Archive by Author
How to Determine Your Language Proficiency Level: ILR, ACTFL, and CEFR Scales Posted by meaghan on Oct 22, 2014 in For Learners
You’ve heard the mantra: How can you know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been? Cliché as it may be, this concept applies perfectly to learning a language. Knowing where you stand will help you set realistic goals, identify the resources that are best-suited for your level, and measure your progress over…
10 More Problems Only a Language Lover Will Understand Posted by meaghan on Oct 20, 2014 in Archived Posts
I’ve got 99 problems and learning a language ain’t one… but these 10 things are. (So are these 10 things from the first post, in case you missed it.) 1. When you think of the right word… immediately after using the wrong one. One day it will just come out naturally… right? 2. When you…
Why Language Learning is a Daily Commitment Posted by meaghan on Oct 13, 2014 in Archived Posts
Ever heard a product that claims that you can learn a language in 10 days? Ever met someone who actually truly learned a language in 10 days? Coincidence—I think not. The “secret” to language learning is just this: there is no secret! As with most things in life that are difficult to achieve (running a…
7 Ways to Memorize a Language and Still Understand It Posted by meaghan on Oct 8, 2014 in Archived Posts
We published a SlideShare earlier this month discussing “8 Mistakes that Haunt Language Learners”. One of these mistakes is worth a deeper look—the concept of memorizing what needs to be understood. It’s a big problem for anyone who wants to learn a language quickly, but more importantly sustain it over time and use it fluidly…
The Buddy System: 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Learn a Language Alone Posted by meaghan on Oct 1, 2014 in Archived Posts
We all remember clutching someone’s hand so we wouldn’t get left behind on a class field trip: the good ole’ buddy system. It’s a simple action, holding someone’s hand, but it provides that extra layer of safety and accountability we all needed at a young age. What about now that we’re a bit older, though?…
8 Mistakes That Haunt Language Learners (and How You Can Avoid Them!) Posted by meaghan on Sep 29, 2014 in Archived Posts
Language learners of all abilities and backgrounds have something in common: they make mistakes—lots and lots of them. Language teachers and experts actually encourage making mistakes, as each false friend you employ and every verb conjugation you mangle is a learning opportunity. Learning by doing (even doing wrong) is powerful. So, keep on makin’ mistakes…
5 Reasons Why You Should Pay Attention in Your Foreign Language Class Posted by meaghan on Sep 1, 2014 in Archived Posts
“I’m never going to use this language, why do I have to take this class?” “Everyone speaks English, so why do I have to learn another language?” As much as it saddens my language-loving heart to write such things, I see tweets from young students making claims like those above every single day. Most high schools…