Category Archives: language learning tips

Private German and English teachers in London

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German Tutor in Victoria

Florian Huffman

I am a freelance interpreter specialising in business translation. I have taught German as a foreign language for 2 years while I was living in Chile and I truly enjoyed the experience. I am now willing to assist those who are struggling with the study of German by facilitating one-to-one tutorial classes. I can only accept individuals who have a grasp on the language and want to improve their conversational skills (even if what you know is very basic!).

German Teacher in Oval

Ursula Ring

I am a very experienced German teacher who has been travelling the world for the past 10 years and taught to several students from Europe to Asia and Australia. I am working as a freelancer so I am very flexible with time and I am willing to travel within London if necessary. I am available to work with any age group and at any level. I can provide all the material needed and also to develop ad-hoc classes if you have specific learning requirements.

English Tutor in Cambridge Heat

Rory McAffy

I am Irish student training as an English teacher in London. I would like to test and improve my teaching skills by organising one-to-one and small group tutorial classes for students (of any age) learning English as a foreign language. I have previously worked as a tutor in summer English schools here in London and I have all the necessary material to organise classes. I am happy to discuss topics and methods with you in order to tailor tutorials according to your needs and fulfil your expectations.

 

English Teacher in Kensal Rise

Alice Ireton

I am a qualified English teacher born in New York. I have been teaching English for more than 10 years in Africa and the Middle East. I speak Arabic fluently and I have years of experience teaching English to Arabic speakers. I am happy to organise small study groups in my house or to meet you wherever suits. I can teach you English in few months even if you cannot put a full sentence together!

 

Three good reasons to study Italian in Milan

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Italian language schools and study abroad programmes by The Language Class.

Our company would be delighted to organise a stay in Milan. We can take care of organise your language school your accommodation and any cultural activity for you and your family. Our language courses can be from a week and you can stay as long as you want. The lessons are based on the communicative task based method and are intensive courses. This mean that you will practice the language from week one and study 3/4 hours a day.

Choose Milan to study Italian.

Fashion, opera, art, gastronomy and night-life  What else can anyone ask to a city when planning to learn a new language? The new Italy is brought out in Milan, though it is not the capital of Italy, it is the main economic and cultural pole. Discover why Milan is one of the most fascinating cities of Italy and the ideal place to learn Italian.

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A classic sight in Milan – The Duomo – Source

History and culinary traditions in Milan.

Its location controlling the plain of Po and the access to the Alps made of Milan an important center during the Middle Ages. It has suffered all over the centuries wars to conquer the city by popes, Habsburgs, Napoleon and a long list of famous rulers. Nowadays it is a modern and cosmopolite city rebuilt after the II World War bombardments.

Its gastronomy is more based on rice than on pasta, which is something quite exceptional in Italy. Ossobuco (stewed veal shank) is very frequently used for several typical dishes. But the most famous ones are risotto alla milanese (rice cooked with beef marrow and saffron) and cotoletta alla milanese (veal breaded cutlet). Do not miss gorgonzola cheese.

Museums, aperitivo and nightlife

The difficulty of choosing a museum in Milan is evident due to the large amount of incredible places to visit. The most famous ones are probably those in the historical center such as the Museum of the Cathedral (Duomo), the Sforzesco Castle and the Royal Palace. But there are some other interesting museums to visit like Hangar Bicocca, a contemporary art museum inside a huge hangar.

Aperitivo or happy hour is an important event in Milan. Bars offer drinks at a fixed price combined with snacks and appetizers. Try La Ringhiera, Slice or Mas, which are some of the most chic restaurants and cocktails bars you will find for your aperitivo.

The variety of clubs in Milan is one of the most attractive features of the city. Start at Corso Como, follow at Navigli quarter and finish at Colonne di San Lorenzo. All the choices available from electronic music to salsa.

Learn Italian through fashion and design

If you really want to enjoy Milan, you must absolutely learn the basic fashion vocabulary. Il quadrilatero della moda is the Fashion Quadrangle. FieraMilano is one of the biggest furniture and design fairs in Europe. And other important events are Fuori Salone and Salone del Mobile.

When choosing Milan to learn Italian, take into account that it is a city full of entertainment, design, fashion and history. Being so multicultural can help you to meet people from all over the world. Many students decide to study every year in Milan as it locates some of the top Italian universities. You can be the next one.

How Do Kids Learn Language?

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It’s considered universal common knowledge: kids learn languages easily. This truth appears to be self-evident; most of us struggle to learn a second or third language as adults, while recalling little such struggle learning our first one as kids.  Watching kids in action, they sometimes seem to pick it up so effortlessly. But increasingly, the people who study language are saying that truism is actually a myth, and they’re creating better language programs for kids by leaving that assumption by the wayside.

To understand why, it’s important to look at the reality of how slowly – and awkwardly – kids learn language. The average child can take months, even a year of sing-alongs and Sesame Street to pick up the alphabet and counting past ten. These are things that most adults can learn in just a couple days of formal instruction. And often, the reason that kids seems to learn languages so quickly isn’t because they’re better at it, but because we’re comparing apples to oranges. For example, children are immersed in their first language, hearing it spoken everywhere around them at all times, whereas most teen or adult learners start in a classroom hearing it just for a few hours a week.

Linguists do have a good sense of how exactly children master their first language – and the good news is adults still have the same ability. According to the prevailing theory, humans are born with a “universal grammar” – that is, a genetic and hardwired ability to fit sounds into a language structure as concepts. Humans have evolved this ability over time and it’s one of our crowning characteristics.

The real challenge for children (or anyone) then is not so much learning language as it is figuring out which sounds are a part of the language and which aren’t. Children go through a process of learning by doing, which starts as early as being in the womb where they can hear the sentence patterns and tones used by their mothers when they speak. Throughout their young years they continue to learn which sounds have meaning, and try out strange words and sentences– baby talk, and the cute things toddlers say. But only the constructions that have meaning to others get more than a laugh, and by trial and error they end up speaking the same way as the people around them.

What does this mean for language programs for kids? It means a heavier emphasis on immersion or exposure, and a positive encouraging environment that rewards trial and error, will be most effective. And for adults it means that you’re no worse than you ever were at learning a language – if you can just set aside the fear of criticism and risk saying things that might be wrong.

kidreading

kids are fast at learning – source

Jake Alexander is a free lane writer who enjoys blogging about education and learning. Follow him @JakeAlexander17.

Should We Start Teaching Languages Earlier?

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The focus on studying modern foreign languages has increased over recent years, with a number of countries making languages a compulsory part of education from a young age. The UK, however, does not generally offer languages until children are older. But is this the right decision?

The fact is that today’s societies are characterised by an amalgamation of different cultures and languages. A number of children are brought up to speak more than one language, but in young children this is something that is generally encouraged and taught at home rather than at schools.

Business benefits

Whilst English is the official language of more countries than any other throughout the world, it does not mean that everyone is able to speak it. Within the world of business there several different languages which are used within negotiations and meetings. This means that an extensive knowledge of languages is often necessary to enhance someone’s chances of success.

Ensuring economic growth

The UK economy, as we all know, is suffering; and it is the opinion of many that increased knowledge of languages could help to rectify this situation. By teaching the younger generations multiple languages, we are able to ensure future business success across international markets, helping to increase revenue and financial growth.

Whilst a number of independent schools already teach languages from a young age, this is not considered the norm within the UK. But, while a number of people feel that teaching languages later in life is just as beneficial, there is a plethora of arguments which state the contrary.

Younger brains learn more easily

It is a generally accepted fact that younger children have a greater propensity for the study of languages, being able to learn the language in a more fluent and natural way. This is because the languages can be learnt alongside the study of their native language, such as English, meaning that their skills are able to develop alongside each other rather than favouring one language over the other.

The advantages to this are that speaking these languages then becomes more natural and fluent, enabling more comfortable and easy conversations later in life. This is an invaluable tool within the business field because it ensures that miscommunications and errors are avoided, facilitating the processes of negotiation.

UK lagging behind other nations

In other nations across the world, the focus on the ability to speak a selection of languages is encouraged from a young age, ensuring that children are able to communicate on a number of levels. This could therefore mean that UK residents are missing out on multilingual benefits by restricting the learning of languages to higher age groups only. This ultimately leads to children being more familiar and comfortable with one language, meaning that their other language skills can appear diminished or lower.

Best for long-term career prospects?

Whether UK schools will decide to start teaching languages at an earlier age remains to be seen, although a number of schools already do. However, the fact remains that those with multi-lingual capabilities are more likely to succeed in the employment market, in which a number of businesses pride these skills above any other.

Written by Sam Luther, a writer working in Independent schools

Why Bologna is one of the best destinations to learn Italian

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One of the finest cities in Northern Italy is Bologna, renowned by is university, the oldest one in Europe. That also means a broad student population surrounded by exquisite food, old museums, red bricks architecture and an exciting nightlife. Climb up to the towers and check why Bologna is known as “la Rossa” (the red one) by looking at the roofs in the historical center. Practice Italian with the open minded local willing to meet people from abroad.

The Language class, study abroad language programmes.

The Language Class would be delighted to organise your language learning stay in Bologna. We can organise your language lessons, and your accommodation  And if you family and friends are coming to visit we can also organise cultural activities for your group, such as Parmesan cheese production visits.

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Beautiful – Pizza Maggiore in Bologna – Source

 History and culinary tradition

The old town is amazingly well preserved. Traces of all the people conquering and ruling the area are present: from Romans to Austrians passing by Goths or Lombards. But above all, the proud of Bologna is its university, founded in 1088. Nowadays a great part of the activity of the town is linked to student’s life.

Gastronomy in Emilia Romagna, the region of which it is the capital, is one of the most important in Italy. It is not in vain that another nickname for the town is la grassa (the fat one). Bolognese sauce, prepared with meat and tomato is a must with many pasta dishes. Prosciutto (ham) and mortadella are the basis for many appetizers to be tasted with Lambrusco or Pignoletto wines.

 Museums, restaurants and nightlife

Do not miss the Medieval Museum with incredible manuscripts, sculptures and Islamic art. In search of paintings the option is the National Picture Gallery, exposing Emilian and Venetian works by Tiziano and Giotto among other important artists. Most probably the University Museums are the most important ones related to science: Carducci Room, la Specola (the Astronomical Observatory) or the Museum of Natural History are some of them.

As it corresponds to a city where culinary tradition is so significant, there are lots of restaurants. Enoteca Italiana, twice chosen as the very best in Italy, Diana with its excellent tortellini in brodo and Garganelli are among the very best in Bologna. In Via del Pratello are located popular bars and restaurants for young people or students.

And once the visitor is full of energy again, nightlife awaits. Via Zamboni, near the university, is full of pubs and clubs. Al Piccolo in Piazza Verdi is a famous place with a DJ. If you prefer something more alternative, search in Via Pratello. Mutanye might be the right place.

 Learn Italian through cooking: fresh egg pasta

Italian cooking lessons are held in the many Bologna’s cooking school in Via Augusto Righi. It is taught how to prepare fresh egg pasta. You just need to mix 100g of wheat flour and one egg per person. Knead with your hands until the aspect is smooth and homogeneous. Use the pasta machine to give it the shape you wish. Cook it in boiling water and dress it with Bolognese sauce.

Bologna is the ideal place to learn Italian as it is a medium size city without the disadvantages of places like Milano or Roma. History, art and culture join together with gastronomy, industry and science. Student from everywhere meet at the university and give place to an exciting nightlife. What else can be asked to learn a new language?

 

 

Best Apps for Learning Italian

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With some of the best Italian language training software now easily available as mobile phone apps, it is possible for anyone to learn this beautiful language with great ease and convenience. Whether you want to familiarize yourself with common Italian phrases and words before and during your visit to the country or are keen on becoming a proficient speaker of the Italian Language, downloading a suitable app on your phone is the best way forward.

What's on your iPhone home screen?

using the iphone to learn a language is a great idea – source

Here is a list of the three best phone apps for learning Italian all of which offer wonderful features and highly user friendly language learning aids that will help you master this language in no time at all!

 

Busuu – Learn Authentic Italian from the Natives!

Ranked as one of the most popular Italian learning apps, Busuu offers beginner to advanced and intermediate levels in the Italian language. One of the key features which makes Busuu one of the best Italian learning cell phone app is due to the fact that it offers learners at both the beginner as well as the intermediate levels with direct interaction with native speakers which makes the app all the more attractive and authentic for learners.

Key Features

  • Free version includes 20 comprehensive learning units
  • Extensive vocabulary of more than 3,000 Italian words and phrases
  • Covers an extensive 150 different topics using everyday situations
  • Includes comprehensive audio-visual learning material
  • Offers vocabulary, dialogues and interactive sessions recorded by Native Italian Speakers
  • No internet connection required

 

Babbel – For Learning Basic and Advanced Italian

Babbel’s Italian learning app is ideal for beginners as well as advanced learners and offers a fun and highly interactive approach to learning the basics of the Italian language in a very short span of time. Equipped with pictorial aids and audio and voice tests which can be scored this app has become one of the most popular choices for people keen on leaning Italian. What’s more, its offline compatibility mode and completely free basic version makes it a prime choice as one of the best Italian learning app on the whole!

Key Features

  • Free App
  • 3000 vocabulary words with images, pronunciation and sentence examples
  • Integrated speech recognition for pronunciation exercises
  • Offline mode
  • Optimized for tablets

iSpeak Italian – For Learning / Translating Italian on the Go

If you want to pick up Italian really really fast then the iSpeak Italian phone app comes highly recommended by us as it is ideal for using it on the go, especially if you are a tourist in Italy and in quick need of some handy words and phrases. The unique feature of this app is its use of text to speech technology which enables beginners to pronounce Italian words instantly and pick up words and phrases with the correct pronunciations in no time at all. So how does the iSpeak Italian phone app actually work? Basically this app uses Google’s language translation service to help you translate your words from English into the Italian language and vice versa. This app can be used for easy translation by entering the words or phrases or just by using the “Speak It” button to use the audio version.

Key Features

  • Excellent translator for Visitors to Italy
  • Highly User Friendly
  • Text-to-speech technology
  • English to Italian translation and vice versa
  • Translation saver for later references

Want to Learn Italian – Download the Best Phone Apps Now!

All of the apps that have been listed here have been short-listed on the basis of their ease of use, convenience of learning as well as the variety of levels and activities that each of them offers to cell phone and tablet users. So go ahead and download the apps that you find the most suitable and have lots of fun as you learn Italian easily, simply and effectively!

 

Learn Spanish in Valencia, a language student guide.

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Fine weather, nice beaches, night life, culture,art and entertainment. Everything you can desire you will find it in Valencia. Every year thousands of students come to visit the area and learn Spanish in the third biggest town of the country. Enjoy the Fallas, paella and horchata. An unforgettable experience while learning a new language in a town that has suffered a recent mutation from a small town into a modern and multicultural city.

VALENCIA 2008

Pretty Valencia – The Miguelete tower – image source

 What to see in Valencia

The town was founded by the Romans but the main monuments are related to its Medieval period, deeply linked to the Moors domination. As many other European towns, Valencia can boast of having a beautiful old cathedral. Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles can be found on the monument. Climb up to the Miguelete Tower and enjoy the sight of the city. Also in Gothic style you can visit la Lonja, a civil building in the Market Square where merchants used to meet to make business. Torres de Serranos is also another monument dating back to the Middle Age, with an original pentagonal shape.

But if you prefer to visit something more modern, your choice is the City of Science and Arts. Sophisticated buildings in novel materials for museums, auditoriums, aquarium and planetarium. It is nowadays one of the icons of Valencia

 

Beach and nightlife

Nightlife in Valencia is one of its better attractions. Many people from the region and even from far away towns drive to enjoy its restaurants and clubs. Barrio del Carmen is one of the most popular neighbourhoods  but do not miss Blasco Ibáñez nor Plaza Cánovas. During the summer, fun is concentrated in America’s Cup area and the seashore.

During the day, after long nights of fiesta, enjoy the sunshine in the beach. Arenas and Malvarrosa are the main ones in the urban area. Fine white sand and lots of facilities are attractive to visitors. Pinedo and Saler beaches, at only eight kilometres from the town are worth a visit as they are located in the Natural Park La Albufera.

 

The right place to learn Spanish

As one of the most important cities in Spain, Valencia is a good place to study Spanish. It is the preferred language by locals though Valencian is also an official language. Learning Spanish can be combined with other activities such as paella cooking in the countryside or camping in the surrounding villages like Gandía. Spending some time to study the language in Valencia means also having the possibility of understanding the culture of the country and learning new customs. At Valencia all the advantages of a middle size town can be found. And as it is full of students, the possibilities of meeting new and exciting people multiply.

Valencia offers monuments and history in the old town, nightlife at the seashore and art and entertainment in the modern neighbourhoods  Learning Spanish become an unforgettable experience with other international students.

The Language classes organises Spanish language courses in Valencia. We would be very happy to organise our study abroad programme in Spain. Our company can put together a complete package with accommodating, Spanish language lessons and pick up from the airports.

10 Tips For Learning Foreign Languages

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With the priorities of the curriculum constantly evolving, the teaching of foreign languages traditionally places great demands on students, not least the limited amount of time available to them to develop a familiarity with the spoken and written aspects of their chosen language. Both the content and the duration of courses feature spoken and written practice, but there is always room for improvement.  There are several helpful habits that students can develop to assist them while learning foreign languages.

1.       Watch Internet Programming

Many national broadcasters put news and current affairs content onto the web and this can be viewed online. This helps develop familiarity with the spoken word and the pace of delivery. It also allows students to repeat sections of dialogue that they may have missed first time around.

2.       Find Native Speakers to Converse With

Social networking provides opportunities to meet up with native speakers of almost every language in the area. There is often a group that meets on a regular basis to chat in their own language.

3.       Strike up a Conversation

One great way of developing self-confidence is to initiate conversation with native speakers in a spontaneous manner, even in the street or on a plane. They will almost certainly be delighted to share a few words with you and to thank you for your efforts.

4.       Go to the Cinema

Foreign-language productions are more visible now than they were a few years ago. With European countries producing award-winning films there are an increasing number to choose from at the cinema. Check the cinema listings.

5.       Books and Digital Media

Now that an entire book can be compressed and added to a Kindle or similar device, it is a great way of reading effectively. A whole library of classics can be added and can be read anywhere.

6.       Always Carry a Dictionary

The reassurance of having a dictionary in your pocket just in case you need it will probably outweigh the number of times you actually pull it out. It is still a useful accessory that does not take up much room.

7.       Learning the Alphabet

Modern language studies are not just limited to languages that use a Latin script and students may need to recognise Arabic calligraphy, Chinese pictograms, and the letters of the Russian alphabet. Newspapers are best as they allow students to copy the letters in the margin.

8.       Learn to Cook

The best way to expand your food vocabulary – which can be vast for European languages – is to take up the culinary art and learn some recipes and the names of the ingredients.

9.       Buy a Notebook

Jotting down words is useful, and if the notebook is in Central European style the pages will be divided into small squares, which helps develop calligraphy if writing in another alphabet.

10.   Listen to Music

Pop music is a great way of learning languages colloquially, and can easily be added to your MP3’s music collection.

Written by Sam Luther, a copywriter and experienced blogger working with independent schools.

The Birth Of Flamenco

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Flamenco is so inextricably linked with the culture of Spain, it’s almost impossible for most people who live outside of the country to not link it instantly. As a fusion of dance and music, Flamenco captures the passion and energy that’s synonymous with Spanish life.

As with many traditions, the history of Flamenco is something of a mystery, with many scholars researching its origins. One thing that is clear is the derivation of the name, as ‘Flamenco’ translates as ‘flame-like’. This is incredibly apt, as the dance movements are exaggerated yet graceful and the music bursts with energy. A Flamenco performance can make the atmosphere crackle as the shadows of the performers grace the walls, like a sensual tapestry.

The Origins Of Flamenco

To find out more about this incredible artform, let’s travel back in time some to the 18th century. The preferred music of the upper classes was highbrow, intricate concert pieces, or finely arranged chamber music. There was a delicacy and thoughtfulness, which spanned the bombastic to the intimate, and was seen by many influential people as the music humans should aspire to.

But underneath all of this, among the masses, was a wide and varied movement of folk music. With different styles that varied from country to country, region to region, creed and ethnicity, these performances acted like stamps on the world. Folk music and dances were a signature to other places and peoples.

It is this culmination of dance and music styles that is thought to have given birth to Falmenco, particularly dancing competitions held between regions. These competitions would be held between Romany Gypsies and non-gypsies alike, each pushing and influencing each other’s styles. This fusion is thought to have sown the seeds of Flamenco, particularly merging the dances and music of Romany styles and Andalusia in Southern Spain.

Flamenco At The Royal Court

However, it is believed that Charles I of Spain, and other Spanish nobles, often invited folk musicians to perform at court. However, these were musicians and dancers that had trained to become the best in their field, offering perhaps a more formal, sanitised version of the traditional folk dance.

Initially, Flamenco was performed with only vocal accompaniment, with the dancers themselves providing percussion with maracas or castanets. As Flamenco developed into the latter part of the 18th century and early 19th century, the Flamenco guitar became an essential element to these performances.

Today, Flamenco is seen as one of the most vibrant and richest dances in the world, taught and performed all over the world. In fact, Japan has more Flamenco academies than Spain!

There’s no denying that Flamenco has developed and grown to be even more popular than ever, continuing a noble tradition of dance and music.

Flamenco dance

License: Creative Commons image source
Citations:

 

Italian classes for beginners in London

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Italian is a niche but popular language to learn in London, starting as a beginner should not be a daunting task for anyone wanting to embrace the Italian culture. Here a few tips that should help if you want to get started with this Latin language quickly and easily.

Get a private Italian tutor in London.

Of course the best you can do is to get a private native teacher to teach you, these days you can find a qualified teacher at pretty good rates due to the economic downturn. The Language class offer private Italian lessons for beginners in London  given by qualified native speakers at competitive rates.

Start slow and keep the pace.

Sometimes the excitement might lead you to want to learn many structures as fast as possible, but the best results will be given by a steady learning pace. So it is OK to start the usual simple things such as the ABC and numbers. It takes quite a bit of practice to remember those simple and basic structures. Later you will see the benefits of mastering the basics.

Make a schedule for your learning and keep it. We all know that life in London is as busy as it can get, so make sure that you have a plan for your learning and you follow it.

Embrace the new language and culture.

Many students make a fundamental mistake when learning the language, they question why structures are different and refuse to assimilate them. Instead you should give yourself  a favour and you should have an accepting attitude to the Italian grammar, and culture. Altogether this will enable you to learn faster.

Brush up your English grammar.

We noticed that sometimes adult students struggle to distinguish a verb from an adjective and if you are going to learn a new language you should brush up your grammar in English. Knowing what each piece of a sentence is will help you considerably when assimilating the new grammar.

How long before I am fluent in Italian?

Our students ask this question a lot, unfortunately we cannot answer it as everyone is different and everyone learn at different speed. On the other hand Italian share many common Latin vocabulary with the English language. If you pay enough attention you will see that you already know many words. Of course for the grammar is another story. However to get to a decent level of independently you do not need to master all tenses at once, but just few of the basic ones.