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Language Courses: Learning Mandarin Tips

Jen — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:14:26 +0000

Learning a new language is an amazing experience. Sometimes, learning a new language can teach you a lot about a particular country’s culture – for example, learning Japanese. On the other hand, you could learn a language like Spanish that is spoken by a large majority of the US population and be better equipped for a variety of job positions. Learning a language like Mandarin may be hard to start out with but it is a very interesting language and with China becoming such an important part of the global economy, Mandarin language skills will definitely be an asset for you.

Mandarin Language Learning Tips

Use the language as much as possible. Even when you can’t speak but a few phrases, use those phrases. Textbooks and websites are excellent sources of gaining new understanding and vocabulary, but finding a native speaker to practice with is essential for developing any real fluency.
Think in the language. This takes a long time to achieve, but it is the only true fluency. As phrases and sentence patterns become natural to you, your mind will be capable of using that vocabulary and grammar in thinking. If you want to increase your fluency you must force your mind to think in the language rather than your native tongue when studying.
Consider putting off studying Chinese characters. If your goal is oral fluency, you may wish to hold off on learning characters. Chinese characters are a large investment in time. If you only have a few months of study before you need to use your Chinese, you may want to budget all your time for learning how to speak and understand. Characters will aid you in learning, but the time it takes to learn a sufficient amount of characters may be too high of a cost. On the other hand, if you can wait for fluency, studying the characters parallel to your regular study is probably the most effective method.
Constantly study and review. Carry flashcards everywhere. You can spend 5 minutes waiting in line doing nothing, or you can spend 5 minutes in line learning something you want to know.
Concentrate when someone is talking to you in Mandarin. It’s easy to tune someone out and just pretend you are understanding once you get lost in a conversation. Stick with it, it will increase your retentive ability. If you do get lost, try to listen for words you know or ask them to repeat (if possible).
When you get a headache, take a break. When you feel unwell your ability to learn is decreased. In fact, if you are studying hard you should take frequent breaks to keep your mind fresh.
In Mandarin, accuracy is better than large vocabulary. If you know a lot of words but you say them wrong, it doesn’t help much. Practice the sounds and tones constantly. Ask for correction. Chinese people would rather not point out your mistakes and tend to emphasize how good you are doing.
Correct yourself whenever you notice yourself make a mistake. Repeat a new word or phrase until you get it right. If you make a mistake while talking to someone else, stop yourself and say it right. You may even wish to ask them to model the phrase for you if you feel that would be appropriate.
Don’t be shy. Try to say what you can in the language, and if you get it wrong, explain until someone understands what you mean. Then ask them how they’d say it. Try to give the explanation in the language even if the person you speak to knows good English.
Write new vocabulary down.Use the romanization as well as characters (if you are learning characters). This will help you to listen and will give you good practice with the romanization system. After you write it down, ask someone what the meaning is and give them the context you heard it in. Then, review that new vocabulary when waiting around.
Buy a good dictionary and a good language text.While using a language is the only way to get fluent, good literature can add lots of new vocabulary to practice.
Spend at least 30 consecutive minutes a day studying the language, more if you’re on a roll.

IELTS Test Preparation: Tips For IELTS Writing Test

Jen — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:35:34 +0000

The International English Language Testing System or the IELTS is, as the name suggests, an internationally recognized English language test. The IELTS test is administered by The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), the British Council and other local governing bodies, depending on the country in which you take the exam. This English language test is designed for those learning English as a second language.

The IELTS academic test is designed for international students keen on studying in a foreign country where the first language is English. While USA colleges prefer the TOEFL examination, universities in Australia and the UK prefer the IELTS test. This test is made up of a reading, speaking, listening and writing components and student receive an overall band score depending on how they score on these tests.

Writing Test IELTS

For someone who is not used to the English language, a test can seem very intimidating. However, while reading, speaking and listening often seem easily manageable, the IELTS writing test scares many a student and they are not sure whether they are adequately prepared for it.

You do not need to take up a specialized language course to prepare for the IELTS. Of course, you must have a fair knowledge of the English language but apart from that, you do not need to shell out hundreds of dollars to those promising you results for your IELTS writing test. You can prepare for it by yourself.

The IELTS writing test is usually made up of a coupleof tasks.

Task 1 usually involves a graph or a diagram and ask the students to describe, in writing, what it depicts. This tests the student’s ability to interpret and analyze data.
Task 2 usually presents students with a couple of topics, from which the students must choose one to write an essay about. Topics are simple and do not require any specialized knowledge.

IELTS Writing Tips

Do not get intimidated by the writing tasks in an IELTS test. Simply read the questions well and proceed to write using simple and basic English to convey your point.

Carefully think about exactly what you want to say, especially when analyzing graphical or tabular data and then write it down.
Charts and tables may include excessive information. Part of the test is for you to figure out the key information and represent that in your writing.
When writing, avoid using the same word too many times. Instead, try to think of synonyms you might be able to use.
Keep an eye on the tenses you use. Don’t start a sentence in the present tense and move on to past tense – make sure you maintain consistency.
Present your information in an organized manner. Your writing should flow from one paragraph to the other and should not look like blocks of test just hurriedly put together.

Make sure you learn English well, before you attempt the IELTS. Limited knowledge of the language will not fetch you a good score in this examination but once you have learned English well, you do not really need any other preparation and can attempt the IELTS test, even its writing component without any help at all.

Learning Japanese: Read, Write & Speak Japanese

Jen — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:28:07 +0000

The Japanese language is increasingly becoming an important world language and if you are considering learning a foreign language, you might want to give serious thought to learning Japanese. Japan is a very important global power and the working world is no longer limited to the USA alone so if you are interested in a multinational career, Japanese language speaking skills are an excellent asset.

Being bilingual is increasingly becoming an essential job skill that many employers look out for and if you are considering learning a language, choose well. While ancient Greek might be interesting to you, if you are looking for something that will help your resume, then it is more advisable to learn a language like Spanish or Japanese.

Japanese Language Lessons – Types

Before you start learning Japanese, it is important to consider why you want to learn the language. If it is just for fun and you are not really interested in formal qualifications, then consider watching Japanese cartoons, listening to people speak or even undertaking basic free lessons online. You can also teach yourself with the helps of cds and books

However, if you are interested in a more formal Japanese learning experience, it is best if you enroll in a proper, formal language course for learning Japanese. You could learn Japanese with the help of an online school or you could enroll yourself at a local language school that will help you in learning Japanese.

Japanese Language Learning – Writing Basics

The Japanese language is complicated and may be very overwhelming for a newbie. However it is a beautiful language and with proper understanding, you can speak, read and write Japanese well if you really make the effort.

Before you start your Japanese language learning, it is important to understand that Japanese has three distinct writing systems or scripts. These are:

Hiragana – which is used for words that are native to the Japanese language

Katakana – which is used for words that have been loaned from other foreign languages

Kanji – is a modification of the traditional Chinese script.

In addition, the Japanese also use the Romaji (derived from “Roman”), which is simply a name for the script where the traditional Roman alphabet is used to write Japanese words; for example, “sushi”.

If you want to truly master the Japanese language, it is important that you fully understand all three writing systems. While Hiragana and Katakana may be mastered in a matter of weeks, Kanji requires more patience and often takes years to master. However, Hiragana & Katakana are enough for you to be able to write anything in Japanese.

Japanese Language Lessons Tips

In order to learn Japanese faster, you can supplement your Japanese lessons with some additional work so you can begin to understand the language better.

Converse with your Japanese friends for practice outside of class. Join a chat room if you do not have any Japanese friend.
Read Japanese newspapers, magazines etc to practice reading the language.
Watch Japanese television or movies to try to understand the way the natives speak the language.
Visit Japan if possible – there is nothing like learning and understanding the language while surrounded by people who speak it as their first language.

If you learn Japanese, you will definitely be acquiring a skill that is very useful and is likely to help you in the job sphere.

English Grammar Lessons: Learn English Grammar Online

Jen — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:54:58 +0000

Like most languages, the English language too can be very complicated for a first time learner. To master the language, it is very important to understand English grammar well. While schools do provide English grammar lessons, students can also find a plethora of English grammar lessons online. Whether you are an adult learner or a parent looking for extra resources to supplement your child’s school English grammar lessons, you are likely to find an answer online.

From basic nouns, verbs and adjectives to understanding the more complicated tenses, clauses, sentence structure and even spelling – English grammar lessons help students understand the basics of the English language.

Learn English Grammar Free

Thanks to the internet, taking up a language course such as French or even an English grammar course has become so much easier and cost effective. The internet has made it possible for students to learn English grammar online for free with the help of websites that offer plenty of useful information regarding English grammar.

Some of these websites offer free tutorials and online tests that aid students in learning English grammar. Others are more simplistic and offer text based lessons (similar to reading a grammar text book) discussing nouns, verbs, adverbs, phrases, clauses and all other details of English grammar.

Learning English Grammar Lesson Online

You can learn English grammar online by taking English grammar lessons online via a variety of sources.

Online Language Schools

There are several online language schools that offer English grammar lessons online. These are usually part of a comprehensive English language course that teaches students how to speak, read and write the language.

Online Tutorials

There are several English grammar lesson tutorials available online. Some of these may be paid lessons but there are several free options available too. Some are text tutorials while others are audio tutorials in the form of .mp3 files or podcast. Video tutorials for English grammar lessons are also very popular with tutors verbally demonstrating grammar lessons.

Free Websites

For students looking for extra resources for English grammar lessons, websites with free English grammar lessons are the most popular. Some of these website provide comprehensive information on the various nuances of English grammar with some of them going into much detail explaining the various aspects.

Free websites are often a great extra resource to rely on. However just make sure you use a reliable website so you know you are learning the right lessons and not learning English grammar all wrong.

English grammar lessons can be easily found online so if you are keen on sharpening your English grammar skills and expanding your knowledge, the internet may be the perfect resource for you.

Taking French Lessons & Learning French Online

Jen — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:37:17 +0000

French is known as the language of love and thousands of people across the world add “learning French” to their list of Must Dos. However, many people are unable to start learning the language due to the restrictions their busy lives place on them. Manufacturing time for learning French seems absolutely impossible. But it does not have to be impossible in the 21st century with thousands of people learning French online as well as with the help of home lessons.

Free French Lessons Online

Thanks to the internet, learning French is much easier than ever before. A number of websites and online training institutes offer free French lessons online. Some of these free lessons do not offer much more than learning a few basic words that would be useful for travelers but not much use for someone keen on learning the language. However, if you do your research well, you could find some useful websites that could help you learn French for free. Learning French online is easy and if you shop around you might be able to find useful free French lessons websites as well. Of course, remember to look for websites depending on whether you want to learn how to speak French, write it or both.

Learn To Speak French Online With Internet Lessons

For many people, learning how to read and write a language is not half as important as being able to speak it and understand other people speaking the language. If you are interested in speaking French lessons and are wondering if that is possible online, yes it is. Speak French online with simple internet lessons that will teach you the right pronunciations and enunciations with the help of videos, audio files and even podcasts. Similar to learning with the help of tapes, online speech lessons let you play and listen to lessons over and over again so you can gain a good grasp over the language.

Learning French – Other Methods

Of course French lessons are not just limited to free online lessons and speech lessons, there is a whole world of lessons out there that can help you master the language at your own pace and time. The advantages of distance education lets you learn French without the hassle of having to attend lessons physically. Learning French online at some language institutes might require fees but be rest assured, you will not be short changed just because it is an online course. Be sure to do your research before choosing an online French lesson and you will be able to learn the language without much trouble.

Some language institutes not only conduct online French lessons but also offer lessons to download in the form of audio files and podcasts that students can use for practice later. Students are also given homework to better understand the complicated French grammar and also to help them perfect their French accent and pronunciation. All of this put together makes it easier for a student to learn the language better.

French is a beautiful language – it is known as the lover’s language and many students want to learn the language but often do not have the time. Taking French lessons is now much easier with students having the option of learning French online.

Teaching ESL: Teaching English As A Second Language

Jen — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:19:27 +0000

English is without a doubt one of the most popular languages in the world and more and more people are signing up to learn the language. As a result of an increasing number of students wanting to learn English as a second language, there is no doubt a demand for individuals who are experienced in teaching ESL. ESL is an abbreviation for English as a Second Language.

Qualified individuals teaching English as a Second Language are very much in demand so if you have a knack for teaching and are good at the English language, you might want to consider teaching ESL as a career option. In fact, teaching English as a second language can not only be a good career choice, it can also help you find jobs abroad.

Teaching English Jobs – Common Questions

If you are interested in a career in teaching English as a second language, there are plenty of jobs available out there. Here are some common question that are asked by those interested in teaching ESL.

English is my mother tongue, do I still need a certificate to teach English as a second language?

Most schools and institutes (in the country and abroad) prefer teachers with the appropriate certification for teaching English as a second language. While English may be your mother tongue, a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate gives you the skills required to teach the language to others. While some schools may accept untrained teaches, most will prefer if you have the right certificate for teaching ESL.

Do I have to attend classes or can I pursue it long distance?

The advantages of a TEFL course is that you can either attend classes or pursue the course long distance – depending on what suits your needs. Distance learning courses for teaching ESL are becoming increasingly popular as they allow you to achieve the required skills at your own convenience. In addition, distance learning courses are usually more cost effective as well.

Where can I find a good TEFL certificate course?

A TEFL course can be pursued from any part of the world and there a number of certificate courses for teaching English as a second language worldwide. You can check with your local British Council or even simply do a Google search for TEFL courses. When choosing a course for teaching ESL, just make sure it is properly accredited so it is recognized by potential employers.

Teaching English Abroad

One of the biggest advantages of pursuing a TEFL certificate course is that it can help you travel the world. From South America to South East Asia, there is an increasing demand for individuals teaching ESL. With your certificate you can travel to several countries, teaching and seeing the world at the same time. Teaching English as a second language puts you in a position to accept teaching positions anywhere in the world. If you are looking for jobs teaching English abroad, get in touch with your local TEFL certificate course provider and ask them the best resources for job hunters. In addition, you can also do your research online and see which places have a high demand for individuals teaching ESL.

Teaching English as a second language can be a rewarding career where you meet and interact with people from across the world. In addition, it offers you opportunities for travel that not many other jobs can rival.

Language Courses: Spanish Language Courses For Everyone

Jen — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:02:31 +0000

The Spanish language is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world. While it might be the lingua franca of Spain, it is the official language of a number of countries across the world, including the large majority of South American countries. If you live in USA, you do not need to be told that a large majority of the American population is now Spanish speaking too.

Why Learn Spanish?

From the above, it is obvious that Spanish is definitely a language that is useful to learn. If you are considering taking up a language course but not sure which language you should study, here are some reasons why Spanish speaking and reading skills are a distinct advantage to possess:

The ability to speak a second language is a good skill to have in an increasingly global job market.
For many professions, the ability to speak Spanish is essential as a large majority of consumers are Spanish speaking.
Unlike complicated languages such as French, Spanish is relatively easier to learn and understand. This is why Spanish is a language that everyone can learn – children and adults.
If you are considering travelling to Latin America or even to Europe, Spanish could come in very handy.
Since the USA has a large Spanish speaking population, practicing the language will not be hard at all as you will be using it on a regular basis.

Spanish Language Lessons: Where To Learn Spanish

Depending on your needs and circumstances, you can learn Spanish from a variety of sources.

In School

Most schools these days insist that students learn a second language while they are in school. Spanish is an option in most schools so if you are still in school or your child is, school is an ideal place to learn the Spanish language.

If you are no longer in school and would still like to learn the language, you have a number of options to choose from:

Language Classes

Attending a language class is the most common way to learn any language. It is like attending school, where a trained teacher will teach you the basics of the language and then move on the intricacies of speaking and reading the language. If you prefer to attend school, find a language school in your city and enroll in a Spanish language lesson course.

Online Lessons

If attending school is not an option, you always have online lessons to fall back on. There are a variety of online Spanish language lessons. Some offer free lessons and grammar lists to take advantage of, while others offer full blown distance learning courses for the keen Spanish language learner.

Private Tutoring

Another option for Spanish lessons is to find a private tutor who can teach you the language on a one-on-one basis. You must of course find a good Spanish teacher who can teach you all you need to know to master the Spanish language and encourage you to practice it regularly.

Teach Yourself

Like any other language, you can teach yourself Spanish as well. You could do this with the help of online resources or buy yourself Spanish language books and CDs that help you learn the language on your own.

Learning the Spanish language is fun and exciting and it is definitely a language worth knowing.

Learn Languages: Pursuing Online Language Courses

Jen — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:45:55 +0000

Some people grow up in a multi lingual environment while others are limited to only one language and want to learn more languages. The desire to learn languages is common to students the world over and thanks to the internet and online language course, this is no longer a difficult task. As long as you have a computer that works and a browser that is compatible with the various language classes that are held online.

Free Online Language Courses

There are several language classes available out there that can help you easily learn languages without spending any money whatsoever. While in the real world you might not be able to find free course, you can find plenty of free online language courses that will help you learn a language pretty much the same way you would learn languages from a book. These online language courses are usually less like supervised language classes and usually involve a large amount of self instructed learning.

If you have a natural knack for languages or are very determined to learn a particular language and communicate with native speakers, a free online language course can be very helpful. You will have to choose your online language course well because being free, some of them will not have very good material while others will. There are definitely a variety of language classes to choose from but if you are looking for free online language courses, you will have more choices if you are pursuing a more common course such as French or German rather than say Hebrew or ancient Aramaic!

Other Internet Language Courses

Apart from the free online language courses, there are of course several other internet language courses also available some of which you can pursue for the sake of getting yourself a degree or a diploma as well. These are not free language classes and as a result they are usually more structured and sometimes offer supervized attention as well. You will be provided all the material you need to complete your course and you will also have tests and examination to assess your learning. This is usually not the case with free online language courses.

Common Online Language Classes

There are thousands of different languages in the world and different people want to learn different languages depending on what they need or what they are interested in. Needless to say, some online language courses are much more popular than others either due to business needs or because more people are interested in learning the languages. The most commonly pursued online language classes are:

English language courses
Online German courses
Online French course
Learning to speak Spanish
Learning Italian
Portuguese lessons
Arabic language classes
Mandarin language classes
Learning Russian

Learning a new language can be challenging but language classes are just as much fun as well. Choose a language that appeals to you or else you will never be able to get your head around it. Understand the nuances of the language and get the basics straight. Once you have understood the basics, learning languages will become a whole lot easier and you will master the language of your choice in no time at all!

Reference:

Online Language Course – World Wide Learn