Archive for 'Archived Posts'
5 Interesting Careers for Language Lovers (Beyond Translators and Interpreters) Posted by meaghan on Jun 11, 2014 in Archived Posts
When thinking of foreign language-related careers, the first options that come to mind are probably translator, interpreter, and foreign language teacher. Surely, none of those are bad options for a language lover. But linguaphiles aren’t limited to such narrow career paths, and often have interests beyond language learning (blasphemy, I know!) In fact, studying languages…
Get Your Head in the Game: 2014 World Cup of Languages Contest! Posted by meaghan on Jun 9, 2014 in Archived Posts
Imagine if the Super Bowl lasted an entire month, featured teams from every corner of the globe, received more than 3 billion views worldwide, and only came around once every four years. That, friends, is the FIFA World Cup™, with less American “football” and a whole lot more fútbol. Even if you aren’t a fan…
Why on earth would you learn THAT language? Posted by meaghan on Jun 4, 2014 in Archived Posts
Learning a less common language? Chances are someone (or practically everyone) has asked you, completely bewildered, “Why on earth would you learn that language?” Here are a few replies you can choose from. Or, heck, send them all of these fine reasons to learn whatever language your heart desires: 1. I’m making gains with my…
5 Things for Adults to Keep in Mind when Learning a Foreign Language Posted by mtaulier on May 28, 2014 in Archived Posts
We’re all familiar with the famous adage “Children’s brains are like sponges.” People often make this reference to children in the developmental stages who are learning a language for the first time. It’s always amazing to see a child pick up a language just by listening. It’s even more amazing to witness children who live…
The Benefits (and Drawbacks) of Looking Foreign Posted by Malachi Rempen on May 26, 2014 in Archived Posts
As you can see from my profile picture at the bottom of this post, I’m relatively Germanic-looking: blonde hair, blue eyes, pasty white skin. This means I often get confused for an actual German person, usually by Germans. They’ll approach me on the street selling this or that or asking directions, beginning with a veritable…
Teaching Yourself a Language? Then Act Like a Teacher! Posted by meaghan on May 21, 2014 in Archived Posts
When you’re learning a language on your own, you have to play both roles: student and teacher. The problem is, while we’re all fairly familiar with being a student (for better or worse!) most of us aren’t too familiar with the other side of the equation. This imbalance can lead you into an ineffective language…
Language and Culture Barriers in Public Safety Professions Posted by rolson on May 19, 2014 in Archived Posts
Today’s law enforcement, corrections, and emergency services personnel are under immense pressure to perform daily duties in increasingly diverse environments. Linguistic and cultural barriers can arise, rendering routine operations difficult and potentially dangerous. Training personnel in languages and cross-cultural sensitivity arms them with the ability to better understand and interact professionally in an increasingly global…