Is your aim to speak a foreign language like a local? To do this you need plenty of practice, preferably while having fun and without fear of making mistakes. Enter, the dog! There’s no better ice-breaker than walking a dog. That’s why pet sitting abroad makes sense as a great, low-cost way to exercise your […]
MOREHacking Grammar: How to Learn Grammar with No Exceptions
It started with the goal: explain English grammar with no exceptions. I’m a native English speaker and an English teacher in Japan. When I started teaching, I went along with what was printed in the textbooks. Grammar textbooks for ESL and EFL learners typically present a grammar point, then some examples that support this point. […]
MOREMan’s Best Amigo: How to Speak to Your Dog in Spanish
I have to admit, I have a soft spot in my heart for cute little pups. I’ve mentioned before that Lauren and I have one of our own: an adorable little Dachshund mix that we rescued. We named her Schatzi – a German nickname that means “little treasure” – but she’s a polyglot pup through […]
MORELanguage Mentors #3: TED Speaker Lýdia Machavoá Shares How She Learned 9 Languages
“People expect to reach a point in their learning when they’ll be comfortable speaking. They put off their speaking until that moment arrives. It never does.” – Lýdia Machová What a thrill to have interviewed Lýdia Machová for our Language Mentors series! Without ever living abroad or in a multilingual environment, Lýdia has learned nine […]
MORESummer Spanish! 97 Spanish Words and Phrases to Talk About the Beach in Spanish
Want to soak up the sun on beautiful beaches in Spanish-speaking countries? Whether you’re planning a trip Ibiza or Cancún – or dreaming of a Spanish beach from afar – Spanish beach vocabulary will come in handy. From building sand castles with your kids, to surfing and sunbathing, all your beach vocabulary is covered here. […]
MORE25 Typical British Slang Words that Every English Learner Should Know
Every country has its own slang, and Britain is no different. Of all the English-language slang in the world, I find British slang to be some of the most creative and interesting. But then, I’m biased because I’m British! Just a word of warning before you continue: although these slang terms are relatively mild, there […]
MORELanguage Mentors #2: Michele Frolla – “Polyglots Aren’t Born with a Special Language Gene”
“Polyglots aren’t born with a special language learning gene that makes them more adept to learning languages. They just work hard and their passion keeps them going.” – Michele, The Intrepid Guide. It was a pleasure to interview Michele of The Intrepid Guide for our new Language Mentors series. Michele is an Australian language and […]
MORE15 Totally Addicting Korean TV Shows to Boost Your Language Skills
Can’t stop binge-watching your favorite TV shows? Turn your TV addiction into Korean language practice! Korean TV shows are a great way to learn the Korean language… plus they’re really hot right now! Can you really learn by watching Korean TV serials, shows, and dramas? Yes, with the right approach. It’s not just about passive […]
MORETired of Boring Lessons? Learn Russian with These 5 Amazing Russian Video Games
Learning Russian is tough. You’ve got the Russian case system, weird verbs of motion. And don’t get me started on Russian numerals… Luckily, not everything is difficult. There’s a lot that actually makes Russian easy to learn such as the absence of articles or the regularity of noun gender. And today, I want to share […]
MORELanguage Mentors #1: Lindie Botes (Globetrotting YouTuber, Speaks 10 Languages)
“The point of learning a language is communication. You’ll most likely be understood even if you have bad grammar.” – Lindie Botes I’m honored to have interviewed Lindie Botes for our new Language Mentors series. Born in South Africa, Lindie has lived in France, Pakistan, the UAE and Japan. She speaks 10 languages (to varying levels), […]
MOREJapanese Honorifics: How to Show Respect in Japanese
Japanese honorifics can be something that takes a little while to get your head around when you’re learning the language. But they’re an essential part of Japanese, so you must learn them. Here’s why Japanese honorifics are important. If there’s one thing to know about Japanese culture and language, it’s that everything is extra polite. […]
MORE10 Must-Watch Korean Movies to Fall in Love With As You Learn Korean
Movies can bring us joy, laughter, and tears. They can also help us learn. In fact, they’re a valuable language learning tool! Watching Korean movies can be a great way to learn the language and culture. When you watch Korean movies, you hear the Korean language used in many ways and in situations that you […]
MOREThe Fine Art of Language Exchange: How to Find that Special Someone to Practise Your New Language
A tear rolls down my cheek as I listen to her story. My friend lost her cat to a spinal cord injury. Minou was a handsome round-faced tabby with a fluffy racoon tail. With swollen red eyes, my friend shares intimate details of her cat’s unsuccessful surgery. After a long silence, I hand her a […]
MORELearn Any Language Faster: 6 Easy Steps to Falling in Love with Your Mistakes
A big challenge for people learning a new language is failure. Who wants to be wrong? I know that I hate feeling I’ve messed up. Yet you can’t learn a language if you can’t accept failure. Falling in love with your mistakes is the key to confident conversations in a new language. Follow these easy […]
MOREGerman Time: How To Tell The Time in German
Time plays a fundamental role in our everyday conversations. It’s more than just saying it’s two o’clock or a quarter past four. Telling the time opens up a world of storytelling, helps you to make plans with your German friends and ensures you don’t miss your train. If you get excited when you hear the […]
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