Passion, in any area of our life, improves our performance and insures that our motivation remains high. Learning a language is not an instantaneous process. Many advertisers tell you you can learn Chinese or French in a month, 10 days or even 3 days. This is of course unrealistic (I mean absurd). It takes time and application to develop fluency in any language: ask any baby. It is possible to learn smatterings of shopping language or travel language in a few hours. And it… Continue reading
Archive for the ‘Language schools Phoenix’ Category
Learning a Language with Passion
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
Learn a New Language with Focus Language: in Person or Online
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Would you like to learn a Foreign Language? Focus Language makes it feasible and enjoyable.
Easy to learn:
Many people believe that learning a new language is a difficult and boring task. We make it doable and fun. We provide you with the right teachers, the right materials and the right programs. We have thirty years experience helping people learn.
Fast:
We understand how to structure our programs so you can learn efficiently and fast. All you need to do is apply and enjoy yourself… Continue reading
New Tools for the Language Student
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
(A post about how to use the Google Translate Tool to practice a language.) I recently decided to brush up on my Chinese. I always roll with laughter when I see “Learn Chinese in 7 days” programs being advertised.
Whenever you learn a language, the great limitation is vocabulary – in speaking and also in understanding. Trying to increase my own fluency, I just created the following technique for practice.
I was listening to a guided meditation in English and was trying my best to translate what I… Continue reading
Meditation and Language Learning
Monday, March 1st, 2010
We think of meditation as a spiritual practice or as a tool for reducing stress. But what do they have to do with learning a new language? Actually, meditation is the ability to be fully focused on whatever activity we are engaged in in the present moment. An artist captivated by his work, or an athlete fully associated in the body and its every movement and nuance are meditating.
The antithesis of meditation is multi-tasking. I am riding my motorcycle while texting my friend, eating lunch… Continue reading
The Importance of Love, Beauty and Nature in the Learning Process
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
We normally think of efficiency, brain enhancing substances, extraordinary software and stream-lined cutting edge methods when we think of improving our learning capabilities. There is an entirely different aspect of learning which I have encountered in my long career as a student and a language learner: Love, Beauty and Nature. We are so efficient, having become multi-tasking masters and super-focused planners. We may be doing more, but are we actually becoming more accomplished? Are we more fulfilled and happy? I believe the answer is we… Continue reading
Appreciating your own work
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Learning a language is a time-consuming project. It can seem that there is always a new verb form to learn, a new vocabulary word we need to know. It is therefore important to appreciate what you have already done, the parts of the language you have already acquired. Our subconscious learning machine builds on its own success. It is important to let it know it is accomplishing its task satisfactorily. Self-criticism can often lead to discouragement. When you are learning, you know that it will take you… Continue reading
Working with native Speakers
Friday, December 18th, 2009
If you can begin to practice your new language with native speakers, you will be able to progress faster – and have fun. The process can also be unnerving or frustrating. So what are the ways to make this practice time fruitful, while keeping your morale up.?
Understand that there are two kinds of natives: good natives and bad ones. Joking aside, only ever work with people who are helpful, patient and benevolent towards you. You must feel inspired and hopeful at the end of the session. Some people want to help, but they are not a good match for… Continue reading
Developing Comprehension: the Bouncing Ball
Friday, December 18th, 2009
What is the secret of developing your comprehension in a new language? Follow the bouncing ball! Yes the old musical movies and the Karaoke parlors revealed this secret decades ago.
First, let us make some preparations. You need to get the code first. If you do not understand the basic vocabulary, you will not be able to break through into understanding. So select several 10-20 minute-long recordings or podcasts of well-recorded natural native conversations. You must have a transcript of the text for best results, as well as a translation. (The Google translation tool is state of the art and… Continue reading
THE LANGUAGE LEARNING JOURNEY
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Learning a language is a journey. It reveals landscapes you have not yet seen. It teaches you how to think in new ways. It enriches your self-knowledge and helps to free you from the unreasoned assumptions of your own culture. It is exciting and fun. It requires preparation, endurance and humor. It makes you face your beliefs about learning and reveals your own emotional undertones.
Learning a language most resembles learning how to dance, play a sport or practicing martial arts. It is fundamentally a physical activity. It involves discipline, training and perseverance. It requires establishing good fundamental habits. Understanding… Continue reading
OBSTACLES TO LEARNING A LANGUAGE
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
I would like you to to think of language learning as a sport for a moment. We could have used war, dance or even the playing of a musical instrument as our example. All require coordinated knowledge and practice.
There is a mental aspect to a sport. The captain of a sport team must know the rules of the game and he must know the various plays his team will use. Without that knowledge, he cannot function properly. This is the learning aspect. He and his teammates must then learn to put these rules and plays dynamically into practice… Continue reading