Why Language Classes Fail

Do you remember your high school or college Spanish? Do you remember how much time and effort you put into each class? My guess is that the answers are No and Yes, in that order. So why don't you remember what you learned in the classes? Why did you spend so much time on something that you would so easily forget? Language classes do work for some people, but the majority seem to have a very short retention span, here is why.

1) Too much theory, not enough practice. You spend so much time focusing on which word to use and how to pronounce it that you don't get any practice actually using the Language in real conversations. You can read all the passages from a Book that you want, but unless you actually try to talk to someone you will probably forget what you read.

2) Classes just aren't your style. The style of the class usually depends on how the instructor learns things, not how the students do. If you find an instructor that changes their approach to fit the students needs, keep taking classes from them. This is very rare, as most will teach the same curriculum over and over without changing their course to meet the changing needs of the students. Figure out your learning style, then find the course or product that best suites that style.

3) The people around you don't speak Spanish. In a Spanish class you will most likely be surrounded by people that don't speak Spanish. That is why you are all there, which is great - but it doesn't help you learn Spanish, which is why you paid for the class in the first place. If you can, I recommend that you take the basic class and the advanced class at the same time. You probably won't do very well in the more advanced course the first time around, but you will be surrounded by people that know more Spanish that you do. This will force you to play catch up, which is a great motivator for learning.

4) The class ends. What happens when the class ends? You go back to your normal life, and you may or may not take the next highest level of Spanish. Eventually you end up taking the last class, and unless you take it to the next level by hanging around people who speak Spanish all the time you will eventually forget what you learned.

Spanish Language Games - Where to Find Them

Like many parents, you want what is best for your child. And one thing that you have realized, is that we live in a fast world. We live in the 21st century. With modernization, growing immigration and job opportunities all over the world, you understand that anyone who speaks more than one Language has a serious advantage over everybody else. But in this consumer-oriented world, it is often difficult to find the right product, without any fear of being scammed, or worse, frauded.

There is just so many options offered all over the web that it is rough to make a thought out decision on where to look for the best software games to buy to your child. Don't worry, I've been there too, and I have found some reliable options.

If you are searching for learn Spanish kids games, I am happy to tell you that there are some well done courses, created by professional teachers, available for a reasonable price on the web. One disclaimer thought, if you are searching for learn Spanish for children free games then I will disappoint you: there is nothing reliable on the web.

Sure there might be some free Spanish games on the web, but none of them are quality products from a pedagogic point of view. So if you are looking for a good online children Spanish software game, you should consider a reasonably priced paid option made professional teachers who have the success of their students in mind. There are a few of those programs on the web.

Benefit of Learning English As a Second Language Online

If you are moving to an English-speaking country or are going to be a foreign exchange student, you will need to acquire extensive English speaking and writing skills in order to communicate effectively. Learning English as a second Language (ESL) can be easy with an online course program that lets you complete activities and exercises at your own pace, practice pronunciation and take part in in-depth learning tutorials that improve your skills. Here are some of the primary benefits of learning English as a second Language online:

1. Flexible learning format. When you choose to learn English as a second Language online, you can take advantage of a flexible learning format and ongoing class schedules. These allow you to work at your own pace and work through the activities and quizzes on your own schedule. Some online class formats do have a set schedule with lectures and presentations, but the majority are 'open form' classes where you can download materials and work through them on your own time.

2. Easy access to tutorials and reference materials. When you register for an English as a second language online program, you will be given access to a large library of tutorials and reference materials to supplement your education. These resources may include lesson plans, printable worksheets, PowerPoint presentations or even online videos.

3. Advanced pronunciation tutorials. While most online tutorials are designed with audio files that are embedded into the lesson plan, an English as a second language online course structure may have step by step tutorials that will help you improve your pronunciation. This goes beyond a simple audio file of a single word, and may include complete conversation and sentence pronunciation tutorials so that you can speak English just like a native speaker.

4. Reading comprehension activities. In addition to basic vocabulary building and grammar activities, an English as a second language online course program will include reading comprehension activities that allow you to understand new meanings, expressions and vocabulary words in different contexts. This is important when learning the English language because it exposes you to different uses of common words and phrases.

5. Essay writing skill development. Even though you will be completing your activities and lessons in an online environment, you can also submit essays for review and communicate directly with a native English-speaking teacher. This will give you a chance to practice your word and grammar usage and get immediate feedback on your work.

6. Video conferencing opportunities. Some online courses are offered through colleges and universities equipped with video conferencing software. This allows you to learn English as a second language with direct communication with an instructor or other students.

There are many benefits of learning English as a second language online, and with today's innovative online learning platforms, you won't be compromising the quality of your learning because of the reduced 'face-time' with an instructor. Some online courses are designed with video presentations, interactive tutorials and allow you to communicate directly with the teacher or other students so that you can learn as much as possible at a rapid rate.

Language and Emotions

Feelings and emotions are immaterial entities that we express through words. The terms we use are loaded with positive, neutral or negative meanings. A rich vocabulary of words to describe feelings is characteristic to emotionally intelligent persons because they are very good at communicating what they experience at the emotional level. They create an entire linguistic context when describing their emotions, Compare "I feel pretty yucky" to "I feel discouraged after trying to get his attention three times already". The advantages of using a complex and good emotional vocabulary reside in the fact that you better express yourself, you make yourself clear about your feelings and you enable the others to comprehend what you mean. Thus, your needs are more likely to be met.

The following activity is a good exercise to associate emotions with words. Use the list below:

aggressive, aggravated; alienated; amused; angry; annoyed; anxious; apathetic; appalled; awed; bashful; blissful; bored; cautious; cheerful' confident;confused;curious;
delighted; depressed; determined; disappointed;discouraged; disgusted; ecstatic; elated; embarrassed; enthusiastic; envious; excited; exhausted; fearful; frightened; frustrated;
glad; guilty; happy; helpless; hopeful; hostile; humiliated; hurt; hysterical; interested; jealous; joyous; lonely; loved; love-struck; miserable; negative; optimistic; paranoid; peaceful; proud; puzzled; regretful;
relieved; sad; satisfied; shocked; sorry; sure; surprised; suspicious; undecided; withdrawn.
Once you have reviewed the list, here are the things you should do:

Write down in your noteBook every emotion you've felt over the course of your life;
Write down a "+" next to each emotion you consider positive, a "-" next to every one you think negative and a "0" next to the ones that are neutral.
Using a scale from 1 to 10, rate each emotion in what intensity is concerned, 1 being the scale for minimal, 5 for average, and 10 for extreme.
Calculate the total number of emotions that you have experienced and write it down.
Add the positive emotions, then the negative and neutral ones, writing the results in your noteBook.
Compare your number of negative versus positive emotions.
After the comparison, you will find out what type of emotions prevails in your life. Calculate the average intensity of the positive and negative emotions and compare them. The wider the range of emotional experiences is, the richer your life is. You can accurately perceive, label and empathize with the others if you are able to describe and acknowledge your emotions.

Sexual Body Language Signals for Men

What are some sexual body Language signals and how can men use their body Language to attract more women? Good looking women know in a second or two if a man is worth a moment of their time. They are looking for a sexual attractive, confident man.

I feel most women make a decision unconsciously about whether the man is a real man or not. I feel that these unconscious decisions are based on feelings that are based on the mans body language and tone of his voice.

If you are not naturally a men that attracts women like flies then you need to learn these body language skills.

Most men look at what words and pick up lines they say to a women. They focus on techniques that are not really that important. In fact it is far more important in how you say your words and the tone and body language used. I feel you can learn these skills but most men could not be bothered and then complain about a lack of success in dating.

What area the three most important Body Language Signals to create attraction in a woman?

The first is essential and you should use your body language signal with holding her eye contact longer than she does. If a women looks at you, hold her eye contact until she looks away. If you look away first, you are making a huge mistake and you are communicating weakness. You must show in the first contact that you have no fear. If you have fear of holding her eyes then you fail big time.

I suggest to go to a busy shopping centre and hold the eyes of every women that looks at you until they look away. This can be challenging to some men but the rewards of inner growth in your self confidence are great.

Learn to use a very confident posture in your body language. Feel totally self confident and your body language will take on this quality. Push out your chest a little and stand tall. Take up more room with your body language posture. Women want a real man not a Wuss. Learn to use more slow movements and gestures. This takes practice, because when we are nervous, we tend to talk too fast and with a higher tone.

Use cool slow movements and do not make nervous gestures. Look in a James bond movie for tips. Feel totally comfortable in your skin and feel totally powerful. Imagine this if it is not true.

Use a deeper, slower body language voice tone. Learn to speak deeper from our belly and speak slower. Try this and you will find women day your voice is sexy and it turns them on. Try to add more base to your voice. Also pause more as this make you sound more content.

The English Language in the Philippines

When planning to visit the Philippines, one might be a bit anxious or even nervous because Filipino (Tagalog) is the national Language of the Philippines. However, it might be a relief to know that English is regarded as the country's second Language, therefore one will find that many Filipinos can speak and understand English. For the most part, English speaking tourists do not have to worry that a Language barrier may cause problems during their vacation. That being said, it will still be to ones benefit to also learn (Filipino) Tagalog, which is the national language.

The use and influence of the English language in the Philippines can be attributed to the American influence in the Philippines because for a time the Philippines was colonized by America. Today in the Philippines, American influence can be seen in everyday life in such things as food, the music that is listened to, and the programs on television. Moreover, American products are widely available.

The English language in the Philippines is often used along with Tagalog. As a result you will find that people mix English with Tagalog. This is commonly called Taglish.

English is also the primary medium of instruction in the country in elementary school, high school, college, and beyond. Almost all the subjects are discussed in English, with the exception of the Filipino subject, which is taught in the Filipino language.

There are schools that encourage students to express themselves in English while on campus and whenever talking to those in authority. In some families, parents teach their children at an early age to speak and use English in everyday conversations.

In the Philippine islands different languages are spoken, therefore, Filipinos who travel to another region of the country where a different dialect or language is spoken will find that they can communicate with fellow Filipinos using either the Filipino language (Tagalog) or the English language. That is if they do not speak the local language.

Some words used in Filipino were borrowed from English. Some borrowed words cannot be directly translated into Filipino so they are used as is but may be spelled in Filipino according to their pronunciation. Some of the English words that are used in Filipino include words such as: printer, fax, bar, and cell phone. Other commonly used English words in Tagalog include: hello, hi, escalator, and so on..

In the Tagalog language, there are also English words that are spelled according to their pronunciation when used in Filipino. Examples of these words are telebisyon (television), oben (oven), and kamera (camera). There are countless others but here are a few more: traysikel (tricycle), dyip (jeep), and miting (meeting).

It is a good idea and might be advantageous to learn even basic Tagalog or words from the dialect spoken in the region one is visiting. At some point knowing the language could come in handy. For instance, if you go off the beaten path you might find that you are more at ease due to the added peace of mind of knowing that you can communicate with locals, in Tagalog or another dialect; when necessary.

Language Learning - How Long Will it Take Me to Get Fluent?

It is very important to have the right expectation when you start to learn a Language. How long it will take you to become fluent depends on a few factors:

Factor 1: What do you define as fluent?

"Fluent" means different things to different people. Do you want to sound indistinguishable from a native speaker? That is a feat that not everyone can achieve, and if you are to achieve it, it probably means you will have to move to the country where the Language is spoken and immerse yourself for years.

But if you want to be able to have a well-flowing conversation with a native speaker, that will be possible in a much shorter time. You can learn up to 80% of a language relatively quickly, but the closer to 100% fluency you want to get, the more effort you have to put in.

So how long does it take you to get to 80%? It depends on the other factors below.

Factor 2: Which languages do you already speak, and which language do you want to learn?

If you are Japanese and want to learn Mandarin, you have the advantage that much of the Chinese characters ("Hanzi") are very similar to the Japanese ones ("Kanji").

If you already speak French, it is much easier to learn languages related to French, such as Spanish, Italian, Romanian and Portuguese. In the Netherlands, there are special Dutch classes and learning methods for people from Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. A German friend of mine picked up near-native sounding Dutch while playing with Dutch friends on the street.

Conversely, if you are a Westerner wanting to learn Chinese, it will take you much longer because of the totally different structure of the language and the lack of recognizable words. It is possible to learn the language, but it will take you at least double the time of learning a related language.

Factor 3: How much time and effort can you bring to the table?

Being realistic when you start out learning a language helps to avoid later quitting in disappointment. A major factor in learning languages is how much time you are willing and able to put into it. In mathematics, there may be wonderkids who can simply "get" complex equations almost instantly, but learning a language is hard work, even for the most gifted language learners.

Do not just count how much time you can spend sitting in a classroom, also think about how much time you can spend revising between classes. Are you in an environment where you HAVE TO speak the language? Do you have roommates whom you can only converse with in the language you are learning? Do you watch movies or try to read Books in the language you are learning? All of these things count towards your time spent learning and really help you to speed up the learning process.

Factor 4: Are you passionate about the language? Are you good at learning languages?

In my life, I have taken classes in English, German, French, Spanish, Ancient Greek, Latin and Mandarin, and in each of these classes, I have seen some fellow learners pick up the language faster than others. It is a matter of how our brain works. Some people are simply better at reproducing sounds and seeing patterns in languages. It also helps if you have learnt other languages before, even if they are not related to the language you are learning. The 3rd language you learn will be easier than your 2nd language.

Conclusion

How fast you will become fluent in a certain language depends on a number of factors, such as:

What you define as being fluent;
How related the language is to your native language;
How much time and effort you can put into learning the language, and
Your passion and aptitude for learning languages.

You might have hoped to get a number from me as an answer to this question. To give a very broad estimate, I would say 80% fluency can be achieved in a matter of months if you dedicate yourself to it full-time (a few hours every day). If you only have a few hours every week, it will take you 1-2 years to hit the 80% mark.