Learning a second language

[Kaelia]

When I was starting to learn Japanese I'd keep a journal that I'd write completely in Japanese. Obviously when you start out it's going to be very basic but you have to force yourself to work with it every single day. Then try to think in that language once you have a basic grasp of it. If I had to go to the store for example I'd try to stretch out my thoughts more than I normally would if I were just "thinking in English" as it were... Instead of "oh right; store" in English, "Oh, I have to go to the store today, don't I? But what did I need..." etc. etc in Japanese. Keep doing it or you WILL forget. Trust me. I hate backtracking because I get lazy. Watch movies in Japanese, or anime if you prefer that and make an effort to recognize as much as you can, even if it's just a word here and there. Basically what I'm trying to stress here is CONSTANT. EXPOSURE. Anything you can do that forces you into that frame of mind is going to help you in the longrun. I don't think a language is something you learn by studying it for one or two isolated hours a day.

[nondachi]

When you're learning, try also to build an accent. Broken Japanese sounds awkward (I'm full Japanese). A accent can mean the difference between sounding smooth from an otaku that's trying too hard.

[virusiidx]

I've been learning Japanese on and off. I've taken a class and have some books I still need to catch up on. It's still very basic, but most of it I picked up from my gf, who is Japanese and fluent. She teaches me all the time and it definitely helps since she will show me how it's pronounced, how it's used, any other terms for it and the right way of using it. Sometimes she will only speak to me in Japanese to make me learn lol. So it definitely helps being around a Japanese fluent person as that is how I learned most.

We just visited Tokyo this past January through February and will be going back in November. Just that visit alone has inspired me to get more serious about learning the language. I really loved it there and can't wait to go back.

[Kuya]

I hear that one of the best methods to learn a new language is to have someone with whom to converse with. If we had some way for people on BG to hook up and talk to eachother so they can practice whatever language they want to practice that would be amazing. Specifically because i need to work out my French!

[Milks]

Possibly Skype/Ventrilo?

[ErzaScarlet]

Why do you want to learn french?

[Darus Grey]

To emmigrate to Lebanon obviously.

[Leonstrife]

Is schooling an option? If your finished in school and have no plans to go back then you might try simply self teaching with text books you might use in school.
"Genki An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese" Is a pretty decent basic textbook on the beginning fundamentals of Japanese. Their site, [url=http://genki.japantimes.co.jp/]

[Senoska]

Do not use Genki as a self teaching reference if you have any interest in learning the language. Its a book thats specifically tailored for use in classrooms and you'll find yourself frustrated by it really, really quickly.