[Pseudoscience-is-malarkey (OP)]

Let's say you're going to a foreign land (for whatever reason) and need to learn their native language. What are the best methods?

[evan_au]

Living in another country for a while is the best for learning another language (especially if you don't have many people who speak your native language, and if the locals are to too proficient in your language).

Before you go, try to learn basic things like hello, goodbye, excuse me, please, thankyou, yes and no. And it's a good idea to learn "Do you speak English?" in their language; it's quite rude to just start speaking English to them and expect that they will understand.

There are a number of good podcast language lessons that will help you learn basic phrases that will help at the restaurant, shops, train station and (most important of all) to find the restrooms.

Its a good idea to look at the written language as you hear it, to gain some familiarity with the written language.

You can get a keyboard for other languages on your smartphone screen, and you can download bilingual maps to your smartphone.

There are many apps that will translate between the languages - some will even do it by listening to spoken speech on the microphone, or by viewing text with the camera.

[Noelizola]

Very interesting post. Make me feel why did not think like that before....

[Petrochemicals]

Living in another country for a while is the best for learning another language (especially if you don't have many people who speak your native language, and if the locals are to too proficient in your language).

Before you go, try to learn basic things like hello, goodbye, excuse me, please, thankyou, yes and no. And it's a good idea to learn "Do you speak English?" in their language; it's quite rude to just start speaking English to them and expect that they will understand.

There are a number of good podcast language lessons that will help you learn basic phrases that will help at the restaurant, shops, train station and (most important of all) to find the restrooms.

Its a good idea to look at the written language as you hear it, to gain some familiarity with the written language.

Yep, plus look at the breakdown of words, and look for the most common usage ones,


I
You
Have
Want
Look


Etc recognise them in the immersive learning. Plus dont annoy the locals. Radio is a good place to hear the language, once you get going you can eek out the meaning or at least part, they speak clearly and slowly compared to the quick slang of the general everyday lingo

[Steve_]

I think having an understanding of the basic verbs and verb conjugation, along with the most common words is a good place to start.  Short of living in the country, I would start with Duolingo (free app) to learn the ropes... then maybe start listening to Youtube videos/watch TV with captions if they are available and start to tune your ear to the language.

[Pregily]

Best way is to be in family / house where you will be ONLY with native speakers of your new language. 100% dive into new community.

[spruce]

imo the best way to start learning the content (for example web design or child care) which you like on the language you interested in learning, everyday read in that language, remember 10-20 new words on daily basis, probably sing the songs you like the language you learn, or play games or watch films with that lang - it's easy and you dont feel it so much hard

[JesseGK]

I agree that the best way is to live in the country. I would add that you need to have a 15 minutes practice/learning every day, also I would watch movies in that language you want to learn.

[PamelaWardTX]

I think the best way to learn a new language is to use courses. I sometimes use courses for study disciplines that are useful for me for doing my homeworks. Sometimes I buy homework from special professional services but when I don't do this I study new disciplines with courses.

[Ronan]

If you speak to them, it will help you to improve your language.