Focus Language Online Classes

February 21st, 2010 by Jean-Paul Setlak

FOCUS LANGUAGE is proud to offer online language instruction.  As the world changes, online classes are becoming a vital addition to education.  We hope you will come study with us and learn a new language.

Fast: Online language classes are simple to set up and they save you time.  They let you learn on your own schedule, at home or at work; but you retain all the advantages of studying with  a quality private instructor.

Easy: With Focus Language, you can set the pace and the timing of your instruction.  Tell us what you want: we will listen.  All you need is a webcam and Skype.  We will help you set up Skype in 5 minutes… Continue reading

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How to Sound Good in a New Language

April 20th, 2010 by Jean-Paul Setlak

This post gives you ways to develop your ability to Speak a new language well.  What level of knowledge am I assuming you need to start this process? An intermediate one. But you could really use it at any level.

So! You know  basic vocabulary. You know how to form correct – or mostly correct – sentences. Your pronunciation is accurate enough for you to be understood.  You are also able to understand simple conversations. What can you do to improve your ability to speak efficiently and systematically?

1. Accept your level! You cannot speak faster or better than your actual knowledge and capacity allow. Be nice to yourself. You have done the best you could… Continue reading

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Vocabulary is the King and Grammar is the Queen

April 16th, 2010 by Jean-Paul Setlak

Vocabulary is absolutely vital. If you need to say “elevator” or “clown suit”, there is no substitute. This means that learning vocab is a huge priority when you are learning a language. So now you’ve learned 3000 words! But what do you do with them? This is the magical field of syntax and grammar. You have all the parts for an automobile. Grammar teaches you how to assemble the car and then how to drive. Here is a way of putting them together usefully.

Once you have learned some basic vocabulary and grammar, you can begin the task of beginning to express yourself.  I find that using translation exercises really develops this capacity. I know! Many language acquisition… Continue reading

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Using Audacity with your Recordings

April 8th, 2010 by Jean-Paul Setlak

They speak too fast!I can’t understand anything! Does that sound familiar? When we begin to communicate with natives in a new language, it is often what we experience: they are speaking so fast that our heads spin! Even though we know the vocabulary and the grammar, it all goes by like a race car in the night.  What can we do about this? Slow them down, of course.

When you are actually talking to a live person, ask them to slow down. It will definitely help if they are able to. What about with your recordings? There is a great free audio tool called Audacity that can slow down any recording on your computer in 1 minute … Continue reading

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Teaching on the internet

April 6th, 2010 by Jean-Paul Setlak

After teaching live for decades, I was  a bit nervous about starting to teach online. Body language, minimal facial expressions, intimacy would all be changed radically. I feel pretty comfortable with technology and computers, but I was concerned about establishing rapport and maintaining a strong connection with students.

It has been a great adventure. I was surprised to realize that the voice is actually much more important than the picture.  (This is even more so in a language class of course.) The video is just a pleasant addition, but it is the audio connection which is most important.

It is also great fun to have all your computer resources available instantly: the internet, photo files, etc. It actually… Continue reading

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Learning a New language: Starting with the Sounds

March 16th, 2010 by Jean-Paul Setlak

So you have decided to learn a new language. The first step, in my experience, is to get a good grasp of the sound system.  If there is a new script to learn (as in Hindi or in Russian), you can begin the script at the same time as you learn the pronunciation.

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You can do this in a fun and spontaneous way, or systematically. The result we want is the same in both cases: good, comfortable pronunciation. How can you achieve this efficiently? By listening to the language of course, but there are several ways of doing this.
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1. First listen to recordings or watch videos of the language.  What do you actually hear? Can
Continue reading

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Advice for Language Practice: Speaking Confidently

March 6th, 2010 by Jean-Paul Setlak

Do you want to be more confident when you are speaking your new language with a native or a teacher?  Here is some simple advice.

1.  Relax.  It’s impossible not to make mistakes.   You might as well enjoy making them.  The key is to begin tracking your mistakes so you can correct them over time.  Listen to yourself or ask the native/teacher what you need to improve.

2.  Take your time and speak simply.  Make short sentences: get the basic point across.  “Where is there a restaurant?” is good enough.  You may not have time for: “Sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if you had any recommendations for a place to eat nearby?” … Continue reading

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A Quick History of a Linguistic Journey

February 21st, 2010 by Jean-Paul Setlak

My linguistic journeys always begin because I fall in love with the sounds and the culture of a new language.

I started studying foreign languages in France at the age of ten.  My parents expected me to begin learning English and Latin at that time.  I resisted but had no choice in the matter. “Sigh”.  Two years later, German was added to the list.  When I moved to the US at the age of thirteen, I immediately realized the importance of knowing English and quickly became fluent. (How else could I join a rock group?) I began to study Spanish in High School as well.  In college I added Italian to the list.

Then came my true love… Continue reading

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Playing with Language

February 21st, 2010 by Jean-Paul Setlak

Although it is important to be serious about learning a foreign language, the ability to play and enjoy the process is equally vital. I have been a lover of languages for most of my life.  I teach French, English, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, Hindi and Punjabi, but I have also studied German, Latin, Arabic and Urdu. As you see, I have studied many languages through the years, but two common themes have emerged in my own success.  The first is a deep and lasting desire and motivation to master each of the languages I have studied.  The second is that I love to play as I learn.  So when you begin, first play with the new sound system.  Imitate, mimic, copy the… Continue reading

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