I run a blog about language learning and have ~9 months until a book of mine gets published. During that time, I'd like to grow my audience as much as possible, which basically means writing as many interesting articles as possible.
While I have a list of blog-post ideas, I'm currently living in book-related tunnel vision, and could use some outside input. If you knew someone who knew a lot about foreign languages and language learning, and was willing to do some research and write an article about anything you wanted, what would you want him/her to write about? What burning, unanswered questions do you have about languages, language learning, memory or any other related topics?
posted by sdis
on May 19, 2013 -
37 answers
I'm writing a book about language learning and the science of memory for a major publisher. We're a couple months away from sending galley copies around to various people for blurbs and reviews, and they've asked me for input as to who might be interested. So! Who should read this thing? Name some people who, if you saw their name on the back of a science-y book on language learning and memory, you'd buy it.
posted by sdis
on May 4, 2013 -
20 answers
I'm writing a book for a major publisher on language learning, and we're currently in the process of figuring out/fighting over a title+subtitle(+sub-subtitle) combo.
Here's the issue: the book crosses two genres. Originally, it was simply a how-to book, with a step-by-step method for learning any language quickly. But over the course of writing and researching it, it's turned into a discussion about the science of memory and learning, how we learn languages, why we generally don't succeed at learning them in school, and what to do differently. It's become
interesting, not just on a how-to level, but on an intellectual how-do-our-brains-work sort of level. This is great news from an audience standpoint – we've added a whole new potential audience (people who aren't looking for a how-to-learn-a-language book, but *are* interested in how their brains work) – but it's very tricky from a title standpoint.
How do you choose a title that conveys the How-to nature of the book and the How-your-brain-works part at the same time?
[more inside]
posted by sdis
on Apr 17, 2013 -
14 answers
I spent 4 years learning French in high school, and have retained just enough since then to vaguely eavesdrop on a fellow commuter's French novel the other day. I would like to brush up on my reading comprehension, and could use some suggestions for some simply written fiction to pick up.
[more inside]
posted by thirdletter
on Jan 16, 2013 -
25 answers
What are some insightful well-written books or articles, academic or otherwise, on the mechanics of how we learn second-languages and anything about the application of linguistics to learning languages?
[more inside]
posted by pynchonesque
on Dec 30, 2012 -
8 answers
I need help in acquiring a lot of a vocabulary for a lot of languages. How can I best proceed and what should be my expectations and timetables be?
[more inside]
posted by SollosQ
on Dec 16, 2012 -
9 answers
Hi everyone,
I am a 24 y/o English native about to start a PhD in London. During the next 3 years, I would very much like to begin learning French alongside my doctoral studies, and I am interested in finding out the most effective and efficient way of going about this.
Realistically I will probably be able and willing to dedicate between one and two hours a day to studying French. I am interested in learning to both speak and write the language in equal measure.
Any advice is much appreciated.
posted by FuckingAwesome
on Nov 23, 2012 -
13 answers
What is a good skill to learn on a commute? 90-120 mins each day, subway/bus, mostly sitting without a table. Kindle/IPod/iPad available. Preferably looking for NON-language suggestions.
[more inside]
posted by lalochezia
on Nov 7, 2012 -
16 answers
Best structured cheap or free Spanish conversation classes in Toronto (better yet, at the University of Toronto)?
[more inside]
posted by 256
on Oct 9, 2012 -
2 answers
I'm trying to revive my rather rusty Spanish. One of the green's favourite tips for language learning seems to be to immerse yourself in TV programmes/films/music in the target language. So I want to start listening to Spanish-language music, and I need some recommendations.
[more inside]
posted by badmoonrising
on Sep 24, 2012 -
13 answers
Is there any way of adding new dictionaries to the system dictionary app for Mac OSX? I am learning russian and would love to be able to highlight a word and receive an english-to-russian or even just russian definition.
[more inside]
posted by 221bbs
on Sep 24, 2012 -
5 answers
What is the best way to teach a child a foreign language that you yourself don't know very well, if immersion is not an option and you are limited to what you can do in your home?
[more inside]
posted by Alexander Hatchell
on Sep 5, 2012 -
18 answers
What would be the best way for someone to develop / re-learn Spanish in four months or so of part-time study?
[more inside]
posted by Lame_username
on Jul 17, 2012 -
9 answers
I'm moving to Hong Kong for at least two years, starting at the end of August. Help me pick a feasible strategy for
learning some Cantonese.
[more inside]
posted by mdonley
on Jul 11, 2012 -
13 answers
I was taught French through to Grade 10; however, have been far removed from it since then. I am too shy to try to converse in French with others; but would like to build the confidence to be able to. What are some good strategies for relearning a language and becoming more confident conversing in it at the same time?
posted by jamincan
on Jun 18, 2012 -
5 answers
I have spoken english fluently since I was a child but I know many people that would like to learn or are trying to learn how to speak english. In my opinion the best method is full on immersion in an english speaking country. What would be the best country or place for this to happen?
[more inside]
posted by mikeanegus
on Jun 8, 2012 -
17 answers
I have a subscription video language learning product - it's a popular iPhone app, and we have two languages- (Spanish and English) - about 30 hours total. We built it in-house and we would love to stream at least a few teaser episodes on Netflix and Amazon. But since we created it, we don't have a distributor who can reach out to Amazon or Netflix. Has anyone done this that could put me in touch with someone? The typical searches have yielded little and emailing support@agiantstreamingmediasite will probably not work...
posted by carlodio
on Jun 6, 2012 -
1 answer
I need to learn Swedish, and I'm not the greatest language student. Who can point me towards the best online resources and courses?
posted by ewan
on May 29, 2012 -
8 answers
Have you successfully learned Spanish while working and without travel? What was your process?
[more inside]
posted by abdulf
on May 1, 2012 -
10 answers
How do I obtain newer Foreign Service Institute language learning coursework and education materials?
[more inside]
posted by andendau
on Mar 31, 2012 -
3 answers
I am an English speaker learning Russian. I am also interested in the recent protest movements in and around Moscow. Where are the forums/twitter accounts/facebook accounts/blogs where opinions are being formed? They will be used as a resource in learning the language and understanding contemporary russian politics.
posted by 221bbs
on Mar 31, 2012 -
6 answers
Can you recommend passages I can memorize in Spanish, French, Italian, German, or Russian?
[more inside]
posted by kristi
on Mar 15, 2012 -
12 answers
Are there online equivalents of FSI's "Introduction to French Phonology" for other languages?
[more inside]
posted by jweed
on Feb 1, 2012 -
1 answer
My 2-year-old daughter is growing up in a two-language household. Any advice on ensuring a balanced retention of vocabulary?
[more inside]
posted by Tenacious.Me.Tokyo
on Nov 22, 2011 -
19 answers
How can I most effectively learn a language (specifically Spanish) while in a college Spanish class?
[more inside]
posted by R a c h e l
on Oct 5, 2011 -
20 answers
How can I actually learn to speak Korean? I have a few materials, but they're not hitting the spot for me. Or I need to do something else with them.
[more inside]
posted by Not Supplied
on Sep 21, 2011 -
7 answers
What is the most reasonable way to try and autodidact your way into reading French well and speaking it passably?
[more inside]
posted by jsturgill
on Jul 9, 2011 -
5 answers
What are some resources that are inexpensive or free for improving my French from Canadian public school level to functional?
[more inside]
posted by Phalene
on May 19, 2011 -
8 answers
Conventional wisdom says that watching a lot of TV/Movies in another language helps with comprehension. What are some good movies/shows to help me with Mandarin? My current level is quite basic (2 semesters of college classes).
posted by joshwa
on May 18, 2011 -
9 answers
Is there a good Spanish-language primer/course/guide for beginners wanting to learn Windows?
[more inside]
posted by Evilspork
on Apr 26, 2011 -
1 answer
Given 4 months of free time, how can an advanced English learner take the biggest step toward full fluency?
[more inside]
posted by mshrike
on Apr 18, 2011 -
11 answers
How to overcome anxiety about speaking a language while learning it?
[more inside]
posted by LN
on Jan 17, 2011 -
17 answers
I listen to
this. What music with intelligible German lyrics might I like?
posted by phrontist
on Dec 18, 2010 -
8 answers
Can you suggest a good television series (preferably with available English subtitles) for people learning English?
[more inside]
posted by rhombus
on Nov 23, 2010 -
13 answers
Tell me about the most well-written, engaging, and creative language-learning books and websites. For any language.
[more inside]
posted by theodolite
on Nov 18, 2010 -
12 answers
I am toying with starting Polish/English conversation group in London and I want it to be a success. What can I do to make it work?
[more inside]
posted by Helga-woo
on Oct 28, 2010 -
3 answers
