Learning New Language Anybody? Duolingo Possibly?

[Polar Bear]

Did anybody besides me start tinkering with learning a language when the pandemic hit? I don't spend a lot of time on it, but it's been fun, a bit more so than I expected actually. I figured it would be good for this old aging brain :icon_wink: and a moderately enjoyable hobby to take up and likely drop after a short time, but I started it using the Duolingo app and it does a good job of varying the learning methods and keeping it fun.

The app gets very good reviews and is used by lots of people throughout the world. I also think if you put some time into it, it would be pretty effective. I just kinda dabble with French for fun. With my modest time investments, I’ve done some calculating and extrapolating...I should speak moderately fluent French around my 175th birthday or so! :a040::MOJE_whot: No plans to visit France. Canada possibly. :)

The app has a 'friends' feature, where you can share your experiences somehow or another, so if anybody else uses Duolingo, or tinkers with learning a language in any other way, consider posting here just for some fun and chit-chat...in who knows what language(s)? :)

[Taltarzac725]

I donated platelets at One Blood recently and checking the Spanish language for the 53 or so questionnaire they have. I have read this so many times in English though that I could anticipate what the next question would be. Did take two semesters of Spanish but that was in 1985-1986. or around there in San Mateo, CA just south of San Francisco.

The library systems have various language learning systems attached to them here in the Villages. You do need to be in their database as a registered library user though.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I used Duolingo for French and Mandarin. Retention is horrible, and they teach a very limited vocabulary. They also treat conversations between males and females as though the males were always dominant and controlling and females always flirtatious and manipulating.

[bobdeb]

I had two offices in France for years so I learned enough eventually to get by just fine. Now I have little use for whatever I learned over that time.

However, I keep dabbling with Duolingo Spanish as that is a language I would find extremely useful living here in Florida.

As a side note, and totally unrelated, I'm continually impressed with both the work ethic and the tight family bonding of the Hispanics.

[Polar Bear]

Any language learning clubs here in TV? French or possibly Spanish?

[DeanFL]

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...I'm still trying my best with English.

Is there an "English as a First Language" course?
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[Polar Bear]

I used Duolingo for French and Mandarin. Retention is horrible, and they teach a very limited vocabulary. They also treat conversations between males and females as though the males were always dominant and controlling and females always flirtatious and manipulating.
Boy, is it ever hard to keep a thread just fun and positive. :ohdear:

[dalecrenshaw]

Salut...I have been taking French on Duolingo for years...hopefully to keep my mind active. Love it! I can read and write in French but have difficulty with the pronunciation...I wish there was somewhere to actually practice speaking it. Au Revoir, Dale

[GrumpyOldMan]

I have used Duolingo. It works, but the BEST method is immersion - which is hard right now.

[Villageswimmer]

I used Duolingo for French and Mandarin. Retention is horrible, and they teach a very limited vocabulary. They also treat conversations between males and females as though the males were always dominant and controlling and females always flirtatious and manipulating.

Interesting. I have not found that to be the case at all.

[bobdeb]

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...I'm still trying my best with English.

Is there an "English as a First Language" course?
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Yes there is a course. Press 1 for more information.

[graciegirl]

I used Duolingo for French and Mandarin. Retention is horrible, and they teach a very limited vocabulary. They also treat conversations between males and females as though the males were always dominant and controlling and females always flirtatious and manipulating.

Je suis vraiment impressionné que certains étudient la langue mandarine. Je serais plus amusé que ennuyé qu’il y aurait des hommes dominants et la femme flirtacious dans toutes les leçons de langue. On s'en fout?

[bobdeb]

My neighbor's first language is Spanish. We play golf together and occasionally he lets out some verbal frustration. Not sure how that all that translates into English.

But I am learning how to play golf in Spanish.

[Polar Bear]

...Je serais plus amusé que ennuyé qu’il y aurait des hommes dominants et la femme flirtacious dans toutes les leçons de langue...
Je serais plus amusé aussi. :)

[Polar Bear]

I used Duolingo for French and Mandarin. Retention is horrible, and they teach a very limited vocabulary. They also treat conversations between males and females as though the males were always dominant and controlling and females always flirtatious and manipulating.
Interesting. I have not found that to be the case at all.
Nor have I.

[CFrance]

Salut...I have been taking French on Duolingo for years...hopefully to keep my mind active. Love it! I can read and write in French but have difficulty with the pronunciation...I wish there was somewhere to actually practice speaking it. Au Revoir, Dale
Try watching some French films with the English captioning on. One example is Lupin on Netflix. It will help with pronunciation.


There used to be a French language club in TV, but I've heard the leader is very happy to ask you to leave if you're not fluent enough.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Interesting. I have not found that to be the case at all.

I learned more French living in Quebec province for a summer, than I did studying French via DuoLingo.

I learned more Spanish by working for Burger King than I did taking formal lessons in High School for four years.

I definitely learned more Mandarin with DuoLingo than I learned it in the real world, but that's only because the only Mandarin I ever was exposed to in the real world was watching some shows on TV where someone says "ni hao."