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Reasons to Learn a Language, #1599: Doing Hard Things Feels Good
A while ago, I’m still not exactly sure why, I started ballet lessons. Those who know me best find this to be hilarious. I am not, to say the least, proportioned like your typical ballet dancer. I also have slightly inward knees, so even a basic first position is difficult for me to do with […]
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How about this for a New Year’s resolution? Learn a Language!
December 31, 2014
Still wondering what to choose as your 2015 New Year’s Resolution? Let me humbly suggest – yes, you’ve guessed it – learning a language or brushing up on one you already know. Here’s why. 1. It’s tangible. “Be more organised” or “be on time” are (in my experience) not only doomed to failure, they are […]
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Reasons to Learn a Language, #1402: It’s Attractive
February 14, 2014
In a recent BuzzFeed quiz (“which Disney character are you?”, if memory serves), the following question was asked: “Which random thing turns you on?” Not sure about random, though. I mean, take this as Exhibit A. Happy Valentine’s Day.
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Reasons to Learn a Language, #926: Indulge Your Other Obsessions
January 31, 2014
When I switched on my DVR today, I found that something new had recorded: Little Manhattan. I muttered something about how I already have that, you silly machine, but before I deleted it I hovered over it just long enough to notice that it had recorded in Spanish. So I kept it. This is a film […]
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Language Learning and Me: American Sign Language
January 18, 2014
When we talk about language learning, it’s easy to forget that not all language is oral. Around half a million people in the U.S. and Canada use American Sign Language. Laura is one of them, and now works as an ASL interpreter in and around Washington, DC. Why American Sign Language? When I was 13 […]
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Reasons to learn a language, #823: Google Translate is not enough
January 12, 2014
I know, I know: I’ve said it before. Google Translate is no substitute for real translation, and even less so for learning a real language. You don’t have to take my word for it, though: Nataly Kelly of the Huffington Post explains why computers will never be perfect translators in this piece.
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Reasons to learn a language, #419: emotional well-being
January 10, 2014
Watching the film Julie and Julia over the Christmas holidays, I was reminded of an important aspect of language tutoring, or at least of my language tutoring. In the film (recommended if you like France or food, a must if you love both), Julia Childs is frustrated that a French woman won’t let her take cooking lessons. At her […]
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April 28, 2015
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