Learning Swedish
I speak Spanish fluently, the result of growing up in South America. Thankfully I never had to study it since I just learned it as a grew up. In high school I studied German and was able to hold my own when I traveled to Germany in high school. Mr Chiots and I are planning a trip to Sweden next fall, so we decided to learn Swedish. I found Duolingo, a free language program and we’ve been using it for a few weeks.
I even put the app on my phone and now I can do my 10 minute lesson when I’m out and about and have a few minutes to spare. One of these days I’m going to go through the Spanish lessons to keep up on that language.
Overall, I think this program is FANTASTIC! It’s a great way to learn a language for a trip or just to keep your brain active. I use both the desktop and the phone version because they are both different and I learn different things from each. I like the flexibility of being able to complete the lesson while I’m at my desk or when I’m out and about. The best part is that it’s FREE! So sign up, friend me (ChiotsRun) and start learning a new language or strengthening one you already know.
Do you know any other languages besides your native tongue? If you could study one language, which would it be?
Filed under Miscellaneous | Comments (7)
I discovered Duolingo this time last year and love it too. I like the micro-goals and being able to repeat things over and over until they stick. I’m up to a 206 day streak! :)
I started off learning German but then decided to “refresh” my French – I studied it for seven years at school but that was 20 years ago and I’ve barely used it in the meantime. I feel I have a better handle on the languages now than I have ever done before – and I’m reading novels in French too now, which is very satisfying.
Next year I’d like to pick up German again and maybe start Russian – such fun!
to Louisa's comment
Yes, I’m hoping to use it to brush up on my Spanish when I feel like I’ve got a handle on my Swedish. It’s great how they kind of gameify it to keep you wanting to do it daily.
to Susy's comment
Thank you so much for sharing this. What a great app! Looking forward to relearning Italian and this looks like a great app for our homeschool as well.
to Emily's comment
Susy, my heritage is German and I did live there during my military years for one and a half years. Actually living in a country that speaks very little English encourages the learning of the language. That’s been 45 years ago and most of what I had learned I’ve forgotten. If I was to learn another language today it would probably be Spanish. There are a lot of Spanish speaking people in this country today. I was once told that if a person could speak English, Spanish, and French that a person could communicate with 90% of the people in the world. I’m not sure that’s true any more with advance of Japan and China.
Have a great language learning day.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
Fun to hear you’re heading to Sweden in the fall! If you’re going to be around Stockholm make sure to visit Rosendals trädgården, skansen, and the photography museum. But I’d also recommend the Bergianska trädgården up by the University. Great café, and there’s a fun garden center at one end of the grounds. It’s a little hidden gem. There’s a kayak rental up that way too, if the weather is warm it’s a great way to explore the archipelago. I’ll try to think of more suggestions too, especially if you post about it again!
to Erin's comment
You’re the second person to recommend this so I thought I’d give it a try and I’m hooked. I’m practicing Spanish for a mission trip to Belize.
to Lee's comment
I love your blog. It’s so simple, refreshing and peaceful!
Where did you grow up in SA? I spent 6 months in Ecuador/Bolivia/Peru/Argentina/Uruguay and met my husband in Ecuador actually. (He’s from Montana). So Ecuador is a special place for us!
to Nikala's comment