Focus Language School: Chicago & Phoenix» online french classes http://focuslanguage.com/blog Focus Language offers valuable information for language learners, as well as online classes and classes in the Chicago and Phoenix areas. Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:21:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Meditation and Language Learning http://focuslanguage.com/blog/meditation-and-language-learning http://focuslanguage.com/blog/meditation-and-language-learning#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:40:05 +0000 jpfocus http://focuslanguage.com/blog/?p=203 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]]> girl meditation 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 and planning my afternoon meeting.  The problem with that is lack of depth.  The biggest challenge through time in learning a language is remembering thousands of words and their proper context.  It is virtually impossible to do this efficiently without creating deep associations.  Without associations memory melts like snow in the sun.

What are the principal elements of meditation?  Focus.  Relaxation.  Comfort.  Effortless patience.  Pleasure.

We have already mentioned focus: the one-pointed concentration on a piece of information and the use of multi-sensory associations.  This really is the great key.  Which do you think you would remember faster: your neighbor’s social security number or the number to a Swiss Bank account in your name containing $500,000?  The difference would be the focus applied to memorizing.

Relaxation and comfort are also vital.  Stress is really a form of pain.  Can you dance  if there is a nail poking through the sole of your shoe? So get comfortable.  Study in a place you enjoy, a place which relaxes you and makes you feel comfortable.

Effortless patience is an interesting one.  Meditation gives you the ability to be fully present in your body, to enjoy the physicality of the moment you are living, to let your thoughts move through as clouds in a Summer sky.  Every physical, mental or emotional experience that surfaces becomes the source of your meditation.  Applying this to memorization is very fruitful.  You are fully associated as you process, code and imprint the new words.  Someone who enjoys reading poetry would automatically do this.

Pleasure is the direct result of all the other aspects, whether you are sitting in meditation, painting a portrait or learning new vocabulary words.

So there you are!  Meditation is another powerful tool to be applied to learning a language.

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]]> http://focuslanguage.com/blog/meditation-and-language-learning/feed/ 0 The Treasures of the Internet http://focuslanguage.com/blog/the-treasures-of-the-internet http://focuslanguage.com/blog/the-treasures-of-the-internet#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:54:29 +0000 jpfocus http://focuslanguage.com/blog/?p=172 Twenty years ago, if you wanted to learn a language, you bought a book and a cassette series, and you looked for a teacher in your city.  With the Internet explosion of the recent years, there are treasures beyond all imaginings for the language learner.  There are organizations, schools, individuals, blogs which provide us with countless tools: podcasts, games, lessons, language exchanges, free materials etc. What this means is that you can customize your way of learning exactly to your own specifications.  You can work alone, with others Continue reading]]> internet 00100101Twenty years ago, if you wanted to learn a language, you bought a book and a cassette series, and you looked for a teacher in your city.  With the Internet explosion of the recent years, there are treasures beyond all imaginings for the language learner.  There are organizations, schools, individuals, blogs which provide us with countless tools: podcasts, games, lessons, language exchanges, free materials etc.

What this means is that you can customize your way of learning exactly to your own specifications.  You can work alone, with others, online, at home, anywhere and any way you like.  If you find one learning style boring, there are many others to choose from.  And there are so many people willing to help and share their knowledge and their tools.  Yes, there are entities who may think of us only as consumers and sources of income.  They make seductive promises so that we buy their products.  But there are also many people who are sharing information out of kindness, joy and a desire to help.

With the onset of IM, Skype video calls, etc, we are able to communicate directly with anyone in the world instantly.  Instead of Bali, Morroco or Italy being days and thousands of dollars away, they are within instant reach – and for free.  So as we organize our learning, we can easily expand and connect with people who speak the language we are learning.  This is the delightful gift of the Internet to the language student.  Have fun in your treasure hunt!  and if you want to practice your new language online, you can contact me at my school, Focus Language.  Our prices are reasonable and we will help you shine in your new language. Jean-Paul

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]]> http://focuslanguage.com/blog/the-treasures-of-the-internet/feed/ 0 English, Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin & Hindi Classes Online http://focuslanguage.com/blog/english-spanish-french-online http://focuslanguage.com/blog/english-spanish-french-online#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:49:06 +0000 jpfocus http://focuslanguage.com/blog/?p=148 We want to invite you to join us for Online Language Classes.  It is probably the most convenient way of practicing a new language. It lets you have a class from home whenever it is convenient for you. Speaking a language, hearing it, and interacting with native speakers are the vital steps that allow you to make a language yours. It is often a challenge to arrange this. Online classes make it incredibly easy. We must still learn new vocabulary and grammar to  expand our knowledge, but  a Continue reading]]> Moon Gate.207134340 std2 300x225 English, Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin & Hindi Classes OnlineWe want to invite you to join us for Online Language Classes.  It is probably the most convenient way of practicing a new language. It lets you have a class from home whenever it is convenient for you.

Speaking a language, hearing it, and interacting with native speakers are the vital steps that allow you to make a language yours. It is often a challenge to arrange this. Online classes make it incredibly easy. We must still learn new vocabulary and grammar to  expand our knowledge, but  a new language only becomes integrated when we speak it and hear it frequently. Online language are an amazing way to do this.

All you need to set up your online language classes with us is Skype  and a webcam. (Skype is a phone, IM and video service: www.skype.com. It takes 5 minutes to set up and costs $4 a month) Online video calls  allow us to meet with anyone on the planet and have a personal, productive multi-sensory experience effortlessly.

Call us at  (630) 333 9513 or Email us for a free consultation and trial class. Finally begin to  practice your new language regularly.

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