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Learning 3 languages, (French, German and Italian), on daily commute. I enjoy twittering and blogging my thoughts.

I was born and raised in Essex. I obtained a Bsc.(Hons) in Chemistry in 1996, It was my University experience that made me realise the value of education, not as a passport to successful careers but as a tool for personal enrichment. Although I had never been interested in languages I was always impressed by anyone that could speak two or more. At University I quickly discovered, what must have seemed quite ignorant to foreign students, our inability to communicate in a language other than English. The foreign students of course spoke English in addition to their native tongue, but the English?? No. Whether it was our inability or refusal to learn another language I don’t know but, I can see now why foreign students don’t mix well with the English and some even show disdain for us. This of course begs the question of what language do we need to learn? Well anyone you like. Its the fact we don’t speak another language that is the problem!

1. Study Pimsleur and Michel Thomas in that order. The first steps in learning language are the common structures followed by basic tenses.

2. Listen to film/media in the language - This is a two step process in that you need to record 2 or 3 minute passages of the media then write the translation. I record the sound at two speeds..one at normal and the other 50% faster. I concentrate on the faster to accelerate the listening ability. You know you’ve got it when you can recognise each word and therefore understand the conversation at a fast speed. Then hearing it at normal speed is not a problem.

3. You must Read the language - This is essential to familiarise yourself with structure and vocabulary, and train your mind in the way the language is expressed so that you think in the same way and consequently formulate your sentences that way.

In addition to all this you need to complete an appropriate Assimil language course to help with the written side of a language.

For reading you need to get through at least 40 reasonably sized books (approx 200 pages). Try to pick books that will have some interest but it’s not essential. All you are after doing is to become acquainted with the language and its use. The brain will subconsciously absorb it.

You must not make a conscious effort to remember because you don’t have to. Your brain acquires and assimilates new language in the same way it did your own. There is no difference. Communication is fundamental to existence and this side of the brain is very attuned to new communication pattens. You never need to get frustrated because your brain will soon ‘get it’.

The ability to express yourself in another language is one of the best feelings ever !