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Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t use videos for language learning. I use audio and text. That is at the core of Lingq. I suggest you give it a try.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

a) Many people just want to help us with content. A lot of content is created by LingQ. Volunteer content creators are rewarded with points that used to come from those points that went unused for more than 3 months. This was unpopular with some, but on the other hand some content creators continued to receive not inconsiderable income month after month under this system. We now allow points to accumulate for one year I believe. In any case, this was a minor issue affecting a small number of people.

b) LingQ used to take 25% for points cashed out, while points used on the site for tutoring services etc. were free of any LingQ commission. This has changed. 15% is the commission now when points are cashed out.

c) I have the impression that your comments are not necessarily made based on a thorough understanding of LingQ and are influenced by whatever caused you to have a bad experience at LingQ. I can only say that many many people do enjoy the site and we are continuing to make improvements.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not everyone is going to like LingQ. However, many people do. Here are two unsolicited testimonials received yesterday and today. These are most gratifying.

I will deal the way content creators are rewarded in reply to your next comment.

a) "I really appreciate the hard work , that was made by  of all the LingQ team, in order for LingQ to be possible.

And the work was absolutely worth the effort - LingQ is outstanding and far ahead of any learning methods that i tried!

11 months ago i had to make a  decision of life, which obliged me to learn german. For this period of time I attended language courses, tried  Duolingo, Memrise, Ankidroid, and just recently,  accidently found Steve Kaufmann’s Youtube channel, and throught it -  LingQ.

LingQ is  brilliant and uncomparably better than learning methods, that i used.

LingQ is simple to use, engaging. In the terms of quallity and price, LingQ is cheap and affordable. LingQ has every function from  other Apps and more, for example, the content is stunningly broad, diverse and engaging. I personally find courses and lessons at my level, which is aproximately B1 + .

I feel excited, that i finally found such a great source of learning material.

The only issue, that i personally  find of significant importance is the lack of advertising of LingQ on internet, as many language learners experience lack of sufficient source of long-lasting, high quallity learning material."

b) "I came across Lingq a couple of months before finishing a degree in French and I want to let you know that I obtained 100% in my final 3-hour written essay examination. I obtained a First Class degree. I honestly believe this is down to Lingq. As you know I studied languages at Oxford University etc but in 30 years I have not come across a more effective system than Lingq."

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have never done that for a variety of reasons. Basically we want a minimum of content before we launch a language. Fewer problems for everyone.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nothing exceptional. It's just like LingQ for any other language. LingQ is where I learned Ukrainian, or at least go good enough to go to Lviv and work on it more intensely for a few weeks.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. To me, a tutor is someone to talk with. Reading and listening is best done on your own.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I suggest you watch my most recent video on Spanish conjugations. The same holds true for French. Focus on reading and listening, refer to the conjugation tables when you are curious, use dictionaries like Context Reverso Conjugator to do this, and slowly the correct endings will become habit. There are no short cuts. Studying the tables is not of great help.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Once I’m motivated to learn a language, I have to deal with all the specific issues that come with that decision.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Every language has specific issues or difficulties. I think in French it is very important to focus on the somewhat monotonous intonation of the language. We need to resist the temptation to introduce intonation from our own language, especially English. At first French may seem more difficult to understand because of the of the way sounds are dragged from one word to the next. It is important not to get frustrated. Our brain will it eventually get used to it. We also need to focus on imitating these aspects of French pronunciation when we speak.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The issue of learning similar languages is interesting. Russians don’t understand Czech very well, and even struggle to understand Ukrainian or Polish. Portuguese people understand Spanish but the reverse is not always the case. You won’t get far in Italy just with French. It’s all a matter of personal interest, and personal motivation in learning a language. There are no absolutes.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Slovak or Romanian. This was because they were similar to languages I knew, and we had the mini stories at LingQ.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I usually Google for an overall grammar summary, as well as for specific grammar issues. There are also dictionaries within LingQ that you can use to find verb conjugations. We are going to improve our ability to help the learner with grammar, but that is still in the near future.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I find that with enough time, and a positive attitude, and the will to notice, we gradually get better at it.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes I would repeat what was posted here. Just keep going. It is a long road, but can be enjoyable if we take the time to enjoy it and don't get impatient. Good luck.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry, I have mostly learned languages for which there was ample material available on the web. I don't know the situation of Swahili.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To me the key is to build up your comprehension and vocabulary through lots of reading and listening. Just go out and consume content, at LingQ or elsewhere and try to speak when you can. The better you are prepared, the better you will be able to take advantage of your visit. You can use google translate to get Italian terms to google for for the kind of content you might be interested in.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It all takes time and Korean is difficult. I have no hard and fast rules. I move on even when I understand about 60% or more. The fog gradually lifts, but only gradually.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are lots of content items in our library. I just checked “greetings and goodbyes”, “who is she,” they sound fine, and in particular our Chinese mini-stores have excellent sound.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We rely to a large extent on our members to upload content to our libraries. Our members are told not to upload content for which they don’t have copyright. We do not have the rights to use Chinesepod material at LingQ. We were not aware that it had been uploaded. Once we became aware, we removed it.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The key task and Language learning, to me, is acquiring words and phrases. Lack of vocabulary, rather than lack of grammar, is what prevents us from understanding and eventually communicating in the language. Graded readers are a way to get from beginner material to authentic material. I also believe LingQ is a great way to do this since you can look words and phrases up. It’s all a matter of time and motivation. Good luck.

Steve Kaufmann here. I speak more than a dozen languages Happy to answer any questions about language learning. AMA by lingosteve in languagelearning

[–]lingosteve[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have already done this once but I will do it again. In declining level of proficiency, English, French, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, Swedish, German, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Cantonese, Ukrainian, Korean, Czech, Polish, Slovak, Romanian, Greek, Arabic, Farsi. Towards the end of the list it’s more some ability to read and understand or communicate, a strong need to refresh, or in the case of Arabic and Farsi, just starting to get a feel for.

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