Bilingualism: Laying the Groundwork for Future Language Learning Posted by mtaulier on Jun 25, 2014 in Archived Posts
The title of this post may confuse you. How can being bilingual help you learn a foreign language? You’re probably thinking, “I’m still struggling to learn my first foreign language!” Let me relate a personal anecdote you might find helpful. Many years ago, I moved to France with my parents. We did not live in…
English: That Irritating, Ubiquitous Language Posted by Malachi Rempen on Jun 23, 2014 in Archived Posts
These days, if you’re a native English speaker, or even halfway competent in English, you can travel just about anywhere in the world and get by. This is admittedly a broad generalization, but when’s the last time you returned from a trip without having once met someone who spoke even a single word of English?…
Does “use it or lose it” apply to foreign languages? Posted by meaghan on Jun 18, 2014 in Archived Posts
Did you grow up in a bilingual household without ever really learning the second language? Maybe your parents spoke to you in another language while you were little, but you switched over to English at some point and never looked back. You probably think you have absolutely no memory of that language now, and maybe…
Cognates: A Language Learner’s Best and Worst Friends Posted by meaghan on Jun 16, 2014 in Archived Posts
Just starting to learn a new language? Well, what if you I told you that right now, you already know dozens (if not hundreds!) of words in that language? Depending on the language, it’s true! What is this sorcery I speak of? They’re called cognates, and they are your best friend right now. Cognates are…
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…