How To Use Flashcards For Advanced French

Flashcards are a well-known and popular study aid for many subjects and especially languages. Although cards are often electronic today, the basic principle is the same. One side of the card has a question and the other side the answer. In the case of languages, flashcards are really useful for memorizing vocabulary, with the words and phrases in the target language on the front and the translation on the back.

If you want to take your French up to an advanced level, you should seriously consider putting flashcards into your toolbox. I'll give some tips on how to best use them.

Flashcards can be effective because they are so flexible. You can sort them in various ways, take a few with you and study anywhere. It's also easy to identify those problem areas that may require more study. Those cards can be put aside for special attention.

Many people use the cards in a systematic way called spaced repetition whereby the cards are studied at fixed intervals. Electronic card systems are very good at this because the intervals can be easily programmed.

Digital flashcards are available on computers and on mobile devices. With software such as Anki you can make your own decks or even share decks with other users. One can also find commercial flashcard providers who sell decks or subscriptions to online decks.

Although digital flashcards are wonderful, there is something to be said for the lowly index card or plain paper product. It's inexpensive, quick and easy to make, does not require a device to run on, can be written on and takes up little space. Plain pieces of paper are fine but are not as durable as the heavier cards. Nothing prevents you of course from getting the best of both worlds and combining a digital system with a set of physical cards.

At the beginner French level, cards are used primarily for vocabulary study with a single word on one side and the translation on the back. At the advanced level, you should emphasize entire phrases and idioms in order to see how particular words are used in context. So, the front of the card could have a target word or expression, some conjugated forms if it is a verb and an example phrase or two. The translation goes on the back. Here is an example:

Front side:

Vouloir

tu veux - vous voulez - ils ont voulu - je voudrais

Que voulez-vous que je fasse?

Je veux bien vous aider.

Back side:

What do you want me to do?

I'm willing to help you.

Here is an example of a flashcard for an interesting use of the verb savoir in a reflexive form.

Front side:

se savoir

s'est su -- se sait -- se saura

Avec Internet, tout se sait.

Back side:

With the Internet nothing is secret.

In the course of your reading, you run across some interesting examples of this form. So, you take out your card and add the following examples to the front:

Tout se sait ou se saura un jour.

L'equipe se sait sous pression.

You now add the following translations to the back:

Sooner or later everything comes out.

The team knows it is under the gun.

These are very loose translations of course. You can put whatever you want.

Typically, you use flashcards by looking at the front and then turning them over. An interesting option is to go in the reverse direction. In other words, you look at the English translation and ask yourself how you would say that in French. This is really useful with idiomatic expressions where the French may not resemble the English translation.

Another use of flashcards at the advanced level is as a daily memory aid. Let's say you have identified one or two idiomatic expressions that you intend to use at least five times today. You carry the cards with you and look at them from time to time to remind yourself how the expressions are used. In a meeting you could even discreetly have a few cards in front of you and try to plug the expressions into the discussion.

When you are reading in French, keep some blank cards or pieces of paper handy. If you run across an interesting expression or phrase, jot it down. In a short period you will have a useful deck that you can later review and enhance.

For the advanced language learner flashcards are a very effective tool. Try them.

Stanley Aleong specializes in effective learning strategies for foreign languages. He believes that an effective strategy for achieving advanced proficiency is to work with many carefully selected authentic examples. To learn more about some very effective learning tools based on this principle, visit Advanced French/Spanish

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Comment on French Language Programs on the Internet

I am a French teacher who works to help others learn the beautiful language. I know how hard it can be to learn a new language, and I also know how much success depends on having the right learning tools.

As a French teacher, one query I am often asked is what learning package is the best for grownups or teens wishing to learn and speak French from home. Long ago I set out to discover the answer to this question, and one thing genuinely surprised me when I did. There are too many French learning packages out there that just aren't satisfactory enough.

When you look at the tools out in the market on the internet, you'll discover software, books, flash-card systems, and more. Sorting through them all is difficult, and selecting one can be even more intimidating. In Advance of getting to my thoughts on any French packages let's first talk about what a French learning package is and isn't.

First, a digital learning package is NOT the only thing you need to master French. You in addition need to take the time to read French publications, to speak to French-speaking individuals, and to make learning (and speaking) french a portion of your day-to-day existence. I can't stress how important this is to speed up the learning procedure.

Secondly, NOT every person needs a French learning package. In fact, if you aren't dedicated to learning the language you likely won't learn anyway. Learning French isn't tough if you apply yourself, but you need to make the decision right now that you are going to spend some time learning.

Third, a French learning program IS the simplest means to get started with the language. It will also cost much less (and take less time) than taking beginners lessons from a community college. The most suitable learning packages can take you right from beginner to advanced French.

Fourth, if don't take the time to buy the correct learning package you will merely make learning French harder. This is really the number one reason individuals don't follow through with their plan to master the language. Too many of the tools out there are actually just a waste of money.

If you've been considering of learning French then you'll be pleased to hear that, along with some of my colleagues, we took the time to evaluate the best four French learning packages in the market place today. We founded our evaluations on the following criteria.

* Level of French Learning - An acceptable French program should cover everything right from getting started levels up to having fundamental conversations with native French speakers.

* Amount of Information - The Amount of learning substance enclosed in the package

* Teaching Methods - Many people retain data better when taught with different methods. A suitable French program should use a variety of methods for teaching/retention.

* Follow Up Substance - Beyond the basic training course is there more substance in the market place to take your learning further?

* Additional Information (Fun Factor) - A suitable learning package should be fun to use. The most suitable programs we evaluated included games that magnified retention and made learning fun.

* Basic Language Abilities - Does the program supply adequate Content (and teach it rapidly enough) that the learner should grasp a basic dialog right after using the program for a while.

* Reading/Writing /Speaking Abilities - Along with speaking does the program teach language/grammar for reading, speaking and writing French?

With our evaluations we actually took two steps. First we evaluated the programs as teachers. We looked at their situation from the point of view of - would they be able to teach our students what we taught them. The next move I took was to in bring the programs into my adult learning classes. I had my grownup students use the programs at home for a period of time and then gave an introductory test to see what they had understood and retained.

The four programs we reviewed are as follows:

1st. Rocket French

2nd. Easy French Lessons

3rd. Lingo Basics

4th. Learn French Program

Buzz Hill - Professional Reviewer of online Products
Want more information learning to speak French go here: http://learnfrenchlanguagereviews.com/

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A Degree In Spanish Can Come In Handy In A Variety Of Career Fields!

?Habla Espanol? If not, you might consider pursuing a Spanish degree, since there are several advantages to it, one of which can greatly benefit your career.

In 21 countries, Spanish is said to be considered the official language. Other than Chinese, in fact, there are reportedly more people who speak native Spanish than any other language. That can make fluency in the language important in a variety of fields and in a variety of locales.

Students who want to pursue Spanish degrees might find them available at colleges and universities as part of a Bachelor of Science in Education. They might otherwise participate in Spanish degrees that are outright Bachelor of Arts degrees. Graduating with either of these Spanish degrees could lead students to work as teachers of English as a Second Language or as teachers of foreign language classes in K-12 schools or at colleges and universities. There are opportunities to enter non-teaching careers as well.

Students with an interest in law enforcement, for example, might consider whether Spanish degrees might help them embark upon careers in areas such as immigration or with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. There are also careers in interpreting and translating, in Foreign Service or diplomacy, and in international relations that might appeal to students in instances where they are considering Spanish degrees.

With Chinese, English, Russian, French, and Arabic, Spanish is considered an official United Nations language as well. That means that these languages are used in United Nations meetings and documents. As the world becomes increasingly global, students who obtain Spanish degrees might also prepare themselves for work in areas such as international banking, trade, or business.

Many United States residents speak Spanish fluently, which could potentially enhance career opportunities in customer service, coordinating cultural events, and proofreading and publishing for those who obtain Spanish degrees. Pursing Spanish as part of a dual major or as a minor or major that complements another concentration area could also benefit students in instances where they are considering certain careers - perhaps even those in international relations, international business, or communications.

In Spanish degree programs, students learn to write, read, and speak the language. Their education extends beyond the language itself as well. The programs often offer opportunities also to explore the different Spanish cultures that exist. They might require that students study contemporary Spanish issues, view Spanish films, or read Spanish literature. Some programs might also require community service participation, or they might provide opportunities to study abroad in places such as the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Portugal, and Spain. These well-rounded programs, as a whole, might better help students come to understand the world from different perspectives.

Although the humanities don't receive as much emphasis these days as engineering, technology, and science degrees do, language studies that are a part of the humanities do have their advantages. The humanities in general, it seems, do as well. For instance, an Ivy League institution in the United States complements its MBA program with an education in philosophy, aesthetics, politics, culture, and the social aspects of business. It is important that other fields see the value of Spanish degrees. Students who are interested in mastering this language can do so by taking online courses!

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How To Describe Past Events in Spanish

Today we will discuss how to describe past events in Spanish. Sometimes you'll run into a old friend who you have not seen for many years. This person knows everything about your life in the past, but he/she has no idea what you are up to right now. In this lesson, we are going to learn to explain things from the past that are still the same and also how to talk about things that have changed.

Take a look at this e-mail from Sebastian, who has not seen Pedro since high school 15 years ago.

Hola Pedro, como estas? Estaba mirando fotos de la escuela anoche, y me acorde de vos y lo bien que la pasabamos en la escuela. Bueno, te cuento, algunas cosas han cambiado un poco. Ya no persigo chicas, me case y tuve un hijo. He dejado de fumar y ya no bebo como antes, aunque todavia me gusta tomar algunas cervezas los fines de semana. Afortunadamente sigo teniendo pelo, y todavia uso gafas, porque sigo sin poder ver los numeros del autobus cuando esta lejos. Espero verte pronto y recordar Viejas epocas. Ya ves, me he vuelto un hombre responsible pero sigo siendo un buen tipo.

Abrazos,
Sebastian

Hi Peter, how are you? I was looking at pictures from school last night, and I thought of you and how what a good time we had in school. Well, I tell you, some things have changed a bit. I am no longer chasing girls, I got married and I had a son. I stopped smoking and I do not drink like I did before, although I still like to drink a few beers on the weekends. Fortunately I still have hair and I still wear glasses, because I still can't see the bus numbers from far away. I hope to see you soon and talk about old times. You see, I've become a responsible man but I'm still a good guy.

Cheers,
Sebastian

As you can see, there are different structures to speak about the different things that Sebastian still does and what he has stopped doing.

Things that he still does

Seguir (conjugated) + Gerund: Sigo teniendo pelo (I still have hair) / Sigo siendo un buen tipo (I'm still a good guy)

Todavia + Present tense: Todavia me gusta tomar algunas cervezas. (I still like to drink a few beers)

Seguir sin + Infinitive (when you didn't do in the past and still don't): Sigo sin poder ver el numero del autobus...(because I still can't see the bus numbers)

The things that he has stopped doing.
Ya no + Present tense: Ya no persigo chicas. (I am no longer chasing girls)

Dejar de + Infintive: Deje de fumar (I stopped smoking)

Volverse (to became, is a change in the personality): Me he vuelto un hombre responsible (I've become a responsible man).

Hopefully this lesson helps you out when you want to talk about things in the past and how they relate to the present.

Anna Rivera is a native Spanish speaker from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is also a Spanish instructor and the author of 2 learning Spanish books. If you would like to get FREE instant download access to the MP3 audio and PDF transcripts to her Spanish lessons absolutely free AND read her reviews of the most popular learning-Spanish products, then visit her web site now in order to: learn Spanish online That's http://LearningSpanishProductsReviews.com/

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Free Spanish Lessons Online

With the advances in the availability of video and audio software online there is now a huge wealth of free Spanish lessons available over the internet. These Spanish lessons can take you through from the very beginning and cover a range of different topics. There are however only a few series of free Spanish lessons I would highly recommend and in this article I will point you in the right direction to find these.

Practicing speaking with free Spanish lessons?

There are basic Spanish vocab and grammar lessons, beginner conversation lessons and further, more advanced, free Spanish lessons to help across all parts of your Spanish. I will say before we start that sometimes however, especially for speaking, it is advantageous to go to a Spanish class where you can interact with others. To overcome this problem, most practically at a more advanced level, Spanish software like Live Mocha allows you to construct a Spanish conversation exchange over the internet. At a beginner level you really do need to make sure though that you are constantly practicing your speaking - this isn't particularly easy but just talking to yourself, friends and family helps you to improve. One good way to learn Spanish using free online courses and lessons is therefore to do so with a practice partner - if you want to be speaking with a real teacher there are also Skype teaching programmes available at competitive prices.

Is it worth buying a Spanish language Course?

My second recommendation is to purchase a Spanish course if you possibly can - it may be possible to learn Spanish for free online but it really is a lot easier to follow a structured course all the way through. The online marketplace for these courses is extremely competitive so you can get a great bargain and excellent course if you shop around. In my opinion, for the purposes of a beginner, the Rocket Spanish and Rosetta Stone courses are excellent.

1 - Spanish Dict

The first free course of Spanish lessons I recommend is the Spanish learning videos available from Spanish Dict. These lessons focus on expanding vocabulary as a beginner and then building up your grammar and vocab skills as the course progresses. If you complete all four categories of 15 ten minute lessons you will have mastered communicating in a range of tenses with an intermediate vocabulary - the teacher is excellent and the free lessons are very clear. I would recommend repeating lessons to make sure you really master the material and make sure you practice as much as possible.

2 - Real Spanish, 123TeachMe and StudySpanish

If you want more specific vocabulary themes and more in depth written lessons around the grammar there is also good material at Real Spanish, 123 Teach Me and Study Spanish. These lessons do not have an audio teacher which is a great advantage of the Spanish Dict course. However there are good quizzes and games accompanying the wide range of lessons so these lessons are really good practice (and free as well) - it always helps to be doing different kinds of lessons and learning in different ways so these Spanish lessons are highly recommended.

3 - Check out YouTube

You will have to search them out but there are some great courses available on YouTube with free Spanish vocab and grammar lessons. The problem with these is the field is very saturated and you need to make sure you find a good teacher with clear lesson plans and content. There are also a lot of English speakers out there teaching Spanish and I'm afraid to say a lot of these don't have an authentic enough accent to be teaching others (at least to an advanced level). Also many of these courses are taught in different ways - for instance the Master Spanish course on YouTube simply repeats Spanish phrases rather than actually teaching any Spanish as such. This sort of video can help and watching them won't do any harm but really the websites mentioned above offer a far more professional and useful content in their Spanish lessons.

4 - Notes in Spanish Podcasts

In terms of listening just watching the lessons available on YouTube mentioned above is going to help. However I would also recommend the Notes in Spanish Podcasts - these are not so much lessons but allow you to listen to realistic Spanish conversation designed specifically for different levels of Spanish ability. These were one of my personal favourite ways to develop my listening skills moving from beginner to intermediate and then advanced level Spanish.

Go to http://www.topspanishtips.weebly.com/ for a collection of the best free Spanish resources on the internet. If you're learning Spanish from beginner to advanced level we provide those websites to help improve grammar and vocab, reading and writing and even you're listening and speaking online.

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How To Say Freckles, Pimples, Dimples, Cold Sore, Blackhead and Warts in Spanish

Today we will learn how to say freckles, pimples, dimples, cold sores, birth mark, mole, blackhead, and warts in Spanish. I will begin by telling about an experience that I had here in Medellin, Colombia that made me realize that it is important to know how to say these words in Spanish. This story will also help you learn these Spanish words.

Yesterday, I was supposed to start "terapia" (therapy) for my "hombro" (shoulder). I injured my shoulder here in Medellin, Colombia doing a sport called Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (or in Spanish "Jiu-Jitsu brasileno"). If you are not familiar with BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) you can think of it as a combination of "lucha libre" (wrestling) and judo.

When I arrived ready to begin my therapy session the receptionist told me in Spanish that she had no record of my appointment. I told her that I had walked-in a few days ago when I was in the area and made my appointment in person with a completely different receptionist. But she insisted that there was no record of my appointment to begin my therapy session and that it would be necessary for me to make another appointment to begin my therapy and come back another day.

That's when I asked her was there anything that I could do considering that she was unable to locate any record of my appointment and that I had traveled quite a distance to begin my therapy sessions.

And she then asked me about the other receptionist, the one who made the appointment for me. ?Como es? ?Como se ve? (What does she look like?)

That's when I told her in Spanish that the receptionist who made the appointment for me had freckles, dimples, and a mole. Actually, I thought the mole was kind of cute so I told her in Spanish
that the other receptionist had a beauty mark on her face. She also had an awful cold sore on her mouth but I didn't bother to mention that in any language.

With that description the receptionist was able to locate the other receptionist (who was on a different floor at the time),and finally confirmed my appointment so that I could begin my therapy immediately and not have to return another day to begin.

That's when I realized how important it can be to know how to say freckles, dimples, pimples, cold sore, etc., in Spanish. So I want to share these words with you so that you will know them in case you ever need to use them.

1. Dimple - Hoyuelo

Cuando Claudia se rie se le forman unos hoyuelos en las mejillas.
When Claudia laughs dimples form in her cheeks.

By the way, the word that people use for dimples in Colombia is "huequitos" instead of "hoyuelos." "Huequitos" literally means "little holes." Here in Colombia, they also tend to use the word "cachetes" instead of "mejilla" for the English word cheeks.

2. Pimples - Granos

Ese adolescente tiene muchos granos en la cara.
That adolescent has a lot of pimples on his face.

Depending on how a pimple looks and where it is located on the body, Spanish speakers may also use the words "barro" and "barrito."

3. Birth mark - marca de nacimiento

No puedo ver tu marca de nacimiento.
I cannot see your birth mark.

Instead of "marca de nacimiento" you may also hear Spanish speakers say "mancha de nacimiento."

4. Freckles - Pecas

La mesera tiene pecas en la cara.
The waitress has freckles on her face.

5. Mole - Lunar

El lunar de ella es una marca de belleza.
Her mole is a beauty mark.

6. Fever blisters or cold sores - Llagas

Ella no queria besarlo porque tenia llagas en la boca.
She did not want to kiss him because he had cold sores on his mouth.

Besides "llagas" a very formal phrase that you may hear, especially in Spain, is "herpes labial" (literally, "herpes of the lips"). I never use the term "herpes labial" for obvious reasons...

That's because if I had a cold sore on my mouth I'd prefer for someone to tell me that I had a "llaga en la boca" instead of "herpes labial."

Now let me give you a very informal word for cold sore that you may hear not only in Colombia but in other parts of Latin America:

Fuegos en la boca (literally, "fire on the mouth") or just "fuegos" for short.

By the way, I have heard that Mexicans use the word "afta" for fever blister but you may want to confirm this with someone from Mexico because my Spanish dictionary says that an "afta" is "an ulcer of the mouth."

7. Mark - mancha

Ella tiene una mancha pequena en la frente.
She has a small mark on her forehead.

8. Blackhead - Espinillas

Me salio una espinilla en la espalda.
A blackhead came out of my back.

Another word for blackheads that is commonly used in Latin America is "punto negros," literally "black spots."

9. Wart - Verruga

Yo tenia una verruga en la mano.
I had a wart on my hand.

Pat Jackson is the Founder of Learning Spanish Like Crazy - the only learning Spanish method that teaches real authentic everyday conversational Latin American Spanish. Pat presently lives in Medellin, Colombia - the City of Eternal Spring. If you would like to get FREE Instant access to the first 2 MP3 audio lessons of Learning Spanish Like Crazy and get FREE instant access to 10 learning Spanish videos from one of our BEAUTIFUL native-Spanish speaking Latina instructors, then go here now: Learn Spanish online That's http://www.LearningSpanishLikeCrazy.com/

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Mandarin Chinese and English: What Are the Differences?

Mandarin is the not the Chinese language, rather, it is one of the many Chinese dialects. Around seventy percent of Chinese speakers use Mandarin. It is not only the accepted written language of Chinese, but it is also considered as the business language of China.

Many non-native Mandarin speakers believe that Mandarin is a very difficult language to learn, especially for those who are used to speaking the English language. But why is this so? Is Mandarin so different from English? Let us compare them.

Difference in origin

The English language is closely related to Flemish, Dutch, Low German and Frisians, which belong to the Germanic language family. Mandarin, on the other hand, evolved from Old Chinese and Middle Chinese. The fact that Mandarin and English originated from different language families might explain the major differences between the two tongues.

Difference in Alphabet

While the English alphabet is composed of twenty-six letters, Mandarin, on the other hand, does not have any. Instead, the Mandarin written language is composed of characters. Mandarin's logographic system is composed of about 10,000 characters, of which an average Mandarin speaker needs to know only about 3,000 to communicate with the language well. While in English, you need to put the letters together to form a word, in Mandarin each character corresponds to a word, which can be combined to form more complex words or concepts.

Difference in Phonology

Mandarin is a tonal language, which means it uses pitch to convey word meanings. In English, changes in pitch help express sentiment. Mandarin has four tones, high level, rising, dipping and falling; the neutral tone makes the fifth. These tones render different meanings to words.

In addition, English vowel sounds are more numerous as compared to Chinese. For example, words like full/fool and fit/feet are typically mispronounced by Mandarin speakers. Dipthongs, like the long vowel sounds, are usually shortened to make a single sound.

Difference in vocabulary

The combination of particles with short verbs to create phrasal verbs does not apply in Mandarin. In English, this is very common with verbs like "look up to", "give in" and others.

Difference in Grammar

Mandarin is not an inflected language. The sentiment is communicated through adverbials (such as time or manner), word order or contextual meaning. Different verb forms and tenses do not convey the perception of time in Mandarin. This is dissimilar to English where much of the idea is expressed through the use of verb tense and auxiliaries, such as in walk/walks/walked or is/was/are/were. Basically, the verb system of English is more complex than that of Mandarin.

Modal verbs (can, will, should, etc.) are limited in Mandarin. English, meanwhile, makes use of modals to express varying intensities or meaning. That is the reason why, for instance, Mandarin speakers may seem to be dictatorial when they make recommendations, requests and appeals.

The word order is also different between English and Mandarin. In questions, English inverts the subject and the verb, while Mandarin expresses this by adding words to indicate a question. In Mandarin, adverbials come before verbs; whereas there are many rules that direct their position in English sentences.

Indeed, there are significant differences between Mandarin and English. But this should not hinder you from learning Mandarin (if you are an English speaker) or English (if you are a Mandarin speaker) as learning both tongues brings so many benefits.

Daniel C Howard is a language teacher living in Asia. He has over a decade of experience teaching all ages a variety of subjects. For free info and lessons on Mandarin Chinese, please visit his blog here.

You can also sign up for a newsletter full of free language tips from Daniel's many hours in a class. And as a bonus, stay updated on all the new information on http://www.learnmagnificentmandarin.com/.

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Chinese Language Learning Software: 3 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Chinese Language Course

Want to learn Chinese online? Great! There are lots of wonderful programs to choose from. Unfortunately, lots of not so wonderful programs have also been thrown into the mix. There are also programs that may be good for some but not so good for others, including you. So, how do you weave your way through the mess and find the program that's right for you? Ask the 3 questions below and you will find the Chinese language learning program that's best for you.

Question 1: Does it Offer a Free Trial?

This is pretty straightforward, but it's important. Never purchase a program that doesn't offer a free trial. All reputable programs have them. Plus, to get the information I am going to outline below, you need to get inside the actual program.

Question 2: Does it Cover the 4 Core Language Learning Components?

A good Chinese language learning program will cover each of the four core language learning components, which are reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Even if your main goal is to speak the language, you can't neglect the other three components. Why? Because together they greatly improve the quality of your learning. For example, it would be very difficult to learn how to pronounce Chinese tones if you didn't first learn to read pinyin.

Learning to write? That's a great way to master Chinese grammar, which is something you'll need to understand if you want to speak in a fluent and natural way. Perhaps most importantly, your brain learns in different ways, and if you stick to just one learning style, you will become fatigued and bored. If you mix things up, on the other hand, you will stay fresh, and you will retain information much better, when compared to focusing on just one core learning component.

Why have I made this point? Because I have seen, lately, a flood of new web-based programs that focus, almost exclusively, on audio programs. It's Podcast this and Podcast that all over the place! Don't get me wrong. The audio component of any online Chinese language learning system is the bread and butter of the program, so it's fine that companies focus on it. Before putting your hard-earned money on the table, though, make sure you're getting a complete program, one that offers reading, writing, listening, and speaking instruction, not just a bunch of MP3 audio files.

Question 3: What's the Price Structure

There is something that drives me absolutely crazy, and it will drive you crazy too--tiered pricing. I found a program like this just the other day. It was a subscription-based program that was just a few dollars per month. Pretty reasonable, it seemed. But then I logged into the classroom and found that I could access only the audio programs. I was blocked when I tried to download the dialogues. I was denied when I tried to access the learning games. The door was slammed in my face when I tried to enter the forum.

Those things were only for "Premium Members." Well, some of those things, anyway. Other things were open only to "Gold Members." To access the full course, I learned, you had to pay $25 per month, or $400 a year (if you didn't pay annually the price was higher). That's absurd! The best Chinese language learning software programs on the market can be purchased outright for about a hundred bucks.

Am I saying to avoid all subscription-based services that have tiered pricing? No, but here is what I am saying. When looking at these programs, look only at the most expensive option. That is the only one you can use. All other options are just teasers.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right Chinese language learning program is important. Choose a good one and you'll have a successful learning experience. Choose a bad one and you'll wind up confused and frustrated. To ensure that you choose a good one, take advantage of free trials, use programs that cover the four core language components, and be suspicious of tiered pricing schemes.

Looking for Chinese software? Read my Rocket Chinese Review. I take you with me step-by-step as I learn with the software (lots of screen shots).

Have a great day!

Ryan Wiley
Founder
The Live in Asia Blog

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Learn Chinese Using Online Curriculum Courses

Almost all Mandarin students will investigate the net for opportunities to practice their Chinese. Premium online courses now deliver high quality material for study and many students will supplement their Chinese learning by purchasing a product.

To learn Chinese Online can be effective - but cutting through the hype to find the right product is time consuming. Without a proper understanding of language methodology and/or technology many people become confused and either give up on their search or end up purchasing an 'ill fitting' course. This is a pity as there are a couple of excellent courses that would really benefit students learning Chinese as a foreign language.

Online Curriculum Courses - the Best Solution for Beginners.

Online self-learning curriculums have a long history stretching back to the audio-lingual courses for gramophones. Over time some products dropped out but the better companies kept moving with the times and eventually transferred and developed their product to utilise the internet. New products also entered the market.

Online curriculum courses are basically automated learning solutions. Once you start you will find that the learning journey is already mapped out before you. All you are required to do is follow and complete the course.

The journey which you take has been designed to give you maximum benefit and exposes you to targeted language learning techniques. A good curriculum designer knows that learning a language is not just about learning a word or phrase; rather it is learning how to learn - the techniques and strategies that bring results. By finishing a course you will have picked up enough to begin formulating your own study plans.

Learning Chinese Online has its Problems.

Self-learning courses do have negatives. The biggest killer for studying online is distraction - it is so easy to end up browsing endlessly rather than buckling down to the task at hand.

What is important is to focus and believe in the process that the curriculum is exposing you to - as ceasing to use it will take you back to square one.

It is also important to realise that any language learning requires the will to self-learn - this is particularly so when learning Chinese online.

Breaking the Pain Barrier.

Any type of learning that is of value is going to be painful at times and only those who can take the pain will eventually reap their rewards. Curriculum courses are designed to give your learning some structure and to make the process as economical as possible. But not all courses will give you support.

The Important Features of an online Chinese Learning Course.

If you are new to learning Chinese you will find many offerings on the net. Take care when a product says you can learn Chinese in 5 minutes or some other catch phrase - rather look at the features and resources they provide.

The key elements to an online Chinese language course are structured recordings of the language so that you can listen, practice and develop. Also look for courses that offer motivational resources and support.

Quentin Sallis is an expert in Language Education and Language Curriculum Design. For an analysis of a Beginners Chinese Course please feel free to read his Rocket Chinese Review. For other tips and strategies for improving your Chinese check out http://www.checkoutchinese.com/

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Corporate Business Lessons - English Language Teachers

English has become the language of business. If you are an international company that does any business deals with speakers of another language you are probably doing those dealings in English. English is the language to learn for all international business trading. There are several ways to learn business English. Some of them include being taught by a local non-native English speaker, being taught by a computer program with expensive software, and learning English over video chat with a native English teacher that lives in an English speaking country. English can be learned with any techniques, these are just some of the options.

Learning English from a non-native English speaker can be difficult in a variety of ways. Especially if the person teaching you is not a teacher, things can become very hard. English has a lot of small rules that are often broken. To really know what you are learning and how useful it is to you, you will need to speak with a native English speaker. Also learning from a local person may not give you the business English lessons that you need to do international business. To learn the proper English for your needs you should probably consider another way to get the training you need.

English can be taught effectively by a computer program. The tools are all there to give you the knowledge you are paying hand over fist for. The real drawback to using computer software is that it can sometimes not give the focus that you are looking for. Also there is no real feedback system that lets you know you are doing well or poor in specific areas. If you decide to go with computer software to learn business English lessons you should be prepared to pay a considerable amount. English can be learned with programs but is better suited to human interaction.

With the power of the internet learning to speak English through video chat with a person living in an English speaking country can be simple. The prices are for one person's concentrated time that they give directly to you each time you call. The service will provide feedback and relevant information about the English language. With a proper English tutor business English lessons can be at your finger tips and not for an exorbitant price. If you are considering learning English for your business needs make sure to choose the best option for you. The options are out there for your choosing.

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Chinese: The Trickiest Language To Learn And Its Effects On The Challenges Of Chinese Translation

To begin with there really isn't any one single Chinese language. There are a number of languages that are home to China which are completely different from each other. While two languages like Ukrainian and Chinese, or Spanish and Italian, hold a number of similarities and are largely intelligible to each other, this doesn't hold true when it comes to the various languages that were born within China. However in general when people speak about the Chinese language they are speaking about Mandarin Chinese, so let's focus on that one. Mandarin Chinese translation is difficult enough as is without considering all the other potentially relevant languages.

One of the biggest difficulties when it comes to the Chinese language and its complexity is the fact that there is a significant amount of tension between the language as it is spoken compared to the language as it is written. A big reason for this is the fact that the Chinese spoken language has changed significantly and continues to evolve and grow and adapt, taking on new characteristics and losing others as time goes on, while the written Chinese language has not changed to quite the same degree. To oversimplify the issue even further for the sake of brevity, over the lifespan of the Chinese language its spoken component has changed more rapidly and more significantly than its written component.

The written language of Chinese also plays such a significantly difficult role in Chinese translation due to its most apparent characteristics- written Chinese is still heavily indebted to and in entrenched within the nation's earliest hieroglyphics. While many other world languages have adopted a more pared down alphabet revolving around the combination of letters, the Chinese system of writing still revolves at least partially around a system of somewhat abstracted pictographs. This statement once again oversimplifies the point as there is a system of phonics within the written Chinese language, but overall the difference between written English and written Chinese is SIGNIFICANTLY different than written English and written Spanish, or even written English and a language that utilizes a different alphabet such as written Russian.

All of this is to say nothing about the many other significant differences between the languages, such as the importance of tonality as it ascribes to meaning within the different languages, the differences of grammar, etc.

Overall due to the difficulty of the Chinese language it is far better to simply hire on a professional to perform Chinese to English translation for you than it is to attempt to learn and understand the language within a very short period of time. Learning the Chinese language to the degree where you'll be able to produce a clear and accurate translation requires a truly significant amount of time, and unless you choose to learn the language for your own purposes it's almost always better to stick with a qualified and trained Chinese translator from a translation agency.

Charlene Lacandazo is a marketing executive for Rosetta Translation, a leading full-service translation agency in London, UK.

Rosetta Translation specialises in Chinese translation worldwide.

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Learn Spanish In Spain, The Fastest Way To Learn Spanish

A new language can open new doors and send your life in a completely new path. The quickest way to learn is to have the need to learn. If you need to learn then you will learn much quicker. Necessity is the mother of invention after all. You will learn Spanish much quicker if you learn Spanish in Spain.

Spanish is the one of the widest spoken languages in the world. It is spoken in countries spread across the planet and is understood by over 50% of the world's population.

Living in Spain

The easiest way to learn a language is to live in the country that speaks it. The Spanish people are friendly and welcoming and Spain is a lovely country to live in. Why not join the thousands of ex-pats already living in Spain. The country has a laid back attitude, low cost of living and some of the most beautiful shore lines in the world.

Reading on the internet is one thing but living in the country is something completely different. Everything is different. Buying property, using the facilities and the language barrier are some of the things that you will need to think about and things that you will need to contend with.

The majority of ex-pats live in around the costas, mainly because they have probably visited the areas on vacation. But some of the inland areas of Spain are every bit as stunning as the shore resorts.

Learning Spanish

So you have made the decision to learn the language, but where do you start? Your ideal will be to be residing in Spain and learning from the locals. This is probably the route to fluent Spanish but you will need to be reasonably proficient before you land in sunny Spain. A good guide can help you get by but the best way is on-line, in the comfort of your own home.

The basics

Like anything in life you should start with the basics. Repeating 'hello' and 'goodbye' over and over again may seem like a joyless task, and really it is, but it isn't pointless. It will get you accustomed to the Spanish lingo. A good audio guide can be a great tool or if possible a tutor. Try to keep it fun.

Intermediate

The basics are firmly implanted in your head. It is time to move onto the next stage. Remember you need to keep everything fun and you will learn much faster. You can move onto complete sentences and phrases, a more conversational approach. You are probably ready to move to Spain and start your path to fluent Spanish. You will only really become proficient once you are forced to interact with the locals, order food off them and hang out with them.

Much like the country itself Spanish is a beautiful. It isn't as hard to learn as you imagine and you will find yourself picking it up in no time.

Learning Spanish online is the fastest way. It can be a challenge but with the right help you can get there fast!

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Have Fun With Rocket Spanish

Would you like to learn Spanish and have fun at the same time? Did you ever had a nightmare that you were traveling in Spain and no one could understand your English? There are many inconvenient situations when you could benefit from your Spanish knowledge, so don't hesitate. The best way to learn this Latin language may well be very different for all of us.

There are many ways to do it. First of all you can learn to speak with the help of a friend. This method ensures that you have a support structure as you learn together. In case you do not have a friend to help you, don't give it up right away, because with the help of online courses you can learn on your own. These courses are created to make your learning easy and fun. Learning Spanish with software is a great way to learn and it will often get you better results than traditional textbook methods. Learning online is one of the best ways to get your language skills from where they are to where you want them to be.

Rocket Spanish is a very helpful software for those people who wish to learn Spanish in an efficient way. This tool may be the only interactive online Spanish learning software program that you can purchase an at a cost way beneath the competing products. Rocket Spanish is a program made for those who need to learn Spanish quickly and don't have much time to learn. It is one of the best language courses available online. It is designed with the intention that anybody who wants to learn to speak Spanish can use it easily. Rocket Spanish is also very effective as it is a structured and relevant course. It is probably the most popular of the online courses nowadays. Rocket Spanish will definitely suit learners from newbies to any person needing to enhance their Spanish knowledge, or perhaps fresh up on it. This tool is a very user friendly Spanish learning program.

Learning Spanish is becoming increasingly popular with both Americans and Europeans. Learning this language does not have to be a difficult process. Learning to speak can be not just simple and easy, but exciting too. By using Rocket Spanish, you will learn Spanish in an exciting way, using technology and focusing on communication. These types of language courses are loaded with visual images to help you retain what you've learned. They also have interactive games and quizzes to keep learning fun.

Visit LanguageCourseReview.com for a complete review on Rocket Spanish and make sure you read about Learning Spanish Like Crazy too.

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Learning Uncommon And Common Spanish Vocabulary Words

In this lesson, we will learn some more common Spanish vocabulary words and uncommon Spanish vocabulary words. These 4 Spanish vocabulary words are really what I consider "uncommon common Spanish words."

They are uncommon because I did not learn them from any of the many home-study Spanish courses that I used to learn Spanish. They are common because I hear these words used very often here in Medellin, Colombia. And by the way, these words are not only spoken in Colombia but everywhere in the Spanish speaking world.

1. Escote - cleavage

Esa mujer esta mostrando su escote.
That woman is showing her cleavage.

2. Estria - stretch marks

Las estrias son un problema comun en las mujeres.
Stretch marks are a common problem with women.

3. Postizo - something false that replaces something natural (i.e. fake)

Medellin and some other cities in Colombia are known for plastic surgery. Both men and women
from all over the world come to Medellin for plastic surgery or "cirugia plastica." Some of the types of surgery that women come to Medellin to get are:

- Senos postizos (synthetic breasts or breast enhancements -- the formal or proper phrase)
- Tetas postizas (synthetic breasts or breast enhancements -- the informal phrase)
- Culo postizo (enhancement or implants of the buttocks -- VERY INFORMAL phrase)

4. Caspa - dandruff

Lina compro un producto especial para lavar el cabello, porque esta harto de tener caspa.
Lina bought a special product in order to wash her hair because she is fed up with having dandruff.

If you wish to learn more common as well as uncommon Spanish vocabulary words, you should practice your Spanish with native Spanish speakers every change you get, especially regular Spanish speaking folks as opposed to your Spanish instructor.

Spanish instructors have a tendency to teach their students the most common Spanish vocabulary words. This may be helpful when trying to achieve a conversational level in Spanish. But if you want to be completely fluent in Spanish, then you need to practice as much as possible with regular folks.

This is also helpful not only for learning additional everyday vocabulary words, but it also helpful for learning how to comprehend spoken Spanish. If you have practiced this language with a Spanish instructor and then had the chance to listen to regular folks speak, then you probably noticed that regular folks tend to speak a lot quicker than your instructor and do not clearly announce every syllable as your instructor does.

Pat Jackson is the Founder of Learning Spanish Like Crazy - the only learning Spanish method that teaches real authentic everyday conversational Latin American Spanish. Pat presently lives in Medellin, Colombia - the City of Eternal Spring. If you would like to get FREE Instant access to the first 2 MP3 auido lessons of Learning Spanish Like Crazy and get FREE instant access to 10 learning Spanish videos from one of our BEAUTIFUL native-Spanish speaking Latina instructors, then go here now: Learn Spanish online That's http://www.LearningSpanishLikeCrazy.com/

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Spoken English Lessons - Learning English for a Better You

There are few things you can do that are as rewarding as learning to speak a new language. Of the many languages spoken throughout the world few are as common and available as English. The English language is currently the business of language, so learning English can benefit you in more ways than just expanding your horizons. There is a new trend in the market of English lessons and that is to be taught by having one-on-one conversations with a native English speaking teacher. Even if you do not live in one of the English speaking country spoken English lessons are available through the internet.

The internet has opened up the world to those wanting to learn a new language. The best way to learn a language is to hear it from and communicate with a person who can instruct you. English has lots of facets and rules that can make it a difficult language to digest. Trying to learn English on your own is just not practical. If you try an online course of spoken English lessons there will be concentrated effort to help you in the exact areas that you need help in. Teachers with high recommendations and university certification can coach you through the process.

Conversation is the easiest way to learn a language. Pick up on words and pronunciations you would likely not hear otherwise. When you sit with someone in conversation there is a great deal of back and forth that makes the conversation work. If you are still learning a language you can pick up on these subtle things and use them faster than someone who was taught them. Spoken English lessons are one of the fastest ways to get a real comprehension of the English language. Learning is not easy and required patience and dedication but can be very beneficial and is worth the effort.

If you are debating beginning a course of spoken English lessons, you should give it a try to see how it works for you. English speakers are ready to teach you just by talking and correcting errors. As you learn English opportunities will be made open for you. When considering a program to learn English there are some options that are available that you should look into. There are video chat sessions that you can meet with the same teacher for every class. You will talk in every session and see what needs improvement and what you are doing well.

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How To Prepare Yourself To Learn Another Language

So you want to learn another language but you are not sure if you are capable of doing it? Relax, it is not rocket science when it comes to learning a second language. If millions of people can do it, so can you.

What do you gain out of learning a language? You will surely be increasing your intellect because you will be understanding more concepts from different countries or perspectives. You will also have a wider understanding of world issues and views because now you can understand what other people are saying. And in a less serious note, you will feel a lot better knowing you are capable of pulling it off.

And so if you are serious to learn another language, here are a few of the things that you need to understand or prepare yourself with.

Just relax and take it easy. You might even say that you should have much fun out of it because if you are not having fun then everything will surely be harder for you to understand and achieve. Learning a new language is without a doubt not an easy task that is why you should make it as light as possible, at least with how you feel towards it so that it will not feel too tasking on your mind.

Build up your vocabulary. Every language is composed of words and for you to understand the whole language you need to understand each word. Not just the meaning but also how they are used within a sentence. So on the onset of your training you should buy a dictionary. But not just any dictionary, try your best to look for the authority in dictionaries in that language, something like the Merriam-Webster of that language. This is so you know exactly from the start the real and full meaning of the words that you encounter.

You should also make it a habit to listen and read every single day on all the materials that you can get your hands on in that language. For example, if you want to learn Japanese then you should watch Japanese TV shows that are not translated in English. This way you will be familiarizing yourself with how the language sounds, how it is used, and also how every word is spoken or delivered. You should focus particularly with news sites because the anchors there are trained to speak the language as clearly and as perfectly as possible.

And probably the most important thing of all is this: spend the time to learn it. You should allot an hour or two each day just to learning that new language. If you are serious about it then you should spend more hours into it to help speed your learning process. Spend an hour writing in that language, spend an hour listening to that language, and spend an hour speaking it. That is a total of three hours, but for the serious individuals, three hours may not even be enough. It really depends on you.

So there you have it. These are just some of the things that you should be doing if you want to learn another language. It is not easy and you will have to spend considerable time and effort, however in the end it will be all worth it.

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The Key To Developing Fluency In French

Nobody has ever said the learning to speak French is easy. But is there one thing--maybe a kind of silver bullet--that one could call the key strategy for effectively improving your spoken French? This is a hard question because there are so many things that one should be doing. Listen to songs, visit the country, live with a host family, take private classes, find a language buddy, watch TV and movies in the language, read comic books, novels and newspapers, etc. The list of things to do to improve your French is long.

But there is one key thing that will probably give you the most bang for the buck. I call it creative imitation. It's nothing new; it's really how children learn languages. They simply imitate the people around them.

For adults, it's a lot more work. But first of all, what are we trying to accomplish? Fluency in French means two things. Firstly, you want to be able speak spontaneously, smoothly and effortlessly. French should just roll off your tongue. Well, that's the idea. Getting there is the hard part. What you don't want to do is fumble, stutter and have people waiting while you search for that lost word. That's when most people give up and switch to English, to the relief of everybody.

Secondly, you do want to speak accurately. We all make mistakes, and people know that French is not your native tongue, but you don't want to make horrendous grammatical mistakes that will grate the ears of your listeners. French is a bit of an unforgiving language. Most people feel you either speak it well or not at all.

The fundamental idea of creative imitation is to simply observe and reproduce entire dialogs and phrases word for word until you feel comfortable. This obviously works particularly well in immersion where you are surrounded by the language. In your notebook--you do have a little notebook for this very reason, right?--you write down as best as you can something that you wish to imitate. You can try it right away if you have the courage. Or you may prefer to run it by your teacher and repeat it aloud a few times.

Another approach is to find or create some dialogs or phrases in books or in whatever materials you are using. Just make sure that the material is authentic and up-to-date. Flashcards are wonderful for this sort of thing. When you leave the house, always take your notebook or flashcards with you.

In any case, you want to rehearse your material ten to twenty times or whatever it takes to etch it into your memory.

This approach works wonders at various levels. Your understanding of spoken French will improve quickly because you are using authentic materials. At the same time, you will quickly develop a repertoire of useful things to say correctly in various contexts. This is great for self-esteem because of the positive feedback you will get from native speakers. And in no time your French will have improved considerably.

Stanley Aleong specializes in learning strategies for foreign languages at the advanced level. He believes that a highly effective strategy for achieving advanced proficiency in French or Spanish is to work with many carefully selected authentic examples. To learn more about some very effective learning tools based on this principle, visit Advanced French / Spanish

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