Many years ago, on my first trip to Venezuela, in particular the little seaside town of Adícora — I was talking with the local baker. I use the word “talking” loosely because I really knew very little Spanish. Luckily for me he spoke little English, and nothing builds language skills like necessity! Somehow out of […]
Language Learning
I Studied French For Years But Struggled to Be Understood in France
I took French classes for several years before moving to Paris for a French Language program at the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne. However, after I received the results from my placement test I was was really disappointed. I tested in just above a novice level! I was even more disappointed to find […]
Is One Language Ever Really Enough?
With more than 350 languages spoken in the United States, many children grow up speaking two different languages. Children raised learning dual languages face unique challenges, but they likewise benefit from certain special advantages, ones that far outweigh the disadvantages of learning more than one language. Disadvantages Let’s analyze some common disadvantages and misconceptions surrounding […]
Language Learning Tip: Start Small
Starting from scratch. Back to the basics. Square one. When learning a new trade or skill, including adopting a foreign language, the beginning will always be the most difficult part of any learning process. When we first spoke our native language, we had to begin with small goals, the building blocks of communication, whether it […]
L’Chaim! How to Toast in 15 Languages
Out of all customs and traditions we’ve nurtured over the centuries as humans, making a toast before drinking alcohol is one of the oldest. It’s origins date back to pre-history, so we’re still not entirely sure how it came to be. It’s worth noting, however, that the pervasive idea that it began as a method […]
(Almost) Forgotten Languages
Does anybody speak Latin anymore? What about Gaelic? Or Navajo? Languages change rapidly and are quietly disappearing all the time. So here are some languages you might be surprised to learn are still alive and well. Latin Many of us know Latin as the godmother of romance languages, which include Italian, Spanish, French, and English […]
Language Learning Must: Shameless Speaking
Overcoming your initial fear Overcoming Your Initial Fear Will Lead to Consistent Gains When you’re just starting out of sounding silly, weird, or plain old wrong can be challenging, but once you get past that first hurdle, you open up a path to increased confidence and regular improvement. We have all been there: even though […]
Global Street Festivals Guaranteed To Be Worth The Trip
Get your bucket list ready. For any world traveler, the goal is always to find those not-to-be-missed, once-in-a-lifetime, can’t-get-anywhere-else experiences. Local street festivals are the perfect places to find those moments. A city comes together to celebrate a national holiday, exciting new music, a cultural tradition, or maybe just a giant food fight. Whatever it […]
Staying Organized: 8 Learning Strategies To Help Master A Language
Learning a new language is challenging and a lot of work, but by staying organized and studying regularly you will be able to speak another language. #1 – Keep a Diary In Your Target Language Your diary is your own, personal notepad where you will write down in a way that works for you all […]
Language Learning Strategies for Introverts That Work For Everyone
Introverts and extroverts don’t experience the world in the same way. While extroverted people generally draw their energy from time spent with other people, introverts need some alone time to re-energize and re-charge; however but recent studies have found that there is a spectrum. Most people are ambiverts: a little extroverted and a little introverted. When it […]