Tips on learning the Polish language!

Lewandowski

Jun 22, 11, 19:10 #1

I know that the Polish language is one that is not easy to learn but i really want to learn it. I am a half Polish american but i would like to become more familiar with Poland and i feel the only way i can do that is by learning the language. Any suggestions on good softwares, books, websites that are good at teaching the language or anything a native speaker thinks would be important about learning the language would be appreciated.

inka622Threads: 9 Posts: 45 Joined: Aug 12, 10 ♀	Jun 22, 11, 19:43 #2
I think the best way to learn the language is to surround yourself with it. It is a very difficult language to learn. ( I have been learning it for 3 years and I still have only a slight grasp of it ) But if you have polish speaking friends, they would be the best teachers. They will teach you the important stuff, and the rest you can pick up from books etc etc.

A PholainnThreads: - Posts: 1 Joined: Jun 22, 11 ♀	Jun 22, 11, 20:09 #3
On a scale of one to ten, how difficult is it?

♂

Jun 22, 11, 20:26 #4

Lewandowski:

Any suggestions on good softwares, books, websites that are good at teaching the language or anything a native speaker thinks would be important about learning the language would be appreciated.

I learned English by using Google search engine (the exact phrase blank). If some phrase I constructed gave me more hits I considered it as correct ;) Next thing is a reading text in which you are really interested in (you are familiar with). eg I was IT guy and majority of manuals are written in English ;) Some of Polish satelite stations like TV Polonia broadcast tv series with en subtitles. Don't focus on grammar. Better learn phrases by heart.

powodzenia :)

scottie1113Threads: 11 Posts: 873 Joined: Mar 13, 07 ♂	Jun 22, 11, 21:04 #5
A Pholainn: On a scale of one to ten, how difficult is it? 15

trojkat

Aug 7, 11, 15:42 #6

Hello, I am a 19 year old guy from England, with English being my first language. I have been learning Polish for only 10 months and yet I am already at a B2/C1 level. Before I started learning Polish I had had no previous experience. If I can do it then ANYONE can do it. And in case you don't believe me, to przeczytaj to zdanie, które napisałem po polsku. Się uczę polskiego na uniwersytecie, i myślę, że w początku język polski jest trudny (dla początkujących, który byłem 10 miesięcy temu) (przepraszam za wszystkie błędy w tym tekście.)
I know that Polish can be hard, and there have been times where I have been like 'why the hell is that ending like that?' but I think I have learnt it so quickly because I am in the frame of mind that 'If millions of kids can learn polish to perfection, then why can't I, an adult, do the same?'

Zman	Aug 7, 11, 15:51 #7
Trojkat, you only made 2 tiny mistakes: s/b: z początku - not: w początku s/b: dla początkujących, którym byłem In spoken language those mistakes would be hardly noticeable. Good work and keep up the effort!

CulturesrockThreads: - Posts: 4 Joined: Aug 14, 11 ♂	Aug 19, 11, 06:18 #8
You might want to try Dino Lingo language dvds... dinolingo.com/languages/polish.html

LeopejoThreads: 6 Posts: 154 Joined: Sep 16, 09 ♂	Aug 19, 11, 10:32 #9
Się uczę polskiego na uniwersytecie Uczę się...

catsoldierThreads: 90 Posts: 697 Joined: Sep 27, 09 ♂	Feb 26, 12, 20:23 #10
Has anyone tips on how to start speaking in Polish? I am like a kid, I understand some of what I hear but I can't speak, say what I want say etc. :-(

a.k.

Feb 26, 12, 21:08 #11

catsoldier:

Has anyone tips on how to start speaking in Polish?

I am like a kid, I understand some of what I hear but I can't speak, say what I want say etc. :-(

Just speak :)
It's really the same when learning English (and any other language): one can read, one can write, one can listen, but one cannot speak - this is the most difficult part!
Maybe try to learn key phrases by heard. Don't expect that you will be able to say everything you want in nearest time and don't even try it. Just use the ones you have learnt and you are sure they are right.
I'm also strugglung with speaking in English. I can write long opinionated comments but I would not manage to spew out a simple sentence in a chat.

♂

Feb 26, 12, 22:05 #12

a.k.:

Just speak :)It's really the same when learning English (and any other language): one can read, one can write, one can listen, but one cannot speak - this is the most difficult part!Maybe try to learn key phrases by heard. Don't expect that you will be able to say everything you want in nearest time and don't even try it. Just use the ones you have learnt and you are sure they are right.I'm also strugglung with speaking in English. I can write long opinionated comments but I would not manage to spew out a simple sentence in a chat.

Thanks AK. Who will you speak to?

♂

Feb 26, 12, 22:09 #13

catsoldier:

I am like a kid, I understand some of what I hear but I can't speak, say what I want say etc. :-(

isn't Rosetta Stone Polish supplied with voice recording? you repeat phrases spoken out by the programme and the programme records it

just enter various sentences or single words into ivona.com and try repeating what you hear - there are some basic alphabet sound lessons on youtube - search for Polish alphabet simply

a.k.	Feb 26, 12, 22:12 #14
catsoldier: Who will you speak to? I must settle for speaking to myself...

peter_olsztynThreads: 8 Posts: 760 Joined: Apr 18, 07 ♂	Feb 26, 12, 23:11 #15
catsoldier: Has anyone tips on how to start speaking in Polish? by heart. Like this: Excuse me. I would like to buy an ordinary sugar. Could you help me (magic word here) ;)

jasondmzkThreads: 31 Posts: 503 Joined: Jun 1, 11 ♂	Feb 26, 12, 23:17 #16
If someone were of the mind to save themselves about $700, they could steal the Polish Rosetta Stone torrent, and mount the .iso with the (free) daemon tools lite. Just sayin'.

catsoldierThreads: 90 Posts: 697 Joined: Sep 27, 09 ♂	Feb 27, 12, 00:15 #17
peter_olsztyn: by heart. Like this:Excuse me. I would like to buy an ordinary sugar. Could you help me (magic word here);) This is a good idea too a.k.: I must settle for speaking to myself... :-) Thanks.

ellie1987

Feb 27, 12, 18:45 #18

Hi, thought I would add to this. I'm 24, English is my native language, and I've learned French in the past. I've been studying Polish for 1.5 hours a week for the last 10 months (I have a full-time job and other commitments, so can't devote a huge amount of time to Polish language)

I am just starting to get there. I can't communicate in full sentences all the time, but my vocabulary is now quite good and I can understand a lot of what others say and write.

Having found French easy to learn at school (I got an A in my A-Level), I have to say that Polish is significantly more difficult. It is not a quick language to learn, even if you are linguistically talented. But, once you get over the hurdles of the cases and different sentence structure, it gets much quicker and is rather satisfying.

Find a tutor and commit a couple of hours a week to the cause, and you'll be well on your way in a year's time.

peter_olsztynThreads: 8 Posts: 760 Joined: Apr 18, 07 ♂	Feb 27, 12, 20:12 #19
ellie1987: I can understand a lot of what others say I think it is the most important thing. Even if one can not answer quickly and correctly but can act in proper way or at least answer in English.

♂

Mar 4, 12, 00:04 #20

Can people tell me what techniques that they use to learn the Polish language so that they don't forget what they have learnt?

Are there techniques for remembering specific to language learning?

Any ideas on how to learn perfective and imperfective verbs? I learnt some of them today but I know that in a weeks time I will forget them, even if I learn them again next week I will forget them again, how can I remember them forever?

♂

Edited by: gumishu Mar 4, 12, 10:45 #21

catsoldier:

Any ideas on how to learn perfective and imperfective verbs? I learnt some of them today but I know that in a weeks time I will forget them, even if I learn them again next week I will forget them again, how can I remember them forever?

repetitio est magistra studiorum or something like that - first of all you need to be really interested in what you try to learn (this is half of success) - when there is some pattern you need to consciously integrate it (so that you can recreate the pattern on your own) - if memorising is necessary you need to repeat stuff - but not forcing yourself to repeat it but just reviewing - reviewing often opens some hidden doors in mind - that's why it is good to have your own notes (things you write down personally - hand written notes are best) - the ultimate method of repetition in learning a language is real usage

a.k.

Mar 4, 12, 11:01 #22

catsoldier:

Are there techniques for remembering specific to language learning?

There are no specific ways to learn it for good except repeating and actually using it on daily basis. Even a native speaker can forget a language if they live abroad and don't use it frequently.
As for mere learning you might be satisfied with mnemo methods (I don't like them because I have no imagination enough good to make associations for each word but maybe other people are more suitable for that method)
If you don't know what is a mnemo technic, basicly it's all about thinkig of random associations with the sound of the word. More fanny the association is the better you remember it.

catsoldierThreads: 90 Posts: 697 Joined: Sep 27, 09 ♂	Mar 4, 12, 13:12 #23
gumishu: when there is some pattern you need to consciously integrate it a.k.: mnemo methods Thanks AK and Gumishu

joio	Mar 4, 12, 22:21 #24
Hi. To try and learn/remember polish im trying to use it in my every day life. So when i see an object i say "Widzę stół" im i saying this right? Im i saying i see a table? dziękuję

catsoldierThreads: 90 Posts: 697 Joined: Sep 27, 09 ♂	Mar 4, 12, 23:59 #25
joio: To try and learn/remember polish im trying to use it in my every day life. So when i see an object i say "Widzę stół" im i saying this right? Im i saying i see a table? Thanks

POLAND . The Unofficial Guide	Unanswered \| Archives
POLAND . The Unofficial Guide	Poland News and Events	Witamy, Guest \| PF Members \| Gold Members

Home \| Unanswered \| Archives \| Random \| Statistics	Time in Poland: 16:05 / May 26
About Us \| Contact Us \| Rules, Privacy \| Poland Advertising	© 2005-12 PolishForums.com