Small Talk is a Big Deal: Perceptions of Chit-chat Around the World Posted by meaghan on Apr 14, 2014 in Archived Posts
Whether you’re meeting with a business partner or just trying to fit in with the locals on vacation, how you approach small talk is an immediate indicator of your cultural knowledge. The first few sentences you exchange may set the tone for the rest of your conversation or meeting, so it’s important to start…
2014 Multilingual Madness Bracket: And The Winner Is… Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 7, 2014 in Archived Posts
16 Languages, 15 Match-Ups, and 3,055 votes later, there can only be 1 winner! The votes have been tallied and the winner of the 2014 Multilingual Madness Bracket is Italian!
The Benefits of Learning a Language Later in Life Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 7, 2014 in Archived Posts
No dog is too old to learn new tricks, including a new language! There’s a common misconception that is not possible, or practical, to learn a new language after infancy. It’s true that toddlers who are raised bilingual display increased cognitive development, including more creativity and better problem-solving skills, than monolingual children. It’s also true…
What Are 2 Million Language Lovers Watching on YouTube? Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 2, 2014 in Archived Posts
Apparently, they’re watching us! In March, our language-learning YouTube channels reached a combined two million views! To celebrate this landmark, let’s take a look back at some our (and your) favorite videos! First up, let us take a moment to introduce ourselves, as CEO Michael Quinlan talks a little bit about who we are and…
Train Your Brain: 10 Memory Boosters for Language Learners Posted by meaghan on Mar 26, 2014 in Archived Posts
The chorus of naysayers who claim their “memory is too bad” to learn a language is about to be silenced forevermore. Our memories naturally decline as we age, and some of us are just pretty darn forgetful to begin with. At 24 years old, the only phone number I have memorized is 867-5309. Shameful, I…
Don’t Let It Get Away: 6 Ways to Avoid Losing Your Foreign Language Abilities Posted by mtaulier on Mar 24, 2014 in Archived Posts
We are all aware of the difficulties and challenges associated with language learning. The constant mental focus needed to learn a language can be taxing. Despite the array of techniques, methods, and tools at our disposal, the process still requires sustained effort over prolonged periods. Like any skill, a language must be practiced on a…
The Secret to Learning French: Avoid the French Posted by Malachi Rempen on Mar 19, 2014 in Archived Posts
When I first moved to Morocco back in 2012, I had just spent a year living and working in Lyon, France. Granted, I hadn’t taken any French lessons before arriving (aside from a bit of listen-and-repeat audio training), and in fact French was never originally on my list of languages to learn, nor France on…