hannukah harry

hey all...

i've decided as one of my summer projects, i'm going to start learning german. i am actually going to need to be proficient in it one day for school, but not for quite awhile.

anyways, my hopes is to be able to teach myself it mainly on my own and by using it with others, rather than taking classes (can't really afford it).

does anyone know of any good books/methods to use for this task? or have experience learning a language outside of school and might have some wisdom ot impart on me about it?

thanks!

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shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

la petite moi

Learning languages on tape while driving or laying down is good. You can hear the words, instead of just reading them.

maleficent

Check with your local library, some of them do have language tapes...

I see this one advertised a lot, and they have kiosks in a lot of airports -- whether they are good or not, I don't know
http://www.rosettastone.com/home

Are there any German clubs that you could join... or even (and this is gonna sound weird_ and Adopt-a Grandparent program at a nursing home for a resident who speaks german - -the senior citizen would love a young person as company so you'd be doing agood deed, and you' dlearn a lanaguage./ \end dorky moment

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asaris

Where are you, Hannukah Harry? I'd be happy to help, if you're somewhere near me...

(Is in West Michigan...)

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"Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht."

"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

Nancy

Check out the Alles Klapt books. I'm not sure if they're available in America but I hope so since they're great books that introduce you slowly to words and grammar.

Are you aware just how hard it is to learn German? The grammar system is very complex so you are going to need help sooner or later. Getting help by another student (like asaris) would be good but if you could find a German/American to help you that would be even better.

You're definitely going to need language tapes obivously since the pronounciation of the German language is unique.

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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy.
I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

stevie667

As people have said before, german is a very complex language, and imitiation of it will only get you so far. Mostly the german verbs are at the end of the sentance, not at the beginning as in english, so just getting your head to work that bit is hard enough.

If you just need to speak german, find someone who's already fluent in it, then have some long chats with them, that'll get you a basic overview. If you need to read and write it, then you will have to find someone who can teach you along the road somewhere.

Find yourself a german dictionary and a german pronounciation guide, good ones at that. They'll be your bestest friends throughout the entire process.

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RCR

I am living here in germany, and it is an extremely hard language.

Also there is a major problem most of the germans i meet actually speak superb english(the product of a school system that works i presume) So funnily enough i dont find it hard to get by, and in that sense learning the language is slow.

I do want to learn it in universtiy though.

Mattbastard

If you need help with the definitions of some of the words,

check out this translator:

http://www.dict.cc/

It helped me thru 2 semesters of German.

Slavakion

I don't know how much it costs, but I like the Pimsleur series. It's a set of audio CDs.

EDIT:
http://www.pimsleurapproach.com/learn-german.asp?

Level 1 is $274. The whole thing is three levels.

SiN

eh, I can perhaps offer some advise

1. yes, it's likely as difficult as they say

2. a good dictionary - Langenscheidt's are good (and I think they sell them in the US) as is the Harper-Collins. I have one of each kind.
2a. supplement that with dict.leo.org - great site.

3. audio stuff I can't really recommend, never really used such things. but I too have heard good things about Pimsleur.

4. other resources (inet) - I am certain I have some up my sleeve, just need time to dig them out. I should have time this weekend to find some good links.

5. an elaboration on point 1, i suppose ... pay special attention to articles of nouns, and verbs - irregulars and tenses. those are the toughest points, and require old-fashioned memorisation. re: tenses - you need to understand them (when/how/why to use). It helps if you have a fair understanding of english grammar.
reminds me, another book I've seen recommended oft is English Grammar for Students of German

good luck!

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Ruse

Have you used the program from level 1-3? Have you tried any other language on cd kinda things ( did they compare? )? How well did it work?

Im also a little curious about trying to pick up a few other languages but I like to be as frugal as I can and research before I take the plunge...

superiorrain

Here's an idea, i have no idea if it will help at all if you don't know any german, but i use it to improve my german (exams linger). German radio is a good way to get used to the tones and word patterns. Look for a on line radiostation (my personal fav is radioeins.de) listen to the music and enjoy the DJ chatting about whatever they do. Or checkout the news on ARD.de and check out the Nachrichten (news) you can steam the last show or watch live. You should be able to pick up bits of it as you should know some of the news already.

Then again non of this may work, but it might help once you have some of the basics.

Good luck (i've spent the last 7 years learning and i make so many mistakes in the writting it's untrue, my advice learn the grammer as best you can and learn it right the first time)

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"The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

hannukah harry

thanks for all the replies!

my uncle is fluent in german, but he's been busy so i haven't been able to talk about this with him. i also have a friend who took a few years, but she says she's horrible at it... i think i'm gonna give the books and audio tapes a look... and the radio/tv idea sounds good too... if only i had thought about that when learning spanish...

has anyone heard of the beltzer books? i saw it at borders and that seemed to be the best of the small supply they had.

sin - any internet links you have would definatly be appreciated!!!

you all rock!

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shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

keyshawn

I'd check out if there's a meetup for the german language near you [I'm presuming you're in North america]
http://german.meetup.com/
Get to meet up with other locals who speak it.

catcha back on the flipside,
will.

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Nancy

Btw. If you ever need any help you can ask Pacifier who's German. I'm sure he'd be glad to help you out should you have questions and what not about the language

__________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy.
I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

Slavakion

I haven't used it too much because I'm busy with school, but I have Pimsleur's Japanese. I think it's better than Instant Immersion, at least. Pimsleur gives you a word, sounds out the parts with you, and has you repeat it. Then he gives you a couple more words like that until you have a rudimentary sentence. The tradeoff is that you will have better listening comprehension and accent than learning from a textbook, but no reading/writing skills.

Based on my limited experience, I would recommend Pimsleur to anyone who doesn't want to take a class. I'd also recommend looking for a discount somewhere, since it's a bit pricey.

RCR

Also i find Antenne Bayern a really good station, and i dont understand any german!