Osaan sanoa ainakin kymmenellä kielellä kiitos...

GERMAN – danke
YIDDISH – a dank
DUTCH – dank u
AFRIKAANS – dankie

ENGLISH - thank you

DANISH – tak
ICELANDIC – takk
SWEDISH – tack
NORWEGIAN – takk

BOSNIAN – hvala
CROATIAN – hvala
SERBIAN – xвала / hvala
SLOVENIAN – hvala

RUSSIAN – спасибо

POLISH – dziękuję  

SLOVAK – Ďakujem
CZECH – děkuji
UKRAINIAN – Дякую

BULGARIAN – благодаря
MACEDONIAN – Благодарам / blagodaram

ROMANIAN – mulţumesc

FRENCH – merci

PORTUGUESE – obrigado/a

LATIN - gratias tibi

CATALAN – gràcies
ITALIAN – grazie
SPANISH – gracias

MALTESE – grazzi

ARABIC – شكرا
LEBANESE – choukrane

HEBREW – תודה 

HINDI – dhanyavād / shukriya

ALBANIAN – faleminderit

WELSH – diolch

IRISH - go raibh maith agat

SCOTTISH - apadh leat

GREEK – ευχαριστώ

ESTONIAN – tänan
FINNISH – kiitos
HUNGARIAN – köszönöm

BASQUE - eskerrak

TURKISH – teşekkür ederim

ARMENIAN – Շնորհակալություն

GEORGIAN - გმადლობთ

HAWAIIAN – mahalo

LATVIAN – paldies
LITHUANIAN – ačiū

CANTONESE – M̀h’gōi

INDONESIAN – terima kasih
MALAY – terima kasih

MONGOLIAN – Баярлалаа

JAPANESE – ありがとう

KOREAN – 감사합니다

MANDARIN – 謝謝

TAMIL – நன்றி

THAI – ขอขอบคุณ

ZULU – ngiyabonga

XHOSA - enkosi

SWAHILI - asante

NAVAJO - Ahéhee'

three elements of the ideal language learning system

Ok, so I am going through my drafts. I don't know where I was going with this, or where I got the inspiration, or if this is even written by me. But I'm publishing it anyway, maybe there's some info someone can use.

The ideal system — and progression — of learning languages is based on three elements in this order…

1. Effectiveness (Priority)
2. Adherence (Interest)
3. Efficiency (Process)

Effectiveness, adherence, and efficiency refer to the “what”, “why”, and “how” of learning a target language, respectively.
In simple terms,
you first decide what to learn, based on usage frequency (priority);
you then filter materials based on your likelihood of continued study and review, or adherence (interest);
lastly, you determine how to learn the material most efficiently (process).

Read what you read in your native language. Learn the vocabulary that's necessary for your every day life. That is CREATE YOUR OWN FREQUENCE LISTS.
Use the target language as a vehicle for learning more about a subject, skill, or cultural area of interest.

The most pertinent questions will be “What will you spend your time doing with this language?”
The answer is the same as “What do I currently spend my time doing?”

How to learn a language in 3 months and start speaking it on the first day

1) Start speaking it on the first day :_D

No, seriously. That's basically it. If you want to speak a language from day one, you need to SPEAK IT FROM DAY ONE.

2) learn the most commonly used words IN CONTEXT

3) Learn cognates (Cognates are “true friends” of words you recognize from your native language that mean the same thing in another language.)

4) Find the people speaking the language where you are

5) use the internet to speak with native speakers! There really are no excuses, if you want to learn to speak a foreign language. None what so ever.
- first, learn some common phrases and "Could you repeat that, please?" and "I'm sorry I don't understand" and "do you speak English?" :-D

6) take advantage of the free resources

7) cut some slack - you can learn a language and the more your know, in general, and the more languages you know, the easier it gets

8) use mnemonics

9) make mistakes

10) Create SMART goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
- specific - I want to be able to read a book in --- language and have some easy conversations
- measurable - number of words, pages of a book, how much time does it take you to read ---pages, how comfortable you feel doing things in language, like *ordering food *shopping *finding your way in a foreign city *discussing weather... You could also set a goal of passing a language test or having a 15 minutes discussion with a native speaker
- attainable and relevant; choose a goal that is realistic and that matters; so you don't need to care about these
- time-bound - set the time limit. I am going to be able to read a children's book without a dictionary in 3 months

11) Use the language every day
- speak, use the language every day. Prepare yourself for the chatting events by finding out what you want to say and a couple of ways to say it, specific vocabulary, translations, practice saying it, out loud, loudly and clearly. The more times a sentence rolls over your lips, the easier it gets for you to actually say it when you get the chance.
- read. Read anything and everything.
- listen, actively, listen to radio, watch (and listen) to the television, watch (and listen) to movies, try to transcribe music videos and movies
- write.

12) practice the pronunciation
- "repeat after me", with a recording AND with a native speaker who can and will correct you
- if you find videos explaining how to create the sounds, that's great
- mind not only the phonemes, but also the intonation, rhythm, volume, sound, way of speaking. (For example, you can listen to a Korean woman speaking English and Korean. She doesn't speak those two languages the same way. Korean is higher, whiny, more nasal language. Sorry, Koreans.)
- learn the non-verbal language as well... they say 3/4 of language is body language, facial expressions, mannerism. So analyse and imitate someone native of your gender and age. (When speaking their native language, mind you!)

Ultimate Guide to Language Learning: From Scratch to Polyglot by Nate from Fluentli

I think this is good information, but Fluentli seems to have disappeared from the internet :-(

So, reposting. 

Language learning is a journey.

And at different points in that journey, you will have different requirements.

The aim of this guide is to be a living resource that you can refer to at any point in your language learning journey.

From how to get started all the way to what it takes to learn multiple languages, all of the links below have been carefully organized so you can quickly find the help or information you need now.

Introduction: Find Your Reason for Learning a Language

Learning a foreign language is tricky. You start out with so much motivation in the beginning, but as soon as that fades you put your studies on the back burner. It’s best to have a solid, practical reason in mind for why you are learning a language. Whether you’re a new learner or have been studying for a while, take some time to choose why you’re doing this — and put it on your wall.

    10 Superb Psychological Advantages of Learning Another Language | PSYBlog
    Why It Makes More Sense Than You Know to Learn a Second Language | Huffington Post
    5 Reasons Why you Should Learn a New Language | Omniglot
    Why Foreign Language Learning Is Still Important | Go Overseas
    Why learn a foreign language? Benefits of bilingualism | The Telegraph

Chapter 1: Get Started on the Right Foot

For many beginners, they simply just don’t know where to start. Especially if you’re set on self-study, take some time to listen to the advice of those who have gone before you.

Avoid common mistakes, and detrimental thoughts:

    4 Things to Stop Believing if You Actually Want to Learn a Language | Fluentli Blog
    10 Most Common Mistakes | Lingoholic
    Five most common mistakes | The Telegraph

Understanding Motivation

    Take Advantage of "Motivation Wave" To Build Better Habits | Lifehacker
    Redefining your motivation | Fluent in 3 Months
    How to Successfully Learn a New Language This Year | Lifehacker

Choosing the right language:

    What language should I learn? | Fluent in 3 Months
    4 easy foreign languages you never thought of learning (and why you should) | Matador Network
    How many words do I need to know? The 95/5 rule in language learning | Lingoholic

Other tips:

    22 Tips For Learning A Foreign Language | Mark Manson
    The Biggest Language-Learning Lesson I’ve Learned | The Smart Language Learner

Chapter 2: First, Learn How to Change Your Behavior

People usually don’t think about this, but learning a language is a complete lifestyle change. And just like choosing to exercise more and lose weight, if you’re not knowledgeable in the basics of your own behavioral psychology, you’re going to struggle with consistency. The below links will give you a great start.

    How Habits Work | Charles Duhigg
    18 Tricks to Make New Habits Stick | Lifehack
    Sticking to a Habit: The Definitive Guide | Zen Habits
    How to Build Good Habits | Sparring Mind
    Systems | Scott Adams Blog

 Chapter 3: Learn About and Improve Your Memory

Memory is a huge part of language learning. People who think they’re bad at learning a language probably also believe they have a bad memory. While they might not have the best memory, it may just be that they’ve never worked on certain techniques to help them remember things better.

    Introduction to Memory Techniques | Mind Tools
    Top Ten Memory Hacks | Lifehacker
    Total Recall | The Guardian
    TED Weekends wonders: What’s the key to memory? | TED Blog

Chapter 4: The Learning Process

One of the reasons why beginners often have no idea where to start with learning a language is because everyone who has done it before as discovered the “right” method to do it. Well, that leaves us with a lot of options, and humans are really terrible decision makers. This section will hopefully give you an overview of the best of the best, and will encourage you to try things until you find the secret combo for you.

4.1: Plan Your Course of Action

    I Learned to Speak Four Languages in a Few Years: Here’s How | Lifehacker
    How to Learn But Not Master Any Language in 1 Hour | Four Hour Work Week
    The Timothy Ferriss 1-Hour Method: Learn a Language Fast | Brazigzag
    How I Learned a Language in 90 Days | Lifehacker
    Guide To Autodidactic Foreign Language Study | Foreign Language Exerptise
    Beyond Immersion: Learn a New Language with Better Listening Skills | Lifehacker

4.2: Master Pronunciation

    The Key to Learning Pronunciation | Fluent Forever
    Revealing How the Brain Recognizes Speech Sounds | Science Daily
    Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension | Omniglot
    How to Tune Your Foreign Language Vowel Pronunciation | Mimic Method Blog
    Learn Pronunciation and Flow with “Flow-verlapping” | Mimic Method Blog

4.3: How to Best Learn Vocabulary

    Imagination: Your Key to Memorizing Hundreds of Words Quickly | Fluent in 3 Months
    How to Memorise Vocabulary | The Telegraph
    How to Remember Words | Lingoholic
    Why It’s Impossible to Learn Words and Phrases Out of Context | L2 Mastery
    Choosing Your Vocabulary | Fluent Forever
    38 Language-Learning Experts Reveal Their Favorite Method for Learning Vocabulary | The Smart Language Learner

4.4: Tips for Successful Language Exchanges

    How to Start a Language Exchange on the Right Foot | Linguatrek
    How to Have a Successful Language Exchange | To Be Fluent
    Making Language Exchanges Work for You | I Will Teach You a Language
    Language Exchange Tips | Polyglot Club
    5 Tips for a More Productive Language Exchange | Matador Network

Chapter 5: How to Push Through a Plateau

When learning any new skill, you reach a point where you make progress much slower than you did. The periods of plateau can feel like you’re stranded in a desert wasteland at times, but those that push through them will discover yet another green pasture of progress on the other side.

    Plateau Busting: How to Take Your Life to the Next Level | The Art of Manliness
    5 Reasons You’re Not Improving as Fast as You Want | L2 Mastery
    3 Ways to Think About Winning | Josh Kaufman (Review your goals, and declare victory on what you have accomplished so far)
    Tenacity is Not the Same as Persistence | Seth Godin  (If the same thing isn’t working, time to try something else given the new data and experiences you have)
    17 Killer Strategies for Never Giving Up | Impossible (The long plateaus where you seem not to be making progress are perfect places to quit, but don’t do it)

Chapter 6: Do You Want to Go the Way of the Polyglot?

Who doesn’t want to be a bad-ass, CIA-like, mother… polyglot? Well, read below and find out for yourself if it’s the direction you’d like to turn your language learning efforts.

    Is Wanting to be a Polyglot a Misdirected Dream? | David Mansaray
    How to Become a Polyglot | Fluent in 3 Months
    The Secret of Language Superlearners  | Time
    Adventures with an Extreme Polyglot | The Daily Beast (Goes with the video below)

    How and Why Polyglots Don’t Confuse Languages | The Polyglot Dream
    How to Learn Multiple Languages Without Getting Confused | AJATT
    Language Switching | Speaking Fluently
    Ask the Readers: Language Specialist or Jack-of-all-Languages? | Mezzoguild

Bonus Chapter: Some Fun and Inspiration

This chapter is for some more fun and inspiration. Enjoy the videos!

Feeling about languages

Isn't it interesting how our experiences of things not too connected to languages, influence how we feel about the languages?

I fell in love with a Norwegian guy. I wanted to learn Norwegian. I even developed a Norwegian accent. :-D

He made it clear that he doesn't want to know about me. Now the mere Norwegian accent irks me. Seeing text in Norwegian makes my upper lip curl. Right now I detest Norwegian and Swedish, and practically the whole North European Germanic language group, except Danish, and I'm not too sure about that either.

But this "adventure" enriched my language with a couple of words. Rumpetroll og rasshøl. And I do pronounce them with Norwegian accent.

Hello, hello, hello...!

Again. Long time no seen :-)

I stopped the 6 weeks challenge - and I also stopped studying Maltese. Ha. Typical me.

So - the next one starts tomorrow :-D
I suppose I need to start participating.

I'm just very into FarmVille right now - and so is my hubby - and we have only one computer.
Well... there's always the library :-D

Anyway, I need to get better with my French and Italian, as I plan to travel a little next year.
Does anyone know how to get in contact with locals BEFORE a week's vacation, to make some contacts and get something wonderful to do during the vacation?

Fascinating.

Æsop's Fables, as Romanized by Phædrus

BBC Quick Fix - Maltese 

I need to quit 6 weeks' challenge. I'm too competitive so I start stressing too much and cause myself too much trouble over nothing, and start neglecting important things like housekeeping and friends.
I will be doing the work, though, but I won't be recording my minutes.