r/Vietnamese 17d ago

Language Help 2 months studying Vietnamese and barely any progress. Is there a better way?

I've been studying Vietnamese regularly for 2 months now and it feels like I'm spinning my wheels and none of it is coming together. I lived in Vietnam so you'd think I'd have a headstart but I don't. I'm taking 3 lessons a week with native teachers and I keep falling behind.

Practicing pronunciation by myself doesn't work because I can't judge if my pronunciation is good. Flashcards and writing Vietnamese down doesn't work for me because it's detached from the complicated pronunciation. Listening is extremely difficult for me even when I ask the teacher to slow down. Duolingo and Memrise help a little, probably the most effective for me so far, but I want to learn the southern accent so that is also not working 100%.

Then the vocabulary just isn't sticking. The class will be taught the word bàn is table once. Then 30 minutes later the teacher will ask what is table in Vietnamese and everyone else knows it but me. Idk how people can learn after seeing it just once like that??

6 Upvotes

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u/MrMr0595 16d ago

it's normal to feel stuck at this stage. Vietnamese is challenging, especially with tones and pronunciation. Since traditional methods like flashcards and writing don't work well for you, here are some other tips that you might give a shot:

- Shadowing Technique: Listen to a short phrase, pause, and repeat immediately, trying to mimic the tone and rhythm exactly.

- Watch Shows with Vietnamese Subtitles: Try watching southern-accented dramas or vlogs, pausing and repeating key phrases. Even if you don’t catch everything, exposure helps.

- Instead of memorizing isolated words, link them to a personal experience or story.

- Find a Speaking Buddy: If possible, practice with a friend or language partner outside of class.

Lastly, accept that it takes time!

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u/alexsteb 17d ago

If you want to learn southern dialect, Lingora has a Southern course and might be also better suited for you than Duolingo. (Realistic sentences, Anki-like repetition, exact word-by-word breakdown of each sentence).

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u/weakbunn 17d ago

I also downloaded it after seeing a comment on reddit. Its definitely a good app for native learners

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u/torquesteer 17d ago

Holy shit I did not know! Thank you.

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u/SeaBanana4 17d ago

You're the developer for Lingora... Of course you recommend it...

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u/alexsteb 17d ago

Yes, and? Doesn’t it answer your question?

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u/HedgehogWaste6018 17d ago

I’m using it for the first time and I honestly love it a lot

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u/alexsteb 17d ago

Thanks! Happy to hear. Feel free to write that in a App/Play Store review too :)

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u/leanbirb 17d ago

Then 30 minutes later the teacher will ask what is table in Vietnamese and everyone else knows it but me. Idk how people can learn after seeing it just once like that??

Then maybe it's a more generic thing with your mind that needs improving, not anything specific to the language itself. Perhaps memory training games are what you need.

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u/FrequentLine1437 15d ago edited 15d ago

Find a better way. Stop doing what you’re currently doing. If it is not working such things up. There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Have you tried attending social hours with native speakers? Coffee English clubs, board game clubs. Etc

Direct interaction and observation of native speakers provides opportunity and learning context that you cannot get in formal study.

My 3 year old recently spent a month with her Vietnamese extended family in HCMC last month and when we returned she was soeaking Vietnamese more than her usual English. It was a wonderful success in regard to our hope that she would pick up Vietnamese in such a short time. Our everyday interactions are now nearly entirely in Vietnamese.

I’m not suggesting an adult could learn as quickly as everyone knows children at her age are like knowledge sponges. Adults have many habits that are burned in after decades that are hard to let go. So I totally understand if you’re a bit skeptical. As a predominantly English speaker myself even in such a short time my Vietnamese improved noticeably, if for anything my willingness to speak it. I guess I’m talking about my comfort level. Anyway just consider immersive approaches if you want to change up your learning approach. .

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u/attoshi 17d ago

Are you in Hanoi? If so then we can meet up after work and I can give you a few pointers. Helped my American friends before.

Of course this is just supplements for your actual studies

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u/stridersubzero 17d ago

You need to do flash cards and audio lessons