Focus Language School: Chicago & Phoenix» online spanish 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 Learning Mandarin Chinese Part 4: Mandarin Sounds http://focuslanguage.com/blog/learning-mandarin-chinese-part-4-mandarin-sounds http://focuslanguage.com/blog/learning-mandarin-chinese-part-4-mandarin-sounds#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 19:46:57 +0000 jpfocus http://focuslanguage.com/blog/?p=346 Some people learn the sounds of a language just by listening. Some learn by first understanding how the new sound system works.  I find that getting acquainted can be a good initial step. A map can never replace walking or driving in a real place but it can be of great use. I will not systematically present the sounds of Chinese here. I only want to mention a few features. Se-pa-rate The Chinese language is based around individual characters: one syllable each.  So each syllable is Continue reading]]> reddish butterfly white flowers1 300x225 Learning Mandarin Chinese Part 4: Mandarin SoundsSome people learn the sounds of a language just by listening. Some learn by first understanding how the new sound system works.  I find that getting acquainted can be a good initial step. A map can never replace walking or driving in a real place but it can be of great use.

I will not systematically present the sounds of Chinese here. I only want to mention a few features.

Se-pa-rate

The Chinese language is based around individual characters: one syllable each.  So each syllable is very important and contains a lot of meaning. Chi-nese is much more sta-ca-tto than Eng-lish.  So pronounce clearly. Do not slur syllables together. Wash – ing -ton not Washton. You can always learn slang later.

Air and no Air.

Be aware that some letters have a lot of air and others do not.  Qi versus ji. or  chang versus zhang,  dao and tao.  You need to read pinyin to understand how to pronounce these example words. They are not pronounced as if they were English. I will discuss Pinyin in the next post.

Clear vowels

Chinese sounds clear and distinct vowels.

There is not much more to say generally. All the sounds of Chinese find a reasonably close cousin in English. Listen for the differences. Repeat what you hear. There are three of you learning Mandarin: you, your ears and your body. They all need a lot of input.

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]]> http://focuslanguage.com/blog/learning-mandarin-chinese-part-4-mandarin-sounds/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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