In this post, I’m sharing some of the sources of inspiration and excitement that have helped me over the years to get fluent in new languages. Some are thrilling, others quite low-key satisfactions. They are the some of the bright flares and softer streetlights that could light up your path and see you excited by fluency itself (to say nothing of all the great things you … [Read more...]
Group language classes: for, against and what to do
If you failed to learn a language at school, chances are part of the problem was what was going on in your group language classes. Yet many people when they want to start or improve a language think about taking yet more group language classes. Erm, just like at school. Except that, this time, you're going to have to pay for it. Classes certainly do come in for some stick among … [Read more...]
The TRKI 4 advanced Russian exam: successful candidate interview (3)
Advanced Russian learner Aga has been telling me how she passed the top official exam in Russian as a foreign language, the dreaded Test of Russian as a Foreign Language 4th Certificate (ToRFL or TRKI 4) (Тест по русскому языку как иностранному Четвертый сертификационный уровень (ТРКИ 4))... Is the Fourth Certificate really as fiendishly difficult as it's rumoured to be? How … [Read more...]
Shadowing for language learning: what and how?
Shadowing is a deceptively simple, little-known language learning technique. You take a native audio recording, with a transcript and you speak along at as close to the same time as you can. That's it. Shadowing is sometimes recommended to trainee conference interpreters, which suggests that it's a well-serious method, worth closer investigation. In this article we'll look at … [Read more...]
At London’s Language Show (with vlog)
Last weekend I attended London’s annual Language Show for the fifth year. The event runs for an autumn Friday, Saturday, Sunday and is a mix of trade fair, training event and chance to meet other language learning enthusiasts. It’s free (though you register for a ticket online in advance). Many of the attendees are language professionals (translators, interpreters), … [Read more...]