Using the Bible to Learn Languages: Is That Possible?

Learning a second language is something very desirable using the Bible to help you do that, well, that is probably one thing you never thought of the possibility, did you?

Lets take Portuguese for example. It could be any language actually. I just know more about this one in terms of links, tips and so on that is why it will be my example target language.

First some data

Portuguese ranks sixth among the world's languages in terms of the number of native speakers. More than 200 million people speak Portuguese today. So there is a market for Portuguese and opportunities related to its learning.

Now some history

Portuguese originates from the Iberian peninsula in southern Europe and is often described as an Iberian Romance language. There is a page from Wikipedia explains the language's roots in the Roman empire.

Today, like English, it has spread far beyond Europe, and in addition to being the official language of Portugal, it is also the official language in Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and Sao Tome and Principe, and is spoken in many other countries. For example there is a Portuguese-speaking community in South Africa! (On that you may find out more here.)

Why learn other languages

Knowing more languages will open more opportunities for you in terms of personal and work related matters. We use words to express ourselves, communicate. The more vocabulary you handle the better you express yourself, the better you understand the world around you, you can see more, grasp more of what is around you. So, clearly, if you have two languages you may double it all up, right?

Now, pratically speaking, if you are planning on going to a Portuguese-speaking country, for example, for whatever reason: on business, missionary work, or - better yet - for fun! Of course, you will enjoy much more your trip and benefit more from it also if you are able to communicate with the locals.

Where can I gey help?

Moving on, practicing is the most important part of the process of acquiring a language, any language. Now when you are in America, China or Lebanon it probably isn't that easy to find a native speaker to talk to, right? There are many places where you can read, listen and watch Portuguese in real time. (I found all the links I mention here on the web, so you can do the same for the language of your choice.)

Reading

Reading is a great way to acquire vocabulary and internalize grammar, the best kind of grammar actually is the empirical one -- you know it is that way, but not necessarily why it is so. This kind grammar knowledge can be acquired by reading and listening to good material.

Comparative reading is a nice tool. Get yourself a world classic, let's say Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, you may have one in Taiwanese/Chinese/English and another in Portuguese, done! You can go turning the pages together and enjoying your practice without the need for tedious work with the dictionary.

The same for the Good Book

You may as well use the Bible or any other religious book of your liking. With the good book you may go to a section and read it; like Philemon or better Paul's Letter to Philemon, a one page book. You may read it in your own language two or three times, then go to the Portuguese version and study it knowing all its meaning verse by verse. Again no tedious work with the dictionary.

On the web

The following Web sites can help you out (for portuguese as spoken in Brazil):

- Globo.com, TV, news, radio.
- Terra.com.br, TV, news, radio.
- Veja.com.br, a famous magazine.
- Radiobras.gov.br, Brazil's government radio.
- , Portuguese in the Church, a survival guide.

Intermediate and advanced students can get grammatical help here.

Music on the web

Music in Portuguese or in any target language can also be a great help.
It is easy to find mp3 and lyrics on the web of traditional music from any country. Like if you think of Brazil your not far from the song "Girl from Ipanema" by Tom Jobim, are you? Everybody have at least once heard that one... Well, for Portuguese you may to use this website. Use the search device and look for singers like Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Kid Abelha, Tom Jobim... Get the lyrics then click on the little icon on top of a head with headphones on on the same page and then listen to the song and follow the lyrics.

Most of all learning a second language is a great adveture. I hope this article helped you out, if I could be of any help just drop a line, ok?