Learning French Interview With Benjamin Houy of French Together

Learning French Interview With Benjamin Houy of French Together Megan L. If you want to learn to speak French like a native speaker, go straight to the source! Benjamin Houy is a native French speaker who has spent the last three years teaching French through his wonderful blog, French Together. French Together is one of my favorite blogs for learning French online, so I was absolutely delighted to get the chance to ask Benjamin a few questions. No matter what level youre at in your study of the French language, Benjamins insights are sure to be illuminating and inspirational! 1. Youve mentioned on your blog that traveling abroad to teach French was a life-changing experience for you. Would you like to share a little more about that experience? Sure. In 2012, I went to South Korea to teach French and English as part of the Service Civique (a volunteering program). I mainly decided to do that because I wanted to travel and discover a new culture, but I ended up enjoying teaching a lot. I stayed in Korea for six months, and this wonderful experience gave me the desire to live abroad and help people better learn languages. 2. What have you found beginning students struggle with the most when learning French? How do you recommend they overcome these obstacles? After teaching French to many students and talking to many French learners, I am convinced that the biggest struggle is motivation. Most students consider French to be a complicated language and simply dont believe they will ever speak it. This idea that learning languages is complicated and that one needs a special talent to succeed is the main reason why students fail. Thats a shame, because everyone can successfully learn French given the right tools and methods. What I would recommend French learners to do is to actually focus on how to learn French before they even start learning the language. Something as simple as using a Spaced Repetition Software would allow many students to double the amount of vocabulary they learn everyday for example. Many students also struggle with pronunciation, and thats completely normal when you learn a language you are not used to. The best way to improve your pronunciation and understanding of the French language is first of all to regularly listen to spoken French. Its also important to avoid simplified English pronunciation like bawnjour that are supposed to be easier for English speakers to pronounce. The problem is that these pronunciations are often far from the real pronunciation. If you learn them, English speakers may understand you, but French speakers wont. If you want to learn the pronunciation of a word, listen to a recording (you can find recordings on Forvo or Rhinospike), and try to imitate what you hear. You could even record yourself and compare the pronunciations. This takes more time, but you will be happy you did it when the time to speak comes. Talking about speaking, lots of French learners are terrified at the idea of speaking French. Again, thats completely normal. But its important to remember that speaking is one of the best (if not the best) ways to learn a language. When you speak French, you improve your listening skills, you train your brain to use the language, and you even learn grammar, because you automatically imitate what you hear and learn from the way people speak. Thats why I recommend French learners speak as soon as possible. If you know how to introduce yourself in French, you are ready! You can find people who will be happy to talk you via websites like Couchsurfing. Your first conversations will be short and slow, but you will quickly make progress. You may even make French friends and this could give you a huge motivation boost. 3. What has teaching French taught you about your language that you hadnt noticed before? It taught me a lot about the way the language works. As a native speaker, I never think about the construction of the sentences I use, I never wonder whether I should use le or la or whether a word is feminine or masculine. This all comes naturally. Teaching French taught me to care about that. I now take a lot of time wondering how the language works and taking notes when I find a great explanation of a concept so I can later use it to help make French easier to learn. 4. What is your favorite French lesson to teach? What do you enjoy most about it? Besides showing students how they can better learn French, I really enjoy grammar hacks. What I call grammar hacks are rules that make learning and understanding French grammar immediately easier. I love it when student can suddenly understand a concept and immediately apply what they learned. For example, many students never know whether a word is feminine or masculine. What they dont know is that the gender of French words is mainly determined by its ending, and that you can actually guess the gender of a noun with over 80% accuracy if you know what endings are masculine and what endings are feminine (you can find the list of endings here). I also enjoy teaching from real French, that is French the way its spoken by people in the streets. I like to use TV series or music to motivate students and then explain the different sentences. 5. What would your advice be to a student who is just beginning to learn to speak French and would like to one day become fluent? Believe in yourself. You may have failed at learning French before, you may think you are too old to learn a language, you may think French is simply too difficult. But the truth is, you can and will speak French fluently one day if you work hard and dont give up. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  Miroslav Petrasko

The Best Language Tools to Learn German Online

The Best Language Tools to Learn German Online Learning German Can be Fun with Online Language Tools, German Courses, and A German Tutor ChaptersApp's To Learn German On Your iPad/iPhoneThe Best German Translators OnlineThe Best Websites for Learning GemanThe Best Websites to Find a German TutorThe Best Podcasts for Learning GermanWe all know that learning a new language is never easy. Especially one that is so different to your mother tongue. However, thanks to many online courses and phone applications, learning a language, like German has never been easier!Throughout this article, we will discuss the many different available online tools to help deepen your knowledge of the German language. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, have a read.  Find out more about learning German online.So, if you're looking to widen your vocabulary in German, then use Linguee and translate from and to your mother tongue!Learn German from the comfort of your own home with online language tools Photo via Visual HuntThese online language-learning tools are still great to learn German, when you want and how you want, in the comfort of your own home.  There is no time pressure and no homework. You are your own teacher!  Learn German London

Osmotic Pressure Equation Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Osmotic Pressure Equation Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace The maximum pressure which is developed in a solution, when it is separated from its pure solvent by a semipermeable membrane is called osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure is not an actual physical pressure that exists in a solution, but a potential pressure that can be developed only when the solution is separated from a solvent by a semipermeable membrane. Since a solution in a container does not create an osmotic pressure unless a semipermeable membrane separates it from pure water. Hence osmotic pressure of a solution may also be called as osmotic potential. Osmotic pressure develops due to difference in the diffusion pressure of water on the two sides of a semipermeable membrane. It is equivalent to the pressure, which is applied externally in order to prevent the flow of solvent into the solution due to osmosis. The osmotic pressure of a solution can be measured with the help of an apparatus called osmometer. Osmotic pressure is directly proportional to the number of molecules in a given solution. More is the number of solute molecules in a solution; more would be its osmotic pressure. Higher number of solute molecules in a solution lowers its free energy .This results in its increased osmotic pressure. The osmotic pressure of a solution is directly proportional to the concentration of the solution. The value of osmotic pressure is always positive. The value of osmotic pressure of a solution can be calculated by the following formula OP= CX RX T where C is the concentration of solute particles in moles per liter, R is the gas constant and T is the absolute temperature.

A Beginners Guide to the Marimba.

A Beginner’s Guide to the Marimba. Everything You Need to Know about the Marimba. ChaptersWhat is a Marimba?Where You Might Have Heard the Marimba.Some Things to Know about Playing the Marimba.Where to Find a Marimba Teacher Near You.As part of our series on different types of percussion instruments, it’s now time to turn to the marimba.We’ll be looking at all aspects of this percussion instrument â€" from its history to its relationship with other musical instruments, from some of the most incredible marimba performances to ways that you can learn to play the marimba yourself.It’s a fascinating and gorgeous instrument â€" one that tends to get less attention than its more famous cousins, the xylophone and vibraphone, and one that deserves greater recognition than it currently gets. And now it’s time to make that happen.So, let’s take a long look at the marimba. And hopefully, by the end of it, you’ll be as enthusiastic about this instrument as we are.Here we go! You can also find out about learning the xylophone and playing the triangle too! This percussion instrument is wonderful! (Image from Photos . com) SerbanDrum Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyDrum Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RussellDrum Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StephenDrum Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeteDrum Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OllieDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexDrum Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is a Marimba?First things first: what actually is the marimba?The marimba is a percussion instrument made of parallel wooden bars that a marimbist â€" or marimba player â€" would hit with mallets made of rubber and sometimes wrapped in yarn.Beneath each of the bars is hung a resonator or pipe that amplifies the sounds that the st ruck bars produce â€" something that gives the musical instrument a much more resonant sound than, say, the xylophone.But, mentioning the xylophone, many people may well confuse the two instruments: both have bars arranged like the keys on a keyboard or a piano, however, the xylophone does not have the same resonators that produce the marimba’s deeper, fuller sound.Indeed, the term ‘xylophone’ is sometimes used to refer to all tuned percussion instruments â€" even when they are technically classified differently. The larger family of marimbas, xylophones, and the glockenspiel are actually called idiophones.As we have said, and as you will notice when looking at a marimba, all of the notes and pitches are arranged as if on a keyboard, with the accidentals raised so as to be easier for the percussionist who is playing.Whilst the marimba can be performed by a soloist, it is also often found in the percussion section of an orchestra or in a percussion ensemble. Since the eighties, the instrument has been increasingly used in orchestral works â€" as we will see below.You can also learn the steel hang with us!A Brief History of the Marimba.Now we know a bit about what the marimba is, it is worth knowing where it came from â€" because musical instruments don’t just arrive out of history fully formed.However, the origins of musical instruments are not always entirely clear â€" and this is the case with the marimba. The picture is complicated by the fact that xylophones have been present for centuries in both east Africa and southeast Asia.Whilst some people suggest that the instrument was brought to Africa by people who had migrated from Polynesia, it is just as likely that they developed independently. In fact, the west African balafon is a fairly close relative of the marimba itself, suggesting that this instrument didn’t come out of nowhere on the African continent.The Marimba in Guatemala.From here, one of the most unexpected developments in the history of the marimba is that it actually became the national instrument of Guatemala.Whilst the earliest documentary evidence of the instrument comes from 1680 there, it is likely that it was being used earlier than this, with slaves who were taken from the west Africa to Central America attempting to recreate it in their new home.Since then, the marimba has become hugely popular in the Americas, with attempts made to ‘modernise’ the instrument for professional percussionists. This included replacing the wooden boxes that were used as resonators with more sophisticated metal tubes.Are there Different Types of Marimba?Marimbas are one of these instruments that are not so fiercely regulated as, say, a cello or a piano or guitar. Given their roots, and their continued use in different forms across the world, there is no rigorous ‘standard’ in terms of size and shape.Whilst you may expect to play a marimba of a fairly regular size if you are playing a percussion performance in orchest ras, the marimba per se comes in a variety of forms.Here we’ll look at two that are probably most familiar â€" yet understand that this list is not at all exhaustive.The Chromatic Marimba.The chromatic marimba is one of the most widespread types of marimba in the world. It is the one that you will see in percussion ensembles around the world and in philharmonic and symphonic orchestras.It is known as the chromatic marimba because it features all twelve notes of western musical notation â€" something that distinguishes it from the ‘simple’ marimba which can be tuned only into one key at a time.Most commonly, these range in size between four and five octaves. However, we repeat that there is no real standard for this.The Concert Marimba.Whilst the chromatic marimba is the domain of the single percussionist, the instrument that is known as the ‘concert marimba’ can be played by two or more percussionists simultaneously.Whilst these don’t tend to be used in western classical music, they have existed across the Americas since the seventies, as a result of the attempt to revive the ancient practices which featured them heavily.Learn about the tambourine whilst you are here!Where You Might Have Heard the Marimba.Honestly, unless you are into contemporary music or ‘world music’, it may well be that you have never heard a marimba being played. And whilst that is completely fair enough, it is time that you went and checked it out.From chamber music to orchestral percussion, from Afro-Cuban music to ABBA, the marimba pops up everywhere. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to hear it. Big fans of the marimba were ABBA!ABBA â€" Mamma Mia.We told you it pops up everywhere. The opening bars of probably ABBA’s most famous tune are led by a marimba â€" just before the electric guitar comes in.Rolling Stones â€" Under My Thumb.Ignoring the fairly distasteful lyrics, the Rolling Stones’s ‘Under My Thumb’ is a pretty wicked piece of music. And, if you listen carefully, the most interesting of the rhythmic lines is performed on the marimba.Steve Reich â€" Six Marimbas.We said above that lots of composers about half a century ago started to write music for marimba.One of the most interesting of these was Steve Reich’s Six Marimbas, a minimalist piece that combines repetitive rhythms with limited instrumentation and harmonic complexities.Some Things to Know about Playing the Marimba.Thinking about it, the percussion section of an orchestra does have quite a busy job â€" and does need quite a serious collection of skills.Because, sure, whilst they need to know how t o whack a drum or play cymbals correctly, they need a fairly excellent grasp of mallet percussion instruments too.Playing the marimba isn’t exactly easy â€" particularly when, as many performers do, you are required to play with four â€" or six, or even eight â€" mallets at a time.Different Grips.Depending on which part of the world or school of music you are learning in, and depending on how many mallets you are using at a given time, you will choose a different grip with which to hold the mallets.These tend to be known as the Burton grip, the cross grip, and the Musser-Stevens grip â€" and which one you will use will depend on whether you are intending to play lots of chords, lots of melodic lines, or whether your piece demands that you make lots of leaps between large intervals.Start on the Glock or the Xylophone.The marimba can be a little intimidating when you first approach it. So, instead of diving in headfirst, try out some different instruments so that you get the hang of its arrangement.The glockenspiel and the xylophone â€" as well, by the way, as the piano â€" are arranged in the same way as the marimba. And navigating these is that little bit more straightforward than the marimba. You'll need to learn to read music to play the marimbaWhere to Find a Marimba Teacher Near You.When the marimba is that intimidating, it is worth getting yourself someone who can talk you through the process of learning it.The best way to do that is to get a private tutor. And the best way to do that is through Superprof, the platform that connects budding students with enthusiastic tutors from around the world.At Superprof, we have thirty percussion tutors who are available to teach you â€" either online or, if you live nearby, at their teaching studio or in your home.It is worth every moment!

What is it Like to Attend University of Arizona

What is it Like to Attend University of Arizona The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences with you as well. Aaron is a Tucson tutor who specializes in Accounting tutoring, Economics tutoring, and Business Mathematics. He is currently a senior at The University of Arizona and is majoring in Accounting. See what he had to say about his school: VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. Aaron: The University of Arizona is very easy to get around. The campus is mostly flat with only a couple of hills. Tons of people ride their bikes around and through the campus because of the numerous bike paths. There are many bus stops on all edges of the campus, which makes it easy for people who live off of campus. Also, they are building a light-rail that spans from downtown Tucson to the center of campus! VT: How helpful are the academicadvisors? Aaron: The academicadvisorsare incredible and really care about giving you the best advice. My academic advisor emails me when there are upcoming deadlines so I dont forget about registering for classes or applying to programs Im interested in. Also, my academic advisor has always been there for career advice! VT: How would you describe the dorm life? Aaron: The dorm life at The University of Arizona is, by far, one of the best parts of my college experience. All of the dorms are on campus and they are all spread out so not every student is stuck in the same area. This allows for students to explore the campus and to have their own place that feels like home. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Aaron: TheEllerCollege of Management is one of the best business programs in the west coast. Also, the science and medical majors are very well represented and some of the best in the country. The university does a great job of giving you opportunities to meet with employers and expand your network. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Aaron: It is very easy to meet people and make friends as a freshman. The University of Arizona does a great job of putting on social events. Some of the events include sand volleyball, movie screenings, and pep rallies. VT: How helpful is the Career Center? Aaron: The University of Arizona Career Services office does a great job of making it easy for students to apply for full-time jobs, part-time jobs, and internships. Also, the Career Services office puts on many different workshops for practicing interviews and building your resume. VT: How are the various study areas? Libraries? The Student Union? Dorm lounges? Aaron: There are tons of study rooms at the libraries and there are reserved rooms for honors students. There are plenty of study rooms in all of the dorms, which make it hard to ever want to leave your dorm except for food. Overall, the study space is plentiful and well maintained. VT: What is the surrounding town like? What are the best local attractions that make it unique? Aaron: The surrounding town of Tucson is very supportive of The University of Arizona sports and they are always wearing the school colors. The hiking and golf is fantastic for the people who love to be outdoors. Also, the neighboring MountLemmonis beautiful at all times of the year. VT: How big or small is the student body and how does that affect your experience? Aaron: The University of Arizona has a very big student body, which is great for trying to network. The class sizes are comparable to most universities, so they dont hinder your ability to learn. As you get further along in your specific major, the classes get very small, which makes it very easy to ask questions and interact with your professor. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you dreaded the most. Aaron: I remember one of my Classics professors, Mr.Lippman. He taught a class called THIS IS SPARTA! Every day, he would come on stage and just start talking. He didnt use a projector or handouts. All he would do is start telling the story as if he was picking up where he left off. It was an incredible way of learning about an ancient culture! Check out Aarons tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Key Tools and Tips for Guitar Care and Maintenance

Key Tools and Tips for Guitar Care and Maintenance Suzy S. A guitar is a big investment so make sure youre taking good care of your instrument! Learn some important tips for electric and acoustic guitar maintenance in this guest post by  Jacksonville, FL teacher  James W... We have a saying in the artist community: “Take care of your tools and they will take care of you.” This is also true of guitars! Your guitar is your friend, just like your computer and iPhone or smartphone. Taking good care of your instrument is easy and simple if you just follow these steps for electric and acoustic guitar maintenance. 1. Purchase two cleaning cloths, such as a soft shammy cloth used for dusting furniture or a terrycloth. Even an old towel that is clean will work just fine. Use one cloth for cleaning and one for wiping. 2. Youll also need to purchase string cleaner and polisher I recommend Kyser or Jim Dunlop brands. I also recommend Lemoil by Stuart Box from Melbourne, Australia as it contains natural quality products but also smells good with eucalyptus oil added. It does a great job of cleaning and helping the wood last a long time. The tone of the wood is important, as it is pleasing to our ears. And these products are made for guitars only. Do not use furniture polish, as it is not good for the strings. 3. Use a humidifier. This will keep your acoustic from splitting across the top and sides from heat on those hot summer days when stored in its case. You can buy a guitar humidifier from Sam Ash or Musicians Friend for about $10. If the ten bucks is hard to come by, use a small empty film container (poke a few small holes in it), and a clean piece of sponge inside that is lightly moistened. Squeeze out excess water. You can use tap water or purified bottled water. 4. Always clean your strings before you play and after. They will last longer. Spray a small amount of cleaner on a cloth, and wipe clean until you have removed all of the dirt and grime. A good time to clean the neck and headstock of the guitar is when changing strings and all the strings are removed. If you love your guitar, it will love you back and continue to sound good. Cleaning every time you put new strings on just makes it all the easier. And yes it is ok to spray the guitar as long as you are careful not to go overboard and use too much cleaner. A little goes a long way. 5. Do not store your guitar in a car trunk on summer days when there is extreme heat. Guitars last longer and retain their good sound when kept at a comfortable temperature and humidity level that is safe for the woods. Wood ages and dries out very slowly, so sudden and extreme changes are not good. 6. Always wash your hands before playing. Dirt and oil from your hands will make strings rust and sound dull. You can actually protect your strings and make them last longer by keeping them clean. I prefer Elixir Strings for my acoustic guitar, as they are coated with plastic to keep them around longer and saves me money. They cost more, but I can make them last for months. For electric guitars I use EVH Premium Strings as they are quality made but only cost around $5 a set. 7. Put together a guitar care kit that will fit in your hardshell case middle pocket. Use a Ziploc bag so you can easily see what is in there and keep stuff free of dust. Don’t have a hardshell case? Then buy one from SKB or from the company that makes your guitar. Any guitar maker will tell you a guitar kept in its hard case is protected from everything. My friends Ovation Hardshell Case kept his guitar unharmed when he was on the road and his house had a fire. The guitar case was scorched but the $800 guitar was untouched! It was worth the money paid for the case. 8. If anything gets spilled accidentally on the guitar, use a soft cloth and wipe until its dry, and then use your cleaner/polisher as instructed. Don’t panic most guitars that are made to last a long time can handle a mishap or two. 9. Last but not least, replace the frets when they are worn out. This ensures that the notes you play are true and in tune. Guitars are not unlike cars in that you have to maintain them. Post Author:  James  W. James W. teaches guitar, singing, and acting  lessons in Jacksonville, FL. He specializes in teaching pop, rock, and modern country styles. James has been teaching for 10 years and joined the TakeLessons in 2010.  Learn more about James  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Why Learn French Discover the Benefits

Why Learn French Discover the Benefits How Can Learning French Help You? ChaptersGeneral Benefits of Learning a Foreign LanguageHow French Language Learning can Serve YouExploring the World Through Language and CultureLearn French as a GatewayDid you know that, at one time not so long ago, it was thought that speaking more than one language was detrimental to a person's mental health and intellectual capacity?Daft as it sounds, at the turn of the 20th century, school children were discouraged from learning any tongue besides the English language.Since then, numerous studies have concluded that learning a second language in no way harms verbal development or lowers a person's IQ.Quite the contrary! They uncovered so many ways that bilingualism  boosts mental performance.Let us shine a light on some of them, and the many ways learning French will benefit you!Learning French gives a tremendous boost to cognitive function Source: Pixabay Credit: Artsy_Beeassimilate data â€" words, numbers and facts, and make use of them as needed.Just like your physical self, your mind needs exercise to stay fit. So, if all you do is work, watch telly and hang out with friends, your brain may be starving for stimulation.Intellectual pastimes, such as sudoku and crossword puzzles, do little to arouse new brain activity.They are considered more of a memory challenge because you are not actually learning anything.Psychiatrist Norman Doige advocates, among other activities, that  learning a new language  is one of the best ways to keep your mind sharp.A Sharp Mind Helps Prevent Cognitive DeclineYou are alive and thriving in your mind but, somehow, what you know is not translating into what you can do.  What a horrifying scenario!Experts all agree that continuous learning is one of the best ways to stave off age-related mental decline.More importantly, the general consensus is that, while other intellectual functions may wane over time, vocabulary and the power of speech are the least affected by aging.That signifies that you are not likely to lose any word power as time goes on.One function that does suffer as we age is the ability to multitask.Coincidentally, studies have proven that people who have attended language courses, and can speak the language they learned with any degree of fluency, are better multitaskers.Isn't warding off dementia a great reason to sign up for language classes?Brain Processing Speed Slows Down in Young Adulthood.Causality for this alarming fact is as yet unknown. One theory posits that our minds go on autopilot around that stage in life, and there is some merit to the idea.Just finishing our university studies, perhaps already settling into our career... even our social status â€" getting married or otherwise starting a serious relationship does little to keep our grey matter active.Isn't it amazing how the ability to speak another language can forestall all of that?In fact, partaking of language instruction can:give you the ability to learn new words easilyhelp you identify patterns in speech, rhythm, an d word associationssuch as word derivates: familiar from family, for examplehelp develop problem solving skillscultivate good listening skillsimprove your communication skillsClaiming language as your mental playground will make vocabulary categorisation your personal jungle gym.As you make flashcards to study common words, while still a beginner in your language learning adventure, you can colour-code them according to noun, pronoun, verb, adjective and adverb.Later, as your language skills expand, you can create word families: vocabulary pertaining to people, to animals, to objects, to clothing, and so on.Grouping and labeling new words helps build relational bridges between what you already know and the new concepts you are studying; a skill that you can use in other aspects of your daily life.How can your French course London or Glasgow magnify those benefits?This word family represents digital communication. Can you say these words in French? Source: Pixabay Credit: Kevin KingH ow French Language Learning can Serve YouNow that we know the impact of continuous learning on our minds, health and quality of life, let us see how learning French can amplify those gains.Are you mad for discovering new vistas?If so, then you probably know that English alone can give you access to even the most remote parts of the world.However, French is the only other language besides English that is spoken on five of the seven continents.So, while you may get by to some degree  with English, on your skiing trip in Switzerland, a country whose official language is French, you would do much better if you could communicate in their native language.Especially if you wanted to get off the beaten path.In these times of people who value experiences over possessions, finding ways outside of mainstream cultural encounters is made easier by personally having more to offer.Would cycling through Cambodia to see Angkor Wat with your own eyes qualify as an extraordinary experience?If so, you' d better pack light and bring your French speaking skills, as English will not necessarily be understood by the locals.Some people go to French speaking countries to help students learn how to speak English, or to take jobs in telecommunications or engineering.Imagine how much more effective your teaching could be, or all of Morocco - as an example, that you could explore if you spoke French?Learn from a good French tutor here.Exploring the World Through Language and CultureSome people are perfectly happy taking guided tours of different countries, seeing the highlights and buying souvenirs.There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, as a holiday experience. But there could be so much more to holiday-making!Maybe you have been to Paris, or Lyon, or anywhere in the south of France. If so, you surely know the value chirping bonjour when you step into a shop, and merci once your transaction is completed.Perhaps you have gone beyond French greetings, and smack into phrases and expressi ons. Good for you!Language is the roadmap to a culture â€" Rita Mae BrownIf your travels are meant to broaden your cultural horizons, you could not hope for a better second language than French.There are no fewer than 29 countries whose citizens speak French, and an additional eight territories with a francophone population.Speaking French while visiting any of those regions will surely give you entry to the mysteries of their rituals, beliefs and daily life â€" those cultural aspects generally kept hidden from avid tourists.If you have been circling around the idea of language acquisition, wondering which one would yield the most, you could hardly go wrong with studying French.You may think of mastering French as a gateway to learning other romance languages Source: Pixabay Credit: FietzfotosLearn French as a GatewayUnlike English, French is a romance language, meaning it has the same grammatical constructs as Italian, Spanish, Romanian and Portuguese.Many French words are close in pronunciation to those other tongues, too.However, our mother tongue contains a wealth of French words and phrases; in fact, nearly a third of our vocabulary consists of words that originated in France!If you were to learn French, no doubt you would be surprised to find that many English words that end in -ion, such as attention, communication and television are actually French, with no translation needed!For that reason, linguists all aver that French is perhaps the best choice of a second language for native English speakers to learn, and it can serve as a gateway to learning the other romance languages.Once you can speak French fluently, why not learn Spanish or Italian?Study French for Higher Education OpportunitiesLet's say you have taken French courses in secondary school, and your language learning was reinforced by a French tutor on the weekends. The question to pose is: what are you learning it for?Most students select French as their preferred language on the A Levels in order to attend university abroad.For a good reason! The Shanghai Index ranks unis in French speaking countries second only to those in nations whose primary language is English!If you have gone beyond basic French in your desire to pursue advanced studies, we can think of no better way to immerse yourself in an all around learning experience than studying abroad!Pundits all agree that immersion is the very best way to absorb French grammar and French vocabulary.So, if you are a foodie, being bilingual will give you access to study haute cuisine at the Sorbonne, a world-renown institute where you can also major in anything from photography to philosophy!And think of how being fluent in French will increase your marketability!Come time to find work, your proficiency in the French language may get you hired faster, and put a few extra pounds in your pay envelope.Studies show that employees who can speak different languages tend to be more sought after, and earn more.Earning more is a fine point to wrap up the subject of why you should engage in French learning!Aren't you eager for French lessons now?

English Listening Exercise I Bought a Little City

English Listening Exercise I Bought a Little City One of my all-time favorite English podcasts to listen to for a long time is The New Yorker magazines fiction podcast. It features modern writers reading their favorite short fiction pieces from past issues of The New Yorker, and then discussing them with the magazines fiction editor. Ive always thought the podcast would make a good English listening exercise, and finally got around to putting one together.Donald BarthelmeFor the first one, I chose one of my all-time favorite short stories, by Donald Barthelme, I Bought a Little City. The story is very eccentric, and takes the reader into a strange world, where the narrator has somehow bought the city of Galveston, Texas, and begins to make changes to it.This is a fairly advanced English listening exercise, but the great thing about podcasts is that they can be listened to over and over again. You can listen to I Bought a Little City by clicking here. The podcast is free, and can be downloaded and listened to on an mp3 player, or lis tened to on your computer.Below youll find a list of questions about the reading. Enjoy! If you would like to take a class on this listening exercise, and review your answers, click here to contact us.And told everybody that ______ had to move we were _____ __ __ __ just ________.What a ____ little city, it _____ __ ___. It suited me fine, __ _ _______ __ ______ __.What did he do with the people on I street?What does he mean when he says We planted it all to hell?What happens with the bongo drums at the park? What do you think about the actors reaction? What does he say about Democracy in this part?So I ___ to talking to one of _____ ______._____ how much ______ are you _____ __?What is the problem with ground?Well, I said, get a pencil and lets see what we can ____ __.When you look, you dont want to be able to look at ___ ___ _____ , you want to be able to _____ your ____.How many things does the narrator think you need to look at?How does Bill Caufield solve the problems for the n ew neighborhood?______ here, he said. If each piece of ground was like a piece of ____ ____ puzzle, and the ____ ____ on each piece of property followed the outline of a piece of the puzzle, well ____ ___ ____ __, ___, and ______ ___ ___ _____.What do the last three phrases spoken by Bill mean?What 3 problems does the narrator see with Bills proposal?What was the only thing the narrator didnt like in the end?What did he wonder?How did he solve this?What did Butchs owner say he felt like doing to the narrator?How does he describe Sam Hongs wife?I took a ____ on that deal, theres no _______ it.What does the previous sentence mean?Where does he think he went wrong?How does he describe his feelings for Hongs wife?How would you describe the style of this story? Do you think the author was trying to make a point? How are democracy, god, capitalism and government portrayed in the story?