Taking up a new Language...

Has anyone taken it upon themselves to take up a new language or refine one?

I took Spanish, French, and Italian in the past, but I'm looking to refine my Italian and wanted to know if anyone had some recmd's.

TIA!

ETA: And while we're at it...why not make this thread a little more general to the public:

What language would you take up?

Message edited 6/28/2006 4:05:20 PM.

Re: Taking up a new Language...

You may want to look up Continuing Ed. classes at a college. I took Italian at Queensborough a couple of years ago. And to answer the second part--I took Spanish for many years, but now I think I would still want to learn more Italian.

Re: Taking up a new Language...

I took Italian at Queensboro Community College as well, a year ago, It was great and totally worth the money ($150/12 classes)

Re: Taking up a new Language...

I've been trying to become fluent in German for years! I got pretty good in college, even got an A in Advanced German, but now I feel like I barely remember how to say the simplest of sentences.

Message edited 6/28/2006 9:39:29 PM.

Re: Taking up a new Language...

Honestly as a language teacher- the best way is to study abroad- even for 3 weeks you would be amazed at how quickly you pick things up. I know for most of us that is not possible at our ages (though I did this at 27 or 28 but I wasn't married yet) There is a language immersion program offered in the city I think it's Berlitz and it means going into the city for full days on Saturday and Sunday but I heard that was also pretty good.

When it comes to languages the more you use it the better you will get. Even if you think what you want to say in the language and not necessarily say it out loud- the more use the better.