Category Archives: language learning tips

Learning Italian? How difficult is it?

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Learning Italian Language Guide: Background, Examples & Ease of the Language

The best part of learning Italian is that newcomers generally wish to learn it because they genuinely love the language, the country, and the atmosphere of Italy. No matter if it’s the Italian food, music, or people who entices you to explore, Italian is one language that is learned most of all for the pleasure and feeling to become nearer to the people of the wonderful country known as Italy.

The Italian language is considered by many a pleasure language because it has a much lower economic utility than other languages of Europe such as Dutch, German, or French. Because of this Italian has been referred to as a luxury language, whose users learn mostly for want rather than need. However, now that travel is much more accessible for everyone and learning a new language is as easy as downloading an online language course. The Italian language  is starting to be learned by people of all ages’ groups and social classes. However the main motivation for learning Italian is still mostly because it is a socially attractive language instead of a business language such as English.

Italian is the main language of approximately 65 million people. The vast majority of native Italian speakers are concentrated in Italy. However there are also Italian speakers in San Marino, Vatican City, Switzerland, the Istria region of Croatia, and Slovenia.

Italian is  considered a Romance language. This means that it is one of the languages that descend from Latin, which is the language of ancient Rome. Italian belongs to the same language family as Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Catalan. Because of this there are strong similarities between each of these in their structure, sound, and vocabulary terms. However, Italian is the romance language closest to Latin when it comes purely to vocabulary. If you have learned another romance language, or even learned a no longer used language like Latin, then it should be much easier to for you to also learn Italian.

The Italian language we have today was mostly “promoted” by the famous Italian poet Dante Alighieri. Dante used his native Tuscan dialect to write the “Divine Comedy.

Different Types of Italian

As with all languages anyone learning Italian from scratch will find many regional variations within the language relating to special vocabulary, accents, and verb usage. However there are special dialects of Italian that are only spoken in their region and are important to be aware of if you are learning the language for the first time. These dialects are from the Naples and Campania region, the Venice and Veneto region, and the Friuli region. It is also important to be cautious of the island dialects of Sardinian and Sicilian.

Regional dialects are only spoken in their individual regions, and are not official languages. These language dialects tend to be spoken by the older population and only in informal contexts. Younger Italians normally stick to standard Italian which is what a beginner should focus on learning.

Difficulty level of Italian as a new comer

The Italian language isn’t especially difficult to learn, however at first every language can appear to be difficult to pick up. In order to learn Italian you will need to commit to consistently putting in time and practice. The good news is that if you do Italian is actually one of the easier languages to learn when compared to Russian or Chinese.

Italian looks roughly how it sounds so you will not need to learn a new alphabet before you can start learning Italian.

Because Italian has deep roots in Latin, and other Romance languages learning Italian will be much easier if you already know a Romance language like Spanish, French, or Portuguese because many of the words, verbs, and overall structures are similar to each other. Spanish and French happen to be the closest language to Italian out of all of the romance languages.

New comers to Italian should be careful against the misuse of words that seem similar to English words but have completely different meanings in Italian! A good example of a word to watch out for is Sensibile. This in Italian means sensitive, instead of being reasonable like it does in English.

Don’t let mistakes cause fatigue early on in your goal to learn Italian. Mistakes happen no matter what and are part of the learning process when learning a new language. However, if you practice enough your mistakes will lessen greatly with time!

10 reasons for Learning Italian

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Learning a second or third foreign language is very exciting. Italian is among the most popular foreign languages that most people engage in.  Theres a lot to learn about, such as history and culture when a person has some Italian knowledge. The language also allows one to interact with people abroad during visits and holidays in Italy and other places. There exist many other reasons as to why people learn Italian. The following are the top 10 reasons for learning the language.

 

1.      Most people rate Italian language as the most beautiful worldwide spoken language. It is regarded as a language of food and arts. The language is also easy to learn compared to other foreign languages.

 

2.      One improves their cultural and universal speaking skills. The Italian culture dominates in many areas and offers great ways of enjoying it. This is through such aspects as the Italian fashion, designers, gastronomy and architecture among others.

 

3.      It allows one a chance to easily study art history associated with Michelangelos birth land. Most art history books are composed in Italian language thus one needs to be familiar with the language to avoid wasting time with translations.

 

4.      There is no need of following up subtitles when watching prominent Italian language movies. Such movies include the Viscontis, Fellinis and Pasolinis. These movies rate among the top 10s and play in Italian language.

 

5.      Understanding a variety of names to describe food. Compared to any other language, Italian offers the most words to refer to food. This is because Italians love food too much and there are many Italian recipes that one can enjoy from home.

 

6.      It gives one a chance to easily interact with Italians who are best known for their friendliness and accommodative traits. The locals are also talkative and fervent to take visitors through the country. Learning Italian is the only way to get directions when one visits Italy.

 

7.      Italiansongs become entertaining at last. Such include the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, a very popular operatic tenor. Rather than listening, it allows one to learn and practice Italian pop songs.

 

8.      Poets and poem enthusiasts get a smooth time reading La Divina Commedia that was written by the epic poet Dante Alighieri. Written back in the 1300s, the poem is regarded as the finest work in Italian literature.

 

9.      The language is the closest to Latin, an ancestral language common in all romance languages.

 

10.  Eases communication with ones Italian-born grandparents as well as enhancing research on family roots as well as interpreting ancient family documents.

Learning Spanish as an Adult

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Learning Spanish as a second or third language is a way to enhance a persons communication skills in their social and cultural life. Becoming acquainted with the language allows room for worthwhile experience during conversations with local friends and those abroad. Learning Spanish as a foreign language also helps improve one’s resume making it a colorful job seeking material.

 

For adults, acquiring Spanish language skills is significant but quite different from youth cases. Through linguistics, it is believed that social conversations can help one tap the skills of a new language. There are various factors which contribute to acquisition of Spanish language for adults. Such factors include

 

Self-assurance

According to S. Krashens effective filter hypothesis, acquiring a foreign language like Spanish is much affected by ones own feelings about their ability to learn. By interacting and speaking Spanish with assistance from native speakers, one easily understands the language. This is evident from children, who are usually subjected to many other languages at school and other social places. This though requires confidence which is a chief way to easily improve a persons vocabulary.

 

Constructing knowledge

Various means of learning other information are also applied when adults learn Spanish. These are common natural learning styles which greatly inspire learning a foreign language. This way, an adult can easily match their style of learning with the most appropriate language program.

 

Grammar

This is a common aspect when learning any language. This is because grammar determines a persons level of expertise. The choice of how best to speak a language is thus set on individual basis. Adults have to set their goals according to the level they want to attain, such as basic communication or that of native know-how. By determining what goal to achieve, following a Spanish language program becomes easy. This also defines the period of time one will spend learning the skills. For instance, a goal for basic conversation skills takes little time compared to that of native competence.

 

Various learning methods

There exist a number of learning methods in which adults can comfortably choose from. Some of the common modes include following tutorials from the web, taking Spanish classes, reading Spanish books, listening to tutoring audio tapes and television programs. One can also opt to take a tour in a foreign country for language engagements. Depending on the goal for learning Spanish, there is the perfect method of learning.

 

Generally, adults should understand their learning style, whether audio or visual, before committing with learning programs.  Local universities and colleges as well as professionals can aid one in knowing their learning style

10 reasons to learn French

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Why you should learn French?

 

French courses can dramatically improve your chances in your professional and personal lives. Learning a new language goes beyond learning a new vocabulary, it can effectively open doors, professionally and culturally. In this article we’ll take a look at the top ten reasons why you should consider taking French classes.

 

  1. Speaking French can help you get a job! Knowing this language can help you get employment at a French company as well as in other countries that have French among their primary languages, including some of the most sought after job markets like Canada, Switzerland, and many countries in Africa. France is among the world’s economic powerhouses.
  2. The French language can allow you to communicate with the world. Don’t forget that French is spoken on five continents and more than sixty countries.
  3. Broaden your travel horizons. France is the top touristic destination in the world. Knowing French can help you get acquainted with many of the amazing travel destinations located in the Hexagon much more intimately than non-French speakers (after all, French people aren’t exactly known for their openness to foreign culture,) not to mention all the other countries where French is spoken regularly.
  4. French is used extensively in all the fine arts and in fields like fashion and cooking. Learning French on a language  course can significantly broaden your access to culture and art.
  5. France has some of the best universities in Europe and, in many fields, the world. Learning this language can open doors for any young aspiring professional wishing to study in these world-class establishments.
  6. Taking some French lessons can help you communicate on the Internet or on the media. French is the third most popular language on the Internet and France’s radio and TV are well-known all around the world.
  7. French is the language of diplomacy and it is  an essential part of the formation of any aspiring diplomat or specialist in foreign relations. From the United Nations to the European Union, French is the official language of many important international organizations.
  8. Attending language courses can help you learn other languages with greater ease. As one of the many so-called romance tongues, French can make it easier for you to learn languages like Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
  9. Learning French is not that hard! It is is among the most popular languages in the world. Because of that, there are plenty of methods to assist people wanting to learn it, making it more accessible.
  10. It is the language of love. According to popular culture, French is simply a beautiful language.

The Language class in London organises French courses in London for anyone who want to start learning this popular modern language from scratch or for those who want to brush up their existing skills. Classes are interactive and well planned to allow the student to start practising the language from the first lesson.

European Framework for languages – our levels explained

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There are three basic divisions in the European Framework for Languages

A Basic Speaker

B Independent Speaker

C Proficient Speaker

These are subdivided into six levels

 A1 Beginner

A2 Elementary

B1 Intermediate

B2 Upper Intermediate

C1 Advanced

C2 Master

 

The European Framework for Languages describes what each level entails in detail. According to these guidelines, there are the following reading, writing, listening, and speaking guidelines for each level

 

A1 Beginner speakers can use and understand commonly used expressions and basic phrases that are related to satisfying particular needs. Speakers in this level can also introduce themselves and answer very basic questions about themselves. Beginner speakers can interact in a limited manner if the other person helps them and speaks slowly.

A2 Elementary speakers can follow sentences and phrases about common subjects, such as directions, employment, restaurants, and shopping. Speakers in this level can communicate simply and directly and can describe their environment, basic needs, and basic aspects of their background in very simple terms.

B1 Intermediate speakers can follow the basics of a conversation dealing with familiar, everyday matters. Speakers in this level can handle common situations that may be encountered if traveling to the area where the language is used. Intermediate level users are also expected to be able to write basic texts with simple grammar on topics in which they are interested or knowledgeable. They can also describe events and explain their opinions and ambitions.

B2 Upper intermediate speakers can glean the main idea from a complicated text, especially technical text related to their particular expertise. Speakers in this level should be able to interact with a native speaker without noticeable strain. Their writing should be detailed and with the capacity to explain their opinion and to clearly state their reasoning and different possible options.

C1 Advanced speakers can understand most texts and can make connections related to aspects implicit in the text they are reading. When speaking, users in this level should be able to talk fluently without having to search for words or expressions repeatedly or obviously. Their language should be flexible and with the capacity to provide text that is not only detailed and correct but also with a use of different linguistic devices such as connectors or organizers.

C2 Mastery is achieved when the speaker can understand anything that is listened to or read and can draw effective paraphrases from complex sources as well as being able to construct a coherent text or presentation from various sources. Speakers in this level should be able to use their language in complex situations spontaneously, flexibly, and understanding subtle changes in meaning.

What are the benefits of learning German in London?

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What are the benefits of learning German?

If you are living and working in London, taking german lessons can be beneficial to your career. This is because London and Frankfurt are two of the most influential financial hubs in Europe and also in the rest of the world. Germany is one of the most powerful economies in the world and you can find plenty of job opportunities. There is a possibility of someone actually relocating and moving to Germany and this is a wonderful opportunity.

Other reasons to take german classes include the fact that it is the most widely spoken language in Europe. The population of Germany is 83 million people, but it is not only the residents who speak the language. This is the official language in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxemburg. In addition, a significant population of people living in Holland, Northern Italy, Eastern Belgium, Denmark and Eastern France speak the language. When you learn the language, you will be able to connect with 120 million speakers of the language around the world.

Germans are highly innovative people and the list of innovations is endless. We have Einstein with his theory of relativity, the development of chemotherapy and the creation of the MP3 music format. Throughout history, Germans have shown that they are very inventive and ingenious. In fact, this trend still continues up to this day and the ten most innovative companies in the world are found in Germany and just to name some of the most important we have Volkswagen, BMW, Siemens. This presents many job opportunities in these companies  for other talented people to pursue after taking a german course.

There is a rich cultural heritage in the countries where people speak German. This is yet another reason for taking german classes. Poets and thinkers are well represented in Germany, and the countrys contribution of human thought and the arts is amazing. The sciences and philosophy cannot be the same without German influence. The philosophers such as Marx, Hegel, Kant and Nietzsche have had a lasting influence on the modern society.

In addition, learning German is not as hard as you might think. If you already know how to speak English, then you have a head start when you want to take german lessons as these 2 language share common roots.  The spelling of German words cannot be done phonetically however once a person has grasped the system of sounds, they can learn how to write the spoken words and how to pronounce the written word. For students, learning the language is recommended since the people who speak German have had a tremendous contribution to many fields including research, engineering and. technology

Spanish course in London – what to expect on the first evening?

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Students are not expected to have any knowledge of Spanish on the beginner classes, however they should be aware that the classes are full immersion and they will be contacted almost entirely in Spanish. Participants should only bring pen and paper, the tutor will provide materials and a classroom book will be recommended to the student.

Learning a foreign language like Spanish is a great idea and getting acquainted with what to expect from the first lesson is of great significance. One can really feel challenged when they lack knowledge on what happens during their first Spanish evening classes. Just like other courses, being anxious and nervous is to be expected during the initial stages.

 

As a beginner, there are a number of things to expect for Spanish evening courses in London. Usually on the very first evening, getting to know each other marks the start. In this case, each class member introduces themselves and can briefly state why they want to learn Spanish. The tutor also introduces him / herself in order to create awareness. Additionally, the teacher introduces the course in order for class members to have ample time following the outline.

 

In general terms, Spanish basics are all what the first session entails. The very basic things taught include the ABC / alphabet as well as numbers. Some brief teaching on how to introduce oneself, passing greetings to others and asking some basic questions in Spanish language are also to be expected. This goes a long way in enhancing writing and speaking.

 

No matter whether one is a beginner or already has some Spanish basics, all cases are treated equal. There are no assumptions that one has the knowledge on any expressions or phrases. The initial Spanish evening lessons involve learning all fundamental terms and phrases, including the most common ones. This way, someone who has no bit of Spanish knowledge gets to understand every aspect of the language.

 

There are also instructions provided which are to be applied as one moves on. In order to learn fast, only Spanish language, which is the target foreign language is used through sessions. There are though cases in which English is required and one is never limited to using Spanish alone. It is however advised to stick to the target language so as to improve ones speaking skills.

 

With all introductions met during the first evening, class members become more familiar with each other as well as their teacher. One also gets a hint of how the Spanish language classes and lessonswill be structured. Generally, there is no much of resource materials during the first session. This applies from the second lesson onwards through the course. With this information, one can thus be confident attending their first evening Spanish class.

Post GCSE and A Levels how to retain your language abilities in London

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Say that you have put in the considerable effort necessary in getting your GCSE, a University Degree, or an A level in a particular language. However, actually learning a language is only the beginning, it is often just as difficult to keep your language skills from getting rusty. That’s because languages require immersion and constant use. Otherwise, you are apt to forget a lot of your vocabulary and also have problems retaining your fluency. That is where language conversation classes come in! Even if you live in a country where you cannot practice your second language, language conversation classes can help you practice your skills and make sure that they are not forgotten due to lack of use.

 

Language conversation classes are also great for intermediate and advanced speakers looking for a less structured course. Often, at the advanced levels there are little alternatives but official courses designed to prepare students for some kind of accreditation, exam, or diploma. However, many people do not want that, they may simply want to practice their second language in a relaxed environment without the pressure of an examination. While you can do a lot of things to practice your skills on your own (for example, watching TV in a foreign language, watching foreign films, travelling frequently, and reading the news in a second language,) these kinds of activities are only effective up to a point. Eventually you are going to want to have real live speakers to interact with.

 

While regular language conversation classes are often hard to find, speakers in London have access to a great service within easy reach. These kinds of courses will usually be quite open ended and will typically last from two to three months with one or two weekly sessions. They do not need to be too often as the whole point of language conversation classes is simply to practice an already acquired skill, rather than learning a whole new language. Because of this, they are often also considerably more accessible than traditional language courses. Best of all, language conversation classes tend to be a lot of fun, more of a guided social gathering where you will meet interesting people, learn new things, and practice fun activities while at the same time keeping your second language skills from stagnating. Remember constant practice is the best way to keep your acquired language skills polished. Do not let your years of hard work go to waste because of lack of practice, look for a language conversation class today!

Common mistakes that new students do when learning Spanish in London.

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If you are learning Spanish as second language and if you are attending an evening course you should read this brief guide to avoid the most common mistakes that student do.

Missing classes.

This can be the main problem for many students. Someone a lot of enthusiasm and then it comes a time that it is not possible to attend the class. In this case the students feel that if they missed something important and  they will not be able to continue the course. This is not aways the case as the Spanish tutors at our school are very well prepared to deal with this sort of  situations. They will do whatever in their hands to help you to catch up with extra home work, email support.Our classes are always of a very manageable size so the teacher can customise the lesson to your needs. Our suggestion is that if you missed some classes you should contact your teacher immediatly and keep attending as much as you can, you will see that even if you missed one lessons but you keep up with the rest of classes you will soon catch up with the rest of the group.

Arriving late at your classes.

Time keeping is important for everyone, and arriving constantly  late to the lessons wil lead to frustration, yours and that of the other people in class. So it is well worth to make an effort and arrive on time. This will enable you to cacth th lessons from the beginning without missing anything important. We understand that everyone is London is very busy however with some planning you will see that lateness can be easily corrected.

First impact and shock.

Some students find hard to find themselves in class where they find hard to follow what it is being said in a foreign language. This happen if you never had any contact with the Spanish culture or Spanish language sound. Our classes are based on the communicative method and our aim it is to deliver them in the target language, of course the difficulty is gradual and the teacher is trained to give you instructions in Spanish and he or she  will make sure that you understand with drawings, mimes, and pictures. In short the student should not be afraid of letting the teacher know about any issue related to comprehension.

Spanish it is too different and many rules do not make sense.

Some students think the above and just stop learning as they see dealing with a different culture too difficult. Learning a language will require you to leave some concepts that you accept for granted behind, it is about being open to other cultures.  Spanish words will have feminine and masculine ending, and they will change if they singular or plural. It might take time to grasp these abstract concepts but it is not that difficult after all.

Lack of confidence.

Sometimes, we see students in the Spanish course who think that they are worse off than the other student in the class, If this is the case they will be shy and they will not try to speak in the class. However you should compare your achievement only with yourself. Only your progress matter, since everyone is learning at a different pace.

Tips for learning Italian

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How can I learn Italian in London?

If you are interested in learning italian while you live or work in London, you will soon find out that you have many possibilites some can be also free.
You can attend meetings and events at the Italian cultural institute in London.
The Istituto culturale Italiano  always organises plenty of talks, film projections, classes and workshop throughout the year. Therefore if you are planning to get acquantied with the Italian  language and the Italian culture this it is a very good option. Furthermore the institution has an extensive library where you will find anything to help you with the language and also it can help you  if you would like to learn more about travelling, working or studying in Italy.

 

Italian language exchange.

London is a melting pot and you will never be too far from your local Italian community, so why don’t you put on some adverts at the restaurant or cafe’ around the corner indicating that you are loooking to set up a language exchange. I am sure you will get plenty of interest, Italians like to travel and they will be very happy to teach their own language to you in exchange of English, Spanish, French, German or whatever your first language is. The classified website Gumtree is an other place where you should look at, as there are many adverts regarding language lessons there too.

Watch Italian movies or listen to the Italian radio.

This might be ideal if you already know some basic Italian, or if you want to get accustomed to the sound of the Italian language. The best it is to get DVDs of Italian movies with subtitles, this will help you to understand the plot. Students don’t need to focus in understanding every single word said in the film but they should rather  focus in having an idea of what is going on.

Don’t Buy self learning material, phrasebooks and cds that promise that you will learn Italian in one month.

I do not especially recommend this method for various reasons. Firstly a language is about communication and these methods fcous on memorising set sentences so they just don’t full fill the purpose of learning a language: communicate.  As soon you stop using the cds you will forget evething. An onther factor is that these self learning materials tend to end up on your bookcase shelve quite quickly due to the lack of self motivation.

Attend an Itailan course in London.

Group coures are one of the best ways to learn Itailan simply beacuse you will be meeting new people, the teacher will motivate you, it is fun and you will soon understand how fast you can learn by just attending the lessons. The fees are normally reasonable as you will be splitting the cost of the teacher with other students. The Language Class organises a variety of group lessons either in the day time, weekend or evenings. So if you are looking to get started with Italian give us a call we have something for you.