become fluent in another language

I am seriously contemplating transferring to Ollscoil Luimnigh (University of Limerick), which is in Ireland. I have been investigating the school and available degrees and have fallen in love with the Applied Languages degree. It involved becoming fairly fluent in 2-3 languages, and can be used to teach English as a second language, or to become an interpreter or translator, as well as various other career possibilities.

I have recently begun reading my teach yourself! Irish book, with more zeal and devotion than last time. I would prefer to take classes, but since that is not an option where I live, I am determined to teach myself as much as I can. I’ve not done too poorly; I recognize a lot more words and understand a bit more of their grammar.

Here’s to many more hours of studying!

After perusing the first portion of this self-taught Irish course, I’ve decided that it is not the best way to learn a language and would not recommend the purchase of this course. I have learned some, and will continue to work with this course until I can find and purchase a better one.

After returning the Gaelic (Scottish) learning resources to my local Borders a week or so ago, I found the Irish version and purchased it yesterday. I’ve skimmed through the pronunciation guide and listened to a couple of the recordings, but I haven’t yet had the time to fully devote myself to it. I will work on that.

Also, much less importantly, I haven’t chosen an Irish name for myself. I didn’t get to when I was in Spanish, so I want to with Irish. I could just use my real name (first, middle, and last are all anglicized Irish names), but that’s no fun.

I recently purchased Teach Yourself! Gaelic from my local Borders, but returned it soon after because I hadn’t noticed that it was Scottish Gaelic as opposed to Irish Gaelic, which I would much prefer to learn.

I have been listening to the first few lessons of Giota beag, which is an audio learning program that was played on the BBC-NI’s Radio Blas.

Slán!

I’ve taken two years of Spanish in high school (though I taught myself most of what I learned there) and have finished the four-course foreign language requirement at university in Spanish, but I would in no way call myself fluent. It’s one of those use it or lose it things. I don’t remember a lot of it because I’ve had no real reason to since I finished the final course. I would love to have a Spanish pen pal (who can also speak English, of course, in case I don’t know how to say something correctly or at all).

Other languages I am interested in learning include Irish Gaelic and American Sign Language.