Some people say you can learn a new language even without formal lessons, books or language software. After all, we didn't own a guidebook to learning to speak back when we were young. Would it still be possible to try and learn, now as an adult, a new language without a formal guide?

Personally, I think you're shooting yourself in the foot if you do so. Young children are able to adopt languages early because the adults around them know that they're still learning. As such, they did not need to learn to speak in order to be able to communicate. When they wanted something, they just cried - do you seriously think you can do the same?

While I won't discount the possibility of learning a new language completely lesson-free, instruction gives you a good base to stand on. Those memorized phrases, mundane as they may sound, will come in handy, especially when you're immersing yourself in a place where the only language spoken is the one you're looking to learn. Using those simple phrases, you can get around, ask for help and provide information to those assisting you.

For the most part, I think it's impossible to learn a new language without formal lessons as an adult. You're welcome to try, but I reserve the right not to look at the resulting disaster.

To this day, the use of technology in language learning is still a controversial subject. Despite proof to the contrary, many still contend that language learning software cannot facilitate the necessary instruction for someone to become truly proficient in picking up a new language. In fact, as I write this, it's highly that an argument is going down at some forum or some blog about the use of technology in teaching grammar, mastering vocabulary and developing language skills.

Grammar

For analytical learners, even early versions of language learning software is like a gift sent down from heaven when it comes to language study, because the medium suits their preferred modes of picking up information so well. While modern language software still offers the same structured type of instruction, they now include the option of studying in other forms, making them suitable even for those who aren't suited to stimulus-response types of instruction.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is one area where electronic technologies can truly take the game to another level. With a language software available, you can easily find the equivalent of an English word in any language that you want, complete instructions on the proper context in which to employ them.

Language Skills

In the areas of reading and listening comprehension, technology can perform like no other. The availability of materials of all forms - from articles to movies to songs - allow people to train their capacity to understand in another language much easier. For developing writing and speaking skills, though, I'm inclined to agree with detractors - you need real-world experience for that. Language software can provide basic practice, but you'll need to apply the language out in the world to really gain heightened proficiency with its use.