When you learnt a second language how long was it before you attempted to talk to a native speaker?

Question

Many people learn a second language, either at home online or in classes. It's one thing to practice asking your dog if he knows the way to the station or asking a classmate what time is, but it's a whole new step to try your new found language skills on a native.

Will they look blankly at you not understanding a word you said? Or will they answer, and you won't catch a single word you know? Will they look at you in disgust for massacring the grammar?

So how long was it before you felt confident enough to give it a go and did it go well or was it a disaster?

Buntyp · Accepted Answer

Look for a conversation group in the language. That's what they're all about. Or, if at all possible, visit the country where it's spoken. Only the French do that arrogant shit of looking down their noses, and not even all of them. In most countries that have a language of their own, people are charmed by those who make the effort to try to speak it. Most normal humans enjoy the puzzle involved in achieving understanding, whether it's by word or by hand signals.

dustybiker · Accepted Answer

I learned dog commands in German, French and a couple others (best for dogs who work in public as it prevents interference) when first becoming a trainer. Some of the looks I received from the trained dogs back then were embarrassing.

De_La_BakedBeans · Accepted Answer

It's hard to classify my 'second language' because I grew up speaking two, English and Chinese.
But I guess German would be my new language. I learned it for 5 years, never once talked to a German, and thought I was doing great, and then I went to Germany and realized I was actually sh*t at speaking German.
And thus I forgot everything and now I can't speak it, save a few common words and phrases, along with barely enough to make a short conversation. Yay.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Ah yes, Paris 2010. I boarded a train at the Charles de Gaul aiport. A sign flashed up that said something like 'Normandie 14:00' I knew I wasn't going to Normandy, so I asked a lady, "Est-ce que c'est le métro?' She looked at me like I was crazy, so I just got off the train. There was a Boy Scout sitting on a bench. I said 'Pardon ou est métro.' Luckily he pointed me to the right direction. He was my hero.

AviatorTom · Answer

I studied French in high school and we went on a trip to Quebec, where we were encouraged to speak Fench. Do it was only a matter of months.

Later in life, I was working on a project destined for China. As preparation for the first meeting with our customer in China, I took a 10 week course in Mandarin Chinese. About 6 weeks later, I was in China, communicating as best I could in my limited Mandarin. The Chinese people were impressed, and it helped the project succeed.

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

I am to languages what alcoholics are to the temperance movement.

at school we learned the obligatory German and French.

Pretty much everyone I tried practicing my languages skills on then spoke English better than I did.

saying that back then I struggled speaking to English people.

HighlyVolatile · Answer

Not long but I start by stating that I'm still learning the language. Most people tend to become very patient and start speaking in a slower and simplified way in response which helps me. There have been a few though in my experience where I state that I am still learning the language and they end up rephrasing everything very quickly in a dozen different ways overwhelming me with all the unfamiliar vocabulary. Those moments can get a bit awkward. :-D

Jamie05rhs · Answer

I tried hitting on a Latina girl when I was 14. But I f*cked it up. I said "Tú es muy bonita" instead of "Tú eres muy bonita." Lol 🤦 This was after only one semester of Spanish.

melanieeeB · Answer

I learned my second language (german) in first grade, so i had to speak to native speaking people all the time and from the get go

Red_Arrow · Answer

A few minutes. The first phrase I learned was "Where is the bathroom" and I needed to use it immediately bar hopping in Japan.

molonski2 · Answer

Well , pretty much I do it here everyday , but sadly I can only do basics , best way to learn is F2F.

NathanDavis · Answer

I started right away... it's the best way to speed up the process actually, I still butcher the English language on a daily basis

Barry88 · Answer

I can't remember it ever took long. I speak a couple of languages, some better than others. But I'm not afraid to speak other languages.

ohshee · Answer

Its English and im just now starting to pick it up a little butter

AndrésC64 · Answer

There were some native speakers when I took Spanish in college. And as part of my program I had to do an internship in Barcelona. So that forced me to.

jahaims · Answer

Never spoke to someone who natively speaks the language I learned. I randomly was eavesdropping once without realizing they were speaking French. I had to do a double take.

Twalli · Answer

My Spanish teachers (except one) had Spanish as their first language. By sophomore year in highschool we had to speak Spanish in class. In college the classes were in Spanish only.

exitseven · Answer

I had 4 years of high school French and about the only thing I can do is order Soup DuJour.

Mark987 · Answer

I can speak two decently well my third one I can understand very well.. but have a hard time speaking it but i am still trying

Titttybear · Answer

6 months? My English teacher bullied me so i had sex with her and she said oh god that was the first time i talk to a native speaker

jimmy2 · Answer

I know English and my 2nd language is prison slang that took a month

Anonymous · Answer

I cannot learn a foreign language. I guess my senses are off. 🙆🏻‍♀️

LegendaryIcon · Answer

i still don't really know a second language, and i had to take 2 years of it for h. s.

Agape93 · Answer

About a year and a half, give or take

Naimgood · Answer

What second language did you learnt? Ebonics

lycanthrope3 · Answer

Never did, always wanted to learn gaelic

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

They’re all physically dead

Babygirl_S · Answer

Many years.

Waldoe · Answer

never...

EaterPeter · Answer

Sooner the better

When you learnt a second language how long was it before you attempted to talk to a native speaker?

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