Cheaper/Less expensive ways of learning new languages

Post Reply New Topic

Just recently, I saw an ad in the local weekly Pennysaver announcing Polish language classes at a nearby RC church's parish hall. These classes would take place Thursday nights after work, so I decided why not, I'll email the instructor (of person in charge) to find out about the cost. When I heard back from her last week, she told me that it would set me back $US 200 for each semester I attended.

With that preamble out of the way, is there a cheaper if not less expensive way to learn a new language? Two C-notes is a bit much, even for me.

Classes can be very expensive and not very productive either; especially if the class progresses at the pace of the slowest person in the class. There are plenty of language courses on CD and they make a good starting point so you can build up a basic vocabulary and learn the basics of the grammar. Then you can progress and try reading websites in the language - get Google or other online facilities to help you read the text. Try watching and following TV in the language or YouTube conversations or talks. Try to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. There are websites to help you practice writing the language try do a google search for Lang-8 (I've forgotten their website address). You can download free apps to practice languages on Android tablets. Loads of stuff out there for free.

The public library often has used foreign-language books and magazines for sale at pocket change prices. You could type in the text on a web translator (in my case I'm working with some old hotrod magazines from Sweden a former neighbor gave me; whenever I get stuck on a word I Google it as long as it doesn't contain any unmapped characters. The magazines are good in particular since the words and phrases tend to be repetitive). Buying books from the library is win-win all around though - you get something to read for next to nothing, the library gets rid of excess inventory and makes a bit of money toward getting new books and other improvements

There's a site we use in the UK to buy and sell things and it has a language and skills swap section. Look online and see if you can find a native Polish speaker who could trade for your American English. You could even do it on Skype.

Enrollment in the Defence Language Institute is still free. Well, there is a certain time commitment ?

Buying a proper teach-yourself textbook that covers all the grammatical components of the language will probably save you some time/effort/money later. Good ones are comprehensive and you can learn the language very efficiently in a systematic manner. Modern ones come with CD's that help you with listening practice and pronunciation. I have to add that a textbook for a language that not many people are interested in such as Polish is relatively expensive.

You can also find a foreign language exchange buddy on some websites specifically designed for that purpose. You find someone whose first language is the language you want to learn and vice versa.

Ooh, this thread has got my name all over it!

My favourite language site doesn't have Polish available yet, but they are working on it. I have found Duolingo really helpful. After years of struggling to stick with Italian, I have finished their course, and am now reading children's books quite well. The site is 'gamified' which makes it fun. They have an app option (make sure you choose the free one, there are regularly 'paid ones' in the app store, which are all rip offs and not the genuine version). I prefer the web version, as there are forums where you can discuss the language and any questions you have.

Here is the link to the Polish course being made, and you can click the 'notify me when available' button.

http://www.duolingo.com/course/pl/en/Le ... ish-Online

In the meantime FSI have free courses available in tons of languages. It's really old school, but may be worth a look:
http://www.fsi-language-courses.org/Content.php

Trying searching for 'learn Polish' on Youtube. There are usually people who will do basic courses to get you started.

Other than that, just type "learn Polish free" into your browser and see what comes up. As someone who started languages when the only option was to buy a textbook, or get something from the library, I am constantly blown away by the resources available now. I am sure you will be able to find something to suit you.

Once you get a basic grounding in the language, there are language exchange websites where you can swap your native English for someone else's native Polish (either in writing or by actual conversation). I have had the most luck with www.mylanguageexchange.com, but I have also heard good things about www.italki.com too.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

I know a girl who likes reading the Tin Tin books. She told me that she learned French through buying the books in English and French and then comparing the two.

Personally that seems like too much effort for me. Buy Hey, what ever floats your boat!