I'm very seriously considering the foreign service, but I've never been any good at languages. Will I likely be able to learn a language, with the intense training the Foreign Service provides, without a natural apptitude for languages? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 18, 2009 - 7 answers

Cheap, efficient way to learn German online. [more inside]
posted by ekpyrotic on Aug 22, 2009 - 15 answers

I'm going to Germany on 21 May. I've been told (by Germans) that my German is good, but I'd still like to do a bit of immersion before I go to get used to hearing it, etc. I'd particularly like to listen to some German radio. Any favorite stations? [more inside]
posted by bibliophibianj on May 5, 2009 - 10 answers

One for Japanophile Londoners. What are the best options to study Japanese in London? Any recommendations for courses or tutors?. My e-mail's in my profile, if preferred.
posted by blogenstock on Dec 18, 2008 - 2 answers

Let's say I want to learn a few (more) programming languages. What application/solution would it be best to try to create in order to really "learn" a given language? [more inside]
posted by Deathalicious on Oct 14, 2008 - 17 answers

What are your favorite online resources for learning, practicing or getting exposure to the languages you speak? I'm looking for things that go beyond a textbook and a couple of CDs: things like interactive tools and study materials, well-written blogs written in / about the language, and especially audio, video or reading materials that people learning the language might not be able to find easily. [more inside]
posted by shirobara on Jun 4, 2008 - 8 answers

What can I buy, download or find online to help me learn as much Polish as possible in the next ten days, with a budget of about £50? [more inside]
posted by Lebannen on Feb 20, 2008 - 9 answers

I'm starting to learn German, and I love it- I find everything about the language fascinating, and making my flashcards and doing my speech exercises about how Jan liebt Sara and how das Madchen ist glucklach is the funnest part of my day. I'd like to get good at it. Really, really good. Can you help me? [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on Feb 11, 2008 - 31 answers

Children's books in Danish? Books on CD? I need Danish language resources! [more inside]
posted by tejolote on Oct 27, 2007 - 9 answers

I'm studying to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test in December. I have a shitload to learn and it seems nigh insurmountable, but I can do it. What are the best ways to study for this? [more inside]
posted by borkingchikapa on Sep 9, 2007 - 8 answers

LinguisticsFilter: There are a lot of resources explaining how to transcribe a language into IPA, but I don't have any that get into the nitty gritty of how one language pronounces a given consonant compared to another. Are there good resources on this front? Are there resources on how to speak in various foreign accents? [more inside]
posted by sirion on Apr 27, 2006 - 8 answers

How are Spanish and Portuguese different when it comes to grammar?

I speak Spanish fluently and now want to to take up Brazilian Portuguese. From hearing my Brazilian friends speak, and generally understanding them pretty well, I figured that Spanish and Portuguese grammar (syntax) must be very similar, the only differences between the languages being vocabulary and pronunciation. How right am I? If there are syntactic differences, what are they?

Would any speakers of these languages care to comment?
posted by pealco on Mar 28, 2004 - 6 answers