Best way to learn a language?

The The Frugal Traveler uses ChinesePod. Photo: Farah Nosh / The New York Times

Communication technology is getting better all the time, but how about their human users?  They may still lag behind the times, as globalization brings people closer, while they can’t speak to each other in a common language. Matt Gross, writer of the NY Times Frugal Traveler Blog, set out to find a way to improve his Spanish and Mandarin Chinese: Expensive language lessons? Doesn’t translate.

He looks at many options, from buying cutting-edge software to old-fashioned phrase books.  Being the Frugal Traveler, low costs were essential. Language exchanges seem to be his favorite option.

Having studied both languages, I’d say language exchanges are a good supplement. Especially for learning slang and phrases that locals commonly use.  I wouldn’t make them my primary mode of instruction, though.

In a language exchange, it’s too easy to get off track and many people don’t know how to teach.  I actually think it’s better to get a foundation in the language first, rather than do a language exchange from the start. You need to know some basic vocabulary to participate. Otherwise, it’s too easy for the LE partner to get lots of English practice while you don’t get to practice at all.

My favorite method is one-on-one classes with a trained native-speaking teacher, followed by lots of self-study.  Ideally in the country where the language is spoken. You get lots of conversation practice and personal attention. You also have more say about what topics you’ll study.  For example, you can tell the teacher to focus on more practical situations like ordering food in restaurants or shopping. Instead of teaching less useful material that textbooks might have. The main reason I prefer teachers over LE partners is that they know how to explain things, especially grammar and sentence structures.

If you have questions about studying Mandarin, here are two forums where there are many discussions on this topic:

Chinese Forums

Forumosa (aimed at those studying in Taiwan)

Can anyone recommend good resources for learning Spanish? What worked best for you when studying a language? Where did you study your foreign language? Share your tips in the comments.