I'm nervous about learning a new language! | General discussion | Forum
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20:39
July 11, 2012
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Hello everyone! I just discovered this site a few days ago and found it very inspiring, so I had to join! 
I've always been very fascinated with the Japanese culture and thought it would be extremely rewarding to learn the language, but after only a few days of doing some serious studying I'm already starting to have doubts. See, I live in a very small down in Texas where the Japanese population is pretty much zero…and my brain is trying to tell me that learning the language is "impractical". I'm also worried that I might not be able to learn because I won't have anyone to practice with.
And I'm worrying because I'm worrying! So, is it normal to be so nervous this early? :/
21:05
Experienced Language Hacker
July 25, 2011
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Well, I suppose learning a language, after its fashion, is impractical. But lots of things are. Knowing Japanese in Texas doesn't seem like the most useful thing, but who cares? I knew Latin before it made a living for me. I also tend to a small garden. It isn't really practical. I don't get much food from it, especially when compared to the effort I put into it. I could sink more time into digging up freelance jobs, which would more than make up for the cost of the extra food I'd have to buy. But then I wouldn't get the pleasure out of it, would I? And I guess that's the reason for doing it. You like it.
Don't worry. You'll like what you like. And it may turn out to be practical some day, you never know.
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23:02
July 12, 2012
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I have just completed my course of Russian Language. I have learned this language in three months and I was very excited from the beginning till end………
15:39
July 11, 2012
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rzk1zeilter said
I have just completed my course of Russian Language. I have learned this language in three months and I was very excited from the beginning till end………
That's awesome. May I ask what your native language is?
19:05
June 10, 2012
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I am studying Japanese right now and from where I started, I was a complete beginner. I made a goal to become a high intermediate speaker in 2 months. Two months and my deadline is in August and I am on a good pace I would say. And I am trying to learn it quickly before I start to lose interest in it and stop studying it. Which is not anytime soon. So you do have the power to learn Japanese if you really try to put effort in it.
And I am from the North right by New York and Japanese isn't exactly useful here either. And I am studying Japanese when I should learn Chinese to talk to people in Chinatown :/ The same thing for my French, no one I know exactly speaks French here. But I am currently living a happy life with my languages and practice them whenever I have the chance with natives on Skype. I don't know about useful, but I have a large amount of fun doing it. And I dream of going into a university where I can study abroad and continue with my studies in another country like France or Japan. That will be a language learner's dream, at least to me.
How old are you? There are some jobs and careers that will benefit you from your language skills (especially Japanese). You may be able to help your boss do things internationally or be able to study/work abroad, go to Japan, and study/work with the Japanese. And Japan is, after all, decades ahead of us in terms of technology. I'm sure you will be able to find something you can do with your future fluent Japanese there.
19:19
July 11, 2012
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Wow, that's pretty close to the goal I have set for myself. I would like to be at an intermediate level by October because I figured that was a pretty realistic goal for myself. I've been studying at least two hours a day, sometimes more, online but I'm still in search of some good online sources. So far I've been using Japanesepod101 as well as a free trial of Rocket Japanese.
I'm 22 years old and actually job hunting at the moment, as well as getting ready to enroll in school.
23:40
June 10, 2012
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Damoona said
Wow, that's pretty close to the goal I have set for myself. I would like to be at an intermediate level by October because I figured that was a pretty realistic goal for myself. I've been studying at least two hours a day, sometimes more, online but I'm still in search of some good online sources. So far I've been using Japanesepod101 as well as a free trial of Rocket Japanese.
I'm 22 years old and actually job hunting at the moment, as well as getting ready to enroll in school.
Ah, interesting, we both have the same end goals.
*Sticks out hand*
May the best Japanese student win.
But seriously, I maybe able to help you a bit, telling what topics you should learn in order, recommend some websites, and stuff like that.
So tell me about Japanesepod101, are you a member? If you are not and using the free content, is a lot of the podcasts have limited access? I tried to use Frenchpod101 in the past, but I wasn't allowed to view any content after listening to 7 lessons :/ I am actually using multiple websites to form a solid foundation for my Japanese.
Awesome, I guess you should try to learn to speak good Japanese, go to a college, and take a study abroad program. If you really like the Japanese culture and language, I am pretty sure you will have a lot of fun (if you know how you get around of course!).
08:22
July 6, 2011
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If you really want to learn a language that you can use right where you are right now, it sounds like your options are probably limited to Spanish, Spanish, or Spanish.
At the risk of sounding like I'm advising you to be selfish: do what you want to do. If you truly want to learn the language than learn it and don't worry about geography. You can Skype with people. That's what I have to do.
I can't say that I identify with your nevousness, but everyone is different.
J'apprends:
, ancien grec
11:05
July 11, 2012
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@Darklight1210
Actually, I am interested in learning Spanish in the near future….just not yet. Also, the Chinese population in my town is growing so I thought it would be cool to eventually learn Mandarin, although I've heard learning it is a nightmare.
@Dime17
That would be great, I could use all the help I can get. To be honest, I've been searching everyday for more good websites to study from.
Right now I'm just using the free trial of Japanesepod101 and the access is extremely limited, but I'm probably going to upgrade to a basic membership for $4/month so I can have access to all of the podcasts.
16:22
May 27, 2012
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Hello,
First, you are lucky to know a language that is used worldwide for business matters.
So it's very good to be curious and learn a new skills on your own.
If you don't know some people in your local environment to practice, or you are too shy to contact them
(it's the case for a lot of people, i think, including me)
you can find resources on internet: news, mangas, lessons, and even language teachers or community of language learners.
That will help you a lot I think, no?
See you
Fabrice
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