Language WIKI

Words Ending in Gry

2010-03-28T10:10:00.001-07:00

Think of words ending in "-gry". "Angry" and "hungry" are two of them. There are only three words in "the English language." What is the third word? The word is something that everyone uses every day. If you have listened carefully, I have already told you what it is.

The Answer is .... who knows

Learn Phrasal Verbs to Improve Spoken English

2010-03-11T20:43:00.000-08:00

Spoken English is so different from the English people learn in schools and textbooks. Students around the world spend billions of dollars and countless hours studying English yet very few can speak well. They wrongly focus on increasing their vocabulary size instead of learning phrasal verbs and slang.

An example of this type of sentence is, "I think he made up that story". "Made up" is the phrasal verb here. Made up means something like, "tell a lie".

Another example is, "I ran into my friend yesterday at the mall". "Ran into" is what we are talking about here.
Ran into means something like, "meet unexpectedly".

These sentences are so common in spoken English yet few non native speakers are able to master them.

They probably understand the words on their own but do not understand the slang usage when the words are used together.

It does not matter how big someone's vocabulary is. If they do not use and understand this stuff well, they will never sound anything like a native speaker.

Some people know this but they use the wrong methods like looking for a phrasal verb dictionary or a list. These are terribly ineffective learning methods.

The best way to learn is to study modern native English speech. I have been teaching exactly how to do this and helping students around the world for years. It does n matter what country you are from or what your English level currently is. Learning this material is critical.

Learning American Slang from American TV and movies are also a huge help to get the most relevant material.

Japanese Small Talk

2010-03-11T20:41:00.000-08:00

In every culture, "small talk" is used as a way of getting to know someone gradually. However, to non-native residents of Japan, it may seem that the period over which small talk is used continues longer, and that it is less often dropped in favor of more direct personal conversations, than is true in other countries.

This takes a long time to getting used to in Japan. And sometimes there is none at all. In Western countries a lot of small talk is done in the office or at the workplace. In Japan, small talk is replaced by set expressions at the work place. Every day millions of Japanese in their workplace say exactly the same thing to their co-workers everyday all day. What they say is "otsukaresama desu". This is very hard to translate, but means something like "thanks for your co-operation". Imagine saying "Thanks for your co-operation today" ten to twenty times a day every work day of your life. Mind numbing stuff.

In Japan, a good conversationalist is one who takes an active role in small talk, introducing new topics and keeping things lively. As anywhere, small talk can easily be made more personal by directing it toward topics in which you are truly interested.

Often, as a foreigner you will be the topic of conversation. Your opinion will often be asked about Japan. You will be asked the same questions and complimented on your Japanese speaking ability. You will have the same conversation about where you are from, what you do and what you think of Japan. It will drive you nuts if you live in Japan for a long time.

However, you can use the opportunity of small talk to offer interesting and honest opinions of what you think about Japan. Japanese will greatly appreciate this and think highly of you.

Arabic - Under the Big Tent

2010-03-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the language of written discourse, university courses, academic and scientific texts and conferences, TV and radio news...but it is not how people speak to each other. The language of daily life is conducted in one of many colloquial Arabic dialects, often quite different from MSA, which is adapted from the language of the Koran and written in the dialect of Mecca.

So MSA is the big tent, with all these dialect campfires burning brightly under its big top - all the same, but very different too. This diglossia, the co-existence of two separate versions of a language, represents two different levels of education.

An Arabic-speaker who does not have a formal education has difficulty understanding the TV news or reading a newspaper. Some villages may only have a handful of people with enough knowledge of MSA to impart the news of the world to their neighbors.

I wonder how this split between book learning and the spoken Arabic word impacts a set of depressing figures from the UN: 65 million illiterates - a fifth of the Arabic population.

The total number of books translated into Arabic during the 1,000 years since the age of Caliph Al-Ma'moun (a ninth-century Arab ruler and scholar) is less than the number of books translated in Spain in one year. That's right - one year. Overall, Greece publishes five times more books translated from English than does the Arab region.

The number of books written originally in Arabic, as opposed to translated, is modest for such a large population. The UN reports that 7,230, 7,080, and 5,910 books were written originally in Arabic and published across the Arab world in 2006, 2007, and 2008 respectively. In comparison, 1,480, 1,880, and 1,650 works were translated into Arabic over that same time period. This means that in 2008, 72% of books published in the Arab world were written originally in Arabic. The other 28%, of course, were translated into Arabic from another language. When compared to the 172,000 books published in the United States in 2005, however, 8,710 books published in the Arab world in 2006 is really just a drop in the bucket.

I personally don't know much about the language, just what I read in the papers. I wonder what it's like to learn MSA in school when you speak a different dialect at home. What kind of accent do you go for professionally vs. with your family?

Why Learn Foreign Languages?

2010-03-11T20:35:00.000-08:00

Our world is getting ever more connected and the citizens of the world are rapidly bridging national, social, and linguistic differences. When crossing cultural boundaries, language is the single most important tool. Language provides the key to broadening career and educational opportunities, enhancing the exchange of ideas and information, and of course enjoying the beauty of other cultures.

For many people who stopped learning languages at school and have not been involved since then, the prospect of learning new languages can be rather daunting. It can take hard work to reach a good standard and then there is the challenge of maintaining that level of proficiency. But there is no reason why you should not enjoy and succeed in learning languages like Hindustani or Chinese. Even though people are all different - they learn at different speed levels and have different pronunciation - they tend to be best when it comes to learning and to communicating. With the right attitude, learning techniques, and guidance, you can master any language. The many benefits are obvious.

Understand the World

"Language is the means of getting an idea from my brain into yours without surgery" - Mark Amidon

Language is the source of many misunderstandings, especially so when communicating across cultural boundaries. Although English is popularly known as a widely spoken and understood language in the world, it is still far from sufficient for understanding cultures of other linguistic backgrounds. It goes without saying that you gain more from a visit to a country if you can converse in the local language and actually get to know the people rather than just communicating in English with people in the tourism industry or academic elites. Use of even the most basic vocabulary helps to break down barriers and establish good relationships. It shows your respect towards the people of the country and that you take a genuine interest in them.

A basic knowledge of the destination language is a reasonably small task to achieve and should be included in anybody's preparations. Learning a selection of key words or expressions specific to your sector or profession enables you to reach out and find or provide meaning in conversations. Being able to get your message across in the language of your destination culture allows you to transition more comfortably and increasingly immerse yourself. You will be able to express your thoughts and speak for yourself, thus inviting opportunities for new friendships and gaining the trust and respect of your hosts.

Reveal the Heart of Culture

"To have another language is to possess a second soul" - Charlemagne

Words shape the way we think. We dissect nature along lines laid down by our native language. Language is not simply a reporting device for experience but a defining framework for it. Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going. It introduces you to a different way of thinking and looking at the world. Any language has its own rich knowledge base. The means to access this knowledge is the language itself.

Learning a language is like getting to know an entire cultural or social system, with references to the lifestyle, geography, history, arts, economy as well contemporary socio-cultural practices including regional dialects and diversities, clothing styles, as well as the culinary practices in the area where the language is spoken. In addition to this, while you are learning about the culture and the language of a particular region you tend to compare it with your own language and culture. While doing this you think of the similarities and differences between your language and the foreign language which leads to a far more deeper study of your own language and culture as well.

Improve Your Cognitive Abilities

"Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own" - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Learning a new language will also help to sharpen your cognitive skills, enhance your overall learning abilities, and improve your capacity for learning and functioning in several other areas. Mental flexibility, creativity, problem-solving and reasoning skills are among the many beneficiaries of language study.

Learning a language up to any level is a valuable achievement in itself. Studying languages is a multi-faceted learning experience, which enriches you in many ways. Even if you only take one introductory course, you will learn a great deal about the way the new language works, you will have a feel for its rhythms and sounds, and you will have an insight into the cultural background of its speakers. Of course, the further you progress, the more valuable your knowledge will become.

Widen Your Career Choices

"A different language is a different vision of life" - Federico Fellini

In an age where more and more organisations are crossing cultural boundaries, a command of foreign languages helps to break the linguistic barriers and facilitates the exchange of information. When we learn a foreign language, we gradually expand the range of language at our disposal and the range of situations we can handle in that language. Learning a foreign language gives you an edge over the others since you become more equipped to face the global scenario than the people who have a limited set of linguistic skills.

If you travel infrequently or to various different countries it is difficult to decide which language to learn and what level is appropriate. Even if you only achieve a basic level, studying a foreign language shows that you are prepared to make an effort, often helps you to help the organisation you are working for, enhances your personal career prospects, and boosts the satisfaction you can derive from working with people of other cultural backgrounds.

Daniel Ratheiser, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Knowledge Must
Founding Knowledge Must, Daniel has helped individuals and organisations to cross cultural boundaries and to grow their global competence. He also conducted numerous research studies in the intercultural field, from historical cultural exchange to contemporary interfaith relations. His real passion, however, has always been researching and writing about the cultural relations between South Asia / India and East Asia / China, the two regions of the world he feels most indebted to. Pursuing this research for 15 years, Daniel has become a leading expert on India-China relations.

3 Tips to Learning French Effectively

2010-03-11T20:32:00.000-08:00

Learning a foreign language can be a difficult proposition, especially French. If you have been studying French you understand what I mean, and if you are just beginning you will see what I am talking about, unless you follow these tips to learn french effectively.

Tip 1: Using Flashcards

Now this might seem like a pretty simple thing but I know a lot of people that do not do this. Using flashcards for the huge amount of vocabulary words is very helpful, but you can use them for verb conjugations as well. I have found this to be very helpful when it comes to learning french. Try writing down the present tense endings on a notecard and you will see just how effective this is for learning.

Tip 2: Watch and Listen to French

Again, another simple thing to do that is just not utilized enough. Try finding some French music that you enjoy and listen to it. This will help tremendously with your comprehension and understanding. You can also try watching your favorite DVD in french. This is great because you already know the movie pretty well so when you watch it in French you can focus on listening and understanding the French rather than the movie itself.

Tip 3: Speak It

OK, so I know that you probably speak in a class that you might be taking, but that is not good enough. If you want to see a real improvement, try using your French as much as possible. At first you might sound funny or be reluctant, but I can tell you that it is such a great help. If you want, just try it around your house, and maybe you'll get your family to start learning too!

Those are just a few tips to learning french effectively. There are so many more tips and tricks that will help you greatly improve your French and I hope you take the time to go through them.

Learning Academic English

2010-03-11T20:26:00.000-08:00

When you want to learn functional English that you can use in everyday life, you study conversational English. When you want to get into an American college or university, you need academic English. While the two use the same language, they can be very different things.

The biggest things that set them apart? Academic English requires considerably more proficiency in the different aspects of language learning that the conversational variety. In fact, you will need to demonstrate that you can be successful in classroom situations where both instructions and materials are conducted exclusively in the language.

* What kind of classroom language skills should aspiring learners of academic English show?
* The ability to understand lectures given in English.
* The ability to read and comprehend large amounts of text written in the language.
* The ability to think critically while using English as the primary medium.
* The ability to communicate their thoughts effectively in the language.
* The ability to write with an acceptable level of fluency, such that readers will understand what they are talking about.

If you want to learn academic English, eventually passing the TOEFL exam (a prerequisite for admission in many English-speaking universities), you should gear your language studies towards it. Find a language learning program that focuses on this specific use of the vernacular, as well as using secondary materials that will help you on this particular end. Instead of perusing magazines and listening to songs in English, for instance, you should try going for textbooks and academic speeches. That will ensure you're getting accustomed to a more formal style of English that is more likely to be required in academic settings.

What's in an Accent?

2010-02-27T15:01:00.000-08:00

In the international marketplace, it is very important for organizations to be able to both globalize and localize their product information and service offerings.

That being said, the information presented to their target audiences is only as effective as the means by which it is communicated.

For our purposes, the vessel or means of communication is via a voice talent performance; in essence, a voice-over recording.

Now, when I refer to localization, I mean that a given accent and manner of speaking matches or correlates with a particular group of people in a geographical area.

An example:

If I were writing a French Canadian script for an audience located in Montreal, QC, I would make sure that the terminology I use is familiar to French Canadians living in Montreal. Not only that, I may employ unique speech and formation characteristics indigenous to the French Canadian language and relevant cultural references to help my audience identify with what I have written.

Going one step further, I would hire a native French Canadian voice talent from Montreal who embodies the characteristics I am looking for to convey the copy in a meaningful and direct manner accessible to all French Canadian speakers in Montreal.

Localization is conveying a message to people in a specific geographical location implementing language and concepts that they can understand.

Certain accents have become staples and are relied upon heavily every day. For example, RP English (or BBC English / top of the scale), Neutral American (NPR or prime time national news), Parisienne French, and Canadian (CBC or prime time national news) are all members of an elite club of corporate, global accents.

This doesn't come as a surprise. The most neutral accents found in each country are usually prized above regional accents as is the case with many languages where a "high" or "official" version is preferred to dialects spoken in rural or isolated areas.

One classic example is the Italian language. Italian, when spoken in Rome or in other large Italian cities, does not vary significantly, whereas the Italian you hear in the foothills of the mountains or on the coastline may be dramatically different, in both pronunciation and meaning.

When someone is hiring a voice talent to record, they are often looking for a clean, polished voice with neutral or non-affected accents. These sought after accents as noted above (BBC, NPR, CBC) come with a host of benefits, including perceived authority, intelligence, trustworthiness, and professionalism to name some.

Other accents remain more elusive. Due in part to a lack of demand or market, these accents are requested less often.

Accents can reveal information about an individuals geographical location, ethnicity, socio-economic background, and education. If we only examined the nature of accents from an anthropological point of view, we'd be seeing a fraction of the picture that we're meant to view.

Accents are not always predestined and meant solely for those who live in their district... they can also be learned or acquired.

This is where opportunity knocks, and the world, with your voice, can become yours.

Recently, voice instructor Pat Fraley and his fellow accents masters conducted a workshop called Accent on Dialects Masters Event, a workshop where talent learned about how to identify their own dialects, how to recognize properly executed dialects, tried their hand at British, Irish, German, Russian, and N.Y. accents, and received a bounty of resources on how to prepare for and perform dialects foreign to themselves as well as recordings of their voices on a CD from the workshop.

One of the largest markets for dialects (or accents) today is in performing voice overs for videogames.

If you can acquire several key dialects, you'll be able to work globally and land more diverse roles.

The same theorem holds true for voice talent with regional accents that need to be averted. Some talent find that in order to get work, they must first lose their regional accents and adopt a new way of speaking, reconditioning themselves to pronounce words in the preferred, neutral accent.

This process of unlearning accents can take years. Many talent are not even aware that they have an 'accent' until they are informed by a casting director or agent.

Whether acquiring new accents to expand dialect skills or unlearning a native regional accent, the work required of an individual is extensive. Talent going down this road are more likely to be successful if a set of discerning ears or those of trained linguist are actively involved, coaching the talent to ensure that the accent they are imitating sounds authentic and believable.

English Word Stress - Does It Really Matter?

2010-02-27T14:56:00.000-08:00

Yes and No.

Yes, if you are a non-native speaker speaking to a native English speaker (classified as English speakers from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and North America).

No, if you are a non-native English speaker speaking to another non-native speaker (classified as... everybody else).

Let me explain.

English language teaching theory has traditionally been based on native English forms, more specifically British and American English varieties. In today's international community however, where more than 1 billion non-native English speakers use English as a lingua franca, teaching theory is changing to focus on English as an International Language (EIL).

According to linguist Jennifer Jenkins' research on the English language, there are certain factors in English pronunciation that can influence the degree of intelligibility between a speaker and listener. Word stress is one of these factors if you are speaking with a native English speaker, but Jenkins has found that when two non-native speakers interact in EIL, word stress has little influence on intelligibility.

So why are native speakers so stressed about word stress?

Stress indicates identity

Anyone who has ever zapped between BBC and CNN has probably noticed the differences between standard British and standard American word stress. It has caused quite a CONtroversy (US), or should I say, "conTROVersy" (UK).

To a native English speaker, a certain word stress is considered appropriate or inappropriate depending on where the person is from. "Inappropriate" word stress can really rub listeners the wrong way because it deviates from their norm and indicates that the speaker is an "other" - an outsider. This can be quite FRUStrating (US)/frusTRATing (UK) for the non-native speaker who is just trying to get his point across.

After hours spent in a language LABoratory (US), or laBORatory (UK) if you prefer, non-native English speakers are still at a loss when it comes to speaking to native speakers internationally.

"So which variety is correct?" This is the most common question I am asked in my language courses. And I always have the same answer, "It depends who you ask!"

Stress indicates different meanings of identical words

In one case however, word stress can cause problems whether you are a native speaker or non-native speaker of English: words which are spelled the same, but have different meanings (and different word stress).

A pilot once told me a story about a member of his cabin crew informing him that they had an inVALid passenger on board. The pilot was a bit confused and wondered if the passenger didn't have a ticket or wasn't on the roster. He couldn't figure out what the problem was. Is wasn't until the flight attendant continued to explain that the passenger was in a wheel chair and had special needs that the pilot realized he meant to say INvalid!

This is a perfect example of how inaccurate word stress can cause problems. And in this case, both the pilot and the flight attendant were non-native English speakers.

Stress indicates parts of speech

Word stress can also differentiate a word's part of speech - more specifically whether the word is a noun or a verb. There are many examples of words which in their noun form take their stress on the first syllable, but in the verb form are stressed on the second syllable.

Say the following words out loud: PROgress - proGRESS, OBject - obJECT, REcord - reCORD.

We would never say, "She wants to REcord a REcord one day," but rather, "reCORD a REcord."

Unfortunately this isn't a blanket rule, and there are plenty of English words which sound the same both as verbs and as nouns: travel, picture, promise and visit are a few examples.

So what is the non-native English speaker to do? I always recommend sticking to the form you are most comfortable with. You might make an American VIP cringe when you call him a DIGnitary instead of a DIGniTARy, but he'll also cringe when you call French fries "chips" and cookies "biscuits!"

Communication is a two-way street with compromise and understanding at both ends. If you meet people who can't accept the way you speak, then they're probably not worth speaking with anyway!

Author: Heather Hansen

Body Language: How to Read Others' Thoughts by Their Gestures

2010-02-23T16:24:00.000-08:00

What people say is often very different from what they think or feel. Now, one can learn to read others' thoughts by their gestures. It sounds impossible but body language is easy to pick up, and can tell you if someone is lying, or how to choose a partner and make yourself likeable.

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Is It Time to Learn Spanish? Seattle's Changing Job Market

2010-02-23T04:17:00.000-08:00

As the Latino population continues to grow on the west coast, an increasing number of employers are encouraging employees to learn Spanish. Seattle has a booming Spanish-speaking population, increasing not only the demand for, but also the wages of those who can fluently speak Spanish.

The Spanish Speaking Population in Seattle is Rising Fast

According to Real Change News, the Latino population in Seattle is expected to grow to more than 1 million people by 2030, an increase of 150 percent from 2006 statistics. The Latino population is a demographic that businesses cannot afford to ignore any longer. As a result, employers are scrambling to find people who speak Spanish or are open to learn Spanish. Seattle will soon have a crisis on its hands if more people from industries across the board don't learn to speak the language - and that means plenty of opportunities for job seekers!

Learning Spanish Increases Your Odds of Getting Job Offers in Seattle

In light of today's Seattle job market, one of the best investments that employees can make is to learn Spanish. Seattle employers faced with the choice of hiring a potential employee with 10 years of experience and no foreign language skills and an employee with 2 years of experience that is fluent in Spanish may often more likely choose the Spanish speaker.

If you are just starting out in your industry, you cannot quickly acquire years of experience to beat out competitors, but you can learn to speak Spanish with the proper training. If you're looking for a way to increase your marketability, learning a language in high demand can be a fast ticket to success.

On the other hand, if you're seasoned in your industry, you may find that available jobs are being filled by those with less experience but who are fluent in both English and Spanish. In order to remain competitive in your industry, learning a foreign language can give you a powerful competitive edge.

What Types of Industries Need Spanish Speaking Employees?

Customer facing positions are in the highest demand for those who can speak Spanish. Jobs such as bank tellers, phone support reps, service technicians, and other employees that directly interact with the customer are in the highest demand for those who speak Spanish. Regardless of the industry, every company has customer-facing roles.

Specialists such as doctors, lawyers, and consultants can find more opportunities in hospitals, firms, and offices. Those in executive positions that are bilingual are needed to create training programs in multiple languages, interact with overseas strategic business partners, and many other critical tasks.

It may seem like a daunting task to learn a new language. However, with the right training, learning a new language is surprisingly easy. If you've tried audio courses or books in the past without much luck, don't give up yet on your ability to learn Spanish. Seattle language learning centers with expert instructors can make an incredible difference in your ability to get results.

Author: Christine Harrell

Do You Have The Desire To Learn Japanese?

2010-02-23T04:15:00.000-08:00

Let's start by giving some reasons why learning Japanese might be of interest to you.

** You may be about to travel to a Japanese speaking country
** You have an opportunity to occupationally train some colleagues who only speak Japanese
** You want basic Japanese for business reasons and want to become more valuable at your job by being bilingual
** You are a fan of Japanese animation films, video games, manga comics and want to want to enjoy them more fully without relying on subtitles
** Read books, magazines, and web sites written in Japanese
** Enable you write to and email Japanese speaking people
** Feel more confident and comfortable around Japanese speaking people
** Allow you to get hired by a multi-national business firm and possibly even work and live in Japan
** Japanese fluency definitely stands out on a college/university application, resume or curriculum vitae
** Just enjoy the possibility of making tons of new Japanese friends

Besides that, it would be pretty impressive to be able to tell your family, friends, and members of the opposite sex that you "speak Japanese".

Your goal should be to learn to read, speak, and understand modern Japanese. Obviously this can't be done from just a book. One of the better proven ways of doing this with less effort is utilizing "picture learning". This method appears to better lock the language into your brain. Some computerized courses feature this approach to build vocabulary in terms of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Japanese. This system makes the whole process more fun and can have the student mastering hundreds of words in a matter of days. Make sure that whatever course you take covers both the Hiragana and Katakana Japanese alphabets. The better courses utilized a "game" type approach to reduce boredom, stimulate interest and improve speed of results.

Once you gain the competence in Japanese, you will open up many personal and business related opportunities. For example, the U.S.A. does more business with Japan than any other country. You will be a valuable employee if you speak the language of the customer. Japanese is among the top 10 languages on Earth and spoken by over 130 million people. "Speaks Japanese" looks great on a resume or curriculum vitae, no matter what your line of work.

In Japan especially, language has been grooved by culture. So as you study Japanese you also discover and learn their wonderful culture. Stepping outside your own culture and language will give you a fresh, new perspective. In addition, Japan has lots of great music that can be appreciated so much more because you can understand it.

Author: R.T. Markovsky

Picking Up Basic Romanian Phrases The Easy Way

2010-02-23T04:13:00.000-08:00

There are times when you need to learn the basics of a foreign language, well, at least the necessary phrases. It could be a visit to a foreign land, or having some foreigners visit you. You might even fall in love with someone from a different country.

Of course, the quickest way to learn a foreign language is to spend some time with a native speaker of that language. If you are inclined towards communicating with Romanians, here are some essential phrases in that language.

Most new learners want to learn the exact translations of some basic phrases. We provide you a list of such phrases in Romanian along with English translations.

Romanian - English
Da - Yes
Nu - No
Da,va rog - Yes, please
Nu multzumesc - No, thank you
Domn, Doamna - Sir, Madam
Iata - Here is
Buna - Hello
Buna dimineatza - Good morning
Buna ziua - Good afternoon
Buna seara - Good evening
Noapte buna - Good night
Cu placere - You are welcome
Ce mai faci - How are you
Foarte bine, multzumesc - Very well, thank you
Ma scuzatzi - Excuse me
Ma putetzi ajuta - Can you help me?
Nu intzeleg - I do not understand
Nu shtiu - I do not know
Putetzi sa scrietzi? - Could you please write it down?
Scuze - Leave me alone
Unde - Where
Cand - When
De ce - Why
Cine - Who
Care - Which
Unde este - Where is
Cat costa - How much
Eu vreau - I want
Ce este - What is
Imi place - I like it
Nu imi place - I do not like it
De acord - Agreed
E bine - That is fine

The letter "a" is pronounced just like the English word "sir" in the words "sa", "va", "ma", "buna", and "doamna". Again, in the words "ce", "place", "placere", "faci", "ce" and "ci", the letter c is pronounced "ch", like in the word "teacher". In the words "cat" and "cand", the letter "a" is pronounced like the Russian "you".

If you think speaking Romanian is easy, think again. Pronouncing the Romanian words can be tricky, as the alphabet does not always follow letter sounds. Take the letter "r", for example. If you are English-speaking, you might face problems trying to pronounce the Romanian "r", which has a definite sound of its own. Your best try could come out very funny to Romanian ears.

To carry on in the same vein someone, whose first language is French, will have a lot of trouble pronouncing the Romanian "h". Most will simply be unable to utter it. Similarly, the sound that the letters "b" or "o" stand for is very difficult to utter for English speaking people. On the other hand, Russian people can find it quite easy as the vowel sound in the Russian equivalent of "you" is basically similar to these sounds.

This is not to say you can never pick up the correct rendition of these basic Romanian phrases. All you need is to communicate with native Romanian speakers to avoid a hilarious rendition of the language and learn to speak with accurate pronunciation and fluency.

Like with any other language, the teachers of Romanian language need to choose the method of teaching suitable to the learner. This applies even if it is just the essential phrases that are being taught. Some will learn faster if they can relate to the topic. Others learn better with a diagrammatic presentation. Some people pick up a language easily when they practice with a partner or get involved in group activity learning a skill or craft.

Therefore, when teaching Romanian to foreigners you must be aware of the way of teaching best suited to every single one of them. Once you have done that, be ready for an exciting and sometimes hilarious journey into the world of a new language.

2010-02-23T04:11:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you need to communicate with foreigners in their language. It could be a trip abroad, or a visit by foreigners that make it necessary to learn at least the basic phrases of a language.

You could also fall in love with a person from another nation. Now the best way to pick up a foreign language quickly is to spend some time trying to communicate with someone, whose mother tongue is that particular language. Let us take a look at some essential phrases in Romanian, if you want to be able to converse with Romanians.

Beginners at a language course usually like to learn some essential phrases of everyday use in that language. Here is the list of such Romanian phrases and their English translations.

Romanian - English
Da - Yes
Nu - No
Da,va rog - Yes, please
Nu multzumesc - No, thank you
Domn, Doamna - Sir, Madam
Iata - Here is
Buna - Hello
Buna dimineatza - Good morning
Buna ziua - Good afternoon
Buna seara - Good evening
Cu placere - You are welcome
Noapte buna - Good night
Ce mai faci - How are you
Foarte bine, multzumesc - Very well, thank you
Ma scuzatzi - Excuse me
Ma putetzi ajuta - Can you help me?
Nu intzeleg - I do not understand
Nu shtiu - I do not know
Putetzi sa scrietzi? - Could you please write it down?
Scuze - Sorry
Las -ma in pace - Leave me alone
Unde - Where
Cand - When
De ce - Why
Cine - Who
Care - Which
Unde este - Where is
Cat costa - How much
Eu vreau - I want
Ce este - What is
Imi place - I like it
Nu imi place - I do not like it
De acord - Agreed
E bine - That is fine

In the words "sa", "va", "ma", "buna", and "doamna", you will find that the letter "a" sounds like in the English world "sir". Again, the letter "c" is pronounced "ch" like in "teacher" in the words "placere", "ce", "faci", "place", "ce" and "ci". The letter "a" is uttered like in the Russian "you" in the words "cat" and "cand".

You could be in for a surprise if you had the notion that Romanian is an easy language to pick up. The Romanian alphabet is not phonetic. Some sounds in Romanian have seemingly no relation to their spelling. Say, for example, the Romanian "r". The usual English-speaker could have a hard time trying to get its pronunciation correct. The typical Romanian "r" sounds quite funny when pronounced by English-speaking people.

Similarly, a French-speaking person will find it extremely difficult to tackle the Romanian "h". In fact, they will almost surely fail to pronounce it correctly. Likewise, English speakers are likely to find pronouncing the sounds corresponding to the Romanian letters b or o more than a handful. However, it would not be as difficult to the Russians, who are used to these vowel sounds which are present in the Russian word for "you".

However, it is not that difficult to acquire a reasonable knowledge of the basic Romanian phrases. To develop fluent and correct Romanian accent, you need contact with native Romanian speakers, who can help you avoid sounding funny.

Learning the basics of a language depends not only on the student, but the teacher and the style of teaching as well. The person teaching even the rudiments of Romanian must keep in mind what method suits each individual student. Some learners might fare better if they can relate to the subject being taught. Others learn quickly if charts or pictures are used. For some, practicing with a partner is the best way to learn; others need to participate in group activity with a community, like learning a skill.

Finally you must find out the method of instruction best suited to the learning style of a foreigner, who is eager to learn Romanian. Then prepare for an adventurous journey into the realm of a new language. But do not worry: there will be funny interludes that will give the learning experience enough comic relief.
Author: Peter Finch

Some Essential Tips For Learning To Speak Japanese

2010-02-23T04:09:00.001-08:00

If you are eager in learning to speak Japanese, you may be interested in a strategy known as pictorial learning. Utilizing pictures, you can polish your knowledge to work at a heightened level.

Images offer essential clues to work with brain retrieve data. Using imagery can significantly help you for your Japanese language learning. This method helps you to elevate your memorization ability and improve your Japanese Vocabulary

Below are tips to help you learn to speak Japanese:

1. Using Images or Picture to Learn- by integrating Japanese vocabulary word with pictures allow your brain to form essential associations. Association will help you in recall and memorization. Take advantage of this functions in learning Japanese language.

2.Pay Attention to Pronunciation and Verbal Skills-for now, you are concentrating on learning to speak Japanese. The Japanese language has three different alphabets, and learning to write Japanese can be a daunting prospect. For personal or business use, speaking a language is a great medium to begin to immerse yourself in language learning. However, speaking Japanese and expanding your vocabulary can be a quick and easy activity. As you become fluent, you can begin to expand your vocabulary and learn Japanese writing skills.

3.Pay attention on Associations- there are two ways to learn a language, through association, or by association. If you need to learn Japanese quickly however, you should focus on associating Japanese words and phrases with English words and phrases, using images as cues. Learning to speak Japanese over time, it would be useful to immerse yourself in the culture, and learn to speak the language as if you were a native speaker through context clues.

4.Polish Vocabulary Memorization-Associate each Japanese word with an English word or concept. Then associate this idea with a picture. Doing so provides your brain with an important path of cues to recall the necessary information. Take for instance, to learn the Japanese word kau: to buy, you would first associate the word with an English word (kau=cow; they sound similar, so this is a fantastic association). Then picture that English word in a memorable image (for example, a cow buying groceries in a supermarket). Utilize that image to aid your brain in quick memorization and recall.

By considering these tips in the process of your Japanese Language learning, you will surely be able to learn the language effectively. You will just notice that after using this strategies, you are already knowledgeable enough to understand and speak the language well.

Author: Stephen Campbell

Quickly Learn a New Language in 6 Steps

2010-02-23T04:08:00.000-08:00

Learning certain secrets or habits can make it easy to learn a new language. The following six items will help you do this. See these things turn into habits and you will be surprised how fast you will progress and just how more enjoyable it will become for you.

1. Understanding is more important that memory
It doesn't matter if you are using a Pimsleur, Linguaphone or Rosetta Stone language course. You need to study to understand. This is different than just listening to an audio course. As you listen you need to understand the words and meanings of what is being said. Don't move on until you get the understanding of the words in the lesson. After you get this meaning it is time to move on to the next lesson. This may take several times through to begin with.

2. Concentrate on the material at hand
Study at a time and in a place where you can concentrate on your material whether reading or listening. This can differ depending on the person. One person can listen and understand while walking, jogging or driving. Another person may find that he must study alone and in a very private place. Know yourself well enough to know what works best for you and then be sure that you consistently follow the same routine that well give you the best results. Effective study is hard work. Some say that it takes 21 days to develop a new habit. This should be a new habit.

3. Study in time increments that keep you fresh
Many people find that when studying a language a 30 minute time period works the best. You focus so intensely that trying to go for a longer period of time does not work very well. Be sure to keep your study periods to approximately 30 minutes. Then give yourself a rest until the next day.

4. Study each day and every day
Push yourself to keep going. You learn little by little and as time goes on you start to understand your new language and the pieces start fitting together.

5. Use what you have learned
This is a very important step so don't skip this step. You will learn at a much faster rate. Take every chance to say words and phrases to others and try to respond to them. You will never learn to speak a new language by just saying things to yourself. Studying a language is not just reading and memorizing, although it encompasses both. You need to use every chance to speak the language in order to acquire that language.

6. Studying is like your job
With time, effort and attention, you can learn to speak your new language well. You must learn to think like a native speaker, not the person you are. Learning occurs with repeated practice and persistence.

You can do it. Now go out and try!

Author: Jim Ada

Tips And Benefits Of Learning A Second Language

2010-02-23T04:05:00.000-08:00

Knowing a second language provides a lot of benefits. This elevates your power in communications by expanding the number of individuals you can proficiently converse. But how can you effectively learn a second language? Here are some tips:

* Give enough time to study. Promise yourself you will study for a specific amount of time per day. If you are a student, or if you work, do not put too much pressure on yourself by thinking you will be able to study more than you actually find comfortable. This will be counter productive because you will not enjoy it and you will become stressed

* See to it you enjoy it. Have fun on it. It will make the learning process simpler for your brain.

* Learn with someone. It will be easier if you have a buddy because you can be monitored and helped in the learning process.

* Take control of your studies. Wanting to learn a new language makes you more receptive to learning and remembering. Immerse yourself in your selected new language. Try to learn a little of the culture, the country and how the language have grown.

*Try and work out how you would say each day occurrences in the new language. For instance, you have to phone and ask for an appointment at the doctors. When finished, try and work out how you would have said it in the second language you are studying. Find out, write it down, then teach your practice buddy. Teaching is the best way to absorb learnings

*Do not get stressed out if you cannot remember words or phrases. Slowly it will all begin to fall into place.

* Listen to your lessons each day without fail. It will keep everything firmly in your memory. If you do have an MP3 player, utilize it to assist. Listening just before you fall asleep is a powerful technique.

Some More Benefits Of Learning New Language
In studying a new language, you will gain new horizons, but at the same time you reinforce your own identity, and, therefore, your confidence. Foreign language does contribute for you to become a stronger person.

It is an undeniable truth that define a culture through the language. Foreign language provides you access to different culture. This gives you an great chances to communicate and share ideas with people all over the world that you would otherwise not have the chance to know.

Study of a foreign language brings a whole new dimension. It has a positive effect on intellectual development, and it enriches and enhances personal development.

Why Pay Tuition When You Can Learn English Free

2010-02-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

With an online site for learning a second language, you now have the opportunity to learn English and not have to pay a dime for the course.

This is welcome news for those who are trying to meet the language qualification to be able to live and work in an English-speaking country and for those who want to learn English to help them advance in their careers. It means that you won't have to take time off work to attend classes or leave the country to enroll in a language school in another country. When you learn English free from an online site, you can set your own class schedule and study at home at your own pace.

Taking an online course in English gives you all the tools and resources that you need to succeed. The only thing you need is a computer with an Internet connection and speakers so that you can hear the audio components of the program. You can also have your own notebook so that you can take notes on the lessons and if you wish to print off any of the lessons or practice exercises, you will need to have a printer.

That being said, you do have to take your time when learning English. Look through the list of lessons and set small goals for yourself. It would be too overwhelming to try to take on too much at once. It takes years for even native speakers to learn all the rules of grammar, so you shouldn't expect to accomplish this overnight. Even adults have to start at the beginning with simple words and phrases and will really benefit from playing the children's games, such as Memory games with Flash cards, that the site offers.

All the lessons and audio components are completely free. Even if you already have some language skills, it is best to start at the beginning with the Starter course. Then you can run through the lessons and the exercises quite quickly as a refresher. This will also help boost your confidence when you realize how much you do know. As you complete one lesson and achieve the score on the exercises you wish to attain, you can move on to the next one and so on. If you do find one lesson difficult and not get as many questions correct as you would like, you can repeat the lesson as often as you wish.

If you do run into difficulty and require the aid of a tutor, you can have a personal tutor, but this is a paid part of the program. It is not expensive, though, as one hour of personal tutoring geared to your problem area will only cost you $35. You don't have to make any commitment for a further number of hours once your hour is up, but there are several choices in the numbers of hours. The more hours you choose the cheaper the rate charged per hour becomes.

Tips to Help You Learn English Online

2010-02-19T17:59:00.001-08:00

With the technology of the Internet, you can learn English at home and on your own time. While it would be beneficial to enroll in classes, if your work schedule does not permit this or if you don't have the finances to pay for the tuition, you can take free English courses online.

When you decide that this is the route you want to take, you do have to set a schedule for yourself when you will learn English online and be able to give it your full concentration.

Online English courses are not just for those wanting to learn a new language. Many native English speakers take these courses as refreshers for learning the rules of grammar so that they can speak and write better English. It is important for you to enjoy learning, which is why the online courses do have an element of fun included in them. This involves learning through music and song as well as games. While practice and repetition is important, listening and speaking are the main components. You can listen to a native English speaker and then record yourself repeating the same phrases.

Don't set your expectations too high when you start. Learning is a process of taking small steps, so you do have to start off small and slow. There will be times when you find it difficult, but you shouldn't give up. This may be the time when you need to take a break and come back to the problem areas when you mind is clearer. Then you can go back to the practice sheets of the online course or even play a word game. You can also repeat the instructional part of the lesson as many times as you wish until you have a firm grasp of the concept.

Unless you really don't want anyone to know that you are learning English through an online course, you can search out another person who is also learning the language. Then you can become study buddies practicing speaking the language with each other. It would be excellent if you have a friend that speaks English to help you because then this person can help you correct your mistakes in grammar and in pronunciation.

Watch English TV, especially the educational programs for children. This is one of the best ways of immersing yourself in the language and learning in the same way as beginning English speakers. Listening to the speech is one of the easiest ways of picking up the language. You get to learn what the words mean and the proper way of pronouncing them. Reading is another way of learning the language, especially if you start with beginning books for children because these books have illustrations to accompany all the words. Thus you learn from pictures as well as the words. Online courses have these components in the reading sections and the flash cards.

When you take a free online course in English, set targets for yourself. This could be for a week or two and when you accomplish your goal in that length of time, give yourself a treat for a job well done. One thing about learning English grammar is that you shouldn't let it overwhelm you. Understanding the rules of grammar is the key to being able to speak and write the language effectively.

Use Online Resources To Help You Learn English

2010-02-19T17:55:00.000-08:00

Online resources are a great way to help you learn English or to boost the instruction you receive in regular classes. You can avail of free courses and you can repeat the instruction and the exercises as often as you wish until you achieve the objective of each lesson

With these courses, everything you need to know about the English is presented in an easy to understand format in small chunks so that you do not become overwhelmed with too much information at one time.

When you look at the types of lessons in online English you can start at any point in the course and pick and choose the lessons that meet your needs. If you are just beginning and need the basics of the language, the best place to start is right at the beginning. However, once you run through the lessons and you find them easy you can move on to the next level. You can also go back to any one of the lessons just to refresh your memory because each lesson builds on the previous one assuming that you already have that knowledge.

The beginning lessons take you through the basics of grammar, which include:

* Pronouns
* Singular and plural nouns
* Verb tense
* Articles
* How to use the words this, that, these and those
* Prepositions
* Contractions, and
* Question words

Subsequent lessons take you through more difficult concepts, such as:

* Past and past participles
* Future tense
* Adjectives and adverbs
* Gerunds and infinitives

For each of these concepts there is a separate lesson, with dialogues that you can read and listen to that use the specific rule of grammar. You will receive instruction on how the specific concept is used and be able to practice using it in exercises on both the rule and the dialogue. When you complete the exercise, you will receive immediate feedback when you click the button for the computer to grade it for you. Then if you haven't achieved as well as you like, you can go back over the lesson until you do know the material.

Another aspect of online courses is that you do listen to various passages being read or you can choose to read passages on your own. These include a variety on news and general articles. There are games designed for children to help them learn the words for foods, parts of the body, occupations, and much more, but adults can also benefit from these games to help them learn useful words. Word search puzzles and games such as hangman help make and keep learning English fun.

Along with learning the rules of grammar, you also learn how to pronounce the words and form sentences using the words you have learned. You do this through the listening exercises, which are an essential component of learning a new language.

When you do have a fluent grasp of the spoken language but want to concentrate on becoming a better writer, there are resources online to help you write essays. This is essential for all students who want to apply for college, even if your mother tongue is English. You can also get help in preparing for the TOEIC.

There Is, There Are - Singular and Plural Verbs

2010-02-19T17:53:00.000-08:00

One thing that often confuses English language learners is when they should use there is or there are. This is one topic that is covered in a free online English course. In the course of the lesson, you will also realize that there is can become a contraction: there's. First of all you have to think of what you want to talk about in your sentence. "There is" refers to one person, place or thing and is used when speaking in singular terms. "There are" is plural and is used when speaking of more than one person, place or thing.

The rules associated with using these words are:

* "There is" is used for singular nouns
* "There is" is used when talking about collective nouns or a noun used to denote a group
* "There are" is always used for more than one or plural nouns.

Using these rules, examples of sentences are:

* There is a bird in the tree outside my window. (One bird)
* There is a flock of birds flying overhead. (Flock is a collective noun for a group of birds)
* There are many animals in the zoo. (Animals - a plural noun for more than one animal).

When you learn these rules and can give examples of the sentences, you realize that you are also using the correct form of the verb. There is can be shortened to there's because of the use of the verb "is". Both "there is " and "there's' mean the same thing.

This brief lesson is a shortened version of an online lesson and is an example of what you can learn when you take a free course in English. Just because it is free doesn't mean it isn't worthwhile. These courses are very comprehensive covering all aspects of the English language. They are not just for leaning how to use proper English grammar when writing because they do incorporate the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing into every lesson.

Take a look at any one of the lessons to see that each one follows the same format. First there is a presentation of short realistic dialogues. You can read along as you listen to the speaker reading them in English. Then you can replay the audio and repeat the words and phrases after the speaker. At the bottom of this page there is a list of the key vocabulary and structures used in the dialogue, which is very useful because you can concentrate on learning the words one at a time. It is important to see and hear the words used in context though because this way you get a better grasp of the language, which is not possible when you learn words in isolation.

The instruction offered on the structure is presented in clear and simple words along with examples of correct and incorrect sentence structure. Then two pages of grammar exercises follow in which you test yourself on what you have learned. There is also a page of exercises using dialogues so that you can see how well you can use the structure in common situations.

How to Distinguish Between Prepositions of Place and Time

2010-02-19T17:50:00.000-08:00

Prepositions are words used in the English language to connect words or phrases in a sentence. There are two main types of prepositions - time and place. Each one fulfills a specific task. Prepositions of time tell when something happened, while prepositions of place indicate a location. In order to fully understand the differences between each of the prepositions, you do need to work with examples of each one, looking at their placement in a sentence and their relationship to the rest of the words.

Read the following sentence:

"The book was beside the bed."

In this sentence, the preposition is beside and it denotes place because it tells where the book was. There is a list of prepositions that you can memorize or become really familiar with so that you know how to find them in a sentence or use them in your own speaking and writing. Prepositions that denote place are:

* Above
* Across
* Around
* Aboard
* Against
* At
* At the back of
* At the bottom of
* At the top of
* Between
* Behind
* Below
* By
* In
* Inside
* At the corner of
* In the middle of
* Near
* Next to
* To the left of
* To the right of
* On
* On the side of
* On top of
* On the other side of
* Opposite
* Outside
* Under
* Underneath

When you use a place preposition in a sentence, you place it before a noun or pronoun. It never goes next to a verb.

Look at the list of prepositions. You will see that all of these words designate a particular place. Try putting each word in a sentence to make sure you know how to use them correctly. For example, you could write "The book was beside the lamp on the other side of the room". Thus, you see that you can use more than one preposition in a sentence.

Some of the words used as place prepositions can also be used as prepositions of time, such as before, after, around and between. When determining what type of preposition is used in a sentence, you do have to look at the words around it and comprehend the meaning of the sentence as a whole. You should never just pick out the preposition without reading and understanding the sentence. In this sentence "We will be there before two o'clock", you know that the preposition is before. Now look at the whole sentence and determine what it means. Does it tell where something is located? No. Does it tell when someone will be arriving? Yes. Therefore it denotes time.

Italian numbers

2010-02-17T07:50:00.000-08:00

Learn italian numbers

Alphabet - Learn how to speak the alphabet in Italian

2010-02-17T07:40:00.000-08:00

Learn how to speak the alphabet in Italian

Tips on Using Videos For Teaching Chinese

2010-02-16T16:50:00.000-08:00

Exposing kids to Chinese is now easier than ever. One way to do this is through videos. Chinese can be a tough language to learn for teen learners so it's not uncommon for teachers and even parents to use videos to enhance learning experience.
While popular Chinese textbooks like Kuaile Hanyu and New Practical Chinese Reader greatly help provide hours of activities, interactive videos can be used as an effective tool for reinforcing important learning points. Interactive videos help students improve their vocabulary, reading, listening, pronunciation and even grammar skills. Another good thing about using video as a learning medium, whether at school or right at home, is that teachers and parents can readily access it. Videos are available, viewable and downloadable in different file formats. Videos are perfect language study tools to use anytime of the day.

Here are some tips on using videos for teaching Chinese:

Choose videos wisely

This requires a few considerations. Always select videos according to the students' age, interests and level. Also consider appeal, length, and language objectives. Choosing the right video will help create excellent student motivation. Funny and engaging videos stimulate thinking process. Monologues usually don't, unless they happen to be super funny. Prefer videos with interesting and expressive dialogues. You can also use videos that promote or introduce Chinese culture, e.g., Chinese New Year, Chinese arts and crafts, etc.

Keep the video as short as possible

Choose clips that are short but sweet. Young students can easily get bored and switch off if the video is taking forever to finish. Nobody likes long dull moments, so consider playing excerpts from a popular full-length video instead.

Consider subtitled videos

Videos that come with subtitles can help in vocabulary learning. This is a great way to introduce new Chinese words and phrases to learn, especially if the video is rich in vocabulary. Ideally, teachers and parents should use videos with Chinese subtitles.

Provide a transcript of the video

As much as possible, clips or videos that have a lot of details should be accompanied by a viewing guide. If captions/subtitles are not available, it's best to give the students a transcript that will serve both as a reviewer and a guide which allows students to follow easily. Students can easily become frustrated when they don't understand the main ideas.

Play and Pause

Before playing the video, it helps to give the kids a little background of what they are about see. Play the video then watch their reactions. Feel free to pause the video intermittently especially when you need to ask students important questions or when you need to emphasize a key point.

Allot time for discussion

After watching the video, allow the kids to talk about the video. Ask them follow up questions and encourage them to ask questions too. In most cases, questions would be about unfamiliar vocabulary so listing all essential Chinese phrases and words used in the video will prove helpful.