What languages did you learn?

[Clevercat]

And at what age?

The reason I ask is because Alena who is four seems very able to pick up German that her Uncle has been teaching her, some Romanian words that a family friend has taught her, and also some Mandarin.

If I were rich I would get them all taught languages ...............

I did French at School but did not see the point then in learning, poor misguided child, LOL

[Andy]

I worked with a teacher 6/7 years ago who was adamant that children should be taught languages at ages 4-7 as they soak it up and the words come naturally to them ( just like your example with Alena ) . She used to bring French into the Infant School teaching, even though it wasn't in the curriculum, and the children picked it up very well.

I learnt French at school, but the best thing was living in France on two week-long exchange trips which was far better than any lesson in school simply because the language surrounded me.

Also learnt a little Spanish about 4 years ago before going there on holiday, it's useful for using brief phrases now and again.

[Ozgirl]

As you know CC we both learnt French at school, I hated it and the teacher, we both had a mutual dislike for each other lol.  But on moving on here I was delighted to find that my childrens new school have a LOTE (language other than English) program and are now having an Italian lesson once a week.  This continues right the way through up to HIgh School.   Stephen enjoys it, and Hannah more so coming home telling me what she has learnt, and can now count one to ten in perfect Italian.

I hope this gives my children more enthusiasm for learning a language than I ever had.  I do truly believe if it is taught from an early age they absorb and enjoy it a lot more!

[cuthbert-murray]

well cc german isvery similar to english and easier for us brits to learn and pick up i think exspose her to these languages as she will find it easier at her age .
personally we learnt french at school which ive never really had the need for or really want to use it as im not really interested in visiting france ever again, but ive lived is spain and through having to i picked up the language very quickly , again ive worked in barbering for so manyyears and in my trade its definatley very italian dominated so working with so many italians over the years and they really only communicate with each other in their own tounge regardless of who is with them i picked up that and now speak flunetly in italian , a little story which still makes me chuckle years ago i worked with a guy italian called pietro in windsor this italian pensioner came in and sais to pete in itiy he would not be having any english scum cut his hair well pete looked at me and winked then said to the chap in english hes ok cutting and i would apologise to him as he just understood everything youve just said  , the guy looked very embarresed then left the shop without apologising

[Slow Joe]

I learnt German & French at school, and then some Italian at a club after school.

It is amazing how quickly very young chidren can pick up languages. My niece used to live in Thailand and when she left (aged 4) she could speak English, French, Thai and Laos, all fairly well, and some Cantonese.

[Clevercat]

My brothers have suggested taking her to language school or tuition, but I would suspect this is just something more affluent people do?

[cuthbert-murray]

its not really a affluent persons thing , go ahead and find out the fees and ask her teacher if there is anywhere she may be able to pick up the languages, at affordable rates to all,you never know but as she has a talent the education system might accomadate  even the colleages

[Clevercat]

Mm, not sure.  I know Morgan learned Spanish at School last year temporarily, and he loved it, and now they are learning French.

I will look into it though.

[cuthbert-murray]

i dont know either but the old saying is if you dont ask !

[Yokel]

I didn’t see the point in learning a language when I was at school – but today we live in a different world where the language of choice in the Western business world is English and its most polite to know at least a smattering of a selection of languages so you can order a hotel, wish bon voyage etc when you are abroad.  I speak a bit of French (and am learning more), a smattering of German and Spanish, I can say hello and thankyou in Thai and Greek, and am currently learning a “tourist level” of Dutch.  Truth is in Europe that if you are in Holland, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, you can get by perfectly well with only English – its just more polite to at least try their language.
Its MUCH harder to learn alanguage or anything like a musical instrument as you get older.