Learning a foreign language - Babbel - DuoLingo - Mango - Anyone successful?

So I thought this would be a good thread to discuss experiences with language programs - what have you tried - how far did you get?

Has anyone achieved a certain level of fluency? If so - were successfully with other languages prior to using the program.

The commercials make it sound so easy.

I've tried to learn German over the years. Initially I used Rosetta Stone - I found that this was good with learning words and certain phrases - but not useful dialogue.

Mango was much better - but I tend to get a certain point and it gets overwhelming. Then I take a break, start over and I tend to break through to the next level.

Now there's babbel. I tried DuoLingo - but didn't delve into it too much.

According to this article - maybe I've been trying too much:

http://www.livescience.com/46938-why-adults-struggle-with-new-languages.html

Jamie, had your exact same experience with Rosetta Stone and German. Plus the exercises infuriated me. They keep saying something is "wrong" but don't give you any guidance as to what is right!

I studied Spanish and French in school, and, for me, the best approach is a real, human teacher, supplemented with something like Rosetta Stone or the online possibilities. One afternoon with a former German teacher helped me so much more than hours of Rosetta.

This was a few years ago, but when I looked around, I liked the Pimsleur approach, because they explain in your own language what you will be learning in the target language, and then the use repetition to encode the material. There is an online site (will look for it and edit it back in here) which lets you access different levels of material in your target language, so you get to hear the sound of it. I find that it helps to just let it stream over me, without trying to translate it, just to get the rhythm of the new language. They had some German kid stories (Friederich und Piggeldy) that were fun to listen to. Also some musical acts, TV shows and commercials. The most advanced level is way beyond me, but the beginning two levels were helpful.

For me, when I am learning a new language (or visiting somewhere where a language I have studied in the past but haven't used in a while), I find the hardest thing is to get my brain switched over to the sounds of the alternate language. Trying to translate makes it impossible because you are always way behind the conversation, but just listening means you miss an awful lot. Seems to take about 3 days for me to be able to function reasonably comfortably in a language other than English. My in-laws (French and Italian, but who do know English) told me the same thing - when they would visit here, the first few days were difficult, and then their comfort level in English kicked in.

I will go look for that online site. Have to say that, for me, the old-fashioned way with flashcards and constant review helps me the most, followed by a living teacher, or the chance to talk with a patient native-speaker who will explain what I'm doing/saying incorrectly.

eta: It is called Yabla. Here is the home page, with some sample videos:

https://german.yabla.com/

And here's the link to the Pimsleur site: http://www.pimsleur.com/

Best program is to be 5 years old and eating some of your grandmothers delicious cookies while she and your

mom speak grandma's native tongue.

Thanks - I'll take a look at Yabla. Also if anyone is interested in Rosetta Stone or Mango - you can access them for free with your library card:

https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/learn-a-new-language/

Sometimes the SOMA adult school will offer language courses. I started learning French using software, then took a couple night classes. Was working well but then I got too busy and couldn't continue.

I have been using Duolingo for nine different languages and enjoy it. They recently added bots users can interact with, as well as clubs to join and practice with others. I like the library's Mango language tool as well and have used it occasionally. At first I was only studying Spanish. Without any effort (months without opening the app) I think I was somewhere around 35% fluent the first year. Duolingo also has a Q&A section where native language speakers help out with the "why" questions.

One thing I will mention is that I didnt realize the word guappo (Italian) was derogatory. In Duolingo, under Spanish, they teach the word guapo (Spanish and the partial root of the Italian word) as a form of endearment, such as handsome. I've been using it that way in public like an idiot. As it turns out, someone on MOL posted the word recently and I realized I've been calling my partner a not so great thing. An actual teacher could probably help me from that aspect.

Guappo, in English, was turned into Wop. I don't know about the Spanish usage, but the English and Italian versions are definitely not terms of endearment

Don't sweat using a word that is unoffensive in one language and offensive in another, it's bound to happen. Caca is a term for poop, used most often in Spanish. But in Hindu it means Uncle. I used to work at a store that was owned by a family from India, but half of the employees were Spanish speaking from Central and South America. The owners would call one of the guys "Caca" and the employees were all laughing and confused as to why this guy wasn't pissed at basically being called "****" all the time.

My husband just used DuoLingo to learn Italian very quickly. (Full disclosure: he was already fluent in French.)

He also listened to Italian radio stations using Radio Garden, just as good as being there! http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/12/16/505829305/radio-garden-lets-you-tune-into-a-world-of-global-broadcasts

Maybe find a local tutor + a great software package?

I started this thread mainly because I wanted to know if anyone has had success with any of these systems. The ads make it sound like they have the ultimate solution to learn a second language. So hopefully this thread can be informational as well for those looking to learn another language.

As kmk noted - being fluent in a second language already makes the process a lot easier.

Here's a review site I just cam across and it rate Fluenz #1 - though it's a bit pricey:

https://www.exploringlifesmysteries.com/fluenz-vs-pimsleur-vs-rosetta-stone-vs-duolingo/

The software has been improving but you're still likely to have greater success with an experienced tutor. The human modelling, feedback and interaction can't be beat.

For people who want to get a language "in their ear," and/or have studied for a while and want some listening practice:

http://www.newsinslow.com/

Full disclosure: This is advertised on our local NPR station & sounds like an interesting idea, but I haven't used it myself. Apparently the shows are weekly, but there's an archive.

In Spanish guapo is definitely not derogatory. When my three year old gets his haircut that's usually how he's greeted the next day when I drop him off at daycare.

As far as the apps, I did Duolingo for a few months and enjoyed it and it expanded my Spanish vocabulary for sure. I don't know how well it works in the long run for actual fluency, but all you're giving up is time.

There's a podcast called Coffee Break French that helps with casual conversations and enunciation. It's fun to listen to in the car or when milling around the kitchen. It's a ton of fun. I think they do other languages too.