Archive for March 10th, 2009

How many times you find yourself ended up in frustration while learning a new language? I know I did plenty of times. I have been learning Hungarian for sometime now since the time I first came to Hungary. I am using  a couple of text books and also some reference I could find through the internet.

However, the Hungarian language being one of the most difficult language to learn, well, can be rather complicated to learn on your own and only through text books.

I got myself a copy of Plimseur’s Basic Hungarian audiobook as one of my final attempts with the language. I’m just happy that I did and wish I had done it sooner.  So much so I think for what ever language you want to learn, get audiobooks if you haven’t already!

I think it is a lot less scarier when you self teach yourself a new language through audiobooks because you don’t get intimidated by the grammar too quickly. They usually teach you step by step and make you feel confident. Secondly, you will be able to hear how a word is really pronounced. You may make mistakes on the pronunciation when you just learn through books. Finally, with audiobooks, you can learn just about anywhere at any time. I’m learning while I’m cooking or doing my chores or on a bus ride.

Plimseur’s method is good I think. So far I am liking it. You will be asked to participate. For example the instructor may ask : How do you say, “I speak a little Hungarian. ” There will be a pause where you should either give the answer out loud or at least silently. Then the answer will be given by a native speaker. There are 2 speakers who would do the dialogues so you will be able to hear how natives speak the language. I put my headphones on and was saying things like “Nem,vagyok magyar” in the kitchen alone. People who didn’t know that I am learning may think I’m crazy because I’m talking to myself.

I enjoy learning that way.

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I have been studying Japanese on and off. I know some words and I could read a little hiragana. Now I have decided to pick up the nice language back again. I saw that there were many educational games being sold for the Nintendo DS so I looked for something that can aid me with my Japanese learning. That’s when I found “My Japanese Coach”.

I have been using it for sometime now and so far I am liking it a lot. You will be coached by this sweet Japanese lady called Haruka.

She will give a step by step guide. First few lessons was about memorizing important words. Like colours, days, months, numbers etc. At every ending of a lesson there will be games to be played. You will have to collect points from every correct answer you give. Once you have enough points to go to the next stage, a new lesson or eve a new game will be unlocked for you. She will also insert writing lessons in between where you can start learning to read the Kana – Hiragana and Katakana. For me, she gives quite clear explanations.

You will go up the rank ladder as you progress. Baby to toddler to pre-schooler and so on. Ehem, I am currently a pre-schooler.

If you really practice after some time you will be able to write a little Japanese.

And of course you will be able to read some words.

Oh, it is also given how a letter or word is pronounced when you touch on a letter or word. If you want you can even record your own voice pronouncing the word and compare.

Learning a new language cannot be more fun! A DS game is not all you should rely on when you want to learn a new language. You still need to have a good text book and perhaps a real teacher. But “My Japanese Coach” is indeed a good supplementary way of learning the language.