In order to have the ability to use a foreign language fluently, it’s not enough if you just know a bunch of words. You also need to be able to put them together to form sentences that make sense. Some languages are known for their tricky word order, and building sentences just like in your own first language may be impossible. Studying rules from a book is not for all of us Every language has its own challenges. In one…
Spaniards know how to be joyful, carefree and enjoy life. Of course, every human being is an individual and life situations vary, but in general, being joyful is considered a virtue in Spanish culture. Bad things happen to all of us, and sometimes there is nothing you can do about them, but in most cases you can at least try to look on the bright side and focus on the things that are good and still there. This positive and…
In the three previous parts of our “The four cornerstones of language learning” blog series, we have given tips on how to improve your foreign language listening, reading and writing skills. This is the final part of the blog series, and it covers what may be the most difficult part of language learning: speaking. Speaking a foreign language may feel scary, but there’s no need to be too nervous about it. When you are travelling and talking to locals, they…
The first and most common mistake that adult language learners make is irregular exercising. Many adults who want to improve their language skills sign up for weekly language courses at a community college or adult education center. In addition to this one weekly lesson, most adult learners do basically nothing for their language learning project. It’s clear that this pace is way too slow to result in any real improvement in their language skills. The key to achieving real conversational…
Soon it’s time to welcome yet another new year. There are different New Year’s traditions around the world, and we have gathered some of them here. Now you can pick your favourites and maybe even include them in your own celebrating! New Year’s resolutions Many of us promise to make changes in our lives as the year changes. Making New Year’s resolutions is a part of the New Year celebrations in many cultures, and has been for a very long…
Do you know what is the most important language to learn? The language of small-talk, of course! It is smart to start chatting with other people soon after learning the basics of a new language. That way you meet interesting people, strengthen your vocabulary and hear how the natives speakers actually sound. If the skill of chit-chatting is not one of your strengths, take these tips, and shine as a master of small-talk. Ask interesting questions People are often happy…
