The Words That Aren’t Being Said Posted by Malachi Rempen on Aug 14, 2017 in Archived Posts
So much of language learning is in between the words. In Italy, they say “mm-mm” (starting high and ending low) to mean “yes.” In English of course we say “mm-mm” with the same intonation to mean “no.” This is the kind of small thing you wouldn’t notice on your first trip to Italy, but let…
When Learning a Language, Don’t Take the Path of Least Resistance Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 9, 2017 in Archived Posts
“Welcome to the human condition. We tend to do that which is easiest, often to the neglect of that which is best.” –Thomas Oppong The path of least resistance may be shorter, or simpler, or more fun. For the casual learning picking up a few phrases for a vacation, that’s probably good enough. But when…
Language Learning Culture Shock Posted by Malachi Rempen on Aug 7, 2017 in Archived Posts
Can you get culture shock when learning new languages? Since moving to Germany six years ago, I’ve been back to the USA a number of times. Sometimes I’m visiting family, sometimes I’m going to a friend’s wedding, sometimes I just want to return to my home town and eat at my favorite local restaurant, the…
The Secret to Learning Languages: Consistency is King Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 2, 2017 in Archived Posts
An object in motion stays in motion. That’s no secret, it’s called momentum. But have you tried to apply the same concept to your language studies? Consistency keeps you moving forward. Learning in short bursts every day does two things. It creates the habit—which beats motivation (the lack thereof, really)—and keeps the language fresh in…
Online French Course for Teenaged Learners Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 31, 2017 in For Educators, For Learners, For Libraries, Learning Material Updates
This year, we’ve focused on providing opportunities for classroom students and homeschoolers to learn Spanish and French online. We are excited to announce the next step in that direction: the Teen Voices French course. Intended for learners in grades 7-12, the 20-unit course focuses on the everyday life of a typical adolescent in France. Learners will…
Do online language courses really prepare you to speak the language? Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 26, 2017 in Archived Posts
There’s a fine line between teaching cookie cutter language content and whimsical phrases that are memorable but impractical. Our content team works hard to find the middle ground. We offer more than 100 languages at Transparent Language, many of them roughly following a similar template of content. But the first step of any new language…
What Type of Learner Are You? Posted by Malachi Rempen on Jul 24, 2017 in Archived Posts
There’s learning the language, and then there’s learning the learning of the language. Everyone learns differently. Some people are textual learners, others are contextual; some people process numbers easily, others images and spaces. To best succeed at learning your language, you need to know the type you are and be able and willing to…