Language Articles
How To Learn Spanish It S A Cinch
(category: Language, Word count: 337)
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How to learn Spanish? As I am sure you know learning a foreign language is not an easy task unless you are one of those people with an "ear for language", something I never really understood. There are many available options. The first that comes to mind is obviously taking course in your high school, college, or other educational institution. This is a convenient and trusted way to learn, and one that has been utilized for years. However, given that most of the people that take a language in high school or college never actually become bilingual, the merits of this method seem to be suspect.
As with anything else, when deciding how you want to learn Spanish, the internet is as good a place to start as any. If you look on the internet you will find a wealth of options available to you. There are a very large amount of study systems being sold, some at reasonable prices and others for a small fortune. There are also programs for placement in Spanish speaking countries that allow you to totally immerse yourself in the language. Then there are even websites with free exercises and drills that will help you get started.
Of course everyone's system claims to be the best and only way to truly master the language. During my research I came across no less than three study systems all claiming to be in use by varying branches of the US government and I am sure that doesn't even scratch the surface of the number of products making such claims. When you are making your decision regarding how to learn Spanish do your research and take into account the pros and cons of each method and pick what is best for you. Personally, I enjoy the free online exercises, but then again I am just out of college and have no money. However you decide to go about it, learning will not be easy.
Your Children Know More Latin Than You
(category: Language, Word count: 324)
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The beautiful language of Latin has been undergoing an incredible revival of interest lately. Why has this formerly moldy language acquired a new luster?
What constitutes a "revival of interest"?
Last year 148,000 students applied to take the National Latin Exam, according to their website (www.nle.org). In North Carolina there was a 156% increase in the number of students taking the exam, in Nevada an 84% increase. You didn't even know there was a National Latin Exam, did you? Get with the times! What's old is new, and Latin is cool again.
Pop-culture has had a big hand in this. The Harry Potter books and movies - insanely popular with adolescents - feature Latin prominently as the language of magic. There is even a complete Latin translation of the first Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone. If your child is reading "Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis" you can feel pretty confident about the quality of instruction they're getting at school.
The more serious side of Latin has been in the movies recently, too. Mel Gibson's controversial film The Passion of the Christ featured actors speaking in Latin and Aramaic. Although the Bible was not originally written in Latin, Latin became the language of the Roman Catholic Church. Consequently the Latin Vulgate served as the standard Bible for centuries. Inspired by The Passion, many Christians have begun learning Latin so they can read the Vulgate directly.
Resaerch has shown that students who take Latin score higher on their SAT's, a big incentive for parents. Latin specifically improved English comprehension scores and was shown to sharpen language skills in general.
The study of Latin has significant benefits, and despite (or because of) its arcane reputation it is becoming more common in schools and universities. If you aren't curious about it now, you will be when your children ask you to read them Harrius Potter at night.
A Latin Dictionary Saved My Life
(category: Language, Word count: 427)
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In many ways, I have never been much of a student, especially if you are talking about being a student within the confines of a classroom. I've always loved learning, don't get me wrong, but get me inside a classroom for months on end and there is little that can be done to keep me interested in even the most fascinating subjects. I have no real idea how I managed to make it through four years of college. My Latin class in particular almost had the power to ruin my college career. I am convinced that I might have quite school had it not been for my Latin dictionary. It saved my education, and hence, my life.
I realize the previous statement may sound extreme, but it is true. I was so fed up with the stresses of my Latin class in college that I nearly dropped out of school. I guess I didn't have things in the best perspective, but that is how deeply I was being affected by the class. In the sixth week of the fifteen week class I called my father on the phone and finally told him of the truth of my current plight. He simply listened and then laughed at me and muttered two words. "Latin dictionary," he said. I had no idea how much I needed to hear those two words nor how much they would change my semester and literally the rest of my life.
I have absolutely no idea why my Latin professor didn't suggest that I buy a Latin dictionary. I'm actually a little bitter about it now that I think about it. Anyway, I rushed off to a bookstore the next day and purchased the cheapest and biggest Latin dictionary I could find. I had little money, but I felt like bigger must be better when it came to a dictionary.
Over the days and weeks ahead, I poured over that dictionary as I studied for my Latin class. Having that resource taught me an amazing amount that I just wasn't getting in the classroom. I pulled my grade up from a failing score to a B in the remaining weeks of the class. But that's not all that happened: I had a renewed love of learning. Yes, the Latin dictionary was responsible for my pursuit of learning and of new knowledge in many areas. It did little to make me enjoy time in a classroom, but it did inspire me to pursue many of the things I now love.
18 Strategies For Enhancing Language Skills
(category: Language, Word count: 1085)
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The following strategies are offered for enhancing language skills and managing language challenges. This listing is by no means exhaustive, but rather is meant as a place to begin.
Alice Thomas and Glenda Thorne
1. Take the mystery away.
The first and perhaps most important strategy is to teach students about the components of language, common language challenges and language strategies, and to help students understand their own language strengths and challenges. This process is sometimes called demystification - taking the mystery away.
2. Simplify directions.
Students with receptive language challenges may need directions broken down into their simplest form. They may also benefit from a comic book-type illustration of steps to take for the completion of a task.
3. Give written copies of directions and examples.
Students with receptive language challenges may need directions given to them at a relatively slow pace. They may need directions repeated to them. They most often benefit from having a written copy of directions that are given orally. Examples of what needs to be done are also useful.
4. Provide frequent breaks.
Students who have receptive language challenges may use up a lot of energy listening, and, therefore, tire easily. Consequently, short, highly structured work times with frequent breaks or quiet periods may be helpful.
5. Give additional time.
Students with receptive and expressive language challenges are likely to have a slower processing speed and should be allowed additional time for written work and tests.
6. Sit Close.
A student may want to sit close to the teacher so he can watch the facial expression of the teacher when s/he is talking. This may also help to diminish interference from other auditory distractions.
7. Allow voluntary participation.
Students with language processing challenges should not be put on the spot by being required to answer questions during class discussions, especially without being forewarned. Rather, their participation should be on a voluntary basis.
8. Teach summarizing and paraphrasing.
Reading comprehension is often enhanced by summarizing and paraphrasing. This helps students to identify the main idea and supporting details. It may be helpful to provide key words such as who, what, when, where and why to orient attention to the appropriate details.
9. Teach a staging procedure.
Most students find a staging procedure beneficial when writing paragraphs, essays, poems, reports and research papers. First they should generate ideas, and then they should organize them. Next, they should attend to spelling and grammatical rules. They may also list their most frequently occurring errors in a notebook and refer to this list when self correcting.
10. Encourage renewed investment of energy in older students.
Older students who have experienced reading failure from an early age must become convinced that a renewed investment of energy will be worthwhile. According to Louisa Moats, an expert in the field of reading, older students who are very poor readers must have their phonological skills strengthened because the inability to identify speech sounds erodes spelling, word recognition, and vocabulary development. Phonological awareness, spelling, decoding, grammar, and other language skills can be taught as a linguistics course in which instructors use more adult terminology such as phoneme deletion and morphemic structure. Phonemic drills may include games such as reverse-a-word (Say teach; then say it with the sounds backwards - cheat.)
11. Give Foreign Language Waivers
Students who have experienced problems with their primary language are more likely to have difficulty with a foreign language. Foreign language requirements may need to be waived for these students.
12. Use echo reading for fluency development.
For fluency development, it is helpful to have a student in the lower grades echo read and also read simultaneously with an adult. The adult and the student may also take turns reading every other sentence or paragraph. Additionally, the adult may model a sentence and then have the student read that same sentence.
13. Amplify auditory input.
Multisensory techniques can be used to increase phonetic skills and to memorize sight words. For example, a student may sound out a word or write sight words on a dry erase board using different colored markers, all while using Hearfones, a Phonics Phone or a Toobaloo device to enhance auditory input. These devices amplify and direct the student's own voice straight back to his ears, causing increased auditory stimulation to the brain. These devices can be purchased from CDL's A+ WebStore at www.cdl.org.
14. See, say, hear and touch.
Multisensory strategies are helpful for learning letter names. Examples include: 1) spreading shaving cream on a table top and having the child write letters in the shaving cream while saying the letter name out loud; and 2) cutting out letters from sandpaper and having the child "trace" the sandpaper letter with his or her finger while saying the name of the letter.
15. A picture is worth a thousand words.
The expression, "A picture is worth a thousand words," may become especially important for the visual person who has difficulty expressing himself verbally. For example, a student may make diagrams, charts, or drawings to help him remember what he has read. If he is good at art, the student may draw or paint pictures to explain his ideas.
16. Teach active reading.
To help with comprehension, it may be helpful to underline key words and phrases with a pencil or highlighter and to paraphrase them in the margins, thereby making reading more active. If the student is not allowed to write in the book, he can write the main words or ideas on Post-It notes.
17. Guide students to read between the lines.
When first teaching students to infer while reading, the teacher should first guide the thinking by using a whole class activity. After the class as a whole has identified a logical inference, the teacher should facilitate the examination of the process by which they arrived at their inference. Leading questions may be, "What is the author saying to us? How do we know the author meant this?" Remind students that authors provide clues (imply) so readers can infer.
18. Provide individual evaluation and intervention.
Many students with language challenges benefit from individual evaluation and remediation by highly qualified professionals. It is critical to use assessment tools designed to pinpoint specific skill deficits and to provide individual or small group remediation/intervention using explicit, evidence-based strategies and methods that directly address each student's individual needs.
Learn The Korean Language
(category: Language, Word count: 468)
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The Korean language is spoken by more than 70 million people, primarily in North and South Korea. There are a number of native Korean language speakers in several countries, including the United States Australia, Canada, and Japan. The Korean language is made up of an alphabet of 28 characters that have been in used for hundreds of years. These characters are in no way similar the western alphabet that makes up the English, French, Spanish, and other languages. This can prove to be intimidating for someone interested in learning the Korean language. If you are a soldier, a diplomat, or just someone planning a trip to South Korea, learning the language will help you to break down cultural and communication barriers.
There are several ways you can learn the Korean language, to varying degrees. If you study Korean at a college or University, you will receive an intensive education on the alphabet, reading, writing, and speaking the language that will give you a leg up on communicating with Korean citizens and work associates. If you are planning a career in as a United States diplomat, for example, there is a chance that your job will take you to Korea. Being able to communicate with native Koreans will help you make the most of your job and experience in a new land. You will be a better representative of your country if you are able to demonstrate your willingness to learn the indigenous language. Your cultural sensitivity will be appreciated. Also, if you plan to be a teacher of English as a second language, being fluent in Korean will make your experience living there more pleasant. As an instructor of English, you will be teaching Korean students, but you will also be learning from them.
Another way to learn the Korean language is by enrolling in one of many accelerated courses that are available through community colleges and even online. An accelerated course in Korean will provide you with a basic knowledge of the language, which will allow you to understand basic phrases, and ask basic questions. You will also be introduced to the Korean alphabet, which might seem daunting. There is language instruction available for purchase, as well. You do not learn the language by memorization. Rather, native Korean speakers provide real-life scenarios that provide you the opportunity to "learn as you go", using voice technology over your computer. You get immediate feedback, which is a less stressful way for you to learn. When the learning process is less stressful, you are more apt to take the information in and retain, thus learning the Korean language with greater ease than you thought possible.
Find the essential information on where and how to learn a new or second language at Learn Korean Language
Learn The French Language
(category: Language, Word count: 636)
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The French language is spoken by 130 million people around the world. The language is the native tongue in countries like France, Switzerland, Haiti, and parts of Canada. And many Americans in the states of Louisiana and Maine are native French speakers. French is also an official language of many organizations including the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations. If you are interested in learning a second language, either for professional reasons or just for personal enrichment, consider French. Long considered one of the most beautiful spoken languages, French is a language that implies class and distinction. Learning the French language will be an asset in your career, and will enhance your experience if you travel to French-speaking nations.
If you intend to learn the French language, you have several options from which to choose. You can attend a college or University and earn your degree in French. Earning a college degree in French will provide you with a sound expertise of formal French, both written and conversationally. With a college degree in French, you will most likely be fluent in the language. If you are already established professionally, and feel that learning French would be an advantage to you career, you can also enroll in accelerated courses in the French language online, which will offer you the opportunity to gain knowledge of a very basic foundation in the language. Learning the language in this manner will be a relatively quick and highly convenient way to learn a second language. There are many online colleges and learning centers that provide accelerated programs in French, as well as many other languages.
Of course, if you have the time and the means, another option is to learn the French language through an immersion program. In this manner, you will not only learn the French language, but you will also experience French culture. Learning French in France, where the language has its origins, you will plunge yourself into the life and culture, and you will learn the language quickly and with surprising ease. You will learn the conversational and idiomatic styles of the language. You will interact on a daily basis with people who are native speakers of French, and who won't necessarily be willing or able to communicate in English. Therefore, you will be compelled to try to communicate with them in their own tongue. You will be absorbed into the everyday life of France. You will grow to understand and appreciate the French culture: the art, the architecture, the food, and the people. You will attend courses in which you will learn how to read and write in French as well. Learning the French language through immersion is an ideal way to go.
Being fluent in more than one language has many advantages professionally. If you are fluent in the French language, you can be certified as a foreign language translator for example. This is a challenging career opportunity that offers you many options. You can work full-time for a foreign language translation firm, translating important business documents or web pages for global corporations. Or you can do freelance translation work, making your own workload, and setting your own schedule. Another career opportunity is to teach English to students in French speaking countries. By knowing English and French, you will be able to live and work in one of many countries whose native tongue is the French language.
Learning to speak, read, and write the French language gives you the potential to further develop you career by working abroad, or to embark on a new career as a translator. Learning French will enhance your travels as well. Learning the French language is an intellectually and personally enriching achievement that will open your eyes to a new culture. www.foreign-languages-school.com
Get Published New Guide Gives Advice From The Pros
(category: Language, Word count: 311)
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Have you ever wanted to write a book? Whether you have a great idea for a cookbook, a science-fiction novel or children's story, transforming it into reality requires a lot of discipline and some good insider advice.
The American Association of Publishers and Publishers Weekly report as many as 150,000 new titles are published annually in the United States. Yet, 90 percent of the half-million books written every year remain unpublished. Most aspiring authors are desperate for guidance on how to get their work into the right hands. It may be your most difficult writing assignment yet, but a great query and proposal will make an editor eager to read your manuscript.
Pulling this off with panache requires more than writing talent, an intriguing manuscript and the desire to become a best-selling published author. You should know how to navigate through the crowded publishing marketplace.
Long-time publishing industry insiders and nationally known authors Rick Frishman and Robyn Freedman Spizman have written "Author 101: Bestselling Book Proposals: The Insider's Guide to Selling Your Work." The book is the first volume of a series of how-to guides for aspiring authors under the banner of "Author 101."
The book educates authors on how to produce a winning book proposal, from idea conception to effective marketing strategy development, and provides tips from the pros who know the literary business inside and out.
Readers will learn: errors that most new authors make; what editors wish authors knew; book titles that grab an editor's attention; techniques to promote the book and increase sales; how to find and work with an agent.
The series kicks off with the "Get Published, Get Publicized" contest to give readers a unique opportunity to become published authors. One aspiring author will win a book-publishing contract and $20,000 to spend on publicity.
Learn To Speak The German Language
(category: Language, Word count: 655)
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German is one of the most widely spoken languages worldwide. It is the official language of several countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium. After the English language, it is the most commonly known language in the European Union, of which it is one of the official languages. The German language is the third most taught foreign language in the United States, behind Spanish and French, and there are many Americans that can trace their ethnic heritage back to German roots. There are many reasons to learn the German language, such as potential career prospects, current career enrichment, and for enhanced traveling experiences.
If you are interested in learning the German language for professional reasons, you have several options from which to choose. You can attend a college or University and earn your degree in German. Earning a degree in German will provide you with a solid foundation of the German language, both written and conversationally. With a degree in German, you will have a surprising number of career opportunities. If you are bilingual, you can be certified as a foreign language translator for example. This is a stimulating career opportunity that offers you many options. You can work full-time for a foreign language translation firm, translating important business documents or web pages for global corporations. Or you can be a freelance foreign language translator, setting your own work schedule and workload. Another career opportunity is to teach English to students in one of the German speaking countries. By knowing both English and German, you will able to enjoy a lifestyle in a German speaking country where you can have a fulfilling career, and experience the life and culture of another nation.
You might be established in a career, and be required to learn the German language in order to either communicate with overseas business associates, or to relocate. You can enroll in an accelerated German language program online, which is a fast, convenient, and easy way to learn the language. The online course will give you the skills to read, write, and communicate with others. There are several online programs available for enrollment that provide accelerated programs in German, as well as many other languages. You will find that if you need to relocate to a German-speaking country for your job, having a grasp of the language ahead of time will help to make your relocation and transition less stressful.
If you want to learn a little German in order to travel, you might consider combining your learning experience and vacation by participating in an immersion program. Learning the language in this way, you will not only learn how to communicate in German, but you will also experience the vibrant German culture. By traveling to Germany, where the language has its origins, you will become a part of the life and culture, and you will learn the language quickly and with surprising ease. You will learn the conversational and idiomatic styles of the language. You will be interacting daily with native German people who won't necessarily be willing or able to communicate with you in English. Therefore, you will need to try to communicate with them in the German language. You will become engrossed into the everyday life of Germany. You will learn to appreciate the German culture: the history, the architecture, the food (and beer!), and the people. As part of the immersion program, you will also attend courses in which you will learn how to read and write in German as well. There is no better way to learn the German language and experience Germany.
Whether you are interested in learning the German language for academic reasons or professional reasons, or you are interested in learning how to speak German for a vacation, knowing another language is an intellectually and personally stimulating achievement that will open your eyes to a new culture.
Reverse Dictionary Ever Asked Yourself Whats The Word For
(category: Language, Word count: 369)
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I just happened to stumble on a pretty interesting tool today.
I was trying to find a word for "People that are behind the times" for my previous blog post. I did a couple of searches in Google without avail and eventually started scouring for a tool that did a reverse lookup on a word. A tool where I would give the definition, and it would give me some words that matched that definition. What I discovered was Onelook.com's Reverse Dictionary.
Reverse Dictionaries allow you to "Describe a concept" in order to find words that match that description.
Cool Stuff, especially for all of us non-harvard graduates.
What I find the most interesting though is all of the uses for this tool. It is actually a very smart search engine. You would be suprized the sort of answers you could get from asking a variety of questions. Here are some of potential applications that OneLook describes:
- Find a word, when you know its definition, [or a portion of the definition].
- Explore related concepts. Baseball, clouds, cities.
- Generate a list of words in some category. I.E. Large Birds, Green fruit, Canadian authors.
- Answer basic indentification questions. What is the capital of Vietnam, Who is big birds friend on Sesame Street. What is the longest River in the world
In actuality Onelook is indexing much more then just dictionaries to find these answers. They index encyclopedia's and other reference sites as well.
I dont know about you guys, but if I had a very large amount of money, I might consider trying to buy their technology. There are a lot of times I wish the major search engines could do some of the stuff that they are. Ask.com (askjeeves) does some of this, but you cant get lists from Ask, its usually websites that come up that require you to sift through several pages to find your answers.
For all of you content mongers out there, this sort of technology could feed some very interesting sites.
I would love to see some sort of API. http://www.onelook.com/reverse-dictionary.shtml
Reload this page to get new content randomly.
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