Learning Polish has gone on the back burner for a while as I need to prepare for my summer expedition to the Ukraine by frenetically learning Ukrainian.
Here's the level of writing I'm currently at, checked by my Ukrainian teacher and as you can see, it's not that great, but not too bad either! (Corrections in yellow and brown)
Моя сім'я має (складається з) п'ятьох осіб
Мою маму звати ґаинор, вона не працює, вона пенсіонер. вона любить відпустка (You've forgat about знахідний відмінок. Remember "кого?, що? Відпустка is of feminine gender, so you had to write "відпустку"). Мого тата звати стевен, він директор і вінт еж любить відпустка ("відпустку", the same rule). Мого брата звати карл, він працівник для боінґ (він працює у компанії "Боїнг"). він любить роботи (again знахідний відмінок. "Робота" is a feminine gender, so better to write "роботу"). Мою сестра звати рацгел, вона любить рок-музику
я люблю моґо (мою) сім’я!
So I've been learning Ukrainian for about 6 months now alongside my 2 years of Polish. Do any speakers of Polish as a foreign language understand any of this Ukrainian? Once you get past the cyrillic it's surprisingly similar to Polish.
One semi-interesting debate in the bloogsphere recently is whether these two guys can really live up to what their blogs are saying in terms of language learning.
Irishpolyglot - Claims to be able to give you language 'hacks' to improve your communicative ability in around three months
and
Yearlyglot - Offers similar but at around a years time invested.
Personally, I think these guys offer an 'alternative' to the traditional methods people try when learning a language. Many people (me inclusive) have bad memories of language learning from school and this deters most from even starting to learn a language they are interested in. I think the blogs of these two guys can help people overcome that barrier by offering a new insight that breaks the myth of classroom + teacher + grammar approach.
that's my opinion but really I want your opinions so I've added a new poll up top ;)
Here's the level of writing I'm currently at, checked by my Ukrainian teacher and as you can see, it's not that great, but not too bad either! (Corrections in yellow and brown)
Моя сім'я має (складається з) п'ятьох осіб
Мою маму звати ґаинор, вона не працює, вона пенсіонер. вона любить відпустка (You've forgat about знахідний відмінок. Remember "кого?, що? Відпустка is of feminine gender, so you had to write "відпустку"). Мого тата звати стевен, він директор і вінт еж любить відпустка ("відпустку", the same rule). Мого брата звати карл, він працівник для боінґ (він працює у компанії "Боїнг"). він любить роботи (again знахідний відмінок. "Робота" is a feminine gender, so better to write "роботу"). Мою сестра звати рацгел, вона любить рок-музику
я люблю моґо (мою) сім’я!
So I've been learning Ukrainian for about 6 months now alongside my 2 years of Polish. Do any speakers of Polish as a foreign language understand any of this Ukrainian? Once you get past the cyrillic it's surprisingly similar to Polish.
One semi-interesting debate in the bloogsphere recently is whether these two guys can really live up to what their blogs are saying in terms of language learning.
Irishpolyglot - Claims to be able to give you language 'hacks' to improve your communicative ability in around three months
and
Yearlyglot - Offers similar but at around a years time invested.
Personally, I think these guys offer an 'alternative' to the traditional methods people try when learning a language. Many people (me inclusive) have bad memories of language learning from school and this deters most from even starting to learn a language they are interested in. I think the blogs of these two guys can help people overcome that barrier by offering a new insight that breaks the myth of classroom + teacher + grammar approach.
that's my opinion but really I want your opinions so I've added a new poll up top ;)
God, I'm impressed. You have motivation by the bucket load. My Polish is achieved mainly by osmosis; which means that after many years I am still at a low level of reading and writing. Can you recomend any good text books?
ReplyDeleteAs a polish teacher, I would suggest 'Hurra' series.
ReplyDeleteIt's the most popular with my students
I can agree with 'Hurra' as being one of the best Polish textbooks to use. I've done the first two (nearly) and it's taken me to a good pre-int level. The third textbook should take people up to B1 level but at the moment I'm really lacking motivation for my Polish. I dont know why but language learning is swings and roundabouts for me although I do make an effort to learn any day to day vocab I think I'm missing. For example I've recently been stdying DIY vocab so it's easier to work with my father in law! I rarely worry about grammar and try to pick it up as you described through 'Osmosis', although occasionally if something really bugs me i'll good an explanation.
ReplyDeleteAs for Ukrainian, I'd recommend any speaker of Polish as a foreign language to try learning it. Once you get past the alphabet things are pretty similar and it can be very rewarding to learn because you pick everything up so quicky. For example, Dzien dobry in Ukrainian is Dobry Den, easy to remember right?
The real problem with learning Ukrainian is the complete lack of resource. My Ukrainian teacher has to prepare from scratch every single lesson which is quite time consuming. I've advised her after she's prepared 20 or so lessons to publish her own textbook! I use Pimsleur Ukrainian tapes but they are nearly 25 years old and not very current.
I also used Michel Thomas audio course to hep me pick up basic Polish and form sentences, it's just a shame they dont do a Ukrainian version :(
I didn't like Hurra's A2 book. Many of the texts were loaded with language that seemed not very useful When I showed it to my wife and mother in law they were really surprised at the texts and how they were written. I don't think they were adapted very well to the level.
ReplyDeleteThat aside, I'm not big on text book learning. I did up to B1 in courses but for the past 3 years have just done my best to speak as much Polish to everyone I meet and carry a dictionary with me everywhere I go. For a good while I kept a little notebook with me where I put down all new words I came across. I've decided now I'll make a stab at rejuvenating my blog with Polish-English posts.
I'm happy I came across your blog and impressed you are learning Ukrainian. Is it for work purposes? Why not learn Russian instead?
Cheers for your comments regarding Hurra 2. The reason I'm a big fan of textbooks is it seems to give me some sort of structure and Ican see my progress. One week I'm on chapter 10 the next Chapter 12, it makes me feel like I'm taking steps forward. I, too, agree that getting out and using Polish is important. I know a few peeps that speak Polish well in the classroom but are afriad to use it in real life :( it's a shame because it's so much fun! I think the key is not to be afriad of your mistakes.
ReplyDeleteAs for Ukrainian? I just love the country so I thought about picking up the lingo!
I remember from Hurra 2 the text about old communist PRL and Pewex shops etc... I agree maybe not exactly great vocabulary to know but it was defo cool to learn about.
ReplyDeletePRL RULES!
I love Ukrainian. I find it one of the most pleasant languages to hear spoken. I learned a little bit a couple years ago, and I will certainly make a more serious effort of it as some time in the future.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you!