every day, but then after some 3 months or so it wasn't so fun/effective anymore.
- I read Danish news every day. Most often just the first two paragraphs is enough, but I make a point of understanding everything. Whatever is first on the webpage and is non-trivial. I know more about Danish handball than I ever thought I would.
- I found some Danish bands that I really like and I listen to them very frequently. For now I don't actively try and translate all the lyrics, since this is my "relax in Danish time", but I have noticed that I can pick up more and more - only then, I go and confirm to see if this is true or to learn what it actually is
- I read reddit posts in Danish (including on jokes) and I often try to write some responses myself. I am still ramping this last part up, but my procedure is: I first write in whatever flows: true Danish, broken Danish, a mix of Danish and German. Then before posting I ask ChatGPT to correct to C2 Danish and explain every little correction. I usually learn a lot doing this.
- I read LinkedIn posts in Danish, wikipedia in Danish when I'm searching for a new topic, and asking ChatGPT for responses in Danish when I have the time to read it through.
- I am also now increasingly exploring using Danish dictation on my computer, but this is still very much work in progress.
- Plenty of podcasts as time allows (I don't drive to work)
- Movies, first with subtitles in English and then in Danish
At this point, I feel that I can:
- understand a good enough portion of what is said in movies and songs to make me proud and motivated, although Danish pronunciation is notoriously difficult for the non-initiated and of course I am still a beginner
- understand written texts where the main difficulty is finding vocabulary rather than picking up the grammar
- I can actually understand some written Norwegian and Swedish, which is a pretty cool plus!
- GrumpyGoblin 1y agoThis is really helpful. Every comment is about immersion, I get it people, but how do you achieve that in the real world. Most of those comments seem to ignore that fact that many people can't move to another country for a couple years and leaving their significant other to get a new one that natively speaks the desired language isn't a great suggestion. I understand those are the best ways to learn, but let me run that by my wife and kids and we'll see how that goes.