If you had to learn a new language very quickly, where would you begin?

[strawberriesarenot]

Enough to get by with some manners etc. obviously not a whole new language.
I've got 4 weeks.
I can't get on with duolingo- the sound effects drive me nuts, that owl and all the squawking.

I would really welcome some advice and suggestions, thank you.

It might help to know which language?

One to one or two to one lessons with a native speaker for several hours a day, ideally one who speaks English! (I have actually done this in the past). Or are you trying to combine this with a job/family/other responsibilities?

One to one lessons for 3+ hours a day with a native speaker, then self study for a few more hours. I got to C1 level in 10 weeks this way.

formalineadeline

Sorry, should have said. Panicking a bit. Italian. It's for work.

Michel Thomas CDs, although I think there's now an app you can buy the sound files/lessons from.

There is a website called italki where you can book lessons with native speakers delivered via zoom.

Cross post, I definitely recommend Michel Thomas for Italian.

Yes, I am combining it with a job, family and absolutely no money. I could buy books. Self employed. Tax has wiped me out, so..

Watch films in Italian with subtitles. Choose a 5 min segment. Watch with the subtitles. See what words/ phrases you recognize. Watch a few more times. Now watch without subtitles.

Memrise is free of charge

Why do you have to learn it out of interest?

If it's for work could you ask them for either funding or time to learn?

I'll go against the advice here and suggest qualified teacher (regardless of nationality) rather than native speaker. They will be able to explain certain grammatical rules and show you how to learn. Native speakers have slight advantage if you want to practice speaking skills, but that's it really. I'd recommend enrolling to short intense course and practice a lot at home.

Also, what do you need to do?
Speak only/converse? Read? Write?

@BillyBarryBoo

Watch films in Italian with subtitles. Choose a 5 min segment. Watch with the subtitles. See what words/ phrases you recognize. Watch a few more times. Now watch without subtitles.

I agree. And watch Netflix with Italian subtitles.

@D0lphine

Why do you have to learn it out of interest?

If it's for work could you ask them for either funding or time to learn?

Self employed, so no!

@TheSpottedZebra

Also, what do you need to do? Speak only/converse? Read? Write?

Mostly converse. Answer questions ( some from children). Be sociable and polite.

Watch kids cartoons in Italian, with English subtitles. Kids books in Italian

Do you already speak another Latin language, like French or Spanish? If you do 4 weeks is doable. If you have other non Romance languages then it’ll be a stretch but still fairly doable. If monoglot then it will be more of a challenge.

I disagree Italian films with English subtitles. If you have zero knowledge you should start the other way around so you see the words. Better to start with children’s programmes. Maybe start with Peppa pig in Italian, they all speak clearly.

If you do need enough to be able to converse fairly comfortably in 4 weeks from absolutely zero, then you will need an intensive course/tutor. Peppa pig and the other TV and radio is useful as a complementary tool but is of limited use on its own (unless you are 2).

Sorry it probably doesn't help, but you reminded me of this IT Crowd episode where Jen speaks Italian 🤣
Any chance you could take it till you make it?

fake it till you make it.

1. Focus on pronunciation first. Of words and of sentences. Repeat after people (or recordings) again and again. You will be much easier to understand, you will understand better, and you will get a sense of the language.

1. For the vocabulary, Anki is brilliant if you can find a good stack. Try to find a word stack with only nouns, they are easier to remember and most useful.

1. Then, for learning verbs, adjectives, prepositions and so on, find a way to learn full sentences. It can be an Anki stack, a Disney movie you know well in your own language, recipes if you like cooking, whatever. Pick the right type of subject to learn the right kind of sentences. You will soon be able to mimic the structure of these easy sentences while swapping the key nouns for others you have learned (see step 2) and this will allow you a much broader range of usable vocabulary more quickly.

Experience: I speak seven languages, to various levels, and have moved around a LOT for my job. This includes Chinese, Russian and a bunch of roman and germanic languages. My partner is a native English speaker with less language exposure so with him I've seen what's essential for those of us who don't have all grammar terms in their heads and still need to pick up a new language efficiently...

Forget declension and too much grammar. For now, focus on frequent sentences. You will pick up a lot to get buy, and the real grammar can come later. Also a waste of time: numbers (too hard), adjectives, typical expressions, children's books (way too specialised a vocabulary), apps that gamify but don't focus on one thing in particular (you don't have enough time to waste to spend it in such an untargeted way...)

I use Duolingo for Spanish and there is no squawking.

Pimsleur. No squawking.

Spend enough time finding the right materials. Don't feel that'd a waste of time. It's not.

And when you have been picky enough with your materials, try to master them really really well. It pays off more than trying to do a bit of everything.

Mostly converse. Answer questions ( some from children). Be sociable and polite.

Then I'd get some lessons, znd brief your teacher well. Lessons can be online, doesn't necessarily have to be a teacher, you just need some phrases and to get talking. Ideally record the lessons so you can practice loads before your next lesson.