If I asked you how many languages you speak fluently, what would your answer be?
Now, if I asked how many of those languages you write fluently, would your answer still be the same?
Maybe. Maybe not.
Just because someone …
As the saying goes, the best things in life are free.
It’s even possible to learn a language without spending a single cent!
Yes, you heard right.
Read on to find out how.
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Is It Possible to Learn Languages …
Are you interested in learning a language, but feel that you aren’t quite ready to take the plunge?
Learning a foreign language may seem scary at first because it’s completely new and unfamiliar.
However, it’s not as intimidating as you …
Speech. The phonic frontier.
These are the adventures of aspiring language learners.
To explore strange new words. To seek out new terms and verbal expressions.
To boldly use idioms from around the world!
Why Learn Words in Different Languages?
As …
Did you know that, in some cultures, making the “thumbs up” gesture that Facebook is so famous for can get you “unfriended” really fast?
Gestures that mean one thing in your part of the world can mean the exact opposite …
You’re a language learner. You have to keep your ears open and your mind actively engaged when you’re trying to learn a language.
But actively listening can be exhausting.
Luckily, there’s another option: You can use music for passive listening …
They give you a break from reality.
They take you on exciting adventures.
They show that true love can overcome any barriers.
But can they really help you learn a language?
Learning a language with movies is undoubtedly one of …
Listening to music is so much more than just a fun way to pass the time.
Music is an integral part of your life, so why not add some learner-friendly tracks to your study routine and learn a new language …
Night after night, you keep having the same dream.
You hear voices whispering… then getting louder and louder. Frantic voices.
It’s dark. The voices around you sound confused. Agitated. Maybe even afraid.
At first, you can’t understand what they’re …
“This is impossible for me…maybe I’ll just give up.”
A short, impactful statement that’s a hallmark symptom of the nasty bug known as self-doubt.
And if you catch it while you’re trying to learn a new language, it can …
When your language teachers and tutors advise you to get more writing practice, it can be hard to follow their guidance.
If your daily life isn’t action-packed, keeping a diary in your target language can get boring and repetitive, …
It’s a fast-paced world out there.
How many times have you seen someone waiting at the bus stop, constantly checking their watch, getting more and more frustrated with a delay of just two or three minutes?
It’s no surprise, then, …
We’ve heard that if you talk to a man in his language, it goes to his heart.
But what if he can’t understand a word you’re saying?
It’s easy to ignore pronunciation in language learning, especially when …
Everyone has a dream.
Or maybe a sueño.
Or perhaps yours is a мечта.
Or a rêve.
But if you really enjoy toggling between all these options, there’s a strong chance that your dream is being a translator.
In …
Xenoglossophobia: The fear of foreign languages.
When it comes to using a foreign language, even many well-educated speakers get sweaty palms, an upset stomach and the urge to find the nearest hiding place.
And beyond just making you feel uncomfortable, …
Some people say that it takes some secret talent to learn languages.
But would they say that about someone who can sing, play an instrument and keep rhythm?
Using a language is really just a skill like any other, and …
Any language learner can tell you that they forget some information over time.
You might remember common vocabulary words but forget some of your more advanced expressions, or you could eventually even forget your target language altogether.
So why not …
It’s hard to separate languages from money.
All around the world, people are paying top dollar for access to language education.
In most places, that means English classes—anything from English immersion preschool to business English refresher courses.
In the English-speaking …
If you plan to do any writing in the language you’re learning, you’ll want to eventually be able to type its unique letters.
Like with practicing any skill, the more you do it, the better you’ll get. …
Among language students, Duolingo certainly has a reputation as being one of the cool kids.
Using spaced repetition, Duolingo presents students with material in an organized manner designed to maximize learning while minimizing time and effort.
But …
Picture it.
A large, shining (yet tasteful) trophy.
The plaque reads “World’s Best Language Learner.”
And underneath? Your name.
A language certificate is a lot like a sports trophy.
You can have a wonderful time playing sports—or learning languages—without ever …
Family can be the greatest gift you ever receive.
It can also be the reason you have to ask what the puddle in the corner of the living room is (please say apple juice, please say apple juice) and who …
It’s a question that has plagued mankind since the beginning of time.
Okay, maybe the beginning of time is a bit of an exaggeration.
But it’s a question that’s probably plagued mankind for the last 50,000 to two million years…
Have you ever wished that you could just mix the right ingredients, say the magic words and—poof!—be fluent in the language of your choice?
In the real world, it’s not that easy: Language learning requires concentration, dedication and …
Shhh.
Quiet your mind and listen to your surroundings for a second.
What do you hear?
Are you on a crowded airplane or in a public place? Have you got any music playing? Is someone talking nearby?
Your …
Independent language learning.
Sounds like some new movement of which you might be skeptical.
Something cool and exclusive.
And possibly weird.
Something news publications are claiming is the latest “millennial” trend.
When in fact, it’s just a flexible, …
On the journey to fluency, you might think of Google as a road.
You use it to get to important places—like language courses or study materials.
You might not realize that Google is a language learning destination itself.
But …
You loved that band before they hit it big.
You were a regular at that bar before the hipsters found it.
Yeah, yeah.
It’s great to be ahead of the curve.
But sometimes going mainstream is underrated.
Take language learning.…
Have you ever Googled a question but, surprisingly, never found an answer?
You’re not the first one.
Yet, if you could just dig deeper, you probably could find an answer…
You just might have trouble reading it.
There’s a wealth …
In early 2018, The Guardian asked, “have we reached peak English?”
There’s no doubt that English is a widely spoken and studied language across the world.
But its standing is challenged by other rapidly growing languages.
As new global …
What did Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci and Mark Twain have in common?
Well, besides the hideous facial hair.
They all kept journals! They wrote regularly about their thoughts, plans and experiences.
And it’s safe to say they were all …
Did you know that Instagram has over 800 million users?
800 million. That’s a ton of photos, captions and epic hashtags.
And it’s all available in more than 30 languages!
With so many windows into other cultures, Instagram …
We try it every New Year.
This year, I’ll make use of that gym membership.
This year, I’ll finally clean out the garage.
This year, I’ll learn to cook something besides toast.
You know the rest of the story.
By …
Ever had a parrot?
Even if you haven’t, you know what they’re famous for: repeating what you say, for better or worse.
Depending on the conversations you have at home (or just to yourself) this could be enlightening, hilarious …
Everyone wants the picture-perfect movie ending.
You know the one—the music swells, the main character smiles, the credits roll as you pick the razor-sharp popcorn hulls from your gums.
But to get to that picture-perfect ending, the main character had …
Studying a new language? You could learn a thing or two from Harriet.
Who’s Harriet?
She’s the titular character in “Harriet the Spy,” an award-winning kid’s book written by Louise Fitzhugh. The book was published in the sixties, …
Sick of running into roadblocks while you read?
It’s exciting to start a book in your target language, but every new word or strange expression can halt you in your tracks.
If you have to flip through a dictionary …
No one ever said “I need to have less fun.”
There’s a good reason for that.
Who can resist a good time?
And when it comes to language learning, having fun while learning does as much for your education as …
Do characters like Jason Bourne and James Bond make you jealous?
Okay, so maybe you’re not interested in gun fights and a constant fear of death.
But do you love how they can go almost anywhere and start speaking with …
Oh no… what do I say now?!
Avoiding awkward silences can be tough enough in your own language, let alone a language exchange.
Sometimes, you’re scrambling for a polite response.
Sometimes, you’re not sure you actually understood what your conversation …
Language learners have the best kind of problem.
There are just so many wonderful languages out there, all beautiful and challening in their own way.
You may be asking yourself, “what language should I learn?” but how …
It’s like grasping at straws at the beginning of learning a language.
You’re trying to make sense of anything.
Anything.
The strings of sound coming at you are difficult to decipher.
Been there, done that.
Albeit exciting, there’s a lot …
You never see them coming.
They get you LOLing and even ROFLing.
Let’s face facts: sometimes messing up is the highlight of your day.
While some language mistakes are funny, if your goal is fluency, you’ll have to work …
Sometimes a foreign language makes you do a double take.
There’s something familiar about it you just can’t place.
You haven’t studied it, but you’re able to understand a little.
What’s going on?
Well, so-called “foreign” languages aren’t always as …
I’ve got a secret.
It’s a good one, too.
Curious? Of course you are, so I’m going to spill it.
There’s a new BFF for language learners—a method to intensify, organize and customize language learning.
Anyone can do it, it’s …
Countries across Central and Eastern Europe have a lot in common.
And we’re not just talking about an overwhelming fondness for pickled and fermented foods.
In fact, the Slavic language unites countries across the region under a banner of …
Is it an addiction?
Maybe it’s just insanity.
Nobody knows.
The result is the same either way you look at it. Once you learn one language, you’ll want to learn another.
And another. And another.
Here’s a little secret: …
Demand evidence.
Without tangible evidence that what you’re doing is working, motivation is hard.
When you start to lose weight, you’re motivated to continue when your clothes fit a little looser and the numbers on the scale go down.…
Do you want to learn how to speak five languages?
As of this writing, I’m an expert in Berber, upper-advanced in Arabic, advanced in English and intermediate in French and German.
If you’re an aspiring polyglot, I’ll show you the …
Families make so many difficult decisions for their children.
Deciding on the best way to discipline them.
Looking for good role models for them.
Saying “no” to chocolate ice cream for breakfast even though that would be awesome…
Fortunately, there’s …
Want to memorize a ton of vocabulary?
You’ll need to channel your inner elephant.
(You don’t need to walk on all fours or find the nearest watering hole.)
You just need some techniques to build up your memory so …
When you look closely at it, English is practically a foreign language in and of itself.
Try squinting.
You’ll notice that an awful lot of English words that come from other languages!
But that’s just friendly sharing! We all do …
Can a dog tell another dog a joke?
Or can a cat (other than Garfield) describe an experience so vividly that it makes the other cats feel like they just ate the same lasagna?
Language. It’s an exclusively human condition. …
Oh no, they’re laughing at you!
Having your friends laugh at your mistakes when you’re learning a new language may feel like the end of the world.
But your mistakes could actually give you a huge learning advantage that’ll shock …
“There’s no place like home.”
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
“Winter is coming.”
Whether you mean for them to or not, chances are your favorite quotes work their way into your daily life.
But quotes …
You remember when you were young and dreamed big.
Now those elusive dream jobs loom haughtily in the distance and seem further away than they’ve ever been.
They taunt you as you stock shelves, file paperwork or repeat for the …
“Coffee is a language in itself.”
That’s according to Jackie Chan, the internationally famous actor, martial artist and (evidently) coffee enthusiast.
It’s clear why that statement stands true: despite the fact that it’s always made using essentially the same …
Grab your backpack and your Five Star notebook.
It’s time to go back to school.
Don’t worry, this is school without the lunchroom drama or surprise math quizzes.
This is language learning in five easy-to-understand stages, each of which …
We learn languages for a host of different reasons.
Some of us do it for educational purposes, employment opportunities, travel goals or to communicate with family or friends, among other motivations.
But diverse as our motivations may be, …
Classifications may seem kind of stuffy.
Nerdy, even.
But they’re super important.
They’re used to distinguish between different animal species.
They’re used to organize libraries so you can find your favorite book easily.
Heck, they’re even used to declare …
As an intermediate learner, there are certain challenges you’ll face.
Whether you’re an intermediate Spanish learner or an intermediate German learner, the road ahead probably looks quite similar…and sometimes quite daunting.
But it’s okay since you can totally …
They’re as thick as thieves.
They’re so similar that sometimes even their friends mistake them for one another.
Yes, there are some languages that have an awful lot in common.
While it’s totally awkward when they get called by each …
Delivery!
Here’s that large slice of listening practice you ordered.
“I don’t need any more listening practice. My listening skills are perfect.”
Said no language student ever.
And there’s a good reason for that.
Listening skills are incredibly important, …
Learning a language without comprehending the culture is like going to the vibrant Mexican marketplace pictured above and only eating hamburgers from McDonald’s.
Will your food be okay? Sure.
But you’re kind of missing the point. You’re not getting the …
Success has no age limit.
It can come during youth or in old age. Literary legend Miguel de Cervantes, author of “Don Quixote,” is one such example. He spent his early life in the Spanish military where he …
Science and discovery go hand in hand.
And it all starts with Curiosity.
Not, not NASA’s Mars Rover—though that Curiosity is pretty cool too—but the raw curiosity that compels us to study things and seek out answers.
What if …
Being around friends is the best.
They support you when you’re down.
They laugh at your jokes even if they aren’t funny.
They’ll even tell you you’re totally justified in being angry that unicorn-themed food just isn’t magical enough.
But …
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Do you jump out of bed bright and alert, or do you get moving after the sun is way up and all the coffee has kicked in?
Everyone works, thinks and …
Love. Life. Fear.
What’s up with four-letter English words having so much gravity?
That last one in particular throws us for a loop, making the other two more complicated than need be.
But fear has a purpose. Though it limits …
Don’t listen to the naysayers, the haters and the skeptics.
Forget the Debbie Downers and Negative Nancys.
You can sound exactly like a native speaker.
It’s possible for a language learner to be mistaken for a native.
All it …
A dash of study scheduling.
Mix in some authentic target language media.
And don’t forget a heaping cup of learning motivation.
The recipe for language learning perfection is easier to follow than you think!
Now, it’s true that you don’t …
Think taking notes is boring?
Well, if you’re learning a language, taking notes not only can be interesting and exciting, but it may be essential!
Believe it or not, taking handwritten notes on a subject you’re learning isn’t just …
At its best, language learning is like a really fun road trip.
You’re absorbing new sights and sounds while feeling intrepid and free.
And while you’re probably not thinking about it too hard, helpful road signs are there to …
Romance languages—just the name can make you swoon.
But while it’s true that Romance languages like Italian and French have reputations for being a bit seductive, they actually don’t earn their name from romantic connotations.
Instead, they all derive …
Learning a new language can feel like you’re walking in a minefield and trying to avoid errors at all costs.
They’re everywhere, and if you stumble on one, you’re sure that everything you know about a language could blow …
When many of us start speaking a new foreign language, it can seem like our favorite new words are um, er and uh.
After all, we say them all the time, so they must be our favorites, …
Across the world, they’re dying out at a rapid rate.
Many that remain are on the brink of extinction.
No, we aren’t talking about the world’s diverse and threatened flora and fauna. We’re talking about languages.
And while you might …
You’ve heard the big names: Chinese, Spanish, English.
But have you heard of Lahnda? What about Telugu?
This may come as a surprise, but Lahnda (or Western Punjabi) and Telugu are, respectively, the 11th and 12th most commonly spoken …
Go ahead. Mark your calendar.
Six months from today.
The day you’ll have learned a new language.
Don’t believe me?
The idea of learning a new language can definitely be overwhelming. So many words! Such unusual grammar! Maybe even a …
Learning a foreign language is like learning how to drive.
And no, it’s not because it involves a parent or driving instructor yelling at you because they fear for their lives—although that can also sometimes happen when you’re learning a …
You’ve already come so far with your language learning.
In theory, having learned even some of a language is pretty great.
The view from the intermediate level should be beautiful.
But it’s hard to enjoy the view when you’ve hit …
Sometimes you just don’t have the right word.
You can stammer and gesticulate, but without the right word, you’ll be like a fish out of whatever-it-is-that-fish-live-in.
And the unfortunate thing is that sometimes the word you’re looking for simply doesn’t …
The year was 1975. One simple question launched dozens of studies: What makes a good language learner?
That’s right, scientists Joan Rubin and David Stern sought the answer to this question long before you got fed up with trying to …
“I am lost for words.”
How often do you catch yourself thinking this?
What a new significance this expression takes on when thinking of the foreign language you’re learning!
Of course, there’s tons of research and discussion about how to …
Got a language zombie kicking around in your memory?
If you’ve ever learned a language that you later forgot, then you might not realize it—but you’ve got some walking dead up there.
Don’t be freaked out. It’s not going to …
Grammar. It’s a love-hate dynamic for many people.
Mostly, it’s more hate than love.
If most of us were asked to give a talk titled “Grammar Tips 101″—using our native language as the focus—we’d probably try to find a way …
The world around us has changed drastically.
All the books you own can fit in a single device.
The phone, I mean computer, in your pocket has evolved from a room-size machine to a pocket-size device.
Even the cars we …
It’s hard to stick with learning a language.
Like cooking, dancing, knitting, martial arts, archery or any other skill that needs practice to emerge, a language requires focus and devotion.
And devotion of that level requires real commitment.
Maybe …
We’ve all heard envy-inspiring stories of someone who jetted off to a foreign country.
They took an intern position, volunteered or became an au pair to get where they were going.
That adventurous soul was surrounded by speakers of …
Which class was easier for you in high school: trigonometry or gym?
How about chemistry or driver’s ed?
If you’re like most students, you probably struggled most with those math and science classes. And even if you loved the idea …
What’s a second language worth?
Or rather, how much can you earn by learning an extra language?
Ever asked yourself that?
Well, in a way, you already know the answer: It depends.
The language will take you as …
We’ve all heard that thinking in a foreign language is a sign of real fluency.
But I bet you haven’t heard that it’s the fifth key language skill that all learners must develop—falling right in line with speaking,…
Do you speak multiple languages?
Did you ever expect that it would be anything less than pure, multilingual bliss?
Whether you grew up speaking several languages or you took the time to learn them in adulthood, you may know …
Let’s face it—learning languages can be addicting.
So many of us start with just one only to find that the whole process is incredibly fun. Some of us are brought up bilingual and intimately know how a second …
Today, we’re going to learn how to turn errors into lessons.
We’ll turn bad into good and wrong into right.
Nope, it’s not going to require any magic. It’s going to tap into a branch of applied linguistics called …
No matter where you’re standing, learning a language can look like a marathon and then some.
If you’re about to start learning a language, you might be asking yourself, “what language should I learn?” and wondering how …
The true, long-term motivation language learning requires can be hard to come by.
Sure, language learning is fun.
Sometimes it’s less so.
We all have those days creep in when learning a language may seem like more work than …
“So you’re gonna be… like a teacher or something?”
If you are or ever have been a language major, you’ve heard this line more times than you’ve probably cared to.
In the modern hyper-connected world, the benefits and opportunities …
Looking for a new side hustle that puts your knowledge of languages to good use?
These days, progressively more people are living, working and traveling internationally.
Consequently, more and more people are committing to learning new languages—and for …
Want to turn your life into a linguistic juggling act?
One second language might be a small time commitment, but as you add a third, fourth and more, the game will change.
Building a few simple habits can ensure …
Hang on.
What were you just thinking about?
Can’t remember, huh?
Maybe it was all those late nights in college.
Maybe you have too many important things to keep track of these days.
Whatever the reason, your memory just isn’t …
The business world is becoming a tougher place every day for monolinguals.
The most successful CEOs of the 21st century are presenting business plans in Mandarin and dialing into conference calls in French.
Nowadays business is global. Investors in South …
Nobody stuck a book under your nose when you first learned to ride a bike, swim at the pool or play hoops in your backyard.
You learned these things through immersion.
Learning by immersion is actually something we naturally …
Learning a new language takes guts.
After all, it’s a project that requires a lot of time, and it can be tough to keep yourself engaged in the process.
Whether you’re learning your chosen language through immersion techniques at …
How did 7.8 billion people become so fluent in their first languages?
You have to wonder.
Germans spout German with perfect ease.
The French do French with devastating charm.
How did and when did they become so good? At what …
Learning a new language is a wild adventure.
You’re introduced to new music, new movies, new people and new cultures!
The beginner stage is a particularly heady part of the love affair.
Progress is quick, and the rewards …
Have you ever gotten an email full of spelling and grammatical mistakes?
Eep!
Chances are you have, and chances are it didn’t leave a great impression.
When you write in a foreign language, you don’t want to be the …
If you’re reading this, congratulations!
English is one of the most difficult languages to learn to read. From word to word, the same sounds in English are often spelled differently, or the same spellings are pronounced differently. Research has shown …
There are lots of podcasts out there specifically made for language learners, but the best option for language immersion is listening to podcasts made by native speakers for other native speakers.
Not only will your listening skills bloom, …
You’re doing it wrong!
Well, only if you’re not focusing the brunt of your attention on speaking your new language.
Are you building your language learning process upon grammar rules and written exercises?
Focused on those little details of …
Did you know that 1,000 words can get you a long, long way in a foreign language?
It might not seem that easy when you’re looking at the raw numbers. The Oxford English Dictionary includes more than 170,000 English word …
So you’re cruising down the highway with some good friends when suddenly your favorite song comes on.
The atmosphere instantly changes.
What was just a moment ago a dull discussion about weekend plans has foamed into chaotic sea of …
Do you want to learn a language by yourself?
Self study offers a unique alternative to traditional classroom learning, but you need to equip yourself with the right tools to succeed.
Keeping yourself motivated, making quantifiable progress and learning …
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one that I didn’t have to hike, struggle and bushwhack through.
When it comes to learning a language to fluency, that could make all the difference.
Let’s face …
Do you wish you could learn a language through TV and movies?
Maybe you’ve tried textbooks and classes, but they just don’t work for you.
Or maybe you’re an introvert who’s terrified by the prospect of finding language partners online …
We all make mistakes.
There, it’s out there.
That’s probably no big news—but when you learn a foreign language, you might be surprised by just how many mistakes you end up making.
Too many language learners assume that …
There is an elephant named Butterfly.
But you have the hardest time remembering her name.
So let’s try a little exercise: Picture the elephant in your mind. Now make her ears spread out wide, as if they were wings.
In …
So you want to be a polyglot?
It’s not super difficult to learn how to ask for the bathroom in 20 different languages.
But learning multiple languages at a high level of fluency requires a whole different level of …
Uh, oh. That book just came out.
Cancel all meetings. Postpone all plans with friends. Hire a dog/cat sitter for several days.
Do anything important now, because once that book is in your hands… nothing is going to get …
You’ve been learning a language for a while.
So why does it still sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher when you hear a native speaker talking in your target language?
Let’s learn more about listening in language learning so we can …
The web offers countless resources for learning a foreign language, including a dizzying array of educational blogs, entertaining videos and training sites.
From studying the grammar of your chosen language to reinforcing your vocabulary, building a study map will …
How did you learn your first language?
Well, you listened to people talking around you, and it just sort of happened.
Your infant brain gobbled all those words and grammatical structures right up before you even knew what language …
Curse words are often the first things people learn in a foreign language.
That’s because they get the most mileage—especially when you’re frustrated tackling beginner lessons.
Learning a new language is one of the hardest things you can do.
There, …
Listening is the mother of all language skills.
Okay, so traditionally it’s been treated more like the under-appreciated younger brother of language skills. But it should be the mother of all language skills.
Remember at school, when you were supposed …
You’ve come here because you’re thinking: Why the %#@! can’t I learn foreign vocabulary?
Welcome.
Let me ask you a few questions before we proceed.
Is your brain all muddled up with huge lists of words but unable to deploy …
Music and language learning is the best combo since peanut butter and jelly.
I boosted my Spanish to fluency by listening to Enrique Iglesias, Marc Anthony and Shakira at full blast. I got truly passionate about Portuguese after discovering Joao …
Just because you don’t live abroad, doesn’t mean you can’t gain fluency in a foreign language.
If you really want to learn a language and have the motivation to work for it, then you can achieve fluency anywhere.
Even …
No, language learning isn’t just an activity afforded by students, retirees and the independently wealthy.
While getting comfortable in a new language takes a substantial time investment, you could absolutely work language learning into a busy schedule.
So …
“I would like a sheet of paper,” says the man. His accent is unmistakably foreign.
“Excuse me?” asks the woman behind the desk who sounds like someone has just insulted her mother.
“I need a sheet of paper. To write …
Children are like sponges.
They can absorb foreign languages so quickly.
How many of you have heard this before?
Society is flooded with messages telling you who is and who isn’t good at learning a language.
And if you asked …
Do you like living life on the edge?
Are you a person of extremes?
Do you do everything at 200%?
Then I bet you’re learning two languages at once, aren’t you?
For those of you whose appetites for language …
Reading a full-length book in a foreign language without much prior reading practice?
That’s like trying to run a marathon without any training.
Sure, it’s a great idea in theory, but you’re unlikely to reach your end goal without petering …
Ever wondered how polyglots do it?
Does your mouth water every time you read about Luca Lampariello, who speaks more languages than he has fingers, or Donovan Nagel who can order good food in practically any restaurant on this …
By the end of this post, you’ll have done 3 huge things.
1. You’ll have saved yourself $1,200.
2. You’ll be able to meet someone who’ll drastically change the trajectory of your linguistic journey.
3. You’ll look at Skype in …
The clearest path to fluency is finding a language exchange partner.
Read on and I’ll explain the benefits of language exchange, tips on how to get the most out of your language exchange sessions and, of course, how to find …
Which books should you be reading to improve your vocabulary?
Researchers focused on second language learning have come up with some great ways to improve your reading skills.
There’s a whole load of researchers out there finding the …
Kids are amazing language learners: In the span of about 20 months, they go from being a total newb to being a fluent speaker in their native language.
What lessons can foreign language learners get from these precious kids?…
So, you think you’ve tried every language learning strategy?
Think there are no stones left unturned?
Let’s go to the checklist:
Flashcards? Check!
Follow-along podcasts? Check!
Books and e-books? Check!
Cooking shows? Check!
Foreign movies? Check!
Foreign songs? Check!…
Trying to learn a new language, but finding yourself in a rut?
Feeling stuck with that new foreign book you just bought?
All out of ideas for ways to expand your lingual palette?
Stress no more! We here at …
You can equate the language learning process to a hike up a long trail.
This path is filled with challenging obstacles you must conquer, such as devious false cognates, cumbersome idioms and off-the-beaten-path words you don’t believe exist.…
Are struggling to read in the language you’re learning?
Fortunately, techniques exist that make learning to read in a foreign language not only easier, but more fun too.
Let’s take a look at the best tips available to help you …
Looking for minimum stress and maximum fun?
Too many “fun” ways to learn are just typical study tactics in disguise.
C’mon, flashcards are never going to hold a candle to video games.
It may sound strange, but you can’t …
Wish you were fluent last week?
You’ve seriously got to slow your roll.
But, hey, I get it — most language learners want to hit fluency as fast as possible.
Nobody likes floundering around in basic linguistics like a toddler.…
It might be hard to think of home as a place for productivity.
But if people can earn a serious living by working from home or create a business out of thin air from home, don’t you think you …
Let’s say you’ve got 10 words to learn by tomorrow.
And you don’t want to go through the drudgery of making your own flashcards.
Instead, you want to see those words in action.
If only you could find the perfect …
Language learners of all levels share one thing in common.
Every last one of y’all needs to learn more vocabulary.
That’s right—even you, Ms. Almost Fluent.
Whether you’re still stumbling over putting a sentence together or you’re pretty much …
Living abroad is arguably the best way to learn a foreign language.
Can’t hop on a plane tomorrow?
Stay tuned. You’re about to learn how to simulate foreign language immersion.
Lots of us language learners are far, far away …
So, you’re learning Korean, Spanish and French at the same time?
You’re definitely not one to shy away from a challenge.
It doesn’t matter how much you love languages—learning a few at once can be tricky.
Think back to …
Imagine that you live in a world where there are no cars, iPhones, laptops, ATMs, TVs and no internet.
What would your typical day look like?
What would you do first thing in the morning? How about the rest of …
Becoming a polyglot is serious business…or, is it?
All over the world, you’ll find average, everyday people speaking 2 or more languages.
Like, no big deal.
In the United States, we often think that polyglots, or those who speak multiple …
Let’s dive into “The 13th Warrior.”
This movie stars Antonio Banderas as a court poet, Ahmad ibn Fadlan, banished to a distant land because he fell in love with the wrong woman—the lady of some big shot, definitely above his …
There are ways to speed up the process of learning a new language.
These strategies will help you chop off some precious learning time while still increasing your language acquisition.
Here are the five biggest time-wasters when learning a …
Taking the time to practice every day will work wonders for your progress.
The eight activities in this post take under 10 minutes and are great for slipping in some daily language practice even on the busiest of days.
[fluentu-toc]…
So you’ve decided that you want to learn a second language.
Rock on! Good for you!
But now what? How are you going to do this on your own?
Are you aiming too high? Can you really learn a language …
What’s your number?
By number, of course, I’m referring to the number of languages you speak.
Whether you’re an aspiring polyglot or can already speak multiple languages, you probably have some serious language learning goals.
You probably also know that …
“I studied Spanish for seven years in school, but all I can remember is hola (hello) and adios (goodbye).”
Sound familiar?
Learning a new language is one of the most enriching and rewarding skills we can acquire over a …
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’d love to learn a foreign language but I’m just too darn busy. If only I had more hours in the day…”?
I hear you.
Work life and home life are demanding, and those …
