Foreign Languages

[Chili]

No idea if something or a thread exists in the past for this, but what languages can you speak or are you currently learning one!

Being over in France now I'm shockingly studying French at A1 beginner level at the uni in Clermont-Ferrand. It's going ok, reading and writing isn't bad (though memorising new words is a bit iffy), but I'm still really absolutely sucking badly at listening exercises. Everything just sounds like an undecipherable wall of noise. I'm not sure how to get around the issue, beyond just doing more revision and hopefully I'll get there as I don't really want to resit beginners again. It's also the first time I've ever tried learning a new language so maybe that's something to do with something. Anyway, who here knows the multi-lingo?

[Carbomb]

5 minutes ago, Chili said:

No idea if something or a thread exists in the past for this, but what languages can you speak or are you currently learning one!

Being over in France now I'm shockingly studying French at A1 beginner level at the uni in Clermont-Ferrand. It's going ok, reading and writing isn't bad (though memorising new words is a bit iffy), but I'm still really absolutely sucking badly at listening exercises. Everything just sounds like an undecipherable wall of noise. I'm not sure how to get around the issue, beyond just doing more revision and hopefully I'll get there as I don't really want to resit beginners again. It's also the first time I've ever tried learning a new language so maybe that's something to do with something. Anyway, who here knows the multi-lingo?

This was the thread - not saying you're necessarily wrong for starting a fresh one; I only mention it because it has a lot of good advice in it:

As regards listening comprehension, you're already doing the best thing possible, which is living in the country in question and immersing yourself in the language. Just let it "wash over" you, and you'll be surprised how quickly your ear accustomises.

[gmoney]

I'm a level 15 at Spanish on Duolingo after about six months. That means I do one thing a day to keep my streak alive and learn almost nothing really. Mi gato es muy bonita. 

Edited December 2, 2025 by gmoney

[waters44]

Yeah this is me 100%. We’ve got the family plan so my wife and daughter nudge me on the app to keep the streaks alive. I just go in, click “can’t speak now” and do the same French lesson over and over again. If I ever find myself in Paris I’ll be able to point at two cats and say “deux chats” and that’s about it.