Can I learn 2 languages at the same time?

[hellspawn1]

Can I study 2 languages, or is it better to stick to only one?

Half an hour per day - no more says pimsleur. But can I take another pimsleur lesson in the evening - with another language?

Will these two interfere my learning?
is it better to stick to only one?

[Torsten]

Hi Hellspawn,

You can learn two or more languages at the same time as long as you organize your activities and keep track of the process. Of course there are a number of factors that you should consider. For example, it's probably a good idea to start learning one language and build up a certain level of competence before you turn to the second language. Also, are you learning two languages that belong to the same family or are they completely different? It would be quite a challenge to learn Spanish and Italian at the same time because a lot of the vocabulary is similar. But if you have already a working knowldege of Spanish it will be quite easy for you to learn Italian. When did you start using Pimsleur and what langauges are you interested in? I take it you are from Scandinavia?
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[Newmind]

Why shouldn't it be possible to learn two or maybe three languages at the same time? I mean, you wouldn't be learning them at the same time, that is, at the very same moment. Instead you could spend 15 minutes learning each language every day. If you have the opportunity to practice all the languages you are learning you can make good progress I guess. For example, if you go on holiday and you meet people from different countries you can learn some phrases from all of them.

[kiri76]

I agree with you!I can speak Japanese fluently,but my English is not as good as Japanese.So,I applyed for a Japanese mail magazine about english learning.Through it,I can learn both languages.Of course,you must master one language more than another,as Torsten said.
Forgot to tell you,I am chinese.I hope that I can use english like native language in 2008 Beijing Olympic.

MSN:kiri0303@hotmail.com

[Andreana]

Hello Kiri! How did you learn to speak Japanese fluently? It is probably easier for you to learn an Asian language like Japanese than to learn a European language? How similar are Chinese and Japanese?
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[hellspawn1]

I'm currently studying Cantonese, and I'm thinking of taking up additional studies of either Mandarin or Vietnamese as well. I know they differ pretty much from each other, but they do belong to the same family of languages I think! So the question is how this will work out, guess I'll have to see!

Yes I'm scandinavian - Swedish!
I'm so eager to learn asian languages that I want to master both canto. and mandarin chinese as well as japanese and vietnamese. Though I most certainly will have to settle for no more than two of these. (At least for a good while)

A great part in my upcoming choice is how well people in above mentioned countries understand english, because I'm totally fluent in english. And my goal is to make myself understood in each of these countries I will travel to. So hence, learning a language in which's country they speak english very well - is a bit unnecessary.

My personal guess is that vietnam are the least educated in English(?)

However, I must ask you here who were from China - how well do people in China speak english in general? Perhaps it differs from younger and older generation? And from place to place within the country? And since you (as I interpreted it as) also were familiar with japanese - how good are the japanese in english?

Long reply this, well this forum is well of from being a little more active anyway!

Thanks in advance.
//Daniel, Sweden

[Esl Learner]

Hi kiri76!
You are Chinese and you can speak Japanese fluently??? That's fun because I'm half Japanese, half German and can speak Chinese fluently!
And of course I'm also looking forward to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing!!!
Have fun!

[Aronion]

Hello,

Here is my experience with learning two or more languages with the Pimsleur Approach. I first began with Pimsleur with their french sets. After a while, I decided that I would also need to learn spanish and mandarin. So, about three weeks after I began Pimsleur French, I purchased Pimsleur Spanish. As soon I finished Lesson 1 of the spanish course I tried to review it in my head and say some of the phrases. But I kept getting everything mixed up with french pronunciation. This is because french and spanish are in the same family. So I put spanish off to the side for a while. Then I tried learning mandarin and french together and there was no problem. So basically it depends on whether or not the two languages are in the same family. After I finish french, I will then resume spanish. Hope this helped.

[Kiri76]

Hi,because I use Japanese almost everyday at work.maybe its not good to say "fluently",but there is no difficulties if i would live or work in Japan.Most words of Chinese and Japanese are similar so that we dont need to spend too time on learning writing.:)But grammer is different.You must master honorific!!It's very HARD but very important!!!

[Kiri76]

Hi,hellspawn1~
Why do u need to learn Cantonese?In my opinion,it's better to learn Mandarin first cause most chinese speak Mandarin.I believe you also want to travel in mainland besides Hongkong.You can use English in HK,but better to use Mandarin in mainland.Of course,young ppl can communicate with you in English as they all have been educated with english from middle school.

Same in Japan,young ppl can speak english,but most elder generation speak very HARD english.I think you wont understand it.LOL.There are many words derived from English or French.They pronounce them in Japanese pronunciation,so it sounds very strange.

[Guest]

[zenmast]

[Jamie (K)]

[Jaritars]

Hi there,

I am studying german, spanish, and japanese. I just started studying japanese, am a bit along in my spanish, but definately still a beginner, and I am able to read and hold conversations in german.

My question is, how does one get from semi-conversational to fluent?? I know how to be a beginner and get to intermediate. I just can't seem to get myself to expert. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[Torsten]

Hi Jaritars, many thanks for joining our community. You seem to be very interested in learning languages! Is there anything else you do in your leisure time? As for your question, I think at your level it would be best if had native speakers you could talk to on a regular basis. Even better, if you would be working with them on a particular project.
What do you think?

Speak to you soon,
Torsten
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