Welcome
to our language blog. From
now on you can find our language blog here under: http://www.timefortalking.com/blog.languages.htm
Hope
you enjoy it. With
best wishes Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
on July 23rd, 2010 direct
link to this entry
tags:
languages, language learning,
language blog, blog,
language tuition, translation, study
tips, revision, revising,
GCSE, A-level,
AS level,
A level, A-level, French,
Italian, Japanese,
Chinese, Spanish,
Dutch, Norwegian,
Greek, Hungarian,
Russian, German
online tuition |
|
blog
categories:
Please
bookmark this page, by pressing: Ctrl+D . Thank you! |
|
~
free study tips ~
The
ABC of language learning
STUDY TIPS:*Enjoy!
Whatever you learn with motivation and fun is more likely to stick. *Your
brain needs an interesting challenge.
If like many people looking back to your school days and your language classes,
causes some stress and not 'fun' memories, you will need to trick your brain:
make sure you use different material to those used at school. For example,
if you used an exercise book, make sure not to use one now.
*Even small changes will make a difference.
Use blank sheets of paper rather than lined one. Use a new pen in an unusual
colour. It has to be an outstanding stimulus for your brain to be working
most effectively, so write down new vocabulary in your favourite colour.
*When learning new words use different methods:
find out whether you learn by repeating the words out loud, copying them over
and over again or by sound.
*If you learn by sound, you might want to record the
list of 'difficult' words with the translation onto a blank tape. Try to listen
to it, just before falling asleep. Research has shown that some people wake
up the next morning with the knowledge of those words. You might be one of them,
it's worth checking out!
*Using 'word cards' can be a fun and different way
to learn new vocabulary. It's easily done and doesn't have to be an expensive
venture (so don't immediately buy expensive cards). Simply fold an A4
sheet of paper in a zigzag manner. Then fold the rectangular shape into half
and into another half once more. When opening the paper, you will have the folded
lines to cut out nice and easy, leaving you with a perfect sized set of
20 cards per A4 sheet. Now, write onto one card, say the German word for book,
i.e. das Buch, turn the card around and write down the English translation.
If you are not colour blind, make up your own colour codes for verbs,
nouns, same articles, etc. When you learn and check your vocabulary, you
can now make a game out of it (your brain will love it and therefore take
in much more, believe me!). Make different piles of word cards, e.g. easy,
didn't know, hesitated, will never learn.... now shuffle and repeat.
*The brilliance of word cards is also you being able
to use those cards when being out and about without anybody realizing you studying,
and more importantly even your brain being fooled into 'just playing a game' and
not doing something boring or tedious. Try it!
*If you are not colour blind, use different colours
when writing things down. It will stimulate your brain more hence words will
be learned much quicker.
*Make sure to do some revision (going over new texts,
grammar points, learning new words and revising old ones...) on a daily basis.
It is a known fact that several small intervals of learning are usually more effective,
than a 3 hour 'one-off' study period which very few people will ever repeat.
*If you start right from the beginning of your
new language learning experience, the fun will stay and it will be much easier
than at a later stage, trying to cramp in missed knowledge from the start.
*Another good tip is using visual aids in the house.
For example, name objects around your house and put their foreign meaning on a
sticky note, placed upon the item. Whenever you pass or use the teapot for instance,
you will be forced to see/read the foreign language. Soon you will know the word,
without having noticed the learning process.
*If certain grammar structures seem to be impossible
to grasp or to remember, write a short summary or the actual grammar point on
a sticky note and place onto the mirror in the bathroom or once again next to
your teapot. Whenever you brush your teeth or make a cup of tea, you can read
through it. You will memorize it, without even realizing. Easy!!
*Should you run out of ideas for practising sentence
structuring. Think of certain words and try to find a definition for them
in the foreign language. So carry on writing.
Wishing
you lots of fun and success finding and using your best working study method. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in free study
tips, direct
link to this entry
tags:
study tips,
study help, tips, language
learning tips, languages, study
tips, free help, language
beginner, vocabulary, how
to memorize vocab
|
~
free revision tips ~
10
points to stress-free & successful exam revision 1=
start well in advance i.e.
at least 3-4 months, but better even 4-5 months in advance. Time pressure is
one of the most common stress factors and for a GCSE or A level exam you are
likely needing to revise for more than one exam, so you will need this time. 2=
plan your revision time, scheduling short periods of studying, but
also plan your relaxation times 3=
get moving Sitting down and studying is not only exhausting but
also puts strain onto the body by stiffening it. So go outside, get some fresh
air and do some sports' activity, like cycling, jogging or any other of your liked
sports' activitiesy. It also helps when for example trying to memorise something
rather complicated, take the notes and memorise them while walking outside around
the garden, or in front of the house. It is a known fact that increasing the oxygen
helps to memorise something long-term. 4=
be positive, don't fret It's common to stress oneself out only by
thinking about the most dreadful exam scenarios. This can be avoided but thinking
positively about the exams. 5=
drink enough healthy fluid (water, herbal teas, unsugared fruit
juices) and eat well. Being hungry or dehydrated makes it impossible to concentrate. 6=
get support and help You are not alone. Join a study group or get
a private tutor to help you with your revision (contact us here). 7=
like under point 1 it's not only essential to start early so you have enough
time to revise, but also as you will need to find out
what revision/studying technique works best for you (e.g. reading,
copying, writing, summarizing, taking notes, using revision cards, listening,
mind-maps, pictures etc.) and this will take time, which you will need to schedule
in in addition to the actual studying time. 8=
get enough sleep Being overtired prevents you from being able to
concentrate and take in your revision. 9=
plan something extra ordinarily nice for you to do after the exams (no
matter how the exams go). 10=
just give your best At the end of the day by following for example
this revision schedule and putting in the hours of actual studying as well, you
will have done all that you can or that is possible. Bear that in mind.
Wishing
you lots of fun and success with your revision and exams. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you reach your language goals.
Posted
in free
revision tips, direct
link to this entry
tags:
study
tips,
study help, tips, language
learning tips, languages, study
tips, free help, revision
help, revision
guide, language
exams, GCSE language exam,
A-level
exam, GCSE
exam, revision
tips |
Your
revision guide in plain words -back to basics-:*Start
early and
plan ahead *Before
you start with actual exam preparation or revision, know
your best and working 'learning technique/tricks'
(photgraphic , short term memory) i.e.
learning by sound, writing, copying, colours, keywords/bullet points, word maps,
pictures, association etc. *plan
your time *write
out a schedule:
incorporating break and fun times as well as meals and exercises, sleep *know
the subject syllabus
and the examination board's requirements *check
the appropriate syllabus, teachers' comments on exam questions, to
get a clear idea of all subject headings, topics, module that you will need
to revise and know *depending
on your short term /ultra short term memo - schedule your
topic areas - covering them all and leaving about a weeks' time (or
two) extra for the final revision *make
sure after finishing with any module/topic area, that you apply
the learned knowledge to actual exam questions *keep
to your planned schedule ~TRAPS
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO AVOID BEFORE FALLING INTO THEM~ *starring
onto a bookpage for hours on end does not result in exam knowledge whatsoever *just
'reading' any text won't do this either, unless you have a photographic memory *it's
no use to start revision 1-3 months before exams only: let's face it - students
are unlikely to only take exams in ONE subject ONLY plus there will be the odd
days of NO study at all anyway. ~
FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING~: *knowing
vocabulary is good *knowing
grammar is good, too, but
it's essential to be able to put those two together -
ie. structuring correct sentences in adequate time (during your exam). *For
you to be able to do this, practise this. *If
you cannot think of any new sentences, just describe your room, your day,
a picture, your holiday or try to write out definitions for words. ~FOR
PSYCHOLOGY REVISION~: *knowing
researchers' names and dates for studies is good *knowing
certain studies by year is good and gives points, too but
here it is essential to be able to apply ' research findings'
to certain 'problem scenarios' that you will be confronted with in your
exam papers *Example:
A fear of
crowded spaces... how would the different psychological approaches explain it? -behavioural -psychodynamic
etc. *if
using keywords/bulletpoints on cards is working for you, go
through the subsections and make notes from them,
*understand
your notes and make further (shorter) notes
from your initial ones, so at the end you will only have 1-2 cards per heading.
This means that you will only be working and revising from very few cards (which
is feasable shortly before an exam, BUT you went through a good learning process
already as otherwise you weren't able to reduce the notes further and further *Test
yourself ~for
a study group~: *bounce off each other questions
and TALK about the actual topic, *EXPLAINING
topic areas to each other:
it is a proven fact that once you are able to explain an area of study to
another person , being able to answer any upcoming questions from this other person,
YOU know and understood the stuff --this
is what you will need to try to achieve *give
yourself adequate timing in your schedule *practise
relaxation techniques *get
enough sleep *eat
well and healthily *talk
about your fears and worries with your friends, parents,
teachers and don't bottle them up *do
your best and it will all work very well SO
ENJOY THIS REVISION TIME, BY HAVING A STRESSFREE TIME AND BECAUSE IT'S
STILL ALWAYS NEEDED, GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EXAMS. :-) AND
should the worst come to the worst and it doesn't go well, REMEMBER IT'S NOT
THE END OF THE WORLD!
Wishing
you lots of fun and success with your revision and exams. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in free
revision tips, direct
link to this entry
tags:
study tips,
study help, tips, language
learning tips, languages, study
tips, free help, vocabulary,
how to memorize vocab, revision
help, revision
guide, psychology
exam revision, psychology A level,
psychology AS level, psychology
exams, language
exams, psychology A-level,
GCSE language exam, psychology
AS-level, psychology A2-level
|
~
language videos ~ You
can find our video channel now under:Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in language videos, direct
link to this entry
tags:
language
videos,
study help, tips, language
learning, languages, learning,
language beginner, Spanish
tuition, French
tuition, Spanish
online lessons, French
online lessons
|
Back
to top Back
to blog index
Some
of our language tuition videos on our webpage
for:
- French
tuition, French lessons, French tutoring
- Italian
tuition, Italian lessons, Italian tutoring
- Japanese
tuition, Japanese lessons, Japanese tutoring
- Norwegian
tuition, Norwegian lessons, Norwegian
tutoring
- Russian
tuition, Russian lessons, Russian tutoring
- Spanish
tuition, Spanish lessons, Spanish tutoring
Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you reach your language goals.
Posted
in language videos, direct
link to this entry
tags:
language
videos, French
tuition video, Italian
tuition video, Japanese
tuition video, Norwegian
tuition video, Russian
tuition video, Spanish
tuition video, learning
Italian, learning
Japanese, learning
Spanish, learning
Russian, learning
Norwegian, learning
French
|
~
course material ~
*For
our recommendations on course material,
click here.
Happy
reading!
Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in course
material, direct
link to this entry
tags:
course material,
study help, tips, language
learning, languages, learning,
language beginner, vocabulary,
textbooks
|
Back
to top Back
to blog index
~
vocabulary ~
E-guide
to help you with your language learning: Eva,
our teaching expert, has put together an e-guide, to assist you with: "Overcoming
any struggles in learning a foreign language" The
e-guide contains the following chapters: ^
^ ^Congratulations !!! ^ ^ ^Motivation ^ ^ ^How To Study ^ ^ ^Remembering
Vocabulary ^ ^ ^Understanding Grammar
^ ^ ^Lacking Grammar Practice
^ ^ ^Lacking Conversational Practice
^ ^ ^Effort & Continuity ^ ^ ^How
To Improve From a Higher Level Though
Eva is a teacher for German and Psychology, this e-guide is applicable for
any language.
You
can purchase it here.
Hope
this e-guide will assist you with your language studies. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in vocabulary,
direct link to this entry
tags:
study
help, how
to, how
to study a language, how
to learn a foreign language, how
to improve your language skills, self-study,
studying
a language |
Back
to top Back
to blog index
~
language learning ~
Why
learn a foreign language? Knowledge
of another languages - An investment in your future. Knowledge
of foreign languages is becoming more and more an essential tool in today's
business world. This
is especially true in Europe. All
over Europe more and more people learn to speak more than 3 languages. Working
abroad has become a regular necessity. Many
ordinary job descriptions require another language. Who
would not like to experience the 'real' culture of a country during their holidays.
Speaking
another language helps **to understand the culture, **it promotes communication
and friendship, **it can enhance one's chances on the job market, **and
can also lead to better business connections and business deals. Don't
put it off, start learning today for your new future.
Have
a good day. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in language
learning , direct
link to this entry
tags:language
learning, languages, learning,
motivation, languages
for business,
corporate language learning, language beginner
|
Back
to top Back
to blog index
Tips
to improve your language skills When having reached a certain
language in a new language it can be a bit difficult to improve ones skills and
mainly the vocabulary knowledge. Here are some useful tips for improving
your language skills for the advanced learner, i.e. for students at a higher
knowledge level already: - watch TV in the language Children's
programmes are useful for easy watching, normal movies will be a bit more challenging.
It always helps to watch a movie that you know already, this way you will not
be struggleing to understand the plot and can therefor focus on each line.
Very important: Only watch movies that are originally made in the
language you are studying, as when learning it is still helpful to be able to
follow the lip movements as well. Naturally this won't be possible if you are
watching a movie in its dubbed version.
Advice: While still
learning the language stay clear from comedy shows that you might have seen in
your own language already. Humour in general is a very much country orientated
and so it always differs immensely. Thus watching a show that you might have
found funny, will not necessarily make you laugh when watching it in the original
version. Also for really understand the funny ways of using the language with
word puns etc. requires a pretty much fluent level of the language already, so
it's not good to start off with that while you are still studying. Practical
tips: for many languages receiving their equivalent TV stations isn't difficult.
Just use an analogue satellite receiver and dish and tune into the chosen
language. Where this isn't possible due to country restrictions, the internet
can help to still be able to watch foreign TV via your computer. -read
books in the language Reading books in the foreign language is a
fantastic way to improve on vocabulary and also to get to grips with colloquial
phrases etc. First advantage of reading is that this will be done at your
own individual pace, so it's not as fast pace as watching a movie. Furthermore
it's easier as reading is always easier than listening. It is a known fact
that listening, say in a phone call is the most advanced level of understanding
a language. Finally you will be able to familiarise yourself with the correct
spelling of words, as you see the written way. - listen
to the radio in the foreign language Listening to a radio station
in the language you are studying can be a helpful aid in improving ones skills
as well. Though like in a phone call this is the most advanced level, it still
helps. Also with an advanced/higher knowledge level already you will also just
improve your passive knowledge by just letting the radio run in the background.
It's an 'easy' and convenient way to work on the language, as you'll be able
to do something else at the same time as well,i.e. two activities for one
:-). Give it a try.
Hope
you find the ideas helpful and interesting. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in language
learning , direct
link to this entry
tags:
study help, tips, language
learning, languages, learning,
grammar, motivation,
language beginner, vocabulary,
textbooks
|
Back
to top Back
to blog index
Why
grammar learning is so essential?Starting
to learn the grammatical structures of any new language right from the start
is so very important. Many people make the mistake in thinking that knowing
a few phrases alone, will enable them to become fluent in the language. However
without grammar this can never be the case, as grammar is so absolutely essential
when speaking a language. The earlier one starts to memorize certain grammatical
endings, cases, changes, etc. the more easier it will be to a) sustain
and improve that knowledge but also b) to speak at a very high level
and c) to be able to speak the language fluently at some stage
at all. Language
fluency is a combination of using words ( vocabulary knowledge), in certain structures
or with certain endings etc. ( grammar).
Many
people have an almost innate aversion when it comes to even just the 'word'
grammar. It seems to inflict pain or at least major boredom onto us. The
reason for this lies simply in the fact that very unfortunately many main
stream schools don't focus on grammar, and if they do include alot of grammar,
they are teaching it without any fun.
But during language learning the
fun aspect is a key factor in learning successfully. As only with fun will motivation
stay alive during the language learning process and often main stream school teachers
forget to keep up the fun when teaching their pupils to study and memorize grammatical
endings etc. As
this for many of us has been a past experience, it is only natural to perceive
grammar as something one 'shouldn't even think about'.
Still very unfortunately
grammar cannot be left out of the language learning process I am afraid, BUT
it is possible to study and learn grammar with alot of fun and motivation.
There
are many grammar learning activities (games) one can play in a small group,
or in the classroom or even alone. By making a game out of the studying process
of grammar memorizing activities, we do not even recognize the activity as
a chore and therefor our motivation is on a high. Our brain cells take in much
more of the learned information and we do not feel as if we 'studied' at all.
So
the first step is to overcome the anxiety about the 'issue grammar' we have
in us from bad or boring past experiences and then just dive in with lots
of fun activities.
You will be surprised how much quicker and much more
successfully you'll be able to learn any grammar points.
Have an open
mind and give it a try. In
this blog I will be sharing alot of my own successfully applied and always
fun orientated teaching experience.
Hope
you find it helpful and interesting. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in language
learning , direct
link to this entry
tags:
study help, tips, language
learning, languages, learning,
grammar, motivation,
language beginner, vocabulary,
textbooks
|
Back
to top Back
to blog index
Language
activities during the holidays During
any holiday times it is not that difficult to incorporate some language revision
or exercises as well. set
a little role-play for your child/children and their friends and let
them (and yourself) become foreign speaking actors.
let your child/children make their own game of 'pairs', using painted
pictures, or collages and the applicable translated word on the cards, too. This
way your children get confronted with the foreign words but in a relaxed and
fun setting. When playing the game, have the children read out the foreign words
on the cards as well.
organize a foreign barbecue, let everyone bring specialities from different
countries, and each guest need to know 10 foreign words and two sentences in the
country's language of their brought food. Then each guest needs to teach those
words and sentences to the other guests.
having to face a rainy day with the children being at home and bored? Organize
a viewing of some foreign children's programs, via the internet or with a
satellite dish.
*
There are many things and activities where a foreign language can be incorporated.
*
The importance isn't so much the activity but taking away the 'fear and stress
factor' that often surrounds the topic of foreign languages and the learning
of it.
*By working foreign languages into your daily routine and fun activities,
it will increase the motivation and the language knowledge improvements as
well.
Try it yourself :-)
Hope
you find the ideas helpful and interesting. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in language
learning , direct
link to this entry
tags:
languages,
language
learning, holiday
language activities, using
languages during holidays, language
tuition, language
revision, language
revision help, children
holidays activities with languages |
Back
to top Back
to blog index
~
languages ~
Visit
our detailed language tuition sites for: - Dutch
tuition, Dutch lessons, Dutch tutoring
- French
tuition, French lessons, French tutoring
- Italian
tuition, Italian lessons, Italian tutoring
- Japanese
tuition, Japanese lessons, Japanese tutoring
- Norwegian
tuition, Norwegian lessons, Norwegian tutoring
- Russian
tuition, Russian lessons, Russian tutoring
- Spanish
tuition, Spanish lessons, Spanish tutoring
Enjoy.
Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you reach your language goals.
Posted
in language videos, direct
link to this entry
tags:
language
videos, Dutch
tuition video, French
tuition video, Italian
tuition video, Japanese
tuition video, Norwegian
tuition video, Russian
tuition video, Spanish
tuition video, learning
Dutch, learning
Italian, learning
Japanese, learning
Spanish, learning
Russian, learning
Norwegian, learning
French
|
~
travelling ~
Find
out travelling reasons for learning: Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you reach your language goals.
Posted
in language videos, direct
link to this entry
tags:
language
videos, Dutch
tuition video, French
tuition video, Italian
tuition video, Japanese
tuition video, Norwegian
tuition video, Russian
tuition video, Spanish
tuition video, learning
Dutch, learning
Italian, learning
Japanese, learning
Spanish, learning
Russian, learning
Norwegian, learning
French, travelling
in the Netherlands, travelling
in Japan, travelling
in Russia, travelling
in France, travelling
in Spain, travelling
in Argentia, travelling
in Italy, travelling
in Brussels, travelling
in Belgium, travelling
in Sicily
|
~
foreign cultures ~
Christmas
traditions all over the world: Following
is a brief list of some countries and their christmas traditions: Australia:
-
celebrated very similar to christmas in the UK and North America - only main
difference is that on the 25th December due to it being high summer down under,
so it's traditional to hold a barbecue on the beach then. -
The highest Christmas tree of the southern hemisphere can be
found in Sydney. It's a 26 metres high artificial tree with over 20.000 small
lights. Germany: 6th
December - Saint Nicholas day (German : Nikolaus) = -In the night of the
5th December children put their shoes in front of their beds. In the morning
of the 6th December Saint Nicholas will have put gifts (small toys, sweets
or fruit) into the shoes. -Traditionally people will dress up as Saint Nicholas
and visit children. During this visit the procedure of checking for good or
bad kids will take place. For this Saint Nicholas will be checking in a large
golden book, that he will have brought with him. Children will have prepared something
for his visit, like to recite a poem or something similar. With such activity
children can 'counteract or work off' any possible naughty behaviour they displayed
over the year, as Saint Nicholas will be referring to those, i.e. in April you
didn't tidy your room or similar. Then children receive presents from him. -Really
traditionally Saint Nicholas will be accompanied by the farmhand Rupert or servant
Rupert (German : Knecht Ruprecht) who is there to show some powerful presence
as he will bring a rod with him, for possible punishment. Though of course this
isn't followed through. 24th
December - Christmas Eve (German: Heilig Abend) = -opening of the presents
in the evening, after a big meal is eaten. Traditionally potatoe salad with
frankfurter sausages or carp fish is served, but each family will have their
own chosen Christmas Eve meal. -Decorating of the christmas tree will traditionally
be done on the 24th December during daytime. -Often people place a crib
depicting the nativity scene underneath the christmas tree as well. -This
day is rather family orientated, so usually families tend to be among themselves
only. 25th
December = -nothing special apart from a big lunch will take place. Traditionally
roast goose or turkey with dumplings and red cabbage will be eaten. 26th
December = -nothing special apart from a big lunch will take place again. The
remains from the meal the day before will be served. -All shops and stores
remain closed. -Often a family walk is taken together. -Traditionally this
would be the day to meet up with friends.
Greece: -For
christmas children go through the streets with drums and bells, singing praising
songs (Greek : Kalanda). They receive gifts for this. -To protect oneself
against leprechauns (Greek: Kalikanzari) during 12 nights christmas fires are
lid. -In the night of the 1st January saint Vassilius puts presents
in front of the children's beds. -Traditionally families bake a cake and place
a golden coin into the dough. Whoever finds that coin in their piece of cake
is meant to be having a very happy new year. Finland: Tradition
here is a visit to a sauna on Christmas Eve. The traditional meal on
that night is the 'baked Swede' which is a festive meal with pork. France: -The
main event here is the Christmas dinner called 'Le Reveillon'. -Traditionally
the entire family also attends the midnight mass.
Italy: -The
main focus with regards to christmas decorations is placed here onto the crib
depicting the nativity scene (Italian : Presepio). -Presents are given
out on Christmas Eve in the order of people drawing numbers for their presents
out of a sack. 6th January - an ugly, old witch (Italian : Befana)
carrying a broomstick visits children and brings gifts for the good ones and pieces
of coal for the naughty ones. Mexico: -
During the christmas period busy streets with fireworks (Spanish : posadas) are
typical here. - Children's highlight is the (Spanish: pinata). This is a clay
vessel suspended from above, so that children, who are blindfolded, can break
it by knocking onto it with sticks to release its contents. Netherlands: -
Traditionally the 5th December is celebrated with gifts brought by (Dutch:
Sinterklaas and zwarte Piet) [similar to the German tradition of Saint Nicholas.
25th
December = is more seen as a religious festivity than anything else. New
Zealand: -
celebrated very similar to christmas in the UK and North America - only main
difference is that on the 25th December due to it being high summer down under,
so it's traditional to hold a barbecue on the beach then. Sweden: The
most important day in the christmas period is the 13th December, the
day of the Saint Lucia. She brings light into the dark. In the morning of
the Lucia-Day, the oldest daugher of each family dresses up as Saint Lucia and
walks through the house, waking the rest of the family, traditionally carrying
a wreath of candles on her head and giving out Lucia cakes and cookies. Scandinavia: -Christmas
hobbits are known around here. -They stem from the 'Jul celebration' which
is a harvesting / winter tradition, during which 'Jul beer' is served. The
celebration ends on 13th January with a big party.
UK
and North America: 24th December = stockings are hung
up for Santa Claus to fill when bringing the presents overnight 25th December
= opening of the presents during the morning hours UK: 25th
December = - wearing of paper crowns during dinner. The crown hats
usually come from the UKs traditional Christmas cracker which is pulled
tug-o-war style - by two people, with crackers usually containing a toy,
a joke and the crown style hat. Other
countries: 24th December = In all German speaking countries,
but also Argentina, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal and the nordic countries,
the christmas gifts are handed out during the evening of christmas eve
Wishing
you lots of fun no matter wherer and how you will celebrate christmas this year.
Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in free study
tips, direct
link to this entry
tags:christmas,
christmas
traditions, christmas
in Germany, christmas
in Mexico, christmas
in Greece, christmas
in the UK, christmas
in the Netherlands, christmas
in New Zealand, christmas
in Australia, christmas
in Italy, christmas
festivities, christmas
throughout the world |
~
sightseeing ~
Find
out some sightseeing information for countries you speak the following languages
in: Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you reach your language goals.
Posted
in language videos, direct
link to this entry
tags:
learning Dutch,
learning
Italian, learning
Japanese, learning
Spanish, learning
Russian, learning
Norwegian, learning
French, sightseeing
in Holland, sightseeing
in Belgium, sightseeing
in Italy, sightseeing
in Japan, sightseeing
in Norway, sightseeing
in Russia, sightseeing
in Spain, sightseeing
in Argentina
|
~
online tuition ~
Online
tuition such a valuable, economical as well as eco-friendly way of learning a
foreign language.
But as there are still many misconceptions
about online tuition, thus let me explain how online tutoring with us works
exactly: Online
learning with us is as interactive as any classical tuition, as it's learning
via video conference. It has the great benefit of both student/s and tutor
staying at their own homes during lesson times, hence with no travel having to
be considered, saving immensely on cost and time as well. Also as
tutors don't have to be living near clients, our facilities to check for available
tutors are much greater, as we have tutors world-wide. And because of this
it increases the chance of having a tutor available to start tutoring straight
away. Tuition would be held 'at the computers', i.e. by using a (fast)
broadband internet connection, a software (free to download), using a
headset or a microphone & speakers instead, and also webcams, so the students
can see the tutor as well as the tutor seeing you during lessons. Thus
making the entire lesson absolutely interactive which doesn't then differ
to sitting in the same room as the tutor; as
it's 100% interactive, with 100% vision and 100% audio/sound. And
as the software we use also has the feature of writing things down, and sharing
files, it doesn't even lack in receiving an exercise sheet in the lesson from
the teacher, nor writing skills. The tuition time is booked absolutely
identical to classical tuition, but the tutor would just not welcoming and
meeting you in his or her home or you welcoming the tutor in your home, and
sitting down at a table, but instead welcoming and meeting you at your computer
via web cam (from your computer at your or his home to the computer at the
tutor's home). Regarding equipment, it just has to be noted, that the
webcam needs to be compatible to use with 'Skype Video' (most, even basic ones
always are though), plus laptops usually have in-built webcams anyway. As
mentioned above the tuition would be held 'at the computers', i.e by both
student and tutor sitting in front of their computers, both in the convenience
of their own homes.
The software we use and have best results with, is
the 'Skype' software, which is free to download under www.skype.com (
there just click on the 'download now' button). After downloading the software,
we would only need to know your Skype name (which works like your personal 'Skype
phone number'), so the tutor could 'Skype call' you for lessons - it's really
that simple. Online tuition with us: the
economical and eco-friendly way of learning a foreign language.
We offer online tuition for languages and also in
preparation for Psychology (A-level/University) exams.
Hope
the above helped you to get a better understanding and insight about online
tuition with timefortalking. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in online
tuition, direct
link to this entry
tags:online
tuition, on-line,
on line learning, online
teaching, online
language tuition, online teacher, online
tutor, video conference, webcam,
skype, languages
|
Back
to top Back
to blog index
~
miscellaneous ~
Why
learn a new language: Knowledge
of another languages - an investment in your future. ^Knowledge
of foreign languages is becoming more and more essential in today's business
world. This
is especially true in Europe. ^All
over Europe more and more people learn to speak more than 3 languages.
^Working
abroad has become a regular necessity. ^Many
ordinary job descriptions require another language. ^Who
would not like to experience the 'real' culture of a country during their
holidays? ^Speaking
another language helps to understand the cultrue,
^it promotes communication and friendship,
^it
can enhance one's chances on the job market, and ^can
also lead to better business connections and business deals. Don't
put it off, start today for your new future.
We
can help you achieve your language goals. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in miscellaneous,
direct
link to this entry
tags:
why
learn a foreign language,
languages in business, working
abroad, holidays,
understanding
the culture abroad, Europe,
CV,
career |
Did
you know...
many
people stop learning a language due to lack of motivation? Ø
At timefortalking we put the fun back into language learning.
schools
and colleges often only offer a very strict course to follow? Ø
At timefortalking we offer totally flexible courses tailored to your needs
and availability.
...other
language agencies only have strict business hours
Mon-Fri? Ø At timefortalking we are there
for you every day of the year.
...other
language agencies only offer tuition at their premises or at your home,
always being restricted to certain areas only? Ø As we are also
offering online tuition at timefortalking we haven't got these restrictions, as
with us you can always take your language course via online tuition, where the
client's location isn't even a factor to consider. Read further details on
our online tuition facility here.
many
students forget what they have learned when pausing their tuition due to holidays
etc. ? Ø At timefortalking we can offer you uniquely prepared
tapes to cover any periods where you do not take any lessons.
lots
of schools take a long time to get organized? Ø At timefortalking
we are confident we're one of the most reliable & efficient language services.
Due to email communication for contracts etc. the language tuition can start very
quickly if needed.
some
people think there are only European language teachers around? Ø
At timefortalking we offer all languages.
many
people still think speaking English will be sufficient in today's business
world? Ø At timefortalking we know that all over Europe most
people learn to speak over 3 languages, giving them a major advantage with business
deals.
Don't
miss out start your language tuition now. Your
determination today with lead to your language success tomorrow. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in miscellaneous,
direct
link to this entry
tags:
facts about
language learning , language
tapes, languages
in todays business world, European
languages |
The
eco-friendly search engine alternative
We have switched from using Google to using the eco-friendly search engine
Ecosia:
www.ecosia.co.uk
www.ecosia.us
www.ecosia.org
etc. Ecosia is
an independent, non-profit website. At least 80% of their search income goes
to a rainforest protection program run by WWF, which uses this money for the sustainable
protection of rainforests. Each web search saves about 2 m² of rainforest
for free. They already protected 178,480,241 m². Ecosia is an
eco-friendly internet search engine backed by Yahoo, Bing and the World Wide Fund
For Nature (WWF). All Ecosia servers run on green electricity, so they do
not cause any CO2 emissions. Furthermore
Ecosia helps to protect our privacy by deleting all user related data within
48 hours. They also don't analyze our searches, nor sell user information.
So even if the choice for Ecosia isn't because of their eco-friendlyless
and their WWF support etc., the privacy is alot better than with Google for
example. You can also install the Ecosia search box into your browser,
saving you to always have to type in the Ecosia webpage. Once you have installed
Ecosia, you can also see how much rainforest you have already saved. Really
well worth checking out and saving the environment while doing so.
Enjoy
your perhaps new search engine experience. Eva
Language
Coordinator, Teacher and Proprietor/Director
http://www.languages.timefortalking.com
©
copyright Time For Talking Language Services Helping
you to reach your language goals.
Posted
in miscellaneous,
direct
link to this entry
tags:languages
, search
engines, WWF,
Bing,
Yahoo,
Ecosia
|
|