Get help, advice and information on all your Reference and Education issues. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/language.htm Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:22:41 GMT en The best way to learn Spanish language is the way which suits you most. Before you proceed to join any Spanish language class or buy a book or anything else, you should be asking yourself, Why the heck Id learn to speak Spanish? You could learn Spanish for one or more reasons but make it absolutely sure that you know what exactly you are doing. People learn Spanish to provide better support to their customers, if they are in business. Students learn Spanish to pursue their academic interests as well as a hobby. Your job could compel you to learn the Spanish language. If you are traveling to a Latin American country, the ability to speak Spanish could immensely help you to communicate with the locales. And there are several other reasons for which you might be interested to learn Spanish. But whatever your reason might be, its a wise decision you have taken to learn to speak Spanish. In the US alone the Spanish is increasing being used in all walks of life and none would be surprised if it is recognized a s the second official language in the US along with English. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/83954_The_Best_Way_To_Learn_Spanish_Language.html Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:38:05 GMT Is it worth the extra money to purchase an elecgtronic dictionary with sound? The following comments have specific reference to learning Spanish but I believe they are relevant to the learning of other languages as well. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/82801_Talking_Dictionaries_And_Language_Learning.html Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:25:00 GMT At one time, in the not so distant past, computers were not commonly found in homes. Computers served as a time saving device for businesses and offices and they were big, heavy, unattractive and very expensive. Over time computers, have become smaller, lighter, operate faster and have price significantly dropped in price. Thus many more of us have incorporated computers into our daily lives and homes. Today, most of us would be lost without our computers, electronic devices and the Internet! Before the age of computers, the only way to correspond with others at a distance was through letters written by hand or on a typewriter. There was no spell check or grammar check to make life easy. People had to rely on their own proof reading and language skills in order to be understood. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/82269_The_Use_Of_Formal_English_Vs_Internet_English_How_Has_The_Internet_Degraded_Language_Skills.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:16:43 GMT Many people are taking advantage of the immersion of the simple language skills approach of English as a second language courses in order to improve their basic English skills, and build a working vocabulary for work and school. Learning courses are available through many different avenues, including programs offered by educational facilities such as the University of Toronto. But what about for the person who, because of distance or time, cannot access the various campuses on which ESL courses are run? Well, the good news for any person who wishes to build a working knowledge of English for conversing within an English speaking country is that thanks to the Internet, where you live is no longer a mitigating factor when it comes to leaning English, even through a program that might be local in conception. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/81447_English_As_A_Second_Language_-_Is_Online_Learning_Available.html Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:57:12 GMT Learning a new language doesnt have to be hard or tedious. It can be fun, if you have the right tools. No doubt, youve visited a book store or searched online only to find a ton of language learning kits and books. It can make finding which one is the right one very hard. In most cases, you can learn a new language with an hour. Yes, thats right. Before you go out and spend your hard earned money on a language program, you first should understand what will be involved in learning the new language. First, take the language apart and understand how it is put together. This is one of the fastest ways to learn a new language. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/78162_How_To_Learn_Any_Language_In_1_Hour_Quickly__Easily.html Mon, 18 Feb 2008 10:07:46 GMT When writing in the English language, there are rules that must be followed in order for the reader to understand the text. Without writing rules, words would be sprawled all over the page without making much sense, but with these rules in place, what is on the page can be processed and a mental image be developed. Otherwise, English-speaking people would be intellectually deficient due to the lack of quality reading materials. Spelling http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/76732_The_5_Most_Common_English_Language_Writing_Rules.html Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:23:59 GMT Many schools or universities require the study of a foreign language. Before you start resenting the very idea of it, consider that it could be to your advantage for you to study and master a foreign language. Make no mistake about it: the whole world does NOT speak English. For anyone who has travelled to anywhere but the very largest of the worlds capitals, local people still primarily speak the local language and not English. To speak with them, the only way to do so will be to learn their language. Here are 5 reasons to why you should study a foreign language: http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/66888_5_Reasons_To_Study_A_Foreign_Language.html Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:17:24 GMT Many of us have at one time or another fantasized about becoming fluent in a foreign language. At that point, most people take the path toward half-hearted attempts at learning but never really become proficient. Meanwhile, a brave few commit themselves and really make it happen. What makes the folks who choose the latter path undertake the countless hour of study, occasional moments of embarrassment, and the uncertainty of success? My road to mastery of a foreign language - Japanese - began in college. It was tough going at first, but over the ensuing 15 or so years I attained a high level of proficiency in the language: I have given lectures at Japanese universities, critiqued essays for Japanese college students, and translated books from English into Japanese. And along the way, I have come to believe in the inherent value of learning and mastering a foreign language. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/66448_Why_Learn_A_Foreign_Language_-_5_Reasons.html Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:32:19 GMT The Japanese Language Proficiency Test, or JLPT, is administered only once per year and is taken by about 380,000 (1995 figures) non-native speakers of Japanese each year worldwide. The test is divided into four levels (1-4), with Level 1 being the most difficult. The Level 1 has a pass rate of only 29. After 4 years of university study of Japanese in my native country, I doubt I would have passed anything beyond Level 3 of the JLPT upon graduation. However, using the techniques I share with you below, I studied for and passed Level 1 of the JLPT on the first try after just 15 months of additional study (while working full time). This success was due not to any innate linguistic talent of mine but rather to having worked out ways of studying smart. Here is what I found works best: http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/66440_Pass_The_Japanese_Language_Proficiency_Test_-_5_Tips.html Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:28:02 GMT Those who are utilizing the Internet to shop for the best language programs available to students of beginnings, intermediate as well as advanced speaking abilities are without a doubt familiar with EuroTalk.(www.eurotalk.ie) Specializing in mainstream languages, such as Russian, German, English, French, and Spanish, the company has also made available teaching packages for the more exotic language choices, including Hawaiian, Mandarin, and Basque. With the addition of LanguageLab, EuroTalk is furthermore taking the educational market by storm simply by providing an almost failsafe addition to the everyday classroom setting that benefits both teachers and students. Utilizing native speakers and an interactive approach, EuroTalk is indeed considered one of the leaders in foreign language training. Yet it is interesting to note that the company does not limit itself to languages alone and instead offers a wide variety of other attractive programs as well. Computer tutorials are offered side by side with general interest programs that will hone your driving skills, permit you to create your very one curriculum vita like a pro, and even teach you to type or increase your typing speed if you already have a rudimentary understanding of the process. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61365_Transcending_Interactive_Language_Lessons_With_Eurotalk.html Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:40:24 GMT While language labs have been around for decades, thus far the ability for students to actively participate in auditory learning of foreign languages has been curtailed in part by faulty equipment, outdated materials, and the high cost of supporting more than one group of students at a time. While native speakers in the past have been used to record the phrases and while students had the opportunity to repeat them and at times even record themselves, the general lack of high quality interactive media made this approach to language learning only marginally better than simple book learning. EuroTalk is aware of the problems faced by todays language students in the educational setting, and to this hand the company has developed the Network Solutions package. Tailored to the needs of your classroom setting, you will have the opportunity to purchase a server disk with 50 licenses for users, a copy of any one of the available interactive language programs, and then simply install the setup onto your network. Functional for Windows, CSE, or RM, the EuroTalks LanguageLab product works! (www.eurotalk.ie) http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61364_Interactive_Language_Learning_For_The_Classroom.html Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:30:04 GMT If you have ever taken the time to research language courses on the Internet, you know that there is abundant material for the beginner and even a rather good selection for the intermediate student of a foreign language. Yet when it comes to quality materials for the advanced language learner, the shelves are conspicuously bare. While there are a number of books with grammatical conundrums as well as extensive vocabulary learning lists, the resources that rely on native foreign language speakers to advance the students knowledge in her or his target language are few and far between. EuroTalk (www.eurotalk.ie) has found a way to successfully fill this void with their easy to recognize native speaker interactive approach which combines fun with learning! Whether you are a student, business traveler, or just want to get ready for your next holiday, the advanced Movie Talk methodology is for you! http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61363_Interactive_Language_Learning_For_Advanced_Students.html Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:46:29 GMT EuroTalk is rapidly taking the foreign language classroom by storm. It does not matter if you are a student who needs some spoken word practice to supplement the book knowledge that is part and parcel of foreign language education in many a classroom, or a business executive who prepares for a foreign travel assignment and needs to be up to speed with the spoken word in a matter of weeks the odds are good that EuroTalk (www.eurotalk.ie) has the study materials to help you! Specializing in interactive learning methods that utilize video as well as audio recordings of native speakers, you will almost immediately begin to develop an ear for the language and its components. No longer will idioms be a mystery and expressions appear odd; instead, by leaving behind traditional methods of teaching languages in favor of the intensive listening strategy that is incorporated in the World Talk series of lessons for intermediate students, you will have the opportunity to listen to entire sentences and receive the training needed to pick out details that will give clues to the meaning the speaker is seeking to convey. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61362_Interactive_Language_Learning_For_Intermediate_Speakers.html Sun, 07 Oct 2007 04:53:14 GMT Those who have mastered the Talk Now curriculum of the EuroTalk interactive language learning system (www.eurotalk.ie)will now have the opportunity to build on their newfound skills and abilities by challenging themselves with the Talk More series. Having found that utilizing native speakers to teach their languages to eager students is a winning combination, EuroTalk is committed to helping their students soar! There is nothing more empowering than the mastery of a new skill as complex as learning a new language, but with the advanced beginner program you will be well on your way to put to good use what you have already learned and then use it as a springboard to advance your knowledge and your abilities even further. Not quite intermediate, but not exactly on the beginners level anymore either, the advanced beginner Talk More products will take the language student through a series of audio and video scenarios that enable an increased feel for the applicability of the words and phrases learned, while introducing new terminology that expands on the already developed knowledge base. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61361_Interactive_Language_Learning_For_Advanced_Beginners.html Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:14:57 GMT If you are an active member of the international business community, travel is an inescapable reality. Granted, much can be accomplished via telecommuting, teleconferencing, and even email, but for the make it or break it powerhouse presentations, you need to make a personal appearance to represent your company and not only sell your product, but also showcase your company in its best light. Yet for some business travelers, international travel is fraught with anxiety. Imagine the Irish traveler who is scheduled to close the big business deal in New York, America! It does not matter if you know the Queens English, the fact that American slang is a language of its own makes this a worrisome trip indeed, but with EuroTalks language (www.eurotalk.ie)learning through native tongue instructors, you will be able to master beginning level American speech in a few days! Other languages include French, German, Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin and many more. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61360_Interactive_Language_Learning_For_Beginners.html Sun, 07 Oct 2007 04:54:10 GMT Using PowerPoint Presentations in a Language Classroom If you teach in a language classroom (ESL or any other language really), eventually you will ask your students to do an in-class presentation. Presentations are a great way for students to showcase their abilities and gain confidence using their new language in a stressful yet safe environment. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/60247_Using_Powerpoint_Presentations_In_A__Language_Classroom.html Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:35:03 GMT Educators in Memphis Schools have strong opinions about the 2001 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act that will soon be up for renewal. So do most Americans. A recent Scripps Howard poll reported that two thirds of Americans want to have the act either rewritten or revoked completely. The poll found that those most familiar with the law were the most likely to be opposed to it. The reasons for this are echoed in the halls of Memphis Schools. With the goal of setting higher standards of accountability for public schools NCLB issued a number of unfounded mandates that have challenged Memphis Schools. The most pressing is the requirement that all children will test at proficient levels on state exams by 2014. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/53565_Memphis_Schools_Challenged_To_Bridge_Language_Gap.html Sun, 24 Jun 2007 15:56:32 GMT There are several reasons to learn a foreign language. Firstly, it is a well-known fact that by learning a new foreign language we get acquainted a new culture. So this is a way to become more intelligent and get to know more interesting facts about other countries and societies. This may be a poser if you are not interested in learning new cultures but still, if to get a closer look at the problem, you may find more reasons to do it. For example, you travel abroad to have a nice rest, lets say to Paris, and you dont know even a single word in French. You cant expect every Frenchman to know English; youll for sure meet a person that is not familiar with it. Then, just think about possibilities for your career growth if you are a free foreign language user. Some people earn pretty good money translating different books, english essays and articles into their native language. If your company is involved in international affairs, you must know at least the basis of the language of a partner to find a common ground with your foreign co-workers. English is an international language, no doubt about that. Native-speakers dont have to worry about being misunderstood at the airport, but what to do if your native language is for example Chinese or Arabian, that is extremely difficult to learn. But they, betraying their folkways, learn English and visit foreign English speaking countries to find success in their future business. Learning a foreign language has become an obligatory part of school program and now we can see some miraculous results. The english essay of the foreign school child may be more literate and well-structured than the one of the native-speaker. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/52580_Learning_A_Foreign_Language.html Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:31:00 GMT For those who wish to learn French language but think they cannot because of their busy schedules, there are actually plenty of options. In many countries, lots of institutions offer classes. However, not everyone has the opportunity to take these time-extensive courses that are spread over several years for in-depth learning. With the fast and busy pace of these modern times, lots of people need quicker and more convenient methods. Fortunately, there are learning techniques that can be squeezed into a tight schedule and yet still be effective. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/51203_How_To_Learn_French_Language_That_Fits_Your_Schedule.html Sun, 03 Jun 2007 03:05:57 GMT The Spanish alphabet only has three more letters than the English alphabet, ch (che), ll (elle) and n (ene). All three letters simply follow the letter from the English alphabet which starts with the same or similar letter. The Spanish alphabet is as follows: a,b,c,ch,d,e,f,g,h,I,j,k,l,ll,m,n,o,p,q,r,s,t,u,v,w,x,y,z. However, there is some controversy over the letters w and k due to their similar language origin. No Spanish words contain the letters w and k unless added through translation. Also, the letter rr is used in some versions of the Spanish alphabet when the r is rolled. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/50985_Learning_The_Alphabet_And_Language_Of_Spain.html Sun, 03 Jun 2007 00:29:56 GMT Orlando Schools Administrators Visit China Several Orlando School administrators will be among the nearly four hundred curriculum developers and administrators from around the nation to visit China in an effort to create and expand educational programs that teach Chinese language and culture in America. The trip to China will last one week from June 27 through July 5. The trip is in cooperation with Hanban, Chinas Office of Chinese Language Council International, in partnership with the College Board, the Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools (CLASS), and the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages (NCSSFL). The visit will focus on the incentives and strategies that educators can take back to their own schools and use to support the growth of Chinese programs. Currently there are only about 24,000 students in the US studying Chinese compared with close to 150 million Chinese students studying English. During the trip, educators will have an opportunity to meet with Chinese education leaders, build sister school http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/49328_Orlando_Schools_Aim_To_Improve_Language_Program.html Sat, 12 May 2007 09:02:27 GMT Washington D.C.s Language Access Act In 2004, the Washington D.C. enacted the Language Access Act. The Act was created in order to grant greater access to and participation in public schools and other public services for those residents that have limited or no English proficiency. The Act is designed to address four crucial areas of language use and access to public services. These four areas are: the need for and the offering of oral language services; providing of written translation of key documents into other languages that have populations constitutes 3 or 500 individuals, whichever is less, of the population served or encountered, or likely to be served or encountered; establishment of language access plans that best services these populations; and finally creating language access coordination. The District of Columbia is focusing at this time on these five languages; Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Amharic. As a public service the Washington D.C. School District has also made steps to provide adjustments in its language and http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/48739_Washington_Dc_School_District_Takes_Aim_At_Language_And_Cultural_Education.html Sat, 05 May 2007 22:49:39 GMT