Posts Tagged ‘foreign language’

Spanish is a language that has in recent years interested many in its study. Spanish is a common choice to learn for foreign speakers. In high schools today, Spanish is quickly becoming the language of choice to learn for students.

The United States in particular has noticed a boom in Spanish speaking immigrant populations which means that the demand for Spanish speaking skills has only risen.

You might be interested in learning Spanish because your co-workers already speak it or because you want better job opportunities at your current employment or at a job in the future.

Learning Spanish can bring you a lot of help and rewards that you will enjoy greatly in your future, however, it should also be told that learning a foreign language like Spanish is no easy task and should be taken seriously if you want to reach your ultimate goal of being proficient in the language.

If you are trying to learn a new foreign language like Spanish, it is best to study a little bit each day instead of a lot at one time and then not much for a while.

The reason for this is that studying a little bit each day will reduce the time that you need to spend at each study session reviewing the material from before. By doing a little bit each day, you can keep moving along nicely and increasing your knowledge of the language.

By studying each and every day for a little bit, you are able to not only make small improvements and reduce the time needed for review but additionally, you can condition your mind to get used to the new language which is an important process to gaining proficiency.

So, for whatever reason you are studying Spanish, I wish you good luck in your studies! It is a great language to learn and can provide you with many rewards if studied properly.

Robertson B. Kunz is the author of a language learning guide to help you get fluent in a foreign language faster. Visit his website to get more great information on learning languages. Also, find more great information on learn Spanish language.

Anime is a great cultural item that has made learning Japanese particularly inviting to many English speakers. It is also a big reason that many people in all parts of the world want to learn Japanese.

However, there are other reasons, too, for wanting to learn Japanese. Some people are interested in Japanese because Japan is the second largest economy and it would help them greatly in their business efforts. Some people are impressed by Japan’s deep cultural traditions.

Japanese can be mastered and you can become proficient in it just like any other language, however, we must remember a few things if we want to truly be successful.

Japanese is one of the more difficult languages to learn for English speakers because it does not use the same script for reading and writing and also because it has few similar words with English.

A language like Spanish, for example, shares many root words with English simply because the two languages have been in greater contact for longer and because English has borrowed a great many amount of words from Latin which is the basis for the Spanish language.

What this means for studying Japanese is not that it is impossible but just a bit more difficult.

What this truly means is that you must have a strong desire to learn that Japanese language if you are going to be successful in becoming proficient in it.

If you really want to learn Japanese to a high level, then make sure that your reasons for studying it are strong.

Whether you want to have a better glimpse of the Japanese culture and traditions or whether you want to have a better understanding of your favorite anime series, make sure that the desire is strong in your heart for learning Japanese.

This will ultimately keep you going on the long journey that studying Japanese entails. So, make sure that you are able to stay strong when studying and keep going no matter what. Just remember your reason for studying Japanese every time that you feel you are beginning to falter in your studies.

Author Robertson Kunz has a language learning guide: learn a foreign language fast. Japanese learners: learn fluent Japanese.

English is commonly understood around the world.  It may be the de facto international language.  When someone from Greece or Poland encounters someone from Italy or Germany, they probably use English.  However, if English is your native language, and you plan to travel to Europe, yourjourney is will surely be more fun if you can speak even a few words of the language of the country you are visiting.

Since English seems to be the lingua franca around the world, we’ll look at it from that perspective.  If you’re a native English speaker, that’s good for you, but to be a real traveler, you should learn a few phrases of that foreign language… hello, good-bye, please and thank you at the very least.  It’s just the right thing to do.  

You should be able to ask (in their language) if they understand English… or try to ask your question in their own language.  They will appreciate the effort.  Often they will volunteer, “Would you like to speak English?”  And if they don’t speak English, they will surely try to find someone who can.

Take a phrase book with you.  You can point out a phrase if the local person you’re asking doesn’t speak English or understand your version of their language.  Don’t just speak louder… that could be very annoying.  Remember English is a foreign language to them!

Even if you’re trying, your pronunciation might leave them scratching their heads or blushing as you’ve said something a bit off color.  When you travel, you need a sense of humor… don’t take your too seriously and don’t be embarrassed.  Use you phrase book and show them what you are attempting to say.  Have a good laugh at yourself and forget it.

Take a chance.  People expect tourists to make mistakes…. even the French who have an undeserved reputation for not being helpful.  You should be GRATEFUL that they speak a little English to help you… not to expect it.  

When you’re speaking English to your new friends, speak slowly and avoid slang.  Idiomatic expressions and slang in any language often translate into something may have] a completely different meaning!

If you travel to France and the waiter comes up to you and says, “Bon jour, cafe?”  Don’t look blank and say you don’t speak French.  How tough is this one?  He’s greeting you with good morning and asking if you want coffee.  You should reply, “Bon jour, oui, merci.”  See that wasn’t so hard.  Just a couple of words you already knew, and now your waiter LIKES you… even if you never utter another word of French!

Don’t be intimidated by signs in a foreign language… take a good look at them… think in an intuitive way.  Some words are very similar in different languages?  If it says “farmacia” instead of “pharmacy”, take a guess… You just found that pharmacy or drug store you were looking for!  Is there a pictorial sign to help?  A green cross or a pharmacist’s scale would be a good clue.  That may not be what you’re used to at home, but look in the window and think about it, and you can figure it out.

Remember, you went on this trip to experience something different… so revel in that foreign language, learn a few words, buy travel insurance,  and enjoy yourself!