My experience preparing for the writing paper of an advanced Russian exam was a comedy of errors. It threw up a lot of mistakes connected with the differences between how Russian sounds and how it's written. They're the mistakes of somebody who has spoken and listened to vast amounts of the Russian over the years, but hasn't had nearly as much experience writing Russian. You … [Read more...]
Coursebooks for learning Basque: the complete guide
It's a while since I've focussed on Basque and I've been wanting to do this run-through of coursebooks for learning Basque for quite a while. If you're a regular on the site, you may recall that two summers ago I spent a month on an intensive Basque course and I've been learning the language on and off for nearly five years. I'm now at an intermediate level. There aren't many … [Read more...]
How to pass a foreign language exam
If you're looking for advice on how to pass a foreign language exam at beginner, intermediate or advanced level, you're in the right place. This is the second in a three part series on language exams. It's packed with essential tips you won't want to miss. If you're still unsure whether it makes sense for you to do an exam at all, first check out part one: "Foreign language … [Read more...]
How to read in a foreign language: the skill unpicked
In the first post in this series on how to read in a foreign language we saw how important reading is even if your main aim is to speak a language well. You'll make better progress if you realise that reading is not one skill. Think in terms of four different types of reading, each with a specific purpose. In this post (with vid at the bottom), let's unpick the four types of … [Read more...]
Foreign language exams for adult learners: for and against
Should I do a Goethe Institute Exam? How about the DALF? Or the TRKI Russian exam? Should I take the HSK exam? Do I need the IELTS? If you've asked yourself questions like these and are wondering is it worth taking foreign language exams and getting a language certificate, this piece is for you. It's the first in a short series of posts on whether and how to do language … [Read more...]
Is German hard to learn?
Is German hard to learn? This mega-post about German is the first in an occasional, in-depth series - "Language Lowdown" - in which I'll be giving it to you "both barrels" on different languages. What's hard? What's easy? It'll be very much the rough with the smooth. But don't worry, German, like every language does have its share of smooooooth. It can be hard to get … [Read more...]
Trying to decipher Slovak and exploring the sights of Bratislava (with vlog)
After...ahem....something of a delay, I've finally edited a vlog on the Slovak language and exploring the sights of Bratislava. Besides seeing the sights, I'm busy trying to decipher Slovak. The vlog is the latest in my "smash & grab" travel and language videos. Most of the main attractions appear and city's multi-cultural heritage comes out. Look out for beautiful … [Read more...]
Language learning together…from 2017 to 2018
Well, here we are on the eve of the New Year. I expect you too are looking back at all that happened in your world in 2017 and looking forward with anticipation to the New Year. Let's take stock and plan ahead together! But first.....a festive "kitsch-off" Regular readers may not yet have recovered from the picture of I shared in my 2016 end-of-year review of the … [Read more...]
Northern Highlights. From the Polyglot Conference in Reyjkavík (review and vlog)
The Polyglot Conference is an annual two-day event "for everybody who loves languages". I've long wanted to go to Iceland, so I was thrilled when the organisers Richard Simcott and Alex Rawlings announced in Thessaloniki at the end of the fourth Conference that the next one would be in Reykjavík. Here's a sketch of how it was for me this time in the world's northernmost capital … [Read more...]
Learning Icelandic in Reykjavík (vlog)
I've been back from my first ever visit to Iceland for three full weeks now. Since then, I've also been on a work trip to Dubai. That's my excuse for the delay in reporting back at the end of my 30 Day Focus on Icelandic. This language "sprint" culminated in a three-afternoon class in Reykjavík. I've made a short video of my experiences which I hope will inspire you to try … [Read more...]