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Listening is the Black Sheep of Language Learning Skills Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 30, 2018 in For Learners, Learning + Usage Tips
When learning a language, there’s one skill that’s more neglected than the others. It’s underestimated both in terms of its complexity and its utility. It’s less glamorous than speaking, and more difficult to master than reading. Listening, unfortunately, is the black sheep of language learning. A recently-posted discussion thread on Quora began with the question…
Learn Latin with Transparent Language Online Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 16, 2018 in For Learners, Learning Material Updates
If Latin is a dead language, why is it still so useful in modern life? In an educational system that prioritizes STEM and hard skills, where spoken languages can be swapped out for coding languages, it can be hard to drum up interest in Latin. But the so-called “dead language” complements nearly any skill set…
Designing Language Technology That is “Worth It” for Educators Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 2, 2018 in Class Management Updates, For Educators, Lesson Authoring Updates
Educators’ confidence in digital tools is increasing, but legitimate concerns remain. Not all ed tech is designed or implemented equally, so how can language teachers find the right tools to meet their needs—and the needs of their students? A 2015 report by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation found a shift in the perception of…
Prepare for the American Citizenship Test with Transparent Language Online Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 16, 2018 in For Learners, For Libraries, Learning Material Updates
The United States has a long history of welcoming people from other countries and cultures. But before they can be welcomed officially in the form of citizenship, newcomers must pass the test. Proctored by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Citizenship test include a civics section with 100 potential questions. Hopefuls are asked only 10, of…
Libraries Lead the Charge for a Multilingual America Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 9, 2018 in For Libraries
This week marks the 50th annual National Library Week, a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries—and librarians. The theme for this year’s National Library Week is: “Libraries lead.” This is not just a nice sentiment—it’s a fact, reinforced by our dealings with more than 1,000 libraries throughout the US and beyond. We…
New ESL Materials: Advanced Conversations in English Course Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 2, 2018 in For Learners, For Libraries, Learning Material Updates
Though we offer more than 100 languages in Transparent Language Online and the CL-150, our most requested language continues to be English. We’re excited to continue expanding our collection of English materials. We have traditionally supported beginner and intermediate level learners, from elementary students who need basic, age-appropriate vocabulary to get through their school to…
When should language learners focus on the depth of their vocabulary? Posted by Transparent Language on Mar 19, 2018 in For Learners, Learning + Usage Tips
Last week, we discussed the importance of building vocabulary breadth—or the number of words you know—when trying to improve proficiency. To very briefly recap, we cited studies that demonstrate that of all the factors contributing to language proficiency, vocabulary size is by far the single most significant factor, accounting for anywhere from 50% to 70%…