Comments on: The smartest decision you will ever make to achieve fluency http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/ Unconventional language hacking tips from Benny the Irish polyglot; travelling the world to learn languages to fluency and beyond! Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:53:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Guest http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-2/#comment-6658 Guest Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:20:48 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-6658 "I have met some English speakers who have lived in Prague for up to TEN years, and after just a few weeks I already speak better Czech than them!! This does NOT make me feel smart; it makes me feel sad and frustrated for them!"<br><br>I know what you mean. Without giving away enough information to identify myself or my friend...I once went to visit a friend who lives in a foreign country. A country which does not use the Latin alphabet. I feel that I'm pretty good at picking up languages, at least at the tourist level, and input-only methods do work pretty well for me. So before this trip, I listened to an instructional CD for maybe 3 hours/week, for 4 months. My friend had lived there for 2 or 3 years, and I was shocked to find that I could speak the language better than her. I don't mean to insult my friend at all - she's happy and content, and that's what matters. But, I am intending to move overseas myself in a few years, and I hope that when I do, I will take full advantage of the abundant opportunities to become fluent in the local language.<br>Thanks for writing this blog. This is only my second day reading it, but I've spent all afternoon here, and am really enjoying it. “I have met some English speakers who have lived in Prague for up to TEN years, and after just a few weeks I already speak better Czech than them!! This does NOT make me feel smart; it makes me feel sad and frustrated for them!”

I know what you mean. Without giving away enough information to identify myself or my friend…I once went to visit a friend who lives in a foreign country. A country which does not use the Latin alphabet. I feel that I'm pretty good at picking up languages, at least at the tourist level, and input-only methods do work pretty well for me. So before this trip, I listened to an instructional CD for maybe 3 hours/week, for 4 months. My friend had lived there for 2 or 3 years, and I was shocked to find that I could speak the language better than her. I don't mean to insult my friend at all – she's happy and content, and that's what matters. But, I am intending to move overseas myself in a few years, and I hope that when I do, I will take full advantage of the abundant opportunities to become fluent in the local language.
Thanks for writing this blog. This is only my second day reading it, but I've spent all afternoon here, and am really enjoying it.

]]> By: Language Hacking & Language Learning with Irish Polyglot Benny Lewis | Thrilling Heroics http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-2/#comment-6241 Language Hacking & Language Learning with Irish Polyglot Benny Lewis | Thrilling Heroics Fri, 28 May 2010 19:11:51 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-6241 [...] The smartest decision you will ever make to achieve fluency [...] [...] The smartest decision you will ever make to achieve fluency [...]

]]> By: 29 and a half days of Dutch – Language Boot Camp « Multilingual/Meertalig http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-2/#comment-5975 29 and a half days of Dutch – Language Boot Camp « Multilingual/Meertalig Mon, 03 May 2010 16:56:52 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5975 [...] decided to go native and speak only Dutch for the rest of May. This blog post by Benny of Fluent in Three Months was my inspiration but I’m no stranger to the 30 day habit [...] [...] decided to go native and speak only Dutch for the rest of May. This blog post by Benny of Fluent in Three Months was my inspiration but I’m no stranger to the 30 day habit [...]

]]> By: Speak any language in 3 months? « My ESL Friends http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-2/#comment-5763 Speak any language in 3 months? « My ESL Friends Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:54:52 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5763 [...] Check it out here: http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/ [...] [...] Check it out here: http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/ [...]

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-2/#comment-5706 Benny the Irish polyglot Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:29:48 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5706 I wrote two posts that should answer your question. How to <a href="http://www.fluentin3months.com/practise-a-language-without-travelling/" rel="nofollow">practise a language when not in it's native country</a> and <a href="http://www.fluentin3months.com/how-to-convince-natives-to-speak-to-you-in-their-language/" rel="nofollow">how to convince natives to speak to you</a>. Best of luck :) I wrote two posts that should answer your question. How to practise a language when not in it's native country and how to convince natives to speak to you. Best of luck :)

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-2/#comment-5707 Benny the Irish polyglot Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:28:23 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5707 Thanks for the comment Andee! Expats never fail to disappoint me in their laziness to learn languages!! Luckily, there are exceptions and I'm trying to make more of them through readership in this blog :)<br>See you here or in the forum ;) Thanks for the comment Andee! Expats never fail to disappoint me in their laziness to learn languages!! Luckily, there are exceptions and I'm trying to make more of them through readership in this blog :)
See you here or in the forum ;)

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-2/#comment-5708 Benny the Irish polyglot Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:27:28 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5708 That's a great idea!! Bringing language learning into the home - I hope it's working out :) That's a great idea!! Bringing language learning into the home – I hope it's working out :)

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5709 Benny the Irish polyglot Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:26:40 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5709 You live in America and you say there are no opportunities to speak Spanish?? I lived in San Francisco for one month and I spoke <b>more Spanish than English</b> while there.<br><a href="http://www.fluentin3months.com/practise-a-language-without-travelling/" rel="nofollow">This post</a> will give you some suggestions for what to try! You live in America and you say there are no opportunities to speak Spanish?? I lived in San Francisco for one month and I spoke more Spanish than English while there.
This post will give you some suggestions for what to try!

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5710 Benny the Irish polyglot Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:25:11 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5710 Blasco Ibañez :) Close by all the Erasmus parties - I too was fiesta-ed out after a year there :P Blasco Ibañez :) Close by all the Erasmus parties – I too was fiesta-ed out after a year there :P

]]> By: David http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5663 David Tue, 13 Apr 2010 01:04:23 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5663 I found your article interesting, which of course leads to questions or need for advice. When in a country, a Spanish speaking country for example, it is easy for me to go 100% Spanish. This is fine and good but not so easy when in the U.S. I have tried over and over to "just speak Spanish" but find that no matter what, due to my charming gringo looks (insert smile here) when I try to speak Spanish I get a response back in English with one of those "Why are you speaking Spanish" looks. How do you overcome this? I found your article interesting, which of course leads to questions or need for advice. When in a country, a Spanish speaking country for example, it is easy for me to go 100% Spanish. This is fine and good but not so easy when in the U.S. I have tried over and over to “just speak Spanish” but find that no matter what, due to my charming gringo looks (insert smile here) when I try to speak Spanish I get a response back in English with one of those “Why are you speaking Spanish” looks. How do you overcome this?

]]> By: Andee http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5634 Andee Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:32:21 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5634 Benny, all true... I feel the same sadness for those in Korea that live in English... Ex-pats are the same everywhere - useless ;)<br><br>Enjoyed finding your blog through HTLAL anyway and will keep a lookout for your updates Benny, all true… I feel the same sadness for those in Korea that live in English… Ex-pats are the same everywhere – useless ;)

Enjoyed finding your blog through HTLAL anyway and will keep a lookout for your updates

]]> By: Simone http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5549 Simone Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:06:38 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5549 Hi,<br>I moved with my husband and 2 children to Australia.<br>At first I studied English and now I'm doing an ocupational Certificate.<br>We know a lot of Germans in Australia and then we speak German and at home too.<br>After reading your story I have decided with my husband to speak more English at home. This would be good for our children too.<br>Thanks<br>Simone Hi,
I moved with my husband and 2 children to Australia.
At first I studied English and now I'm doing an ocupational Certificate.
We know a lot of Germans in Australia and then we speak German and at home too.
After reading your story I have decided with my husband to speak more English at home. This would be good for our children too.
Thanks
Simone

]]> By: GlobalButterfly http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5471 GlobalButterfly Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:23:12 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5471 It's such a simple idea, but it profoundly helps!!! It's such a simple idea, but it profoundly helps!!!

]]> By: Cheap & Useful Resources for Learning Spanish http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5412 Cheap & Useful Resources for Learning Spanish Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:03:36 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5412 [...] to practice with natives in your own home. His biggest tip for reaching fluency quickly is not speaking English, which is something we’ll have to try in South America.A good starting point is his post How [...] [...] to practice with natives in your own home. His biggest tip for reaching fluency quickly is not speaking English, which is something we’ll have to try in South America.A good starting point is his post How [...]

]]> By: Andy http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5401 Andy Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:36:15 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5401 I think really commting yourself to a language is a very important part. Sadly, just stopping speaking one language is not always an option if you're not living in a country with your target language for example. English is also not my second language. I started picking it up from the age of eleven by reading english websites. I also had English in school for roughly 5 years. Schoolwork helped with my grammar and unfamilliar works, but thanks to my interest and path to english, I was always ahead of the material taught in class and did not need to learn grammar by heart, like other classmates. I'm a native german speaker from Switzerland. If you want to conversate just go on and talk about something you care about: andreas (dot) wildi (by) gmail (3 letter abbrevation for commerce). I think really commting yourself to a language is a very important part. Sadly, just stopping speaking one language is not always an option if you're not living in a country with your target language for example. English is also not my second language. I started picking it up from the age of eleven by reading english websites. I also had English in school for roughly 5 years. Schoolwork helped with my grammar and unfamilliar works, but thanks to my interest and path to english, I was always ahead of the material taught in class and did not need to learn grammar by heart, like other classmates. I'm a native german speaker from Switzerland. If you want to conversate just go on and talk about something you care about: andreas (dot) wildi (by) gmail (3 letter abbrevation for commerce).

]]> By: sebastianpanakal http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5397 sebastianpanakal Mon, 22 Mar 2010 05:30:58 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5397 Nice and practical suggestion. I am going to try it. Thanks. Nice and practical suggestion. I am going to try it. Thanks.

]]> By: Alena Segura http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5354 Alena Segura Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:58:49 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5354 This is very interesting and helpful. However, what if you are trying to learn a language in America and don't have the opportunity to move to a foreign country to immerse yourself in the language? I am learning Spanish. My vocabulary is extensive and I am decent in grammar, past tense etc.....My accent has never been the problem, I actually pronounce very well. But, and I have a weird hang up. My husband is Mexican and I freak out at the idea of speaking to him in Spanish! It terrifies me. It's like I'm taking a test from back in school and I freak out and doubt myself and question whether or not I will say it right and can't make myself do it. I am intimidated because he is fluent in English and Spanish. I don't have a problem speaking it to my kid, because we are both learning together. <br>People have also told me that I need to learn to "think" in Spanish all the time.....any suggestions??? This is very interesting and helpful. However, what if you are trying to learn a language in America and don't have the opportunity to move to a foreign country to immerse yourself in the language? I am learning Spanish. My vocabulary is extensive and I am decent in grammar, past tense etc…..My accent has never been the problem, I actually pronounce very well. But, and I have a weird hang up. My husband is Mexican and I freak out at the idea of speaking to him in Spanish! It terrifies me. It's like I'm taking a test from back in school and I freak out and doubt myself and question whether or not I will say it right and can't make myself do it. I am intimidated because he is fluent in English and Spanish. I don't have a problem speaking it to my kid, because we are both learning together.
People have also told me that I need to learn to “think” in Spanish all the time…..any suggestions???

]]> By: Caroline L http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5169 Caroline L Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:27:50 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5169 I love Valencia, even though I was perpetually sleep deprived because of the constant fiesta in Centro. Where did you live? I love Valencia, even though I was perpetually sleep deprived because of the constant fiesta in Centro. Where did you live?

]]> By: agnieszkadrummer http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-5159 agnieszkadrummer Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:56:34 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-5159 Ja, genau! Das ist wirklich ein kluger Eintrag! Ich kenne Polen, die seit 20 Jahren in Deutschland wohnen und immer noch kein Deutsch sprechen... Unglaublich, aber wahr. Interessanter Blog, by the way. Hab schon auf RSS gedrückt ;-) Ja, genau! Das ist wirklich ein kluger Eintrag! Ich kenne Polen, die seit 20 Jahren in Deutschland wohnen und immer noch kein Deutsch sprechen… Unglaublich, aber wahr. Interessanter Blog, by the way. Hab schon auf RSS gedrückt ;-)

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/the-smartest-decision-you-will-ever-make-to-achieve-fluency/comment-page-1/#comment-4941 Benny the Irish polyglot Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:51:36 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=283#comment-4941 Just keep reading ;)<br><a href="http://www.fluentin3months.com/practise-a-language-without-travelling/" rel="nofollow">http://www.fluentin3months.com/practise-a-langu...</a> Just keep reading ;)
http://www.fluentin3months.com/practise-a-langu...

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