We are always looking for tools to help language learners in their quest for proficiency in their target language. In July of 2010, The New York Times blog posted these ten tips on how to use their publication to support English language learners.
I propose we take this exercise a bit further.

If English isn’t your target language, apply some of the tips and ideas that are given here to a news publication that is in your target language. That publication may not have all of the bells and whistles that The New York Times has, but the exercises within are still valuable and will support your language learning process.

Search for stories about a country in which your target language is…  read more

The brainchild of ACTFL, Discover Languages Month is an initiative to spread awareness of the importance of language learning from coast to coast. It’s a movement that asks teachers and students to inspire others by taking what they care about on the inside and showing it on the outside.

Check out the event site for lots of interesting factoids and how-to guides for rallying your local community. Or, drop in on the ongoing Twitter conversation at #DLMonth. Want to participate? You can show your support for language learning by taking a photo with the Discover Languages logo and sending it to ACTFL. Plus, you might win a little something!

“As a part of Discover Languages Month, ACTFL will be collecting photos…  read more

Guest Post: Daniel Owen – Recruitment Consultant for Euro London Appointments, Multilingual Recruitment Specialists

Today, Daniel answers a question from a member: “What is the best way to achieve the fluency needed for a bilingual or multilingual job? How can I best demonstrate my language abilities to a prospective employer?”

Globalisation has changed the way we eat, live and sleep; it’s also changed how we conduct business. It enables us to eat food from halfway around the world, it provides the means to watch, read and listen to media of different cultures anytime and it allows us to conduct business almost anywhere in the world. Here at Euro London Appointments we see multinational organisations and institutions coordinate their efforts daily, all…  read more

Guest blog post: Jenny Davenport – Livemocha tutor

My Story.

Over 30 years ago, as a young African-American and Native American girl in Virginia, I discovered Japan. I found myself reading about it endlessly. I was captivated by the unique culture, especially the very particular, very strong sense of family – it reminded me of the deep emphasis on “family” in my own household. And so, at the eager age of 11, I began teaching myself Japanese.

When I went to high school, I became close friends with two Japanese sisters. The oldest sister taught me proper Japanese, and how to write in Chinese letters, while the youngest would teach me slang.

At 16, I went away to Princeton University to major in…  read more

Welcome to February (and Groundhog Day!).

Now that your New Year’s Resolutions have had a month to marinate, this is the perfect time to reflect for a moment, reassess your desire, and reaffirm your commitment to your language goals.

Every once in a while, you need to water your goals with some fresh inspiration.  Maybe your emotions have slipped off the “I can do this” track, and you’re feeling less than confident. Or maybe you started the month out plowing ahead under the banner of a new year, but now your resolution has started losing steam.

You are not alone. Resolutions aren’t easy.

45% of Americans usually make New Year’s Resolutions. And while only 8% of Americans stick to their resolutions for 365…  read more

Guest post: Olga – Livemocha Tutor

I am Olga, a Livemocha Spanish Tutor. Learning is my life-long passion, and I aim towards mastery of the languages I speak, rather than only basic communication.  I specialize in helping others to learn the language of their choice, both online and offline.  What I like the most about online learning and teaching is the fact that is not tied to any geographical space. This gives me a sense of freedom, like having grown sudden wings, soaring in the air and still finding sustenance anywhere.

What it really means to learn like a child

You may have heard that children learn fast, but children also take several years to really learn how to speak a language…  read more

Guest post: Miranda – Livemocha  tutor

Hi! My name is Miranda, and I’m a tutor with Livemocha. I have a teaching degree in English and Spanish, but I actually started out on Livemocha as a language student myself. I’m a native English speaker, and I’m fluent in Spanish, but I joined Livemocha a few years ago to try and achieve my goal of being trilingual (in French).

One day, a window popped up and asked me if I would like to review an English submission for a fellow Livemocha member. “Why not?” I thought. After that, I was hooked! I couldn’t stop reviewing English submissions! A while later, because of my teaching credentials (plus the excellent reputation I’d developed as a…  read more

In honor of American Thanksgiving tomorrow, we have a special article for you today from an experienced language professional to help you focus on the right language learning strategies. Although geared toward English learners, these tips will work for students of all languages!

Guest post:  Nina Weinstein – Online producer and writer of international English language materials

The English language is one of the most extensive languages in the world.  It has over a million words.  The vocabulary and structure of English represent part of the history of the world, with cultures from Nordic to Russian leaving linguistic marks on the language.  Consider these English words largely believed to be from these cultures:

English Words

Origin

egg, sky, sister, window, get
Old Norse

boulevard, a la…  read more

Curious how Livemocha can be implemented in an academic setting? Our Active coursework is popular in a variety of scholastic contexts, including systemic inclusion in existing study programs. Most recently, Active English was integrated into the Intensive English curriculum at Wilkes University. Check out the case study below, or read all four Livemocha Case Studies.

 
Using Livemocha to Supplement College Preparatory English Curriculum
Kim Niezgoda, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA
 

Kimberly Niezgoda is Assistant Director for the Wilkes University Intensive English Program, which prepares international students with university-level language skills.

Wilkes University often offers conditional acceptance at the undergraduate level, based on a score of 60 on the TOEFL or 5.5 on the IELTSs. The Intensive English Program places students in one of five…  read more

Many of our nearly 10 million members are self-driven, independent spirits. They log in from their homes, libraries or internet cafes, pursuing intensely personal goals. Yet these seemingly personal goals are often also universal: moving abroad, working with international clients, improving economic prospects, overcoming academic barriers, keeping aging brains sharp, and even just conversing for fun and friendship. As a consequence of globalization,  our members are modern-day Renaissance men and women ready to escape cultural and geographical isolationism. And they stand on the forefront of a global workforce.
Given that language proficiency is in universal demand, it’s time to stop going it alone.
While we deeply admire independent learners for their determination, we know the journey is easier when the entire…  read more