7 Tips for Improving Your Mandarin Chinese While in a Language Immersion Program

7 Steps to Mastering Mandarin Chinese in a Language Immersion Program
Studying Chinese in an immersion program can be an amazing time and can take your Chinese abilities to whole new levels of proficiency. Here are some steps that we've figured out from studying and living in Chinese speaking countries for several years. There is a lot you can do that just show up to class to help your Chinese. Being immersed in a Mandarin Chinese speaking environment presents a million different ways to make studying and learning Chinese easy, fun and productive. Equally important, the door of opportunity awaits you. Master Mandarin Chinese with these methods below and watch as new opportunities begin to pop up all around you. Without further ado, why don't you get out and try....

1. Getting a Language Partner
The most common and super effective thing to do. While in an environment with so many Chinese speakers eager to help you learn Chinese and learn your native language, finding a language partner is easy and smart! A language partner is just a friend whom you swap languages with in a meeting every week (or day/whenever you set up the time). They teach you more Chinese, while in turn you spend some time teaching them some of your native tongue. Language exchanges are a great way to help you get over your fear of speaking and also meet a new friend!

2. Read EVERYTHING
With a national language of Mandarin Chinese, no wonder all the signage is written in it! Take advantage of being in the environment that is covered in Chinese characters like a pizza is in cheese. Read the signs as you drive by on the bus. Read the menus searching for new characters and unique cuisine names even after you've already ordered. Pay attention to all of the safety labels and signs posted to get a feel of how to warn others of dangers in Chinese. Signage is a great way to improve you Chinese and its EVERYWHERE! Read it out loud or just to yourself, but make use of it while you can!

3. Dare to Speak
A big fear for most people when learning a new language is actually speaking it. When this fear starts to build in you, the best thing to do to conquer it is the same as any other fear: TAKE ACTION. Start speaking more to your teachers and answer more questions. Don't be shy on the street and try to work through your newly learned vocabulary and grammar to explain what it is you need. You will be amazed when your Chinese starts flowing out more and more naturally when you are sincerely trying to communicate something rather than just thinking of the words themselves. The best part is, you almost never will be met with someone laughing at you because you've already shown bravery and confidence in talking with them. People in general are very friendly and open; don't be scared and head out for a conversation with a stranger today!

4. Find Local Friends
This one may end up being a product of your previously found language partner. If not, even better! When you're in the immersion country one of the best things you can do to take your Chinese to the next level is find some local friends. Search through your college bulletin boards; join interest groups and clubs, participate in local events, and most importantly put on a smile and introduce yourself to people. Meeting and keeping some close local friends will be beneficial in more ways than you can imagine. Not only will they teach you colloquial phrases and help you learn more of the Chinese language, but they will also help you with any other problems you may have while learning in their country!

5. Don't Ask for the English Version
One thing you need to avoid is cheating yourself. Commonly waiters at restaurants will try to hand you the English version of the menu once they have an idea you may not understand the normal Chinese version. If this happens, refuse it and ask for the regular Mandarin Chinese menu. Many times not only is this a missed opportunity for some reading practice, but a lot of information gets lost in translation many times. This 'English' service may be helpful those only here on vacation, however to master the language you should be pushing your self into it as much as possible. This may come with the consequence of some weird dishes showing up on the table here and again, but hey, all in the name of progress!

6. Do What Your Mom Said Not To, Watch TV!
Obviously this one is to be exercised with caution. A better point is to get out and interact with real people in real time with real conversation. Obviously. However, watching television in Mandarin is really a great way to practice your listening AND reading skills. Most shows have Chinese character subtitles along the bottom, so you can listen to what's being said as well as see it. This is great for association of sound and sight, and will have you recognizing more and more characters with each episode. Find something that interests you and tune in every once and a while. Be careful not to over due it though, watching TV is a great relaxing down time study habit. However it is no match for being engaged and involved in the real Chinese-speaking world outside.

7. Make Every Experience a Learning Experience
The world is your Chinese classroom while you're in the immersion country!. Try and make each day and activity and adventure and learning experience. For instance, when you need some things from the grocery store, grab some new vocabulary from your dictionary you can use at the super market. Or perhaps you've got a cold and need some medicine. Grab some new words and run down to the pharmacy or local clinic to explain what your symptoms are to the doctor. Every time you go out into the world there is an opportunity for you to use new words and ways to communicate your wants and needs. Take full advantage and make studying Chinese in a Chinese speaking nation. Its usually much more fun than just sitting in the classroom!

Remembering all of these tips, the most important thing to remember while in studying in the Chinese immersion program is to have fun. Studying Chinese doesn't have to be cramming new characters into your brain. Living in Taiwan, speaking to the locals, and enjoying your time are simple and excellent ways to ensure you have positive memories and associations with Chinese Learning. Plus, once you are able to understand the language of the world that surrounds you, you will be amazed at how many doors of opportunity begin to open up all around you.

This article was written by Christopher Collins, Program Director for Mandarin Taiwan Study Abroad. For more information visit http://www.mandarintaiwan.com/.

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Basic Spanish Lesson Or Beginner Spanish Lesson

Today we are going to take a look at a very basic Spanish lesson or beginner Spanish lesson. It's the type of lesson that you would have in your first day of school. Is a typical introduction scenario between two persons.

In Spanish the pronoun " Tu" is used to speak in an informal way (young people or friends) and " Usted" is used as a formal way (used with older people or authorities). So, in this lesson you will learn both, the informal way (tu) is to the left and the formal way (Usted: Ud.) is to the right). Also, incorporated are different ways to ask the same thing.

Luis- Hola, ? Como te llamas/se llama? (How do you call yourself?) ? Cual es tu nombre/ cual es su nombre? (What is your name?)

Cynthia- Me llamo Cynthia. (I call myself Cynthia)/ Mi nombre es Cynthia. (My name is Cynthia)?Y tu/Ud.? (And you?)

L- Me llamo Luis. (I call myself Luis)

C-Mucho gusto (Nice to meet you)

L- Encantado. (You have to say "encantado" if you are male or "encantada" if you are female)

C-?De donde eres/es? (Where are you from?)

L- Soy de Inglaterra./ Soy ingles. (I'm from England. / I'm English)

C- ?De que parte? (What part?)

L- De Manchester. ?Y tu /Ud.?, ?De donde eres/es? (From Manchester, and you? Where you from?)

C- De Estados Unidos. Colorado. (From USA, Colorado)

L- ?De que parte? (What part?)

C- Denver. ?Donde vives/vive? (Denver. Where do you live?)

L- Vivo en Manchester. (I live in Manchester)

C- Ah, yo soy de Denver pero vivo en Aspen. (Oh, I'm from Denver but I live in Aspen)

L- ?De que trabajas/trabaja? (In what do you work?) / ?A que te dedicas?/ ?A que se dedica? (To what do you dedicate your life?)/ ?Que haces/Que hace? (What do you do?)

C- Soy estudiante de economia y trabajo en marketing. (I'm an Economics student and I work in marketing).

L-? Cuantos anos tienes/tiene? (How old are you?)

C- Tengo 36 anos. Y tu/Usted? (I'm 36. And you?)

L-45.

If you are just beginning to learn Spanish, this lesson should be a great way for you to learn basic Spanish. And as I have already said, this lesson is an introduction to the Spanish to help you as a beginner students begin learning the basics of the language. I hope you enjoyed it and that you will begin to interact with speakers of Spanish.

Anna Rivera is a native Spanish speaker from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is also a Spanish instructor and the author of 2 learning Spanish books. If you would like to get FREE instant download access to the MP3 audio and PDF transcripts to her Spanish lessons absolutely free AND read her reviews of the most popular learning-Spanish products, then visit her web site now in order to: learn Spanish online That's http://LearningSpanishProductsReviews.com/

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How to Find a Quality Online English Teacher - Some Tips

Considering learning a language with an online course but cannot find a reputable teacher? Stop worrying, because there are many tips on how to find a quality online English teacher. Those tips are to look for a one-on-one program, ask about the teacher's qualifications, and make sure the company you are considering is in an English speaking country. These few details will tell you if the person you are considering hiring can teach you the language you want to learn. English is the language you want to learn in today's business world. Search online with these parameters for the best experience possible.

Finding a company that offers a one-on-one program is the easiest way to know you are guaranteed great lessons. The possibilities of how to find a quality online English teacher are endless when you look for a great one-on-one program. Every online program should include interacting with someone in English. If this is not offered to you then the program is not as good as others that are out there. Search for a program that will not only give you the one-on-one lessons but also with the same teacher for every single lesson. Continuity with your tutor will give you the best chance to learn to speak English.

Every teacher that you are considering should have a degree in English from a reputable university and should have a teaching certificate. You can always ask for documentation of the teachers qualifications. Any company or teacher that refuses to give you proof should not be trusted. Look at all the options before making a final decision of which tutor to learn from. The best ways of how to find a quality online English teacher rely on your abilities to navigate the options available to you. Consider an online teacher website that is easy to use and makes all the tools necessary available.

Take control of your experience learning to speak English. Find what works for you and go get it. When considering companies that can supply you with a tutor to start your journey look at where the company is based and their policies for hiring teachers. Several companies that boast native speaking teachers are not always truthful. Be sure to go with a reputable company that guarantees its teachers live in and are native to an English speaking country. Native English speakers will have insights and backgrounds that can help you along your path. These tips can help you make the decision of who will be your tutor.

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What Is the Fastest Way to Learn a Language?

The US government uses it, fortune 500 companies use it, heck, even Mormon missionaries use it when learning a new language. What is this program that is so effective that people who have never spoken a language can be in it in just a few months? What is the secret that can unlock your mind and make learning any language possible?

I once asked a friend who had mastered Chinese how he did it. His response was simple: "I moved to China and wanted to eat, if I couldn't speak, I might not eat or I might hate the food, I quickly learned." This man went from knowing zero Chinese, to passing an advanced level Chinese test 6 months later! When he told me this story, he confirmed what I had long suspected. The secret to learning a language isn't fancy software, it isn't years of college or high school courses, it is complete immersion into a language!

As exciting as this realization was, I quickly found this was no easy task. Most people just don't have the time or resources to move out of their country for a year and learn a language. So what solutions are there to complete immersion?

1. Find a native speaking friend who is willing to learn with you. The benefit to this is that it is free and can be fun for you and your friend. The problem is there is a good chance you don't know anyone who speaks the language you want to learn, or, if you do, they would rather speak English with you. That being said if you know someone you should ask!

2. If you have a friend learning the same language, decide with them to only speak in that language when you are together. For example, if you are learning Spanish, only use Spanish when together. Now obviously, you will encounter words that you don't know. When you don't know a word use the English equivalent, but keep the Spanish grammar. This method can greatly increase your ability to learn a language!

3. One last option is to sign up with a website that sets you up with native speakers. If you are only looking for chatting through reading and writing I would check out livemocha.com, they are free and allow you to chat with people from around the world. The downside is that those people are often trying to learn English, so they would expect you to help them as well. If you want a good website that connects you with both native speakers and other learners check out cafespeak.com. They focus on conversation, so essentially you would be utilizing Skype to converse with someone else in their native language.

Learning a language through immersion can be fun and exciting. Try one, two, or all of these methods to quickly immerse yourself in your language of choice. Good luck!

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Mandarin Chinese and English: What Are the Differences?

Mandarin is the not the Chinese language, rather, it is one of the many Chinese dialects. Around seventy percent of Chinese speakers use Mandarin. It is not only the accepted written language of Chinese, but it is also considered as the business language of China.

Many non-native Mandarin speakers believe that Mandarin is a very difficult language to learn, especially for those who are used to speaking the English language. But why is this so? Is Mandarin so different from English? Let us compare them.

Difference in origin

The English language is closely related to Flemish, Dutch, Low German and Frisians, which belong to the Germanic language family. Mandarin, on the other hand, evolved from Old Chinese and Middle Chinese. The fact that Mandarin and English originated from different language families might explain the major differences between the two tongues.

Difference in Alphabet

While the English alphabet is composed of twenty-six letters, Mandarin, on the other hand, does not have any. Instead, the Mandarin written language is composed of characters. Mandarin's logographic system is composed of about 10,000 characters, of which an average Mandarin speaker needs to know only about 3,000 to communicate with the language well. While in English, you need to put the letters together to form a word, in Mandarin each character corresponds to a word, which can be combined to form more complex words or concepts.

Difference in Phonology

Mandarin is a tonal language, which means it uses pitch to convey word meanings. In English, changes in pitch help express sentiment. Mandarin has four tones, high level, rising, dipping and falling; the neutral tone makes the fifth. These tones render different meanings to words.

In addition, English vowel sounds are more numerous as compared to Chinese. For example, words like full/fool and fit/feet are typically mispronounced by Mandarin speakers. Dipthongs, like the long vowel sounds, are usually shortened to make a single sound.

Difference in vocabulary

The combination of particles with short verbs to create phrasal verbs does not apply in Mandarin. In English, this is very common with verbs like "look up to", "give in" and others.

Difference in Grammar

Mandarin is not an inflected language. The sentiment is communicated through adverbials (such as time or manner), word order or contextual meaning. Different verb forms and tenses do not convey the perception of time in Mandarin. This is dissimilar to English where much of the idea is expressed through the use of verb tense and auxiliaries, such as in walk/walks/walked or is/was/are/were. Basically, the verb system of English is more complex than that of Mandarin.

Modal verbs (can, will, should, etc.) are limited in Mandarin. English, meanwhile, makes use of modals to express varying intensities or meaning. That is the reason why, for instance, Mandarin speakers may seem to be dictatorial when they make recommendations, requests and appeals.

The word order is also different between English and Mandarin. In questions, English inverts the subject and the verb, while Mandarin expresses this by adding words to indicate a question. In Mandarin, adverbials come before verbs; whereas there are many rules that direct their position in English sentences.

Indeed, there are significant differences between Mandarin and English. But this should not hinder you from learning Mandarin (if you are an English speaker) or English (if you are a Mandarin speaker) as learning both tongues brings so many benefits.

Daniel C Howard is a language teacher living in Asia. He has over a decade of experience teaching all ages a variety of subjects. For free info and lessons on Mandarin Chinese, please visit his blog here.

You can also sign up for a newsletter full of free language tips from Daniel's many hours in a class. And as a bonus, stay updated on all the new information on http://www.learnmagnificentmandarin.com/.

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Learn Japanese Fast: 3 Must-Follow Tips for Learning the Japanese Language

Japanese, with its unique alphabet and complex sentence structures, can be quite a challenge for Westerners to learn. Like all learning endeavors, though, you can make the process much easier and more efficient by doing a little planning before you dive in. In this article I am going to tell you three things you should do to make your Japanese language learning experience a pleasant, efficient and worthwhile one.

Discover Your Learning Strengths

Contemporary research based on Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences shows that there are 7 distinct types of learners: visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, and logical-mathematical. Before you jump into Japanese do yourself a huge favor and find out what kind of learner you are. To discover whether you're a linguistic or a logical-mathematical learner, just take one of the many free tests on the Internet. Go to Google and type in "Theory of Multiple Intelligences free test," and you'll find one.

Look at a few and use the one that has the most questions; you'll get the most accurate results that way. When doing this, keep in mind that you won't be just one type of learner. You will have much more strength in certain areas, though. Find your strengths and then design a Japanese language learning strategy that's best for you.

Get Friendly With the Katakana Alphabet

You may not know this, but the Japanese writing system has more than one alphabet. One of them is called Katakana. It is the simplest alphabet, and it is used to transcribe foreign words, to represent the names of plants, animals, and minerals, and to type out technical and scientific terms.

It is also commonly used to write the names of foods, which makes it very useful for you to know. In addition, it's a phonetic alphabet, so it's not too difficult to learn. If you study hard, you can master the sounds of the 48 characters of the system in an afternoon or two. So, before going out and trying to tackle Kanji, the much more difficult system of characters that make up the primary written form of the Japanese language, get familiar with Katakana. This will ease you into success, one step at a time.

Work With a Native Speaker From the Beginning

When learning a language that uses the same alphabet as your own, for example, if you're a native English speaker learning Spanish, you can learn a lot just by adjusting your own pronunciation. When learning Japanese, though, you will be making sounds that are totally and completely different than anything you are used to. For this reason, it is imperative that you work with a native Japanese speaker from day one.

Fortunately, doing this is as easy as ever. You have several options. One is to find a local Japanese speaker and work with him or her in person. This is a great option, but it is also the most expensive. The next option is to use language learning software or online instruction. These programs, in the early days, were not very good. Today, however, you can get high-quality, fully interactive language learning software programs recorded by native speakers for under a hundred dollars. This is much cheaper than hiring a personal Japanese tutor, and you can repeat lessons over and over until you're satisfied that you have learned them.

Finally, if you want a totally free option, you can do a language exchange over the Internet. All you do is go to a language learning forum and search for a native Japanese speaker who is willing to teach you Japanese in return for you teaching him or her your native language, whatever it may be.

It doesn't really matter which option you choose. Just make sure that you're working with a native Japanese speaker right from the beginning; it's much harder to fix bad Japanese pronunciation than it is to just learn it correctly in the first place.

Final Thoughts

Learning Japanese can be challenging for Westerners, but, with a bit of planning, you can have a great learning experience. To ensure success, find out what type of learner you are, learn the Katakana alphabet, and work with a native Japanese speaker from day one.

Check out my Rocket Japanese Review. My honest and in-depth software reviews are the best on the web!

Or, for more great learning tips, check out my blog, The Live in Asia Blog.

Have a great day!

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Chinese Language Learning Strategies For Interpersonal Learners

As outlined by Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, there are 7 distinct kinds of learners, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, musical, visual-spatial, intrapersonal, linguistic, and logical-mathematical. As a pupil of the Chinese language, you will discover that, while you are able to use approaches from all 7 of the individual learning models, you will be more at ease with some than with others. Pay attention to your inner thoughts, and gravitate towards the exercises you feel most comfortable carrying out. This particular report will present Chinese language learning strategies for people who are intepersonal learners.

What is an Interpersonal Learner?

An interpersonal learner is somebody who loves interacting with other people. These people are usually particularly understanding, and they normally show empathy for other people. They generally have a lot of acquaintances and possess superior street smarts. If you're one of these styles of learners you will excel whenever taking part in group exercises, seminars, and by participating in dialogues, no matter how easy they may be.

Learning Strategy 1

Interpersonal learners excel in group activities, and their study techniques ought to center on interaction. Fortunately, this is often easy to do when learning another language, seeing that everybody desires partners to converse with. You ought to take an active part in setting up parties or some other social get-togethers where the chief goal is to practice talking in Chinese. For instance, you can host a dinner party where the aim is to speak about food in the Chinese language.

Learning Strategy 2

Join organizations which are organized by individuals who are native Chinese speakers. This can seem difficult at first, and it would, in fact, be extremely hard for most of us. Your high level of comfort in interpersonal situations, however, allows you to succeed in most of these circumstances. You can join almost any group. For example, it is easy to join a Chinese trekking group, or perhaps some sort of civic group that meets often.

Learning Strategy 3

Socialize with native Chinese speakers. This might seem to be a bit fake or dishonest, but it doesn't have to be. Just be genuine in the beginning and then allow your natural interpersonal skills take over from there. Take your new friend out for lunch and ask for their help. Most people love helping others, since it makes them to feel useful and significant. And, surely, since English is not their native language, you may as well help them with their studies. It's a win-win position for everybody.

Learning Strategy 4

Enroll in a Chinese language learning class. If you're an intense interpersonal learner, you will definitely get bored rather quickly learning alone. Some sort of classroom environment, on the other hand, will provide you with the social interaction you desire. Additionally, don't just be a part of a class. Also make certain that you spend as much time as you can with your teacher, as the increased individual attention will encourage you to study more.

Conclusion

Interpersonal learners need social interaction to keep encouraged and learn up to their potential. If you are secure in and quite often desire social situations, and if you have a lot of friends, you're almost certainly an interpersonal learner. If this is the case, you should design a learning approach that is based around social interaction.

Get more Learn to speak Mandarin tips by visiting my 8-article series hosted at the famous Squidoo!

Study Chinese online. It's fast. It's Fun. It's FREE!

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The Importance of Learning Spanish

Now is not the time to be a monolingual. People are learning Spanish in numbers which were once considered unimaginable. Spanish has gained importance as being one of the most widely spoken languages of the world. In the West, Spanish is considered secondary to English.

As a result, many native Spanish speakers have moved to other countries. They learn the language of that land but remain loyal to Spanish. This is true of the Hispanic population in the US. There are over 40 million Hispanics in the United States and there number is always on the rise. The dilemma is that they have shorn monolingualism while the Americans haven't. Most of the Spanish people are able to speak English but a majority of English speakers don't understand even a word of Spanish.

There is no doubt that Spanish is the best choice for anyone who is looking to add to his repertoire an exotic language with a rich history. Not only is Spanish of cultural importance, but is the official language of four of the seven continents.

Easy to Learn

The phonetics and vocabulary make Spanish probably the easiest language to learn for an English speaker. Spanish is written in a way that an English speaker will be able to read a word and ascertain its pronunciation easily. Even basic grammar of the Spanish language is simple and clear-cut. When you begin to learn it, you will be able to converse fluently in Spanish in just a few days.

Understand English Better

Did you know that a large portion of the English vocabulary we commonly use is derived from Latin? Well, this was a gift from the French, but the interesting thing is that Spanish is a Latin language as well. So, what I am trying to say is that you can understand English grammar and language better when you start to learn Spanish.

Become a Linguist

He who learns one language can learn a hundred! Got a bit of the Schindler's List hangover! Seriously speaking, learning Spanish can be the first step on your journey to picking up the important languages spoken in the world today. Spanish is one of the easiest to learn, and is therefore a good one to start off with. Once you have learned Spanish, you can move on to French or German or any other language which you prefer.

However, learning Spanish isn't a walk in the park. You will have to put in much effort and time to be able to master it.

Spanish Learning Factory can help you learn Spanish in a way that you will be speaking it like a native in no time at all.

SpanishLearningFactory Provides Online Spanish Courses and Spanish classes from beginner, to intermediate, to advanced. for more details visit website SpanishLearningFactory.com

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Is Rosetta Stone Really Worth It?

Nowadays, learning a language on the computer is all the rage. More and more people are buying products like Rosetta Stone or subscribing to online services such as Mango Languages. Are these products really worth the money though? Let's face it, most people struggle to afford the higher end language products such as Fluenz and Rosetta Stone. It's rather hard to justify spending about five hundred dollars on software that you're not sure will work for you, but, it seems to work for everyone else. Let's take a more in depth look at Rosetta Stone and see exactly what it will and won't do.

Rosetta Stone is currently in its forth version and the price for its complete Latin American Spanish language pack is (at press time) $479.00. One year ago, when I bought it, the third version sold for the same price. I have asked Rosetta Stone Customer Support and they tell me that there no actual difference in the software between versions three and four. Rather, version four comes with access to Rosetta Stone's online learning community, TOTALe, which version three did not. After finding that out I decided not to upgrade to the next version.

So how does the software work? Rosetta Stone uses a method that is called "Dynamic Immersion", which is basically a fancy way of saying that it does not use any English to teach you a foreign language. Rather, the program uses pictures of people and objects, with their Spanish translation underneath. In my opinion, this makes Rosetta Stone by far the easiest way to learn vocabulary in a new language. Because there is no English, the translated words stick in your mind with the pictures, which leads you to think in that new language. Just that feature alone makes this software extremely useful.

The program is composed of several levels, which are composed of several units, which in turn are composed of several lessons. Each of the units focuses on a certain subject, such as school or shopping. In each of the lessons, you learn new vocabulary and ideas then, after the lesson, there are several activities which you can complete to further your knowledge of the subject matter. Each of the activities focuses on you being able to do a certain thing such as: speak, listen, write, understand, et cetera. A good deal of the exercises are repetitive, but that's part of what helps you remember the language.

The company often boasts about its speech recognition program that gets you speaking your new language write away. While it does help you to form sentences quickly, the voice recognition software is certainly not bug free. There have been many situations where I know that I said the write thing, but the software just won't recognize it. Sometimes I will just turn off the speaking activities to avoid this. Rosetta Stone also claims that it will teach you to speak without an accent, if you set the speech recognition to only recognize native sounds. There are many flaws since, with Latin American Spanish for example, there can be many different types of accents, all of which are from native Spanish speakers. Also, for most adults learning a second language, it is almost impossible to speak without an accent, and so it's very difficult to succeed with native speech recognition.

Another problem that I have with Rosetta Stone is its claim that it teaches grammar. The grammar lessons are short and simple. They focus on things like which article to use for a word, or which verb conjugation goes with a given subject, but these lessons do not explain why it has to be the way it. My opinion on grammar is that there is no way to successfully teach it, without explaining it. Rosetta Stone doesn't explain anything, because the company's theory is that, when we learnt our first language, we weren't explained anything about grammar. The difference is though that then we couldn't be explained anything about grammar, so we just went with the flow, now we are older and smarter. We question things. I used Rosetta Stone for Spanish, and I was already familiar with French grammar, so I had a pretty good idea of what to do in Spanish, but, if I had been learning an eastern language (or any language that unconnected to what I knew), Rosetta Stone would have probably been too confusing for me to use.

In my own opinion, Rosetta Stone fails to give users enough opportunities to write in their new language. Yes, as I said earlier, they do have writing exercises, but they are far and few between. Normally, each exercise only asks you to write a few words or short sentences. I believe that, to memorize spelling and punctuation in another language, one needs to have more practice writing.

After a month or two of learning Latin American Spanish just through Rosetta Stone, I found that I could speak quite well, and I had confidence that I was saying things correctly. It amazed people that I could carry on a (basic level) conversation with other Spanish speakers. The problem, however, was that I was a little shaky on spelling. I could read quite well but, when it came to writing, I often found myself questioning where to put accents. After you learn one Romance Language, the grammar of the others will be fairly easy. That being said, I had a good knowledge of Spanish grammar. This knowledge, however, came more from my experience with French, rather than from Rosetta Stone itself.

So is Rosetta Stone worth it? I would honestly say that it is. Although there are many problems that I have found with this software, and it is not the godsend that many people assume it is, it will really help you memorize vocabulary words. I would not, however, recommend that Rosetta Stone be the only way you learn a language. It would be extremely beneficial to have a tutor as well, someone to whom you can ask questions. If that is not an option for, then I would suggest you buy a good grammar book to guide you where Rosetta Stone cannot.

Wilhelm Schulz offers both private tutoring and online classes for as low as $10 per hour.

To find out more on Wilhelm Schulz (Founder of Futurama Languages) go to:
http://futuramalanguages.weebly.com/

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ESL Teaching Strategy: Information, Instruction, Inspiration, Intuition

What is the difference between a good teacher and a master teacher? We probably have all endured teachers where we felt their calling was anything other than teaching. Other teachers could at least keep our attention, and make the class exciting and fun. But on occasion, there would be that master teacher that could somehow make us feel like we were the only one in the classroom, and we felt as if our brains had been opened as he poured a cup of knowledge into our souls. It might have been an elementary teacher, a coach, or, for a lucky few, a mom or a dad. Let's look at the main ingredients of a master teacher.

1. Information. Information makes up 40% of teaching. It is the sole reason for our role as a teacher. Take away our substance, and we will also lose our occupation. Yet, the fault in many teachers is in their resistance to remain a student. It can be easy to dust off the old lesson plans from year to year, and deliver the same information that was given 10 years ago - rusted and outdated.

I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday. ~Abraham Lincoln

The best remedy for an old lesson plan is a learning teacher. Let's make sure as teachers that our information - that 40% of teaching - is 100% of what it should be.

2. Instruction. Instruction makes up 30% of teaching. Imagine a road system that had no rules. Drivers could go as fast as they want, drive in any lane, never stop for a traffic light, and there were no guidelines for accidents. Yes, people could get to their destination, but it would be accompanied by chaos and confusion. As teachers, we not only need to impart information, but also give it with good instruction. As a student I enjoyed the classes where it was obvious that the teacher had good procedures in the classroom. He knew the most efficient way to pass out papers, collect papers, explain the rules of an activity, give tests, schedule a research paper with good deadlines, and keep the class as fair as possible. It was always a privilege to be in a class where I felt the teacher ensured that every little detail was accounted for.

3. Inspiration. Inspiration makes up 20% of teaching. Inspiration comes from success. The more successful a student is at something, the more they will want to excel in that area. I was watching my son play a skateboarding game on our Wii. As a six year old, he just could not figure out how to make that virtual skateboard do what he wanted it to do. However, I noticed that level 1 was super easy. It was easy enough to grant my son a small measure of success. He could not do level 2, but I simply had to encourage him to do better on level 1, and he soon was able to beat level 2. That measure of success was enough to keep him interested. In our classes, our students don't want to fail. However, if they fail many times then failure becomes the only thing they are actually successful at. Have you ever had a student that wanted to excel at failure? Instead, we need to keep our students tasting the wonderful joy of success.

4. Intuition. Intuition is that 10% of teaching that I believe separates the good teachers from the master teachers. Intuition is that ability to look into the eyes of a student and know whether or not he is learning. It's the ability to draw out of the student the knowledge that the teacher has given to him. It is that unique touch on the heart of a student that lets him know that you really care. Students have the distinctive ability to know whether or not the teacher is teaching for money or for the student. Teachers will never be able to fool a student in this area. For the master teacher, intuition goes both ways. The master teacher is able to know if the student is truly learning and what to do about it, and the student is able to sense the level of compassion that the master teacher has for the student.

What an awesome privilege to have to opportunity to help mold the early impressions of a student. Let's increase our relevant information, make clear our instructions, inspire through success, and captivate with our intuition.

For great ESL resources for both the student and the teacher go to http://www.ilesi.com/. ILESI stands for International Languages Educational Services Inc., and has established English training centers all over the world.

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Corporate Business Lessons - English Language Teachers

English has become the language of business. If you are an international company that does any business deals with speakers of another language you are probably doing those dealings in English. English is the language to learn for all international business trading. There are several ways to learn business English. Some of them include being taught by a local non-native English speaker, being taught by a computer program with expensive software, and learning English over video chat with a native English teacher that lives in an English speaking country. English can be learned with any techniques, these are just some of the options.

Learning English from a non-native English speaker can be difficult in a variety of ways. Especially if the person teaching you is not a teacher, things can become very hard. English has a lot of small rules that are often broken. To really know what you are learning and how useful it is to you, you will need to speak with a native English speaker. Also learning from a local person may not give you the business English lessons that you need to do international business. To learn the proper English for your needs you should probably consider another way to get the training you need.

English can be taught effectively by a computer program. The tools are all there to give you the knowledge you are paying hand over fist for. The real drawback to using computer software is that it can sometimes not give the focus that you are looking for. Also there is no real feedback system that lets you know you are doing well or poor in specific areas. If you decide to go with computer software to learn business English lessons you should be prepared to pay a considerable amount. English can be learned with programs but is better suited to human interaction.

With the power of the internet learning to speak English through video chat with a person living in an English speaking country can be simple. The prices are for one person's concentrated time that they give directly to you each time you call. The service will provide feedback and relevant information about the English language. With a proper English tutor business English lessons can be at your finger tips and not for an exorbitant price. If you are considering learning English for your business needs make sure to choose the best option for you. The options are out there for your choosing.

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How to Learn Chinese Tones!

For speakers studying Mandarin, learning the tones can be quite the challenge. Mandarin has 4 tones, and one neutral tone; This means that one word can have a variety of meanings based on the way you say it. The Mandarin word "ma" for example can mean mom, hemp, horse, scold or indicate a question depending on what tone is used! Being such a foreign concept, how can you learn tones without hours of meaningless repetition?

The first answer is simple, you need to understand that even in English we use tones all the time! We may not realize it, but by putting a different intonation on the exact same word we can have a variety of meanings!

Take the word "yeah" for example. Our tones on it are very similar to the Chinese tones!

1. A Mandarin first tone is a high level and neutral pitch. Try saying "yeah" just a little higher than your normal voice, and also keep it the same pitch. What did that sound like? If you were to say that in a conversation what would you be expressing? In English a high level neutral pitched "yeah" indicates doubt. Its like saying "I see what you are saying, but I'm not sure." And we get all of that out of just saying "yeah!"

2. A Mandarin second tone is rising tone - you start your voice low and it comes higher. Say "yeah" with a voice lower than your normal voice level, then immediately rise it just a bit above your normal voice level. When you do this with "yeah" you usually are saying either "really? That's interesting."

3. A Mandarin third tone is a falling first, then rising tone. Say "yeah" starting high, then bring it down, then bring it back up. What does this mean in English? In a conversation most of the time it would mean "you are right, but what's your point?"

4. The Mandarin fourth tone is a falling tone. Imagine you are upset at someone and they just asked you a question you thought was a dumb question so you answer "yeah." Start a bit high then drop fast. In this case Yeah simply means yes, but with it you are also indicating that the person should have known better then to ask that question.

The reality is that Chinese is not that much different from our own language. Tones are a little foreign, but understanding we use them in some cases as well can further your understanding. The major difference is that their tones are assigned to EVERY word, whereas we use them selectively.

One more thing to point out, you can't simply not worry about tones and assume people with understand you. As your language ability increases so do the importance of tones. One of the best things you can do to hear and understand tones is get practice with a native speaker or advanced level student of Chinese.

I would recommend checking out my website http://www.cafespeak.com/ where you can use Skype to meet with a native speaker of a language. In the meantime, keep working on those tones!

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Skype Online English Lessons - Learning a Language With Video Chat

Learning English is now more accessible than it has ever been for people in countries all over the world. With the internet the opportunity of learning English online is only a matter of finding the right company to be taught by. Skype is a common type of video chat system that many people use. There are a few, clear cut reasons for trying Skype online English lessons with a reputable business. They are learn English from the same native English speaker every lesson, spend money on the actual lesson instead of on software, and learn conversational English through role-playing and one-on-one chats.

There are two ways to learn a language which are from someone who speaks English and someone who is a native English speaker. There are pros and cons to each approach, but if you are learning conversational English, learning through a native English speaker will guarantee correct pronunciations and word usage. There are businesses that will provide you with the same teacher for every lesson. With the same teacher you do not have to concentrate on filling in a new teacher each lesson or telling them that you already learned something. Skype online English lessons bring native English teachers within your reach.

Many companies will sell you expensive software that you have to install on the computer. With Skype online English lessons the software you need is online for free. You pay for an actual live person who can tailor your lesson specifically to how you learn. Software can do that, only live people can. Online English lessons should not be complicated. You pay for the time of the teacher you are working with. Never pay for an expensive computer teaching system again, when your time and money could be better spent learning from a live person via video chat through the internet.

Spending time focusing in writing English or spelling English when what you need is conversational speaking skills can be a waste of time. Get lessons focused on your needs through a variety of techniques taught by a live teacher. If all you need is conversational English you can do that easily through one-on-one dialogue. Skype online English lessons are designed to give you the training in English that you are willing to pay for. English is not difficult but can be challenging without the proper instruction. Learn to speak English from a professional native English speaker over the internet and see how quickly you can learn.

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What Is the Best Way to Learn a Second Language?

What is the best way to learn a second language? This subject can have many opinions and views, mine are as follow:

Learning a second language can be very frustrating but yet extremely rewarding... as of my personal experience to learn a second language; I started first by nailing the alphabet down, and then moved to learn some vocabulary (meanings). It takes a little while to memorize and a lot of patience. I guess it depends on the learner and how fast can they absorb the information. I had students that learned how to speak, read and write a second language in matter of few weeks...others took longer. The methods of teaching a second language play a big role in making student's comprehension more effective.

There are some language programs and CD's out there can be very helpful, however, learning a second language of a live tutor is very important because it gives students the opportunity to ask about anything they desire on the spot, something videos and CD's cannot provide.

Here are a few tips to consider along the way of your language leaning journey.

‧ Choosing your language teacher is essential; make sure they can "speak" English clearly and comfortably so you don't feel nervous around them.
‧ Write down every note you can get in YOUR language so you know what you wrote without forgetting.
‧ Ask about anything you like don't let anything go without understanding it.
‧ Use the few words and sentences you learned in a conversation and let the natives correct you as this is one of the best methods to master a language.
‧ You have to be inquisitive and detailed about the structure of the sentences of the foreign language, the earlier you get the bigger picture the simpler the details become.
‧ Use some helpful software, they are all over the internet, I will be recommending some programs in a later article
‧ Always learn the proper version of the language, not a dialect.
‧ Have an exchange buddy- someone who you can help learn English, Spanish,...ect and in return he help you learn the target language.
‧ Find and download a free dictionary to keep on your desktop, and research the verity usage of the words in the language structure.
‧ Make a plan and goals to what you want to accomplish first, this was my plan; ALPHABET> MEANINGS +PRONOUNCIATIONS> SIMPLE CONVERSATIONS> DIGGING DEEPER.

I hope you benefit from these tips and I wish you good luck with everything.

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American English V British English

I was recently asked by a financial services sector client to review about 50 pages of content on their U.S. website and edit this so that it was suitable for a British audience.

I thought that this would be a fairly straightforward task involving making all the obvious spelling changes...making sure that words like "color" and "flavor" had a "u" in them, changing "center" to centre, "toward" to towards, "program" to programme and amending words like "organization" and "specialize" to the UK spelling.

The work actually turned out to be rather more time-consuming than I had anticipated. It was easy enough to go through the text and amend the American spellings of particular words, but what surprised me was the amount of additional work required to amend some of the grammar, vocabulary and punctuation.

You don't very often come across words which have completely different meanings on either side of the Pond but you do have to take into account things like different noun usage, different verb patterns and use of tenses, and different use of prepositions and adverbs. Until I did this work I had never really appreciated the amount of divergence which exists today between American and British English.

In terms of the spoken word we're so familiar with American English usage over here, through TV, music and films, that we rarely misunderstand what Americans are saying. We take American English for granted and new examples of American English usage are creeping into the way we speak over here all the time.

Look at the written word on pretty much any American website though and the divergence between the two forms of English is quite apparent. It would have been easy for me just to let many of the differences go, because at the end of the day a British audience will have little difficulty in understanding the content on an American website.

As a professional copywriter I wanted to do the job properly of course - my brief was to edit the content so that it looked like it had been written by a Brit. On each page of content I had to make perhaps 10 to 20 edits. In this type of work edits have to be done manually - as far as I'm aware there is no software available which can flawlessly amend American English to British English.

The key learning point for me from doing this, and one that I would like to pass on, was....don't underestimate how much work is required to amend American English web content to British English.

Steve Shaw, Bishopsgate Copywriting

Bishopsgate Copywriting are based in Sevenoaks, England and specialise in financial and business copywriting and copyediting for websites and print media.

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The Best Way To Learn The Spanish Language

Learning a foreign language can make a difference in your life. Learning to speak any new language is never easy and if you have decided to learn Spanish have no doubt that it will broaden your horizon. Learning to speak the Spanish language is an overwhelming and rather disappointing process if your approach is not proper. Learning this language online is also incredibly cost-effective. Mastering new languages usually happens naturally while developing social relationships within foreign language environments.

On of the best way to learn Spanish is to fall in love with a Spanish-speaking person. Traveling is also widely known as the easiest way to learn mainly because it also gets you to practice all the words and phrases that you have learned especially when you are staying at a Spanish-speaking country like Spain, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and others. By far the best way to learn is to surround your with it as many Spanish-speaking people as possible. Students looking for the best way to learn Spanish might take a trip to Mexico, Spain, Argentina or several other countries.

For me personally, the easiest method to master Spanish language was using a software program called Rocket Spanish. By using Rocket Spanish, you can learn the Spanish language in an exciting way, using technology and focusing on communication. Along with the ability to learn Spanish, this software teaches you about the Spanish culture also. This language software consists of course materials, interactive lessons, homework assignments and can even carry out examinations. Rocket Spanish is a complete guide to learn Spanish easily and quickly.

Rocket Spanish is nice to listen to. Rocket Spanish is an outstanding software for starters who would prefer to learn this language in just a few short weeks simply by using a wide array of studying assets with video, spoken audio tracks and written texts. Rocket Spanish is a stand out course in my opinion. A lot of people prefer this form of learning and hence this is the primary mode available. Rocket Spanish is very helpful software for those people who wish to learn Spanish in an efficient way.

The Spanish language is really a fundamental asset nowadays and you can only gain from it privately as well as professionally. Learning Spanish or any other foreign language requires patience and commitment. Learning something effectively will require you having fun while doing it. Language software on the Internet can facilitate studying and make education more interactive and proactive.

Visit LanguageCourseReview.com for a complete review on Rocket Spanish and make sure you read about Learning Spanish Like Crazy too.

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Comment on French Language Programs on the Internet

I am a French teacher who works to help others learn the beautiful language. I know how hard it can be to learn a new language, and I also know how much success depends on having the right learning tools.

As a French teacher, one query I am often asked is what learning package is the best for grownups or teens wishing to learn and speak French from home. Long ago I set out to discover the answer to this question, and one thing genuinely surprised me when I did. There are too many French learning packages out there that just aren't satisfactory enough.

When you look at the tools out in the market on the internet, you'll discover software, books, flash-card systems, and more. Sorting through them all is difficult, and selecting one can be even more intimidating. In Advance of getting to my thoughts on any French packages let's first talk about what a French learning package is and isn't.

First, a digital learning package is NOT the only thing you need to master French. You in addition need to take the time to read French publications, to speak to French-speaking individuals, and to make learning (and speaking) french a portion of your day-to-day existence. I can't stress how important this is to speed up the learning procedure.

Secondly, NOT every person needs a French learning package. In fact, if you aren't dedicated to learning the language you likely won't learn anyway. Learning French isn't tough if you apply yourself, but you need to make the decision right now that you are going to spend some time learning.

Third, a French learning program IS the simplest means to get started with the language. It will also cost much less (and take less time) than taking beginners lessons from a community college. The most suitable learning packages can take you right from beginner to advanced French.

Fourth, if don't take the time to buy the correct learning package you will merely make learning French harder. This is really the number one reason individuals don't follow through with their plan to master the language. Too many of the tools out there are actually just a waste of money.

If you've been considering of learning French then you'll be pleased to hear that, along with some of my colleagues, we took the time to evaluate the best four French learning packages in the market place today. We founded our evaluations on the following criteria.

* Level of French Learning - An acceptable French program should cover everything right from getting started levels up to having fundamental conversations with native French speakers.

* Amount of Information - The Amount of learning substance enclosed in the package

* Teaching Methods - Many people retain data better when taught with different methods. A suitable French program should use a variety of methods for teaching/retention.

* Follow Up Substance - Beyond the basic training course is there more substance in the market place to take your learning further?

* Additional Information (Fun Factor) - A suitable learning package should be fun to use. The most suitable programs we evaluated included games that magnified retention and made learning fun.

* Basic Language Abilities - Does the program supply adequate Content (and teach it rapidly enough) that the learner should grasp a basic dialog right after using the program for a while.

* Reading/Writing /Speaking Abilities - Along with speaking does the program teach language/grammar for reading, speaking and writing French?

With our evaluations we actually took two steps. First we evaluated the programs as teachers. We looked at their situation from the point of view of - would they be able to teach our students what we taught them. The next move I took was to in bring the programs into my adult learning classes. I had my grownup students use the programs at home for a period of time and then gave an introductory test to see what they had understood and retained.

The four programs we reviewed are as follows:

1st. Rocket French

2nd. Easy French Lessons

3rd. Lingo Basics

4th. Learn French Program

Buzz Hill - Professional Reviewer of online Products
Want more information learning to speak French go here: http://learnfrenchlanguagereviews.com/

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Learn Spanish In Spain, The Fastest Way To Learn Spanish

A new language can open new doors and send your life in a completely new path. The quickest way to learn is to have the need to learn. If you need to learn then you will learn much quicker. Necessity is the mother of invention after all. You will learn Spanish much quicker if you learn Spanish in Spain.

Spanish is the one of the widest spoken languages in the world. It is spoken in countries spread across the planet and is understood by over 50% of the world's population.

Living in Spain

The easiest way to learn a language is to live in the country that speaks it. The Spanish people are friendly and welcoming and Spain is a lovely country to live in. Why not join the thousands of ex-pats already living in Spain. The country has a laid back attitude, low cost of living and some of the most beautiful shore lines in the world.

Reading on the internet is one thing but living in the country is something completely different. Everything is different. Buying property, using the facilities and the language barrier are some of the things that you will need to think about and things that you will need to contend with.

The majority of ex-pats live in around the costas, mainly because they have probably visited the areas on vacation. But some of the inland areas of Spain are every bit as stunning as the shore resorts.

Learning Spanish

So you have made the decision to learn the language, but where do you start? Your ideal will be to be residing in Spain and learning from the locals. This is probably the route to fluent Spanish but you will need to be reasonably proficient before you land in sunny Spain. A good guide can help you get by but the best way is on-line, in the comfort of your own home.

The basics

Like anything in life you should start with the basics. Repeating 'hello' and 'goodbye' over and over again may seem like a joyless task, and really it is, but it isn't pointless. It will get you accustomed to the Spanish lingo. A good audio guide can be a great tool or if possible a tutor. Try to keep it fun.

Intermediate

The basics are firmly implanted in your head. It is time to move onto the next stage. Remember you need to keep everything fun and you will learn much faster. You can move onto complete sentences and phrases, a more conversational approach. You are probably ready to move to Spain and start your path to fluent Spanish. You will only really become proficient once you are forced to interact with the locals, order food off them and hang out with them.

Much like the country itself Spanish is a beautiful. It isn't as hard to learn as you imagine and you will find yourself picking it up in no time.

Learning Spanish online is the fastest way. It can be a challenge but with the right help you can get there fast!

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Learn to Appreciate Chinese Culture by Learning Mandarin Online

Chinese culture is one of the oldest and richest in the world, and learning how to speak the language online is an essential step in coming to understand and appreciate it. Dating back thousands of years, China has a wide variety of customs and traditions spread among 56 distinct and recognized ethnic groups as well as a geographical area that is one of the largest in Asia. The pre-eminent ethnic group, however, is the Han Chinese and much of what we think of today as "Chinese culture" derives from their customs. Mandarin is the dialect spoken by the Han; at present, Mandarin has over a billion speakers in China alone.

There are two philosophical systems from which most of Chinese social values are derived - Confucianism and Taoism. Confucianism is derived from the teachings of the revered Chinese philosopher Confucius and teaches that human nature can be perfected through constant striving and self-cultivation. Taoism, on the other hand, is a religious tradition that stresses the relationship between man and the cosmos and emphasizes the basic virtues of humility, compassion and moderation. In addition, the concept of guanxi is also very important in Chinese culture. Guanxi is a word that means either "relationships" or "connections" and stresses the primacy of a personal relationship in which one party can prevail upon the other one for a favor.

Learning Chinese online will also enable you to enjoy the many pleasures afforded by Chinese music, literature and movies. For example, knowing how to read Chinese will enable you to read the works of writer and human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, who won the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize for his struggle for human rights in China, in the original Mandarin. Or if that seems too heavy for you, you can use your proficiency in the language to enjoy popular Chinese music and movies. C-pop or Chinese Popular Music is an increasingly popular genre not only within China and Taiwan but also abroad due to the growing number of Chinese communities overseas. Chinese movies have also seen both critical acclaim and box-office success worldwide, spurred by the work of directors such as Zhang Yimou (Hero), Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and John Woo (Hard Boiled) as well as actors including Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Zhang Ziyi and Chow Yun-Fat.

Being fluent in Chinese will also give you more insight into the culture of your Chinese friends as well as helping improve your relationships with them.? Even if they know how to speak English, they would surely appreciate your efforts to reach out to them by learning how to converse in their language. Being able to talk in Mandarin will also help you to appreciate nuances that otherwise would go unnoticed if you were conversing in English.

While learning to speak Chinese online may initially seem to be insurmountably difficult, with the wide variety of learning modalities available from the various websites offering online Chinese language lessons, you'll surely find one that you'll feel comfortable with and you'll be speaking Mandarin fluently in no time.

One of the objectives of Chinese Online is to ensure your learning experience is not only relaxing but fun as well. The teachers are graduates from renounced China universities and the courses are designed by universities' professors who specialize in the Chinese language. They understand your needs when learning the Chinese language online. Go to http://www.chineseonline.sg/ today!

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Around the World in 100 Words - Five Language Apps for the Business Traveler

If you're a business traveler and a frequent flyer to international destinations, you understand that English can take you many places, but it can't always get the job done. Learning a few phrases in the languages of your foreign business associates can make your experience in their country more pleasant and score you extra credit points.

Too busy to read a foreign-language phrase book or attend a language class before your next trip? Language-learning apps are your solution. Compact and mobile par excellence, these highly engaging applications can accompany you in your travels and help you bolster your language skills at your leisure.

Let's take a look at five free mobile apps that you can combine to acquire foreign language skills on the road and on the fly:

1. Byki

Quick, essential phrases in Danish, Dutch, French, German, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Taglog are at your fingertips with this app. Rather than delving into extensive vocabulary, Byki is strong in teaching everyday greetings across several languages, with the multiple-destination traveler in mind. In three easy steps, you can master everyday cordialities that will take you across Europe and Asia.

The first step involves reviewing the flash cards, which come with images and native speaker audio. In the second step, you see the target language and come up with the English translation. When you've got the gist of the vocabulary, the third step is to translate from English into the foreign language.

Byki has also compiled a database of vocabulary around key themes such as beverages. Want to know how to order a beer in every country you visit? This is the app for you.

2. Busuu

Where Byki offers breadth, Busuu provides depth. Available in Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, French and German, Busuu has a similar interface to Rosetta Stone in terms of exercises and format. Native speaker sound, illustrations, colorful flashcards, dialogues and audiovisual quizzes make for an engaging and active learning experience. Students are rewarded with Busuu berries at the end of each level.

Another great feature is that Busuu allows you to review your mistakes. You can acquire vocabulary pertaining to a variety of themes, including work, sports, days of the week, body parts, telling time, dates and seasons, family members, numbers, colors, meals, directions, pets, geography, clothes, fruits, vegetables and more.

3. Vocabology

This vocabulary-boosting app is designed for the daily language apprentice. It allows you to get a word-of-the-day in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, French and English from a variety of sources. Because repetition is often the secret to retention, Vocabology uses the word of the day in multiple contexts, including an addictive quiz.

4. Flashcards Deluxe

One of the best ways to commit all of this vocabulary to memory is to review it throughout the day. This app allows you to create your own deck of flashcards with words you come across in your studies and to import decks from the shared library. You can personalize the backgrounds of the cards, add photos and sounds from your smartphone or from the app's website, modify font size and colors, set up a slideshow and flag cards for more intensive review.

As you go through your cards, you signal your responses as either correct, incorrect or "strong correct" (meaning no need for further review). The program then schedules the cards in spaced repetition as a function of these responses so that you don't under-study certain words and over-study the ones you have mastered. Using the Leitner card order option, you can also focus solely on the cards you've gotten wrong recently. Spend ten minutes with this app every morning when you wake up and/or at night when you go to bed for optimum retention.

5. Radio/Newspaper apps

As your familiarity with the language increases, you can begin to immerse yourself in the culture of your travel destination by listening to the national radio stations and reading local press articles. If you are traveling to Spain, for example, download the RNE app, Radio Nacional de Espana to listen to any of the six national radio stations, andEl Paisto enrich your vocabulary while reading up on trending topics, current affairs and popular culture. Unlike mobile sites, these radio-streaming and content apps are perfectly adapted to your particular smartphone platform and therefore supply an optimized interface. You don't have to sort through several web pages to get where you want - in one click, you can stream the radio station of your choice, as effortlessly as if you were flipping channels on the highway in Spain. And in one click, you can read news articles in a format carefully tailored to your smartphone screen.

The rapidity of speech may be intimidating at first but if you undertake this exercise regularly, you'll soon be amazed to find yourself deciphering fragments of conversations and recognizing the vocabulary words you have acquired.

There are hundreds of other interesting language apps out there but with these five alone, you can build a comprehensive and personalized program for foreign language acquisition. So how much time do you need to devote to this in order to see any tangible results?

Remember that we are not talking about fluency here (though multilingualism is a fantastic goal), but rather elementary communication in the context of international business. One school of thought makes the argument that you can get by in a foreign country with a lexicon of 100 words. With 100 words at your disposal, you are able to comprehend some of what is said around you, express your essential needs and ask basic questions. A pocketbook vocabulary of 100 words will allow you to order wine for your table at a company lunch, ask when your clothes will be dry-cleaned, inquire as to the best cup of coffee near your hotel and get directions to a local pharmacy.

And if you're armed with 100 words, you're less likely to be taken advantage of by that taxi driver who mistakes you for a novice and opts for the extra-long route to the hotel. Your ability to communicate in the local language, albeit on a rudimentary level, will place you in a different category of tourists or business travelers, one that is treated with more respect. You will also derive more satisfaction from mundane tasks like checking out of your hotel, since everyday interactions such as these become opportunities to practice your newfound vocabulary in context.

So next time you're on the road-lugging around your suitcase, smoothing the wrinkles out of your suit, and struggling to get some shuteye - explore these apps for hours of distraction (even relaxation!) and acquire new language skills in the process. We're sure that doing so will broaden your horizons and deepen your appreciation of the cultures with which you do business.

Acclaro is a global translation and localization firm that helps the world's leading brands succeed across cultures. Acclaro offers a full range of services for creating and maintaining multilingual marketing campaigns, websites, documents, software and much more. From Asia to Europe and the Americas, Acclaro gives clients a local voice in global markets.

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Situations When You Wish You Knew Spanish!

Spanish is one of the fastest growing languages in the world. It has a rich history, embroidered in royalty. Spanish is a Latin language and shares its origins with English and French. This is why, it is considered to be the ideal second language for a person who is an English speaker.

However, learning a language isn't a walk in the park. This is why many people are apprehensive about taking on the challenge. Truth is there are several times in life when you wish you would know Spanish. It is better to learn it rather than regret it later on. Here are some examples from real life regarding the situations I am talking about. Maybe some of these will sound familiar to you.

Marriage

Yes, marriage has compelled several people to take Spanish lessons. The reason is that they are getting married to a latino/latina. Their spouses can speak English alright, but their families can't. So when things get intimate, you cannot avoid talking to their familia. This is why people learn up Spanish so that they can talk to their in-laws.

Business

You have a business and it is thriving. All your staff is native English speakers who don't know any other languages. One day, you get an order from a Mexican client. The only catch is that he doesn't understand a word of English. You and all your staff don't know Spanish. So, learning Spanish can help you expand your client base. In fact, people have studied Spanish because all their clients were Spanish!

Moving to Mexico

People do move to Mexico for some reasons or the other. There, finding a person who speaks English is a tough job. All the natives are glued to Spanish and they don't like talking in any other language apart from their own. In case you have any plans to move to Mexico or any other Latin American Spanish speaking country, make sure that you learn Spanish beforehand.

Interacting with Hispanics

There are over 40 million Hispanics in the US. You just cannot avoid running into them. Some people have a lot of Hispanic friends so they decide to learn Spanish so that they can interact with them in their own language. This gives them a chance to explore their culture as well. Some people just like Latinos/Latinas and want to approach them so they learn Spanish in a bid to impress them.

The best resource for you to learn Spanish is the Spanish Learning Factory. They provide private lessons, software and books which would have you speaking Spanish like your ancestors came from Chihuahua.

SpanishLearningFactory Provides affordable Spanish books and cd's from beginner, to intermediate, to advanced to learn Spanish, sitting at home. Visit website SpanishLearningFactory.com to listen and watch testimonials about online Spanish classes and programs.

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Spanish Audio Lessons

With all the options available to new learners it can sometimes be difficult knowing what method is best. Spanish audio lessons tick all the boxes as they introduce the language through key words and phrases, slowly breaking in the different Spanish sounds and structures, without confusing the learner with technical words or rules.

These audio lessons have become a very popular way for students to incorporate learning Spanish into a busy timetable; the lessons can be done while traveling, doing housework or during most leisure activities. The quality of the lessons and what it gives to the learner also helps to make them so popular. In addition the lessons are usually quite cheap and can be downloaded instantly from many different providers.

The majority of the audio courses have similar structures and methods. There is usually a native Spanish speaker who breaks down Spanish words in the the different sounds. The listener has to repeat the Spanish sounds, attempting to copy the Spanish speaker as closely as possible. Then some phrases are strung together with their meaning in English also explained. The learner has to repeat the phrases a number of times before moving on. At the end of each lesson a review is given and this is usually where the learner has to translate some English phrases into Spanish. The learner then has the option to repeat the lesson or move onto the next lesson.

The material that is covered during the lessons is not only repeated in future lessons but it adapted to include other words and is used in different tenses and situations. This helps the learner gain a skill of creating lots of different sentences from just a few learned phrases and vocabulary.

Listening to Spanish audio lessons and following the instructions carefully is highly recommended for beginners, and there have also been some courses put together for intermediate and advanced speakers. Going through the lessons and making sure that your pronunciation is correct will help you greatly when you go on to learn more about the Spanish language. Knowing the basic structures from an early stage means that you can build on what you have learned through taking a Spanish course, going to a foreign country or practicing Spanish grammar with online resources or books.

Many courses offer a free download so that you can try the methods before purchasing. Spanish audio lessons are a great way to start your Spanish learning.

Jorge has reviewed different Spanish audio lessons and also writes about how to start learning Spanish.

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How Learning Mandarin Can Enhance Chinese Business Communication

The most important thing to understand about Chinese business communication is that so much of it relies on what is unsaid, rather than on what is spoken aloud. Thus, while it is very important to gain proficiency in Chinese through online lessons if you are planning to do business in the country, it is just as essential for you to gain a basic understanding of Chinese cultural norms so as not to inadvertently give offense and damage the association before it has even started. Learning how to speak Mandarin also helps you to build a personal relationship with a potential business partner, in the spirit of the Chinese concept of guanxi ("connections"), before a professional association can occur.

When you are fluent in Mandarin, you can open an initial meeting by sharing small talk and pleasantries since it is Chinese custom not to come to the point immediately, unlike in the West where a business transaction can be completed in minutes with neither of the participants knowing anything more about each other than their names. This importance of building relationships is also the reason why you should not bring your lawyer to any preliminary meetings since it may cause offense, as the other party may believe you don't trust him or are trying to get the better of him.

At the same time, you should also not be too informal or too personal. You can talk about topics like your family, your marital status and your job but avoid talking about your feelings. Make sure you answer any question put to you; don't appear that you are avoiding answering since this makes you look untrustworthy. And unless you can speak Mandarin very, very well you should avoid humor, since jokes are always lost in translation and you may end up inadvertently causing offense.

One of the most important concepts to understand in Chinese business communication is the concept of face. The word 'face' in Chinese is roughly translated to respect or good reputation and to lose face is to be deeply humiliated in front of others. This is why the American businessman who wants to do business in China should get away from the mindset of arguing with or correcting somebody if you think they're wrong; never contradict someone in China or say no since this will cause them to lose face. Again, this is where the importance of being fluent in Mandarin comes in since you will be able to communicate your corrections in such a way as to allow the other party to still keep face. It is a delicate balancing act and possible only if you can converse clearly.

Ultimately, the value of learning Mandarin for Chinese business communication is that it frees you from struggling to communicate verbally so that you can also focus on non-verbal communication, such as observing the other party's body language. Proficiency in another language is the best way to bridge the gap between two parties so that connections can start to be made, which hopefully will grow into a mutually profitable relationship.

Consider carefully the choice of courses you want to enroll to learn Chinese/Mandarin online especially for Chinese business communication. Look at the courses provided by Business Chinese Online before making any final decision because doing business in China is a serious business!

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Another Language Learning Method?

In a recent article published in a French daily newspaper, an argument was made that some foreign languages can be learnt by association. For instance languages of Romance, Slavic or Scandinavian origin are so close, at least in their written form, that their similarities make them easy to understand for the speaker of one of them. The example given in the article draws a comparison between Romanian and French.

This phenomenon is known as 'intercomprehension' in French, which could be translated as Inter-linguistic Understanding.

The article follows on by putting forward some unusual ideas (well, unusual to me): for such language combinations and their learning, pronunciation is not essential, at least not at the beginning, and knowledge of grammar is not necessarily a prerequisite for learning a language. This new way of understanding the language would rely on intuition and natural responses. As you can imagine, it is not highly regarded in academic and conservative circles.

A few years ago I tried to learn Welsh for 9 months on an Adult Community Education evening course, and I'm afraid I failed. Our teacher's methods relied, in the first six months at least, on endless repetitions and chanting of sentences, or monotonous association games, and this did not work for me at all. Only in the last couple of months did we actually look at the mechanics of the language, but I had lost all motivation by then. I need to understand the grammar of a language, i.e. what role each word has in the sentence. I see grammar as essential, not for 'grammar's sake' but as a tool to give me the confidence to build my own sentences and to expand my understanding of what I read or hear. As for pronunciation, starting with approximate sounds is, in my opinion, a mistake. The longer bad habits are entertained, the longer it takes to shift them. Therefore, spending time reproducing foreign sounds at the beginning goes a long way. It also helps with recognising words which are close across two languages. Take the words 'qualite' in French and 'quality' in English - very easy to understand on paper, not so when they are pronounced out loud. And yet, once it has been understood that the French 'qua' is pronounced 'ka', it becomes a lot easier, doesn't it? The only thing I really like about this method is the intuition aspect. Although it can and does lead to mistakes (with the so called 'false friends'), it also helps develop a more natural affinity with the language studied, taking away some apprehensions and inhibitions, and making the whole process less daunting.

Having said this, we all have different learning styles and a good teacher should always endeavour to find out how a student learns best.

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A Quick Guide to Learning Spanish

The internet has made it possible to access a wealth of Spanish learning resources online. There are websites, podcasts, games, revision tools, vocabulary collections and much more, all with the purpose of helping you to learn Spanish quickly and easily. I have written this article as a basic guide to help you bring all these excellent resources together into an organised structure for your Spanish learning.

Building your Spanish Vocabulary

There are a great many different ways to learn and expand Spanish vocab on the internet. If you search for Spanish vocabulary on Google for example you will come up with millions of search results. It is however important to use these as efficiently as possible and starting with the very basics (e.g. numbers, colours etc.) is a good place to start. When you come across long lists of the vocab you want to learn remember that it is simply not enough to read through them once and move on - the new words will just leave your brain as quickly as they came in and you will not learn.

I would highly recommend finding a site with Spanish flashcard collections which you can use to practice and come back to. There are also sites allowing you to input vocab into your own flashcards - this is useful to help master the vocab you collect while reading and also those long lists you come across on many Spanish vocab sites online.

Furthermore there are other useful tools available such as interactive mini quizzes and games - Real Spanish and Spanish Dict are excellent sites for these sorts of tools. The problem with these is that often you don't have control over the words you are actually practicing but Rocket Spanish offers its MegaVocab software which solves this issue.

Once you have a basic knowledge of Spanish vocabulary it is important to build on this by reading, reading, reading. There is so much interesting content to read such as newspapers, magazines (online and paper), blogs, short stories, novels, non-fiction etc. - in my opinion it is best to read anything you enjoy, this will keep you interested and give you the vocab around the topics you are most likely to talk about. I'd also recommend building up slowly because there is nothing more disconcerting than reading Spanish material which you find very difficult to understand at all.

Don't Ignore the Grammar

Learning Spanish grammar is also extremely important and you can't avoid learning all these new rules or anomalies that come with any new language. As with practicing Spanish vocab, Spanish grammar requires a lot of practice and will improve more quickly if you are using a variety of media. Don't jump in at the deep end but build your knowledge from the bottom starting with the most simple sentence structures - just as a young child would learn English. Again sites like Study Spanish offer good mini quizzes but it also helps to be writing and taking note of different tenses in the reading you should be doing.

I believe by writing using different tenses and Spanish sentence structures you gain a far better working understanding of Spanish grammar than by simply conjugating into a known tense - if your aim is to reach written fluency it is absolutely essential to be writing on a consistent basis. In the same way by speaking more your grammar will improve very quickly and in time your speaking will also improve as a result.

It is also useful to keep refreshing your knowledge of all the different rules you have learnt until they become second nature. I kept all my worksheets (which were available online) which helped me to keep my learning organised and ensured I didn't neglect any certain areas. Don't avoid the difficult stuff (like the subjunctive for instance) but stick at it and eventually you'll get there- there are also good grammar guides which provide a good learning structure and practice exercises.

Developing your Listening Skills

Listening to Spanish is another important part of the learning process. At the beginning it is good to learn by watching Spanish lessons online - these are widely available and will start you listening to how Spanish actually sounds. My favourite way to do this was by using the Notes in Spanish podcasts - these provide conversations between a couple about different aspects of life in Spain. These are the best way, in my opinion, for a Spanish beginner to have some fun while listening to conversational Spanish. The other advantage these Spanish podcasts offer is that they build up in difficulty, all the way to advanced level, so you can monitor your progression in listening ability.

When you become more confident you can start to listen to, and watch, the Spanish news and television programmes and hear how Spanish sounds more naturally. These materials are a lot more difficult so don't rush - commit to listening to as much as possible and you will improve very quickly. One good resource for Spanish listening is the Spanish national television website RTVE - there is a really excellent supply of Spanish TV and radio, from trashy soap operas to daily news broadcasts. I find it easiest to start with the news and interesting documentaries where the conversation is far clearer and also slower.

Spanish Speaking

Speaking is always the hardest part of your Spanish to practice and improve online. At the beginning especially this is why I'd recommend learning in the classroom or at least with a friend. If you can do this, and then talk to yourself out loud or in your head as often as possible, your speaking will advance very quickly. For advanced speakers a website like Live Mocha allows you to speak with natives online although you are expected to speak with a partner in your native language too. I actually find this really interesting and you can meet new and interesting people with similar personalities.

I always found that what improved by speaking to a level close to fluency was when I actually visited Spain. Living in Madrid for a year with other students for example meant I was totally immersed and constantly communicating in Spanish. I also saw it as a great reward for my hard efforts learning Spanish at home so I'd recommend at least planning a holiday to a Spanish speaking country - this is the only way to really recognise the fruits of your labour and I found gave me renewed encouragement.

And finallyI'd like to say good luck and I hope this article has been of some use. Don't ever get disheartened, stick with it and you will find learning Spanish to be a richly rewarding hobby.

For more guides and advice on how to bet go about learning Spanish for all levels check out http://www.topspanishtips.weebly.com/. There is a huge number of links and resources designed specifically to make learning Spanish as enjoyable and easy as possible.

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