Learn Spanish Grammar Online

By Will Brans

Learn Spanish grammar

If you want to learn Spanish grammar there are a lot of resources available to you. Many people in today's multilingual world have learned Spanish by being around friends or coworkers who are native Spanish speakers. Just like when you learned how to speak English fluently as a toddler and preschooler, you didn't really begin to learn about English grammar until you started school. Learning Spanish grammar is simply another part of learning the Spanish language. If you already know some conversational Spanish, learning Spanish grammar will help you understand why the language is structured in a certain way. Don't be surprised if the conversational Spanish you have been speaking doesn't necessarily follow the rules that you'll learn when you learn Spanish grammar. Just like most native English speakers don't use perfect grammar when speaking to our friends and family in casual conversation, neither do native Spanish speakers.

Although learning enough Spanish to have a casual conversation by taking traditional Spanish classes takes a long time, there is a lot of emphasis on learning Spanish grammar in a traditional classroom. If you think back to your high school years and the foreign language classes you took, such as Spanish, you probably remember a lot of time spent on conjugating verbs and other linguistics-based lessons. This is because the classic classroom approach to learning Spanish relies on not only teaching you how to speak the Spanish language but it helps you learn Spanish grammar and why the language is structured the way it is.

Learning Spanish grammar is helpful in a lot of ways. It helps you to not only communicate better with your Spanish-speaking friends and other native Spanish speakers, but it helps you to communicate better in a business environment. Many people are given the opportunity to advance in their careers if they can speak Spanish and have learned Spanish grammar. For example, if you work in the medical field, you may spend a lot of time speaking to patients, but you also need to communicate effectively and respectfully with the doctor. By learning Spanish grammar, you can do both of these with ease. Just like in English, there is a casual way to address someone as well as a more proper way. For example, you may greet a coworker by saying "Hey! What's up? Whatcha do this weekend?" You wouldn't speak to a doctor this way, but you can express the exact same friendly greeting by speaking more properly and with better grammar by saying "Good morning Doctor. How was your weekend?"

By learning Spanish grammar you can learn how to expand your conversational Spanish skills as well as learn how to speak effectively on a more professional level in your career.

If you need to learn Spanish fast, a Spanish grammar program may be a great option. Learn more about learning Spanish online here.

Doing an Intensive TEFL Course at Home Vs Abroad

By Sharon De Hinojosa

As more and more people are deciding to get their one month TEFL certification, people have to start considering WHERE they want to get it.

Studying at home

If you study at home, you'll already have access to housing, so you don't have to worry about packing everything you own into a suitcase just yet. You'll also be familiar with the area and language, so these are two less things that you have to worry about when studying. By doing so, you can focus your undivided attention on your TEFL Course. Total costs are often lower as you don't have to pay for airfare.

Disadvantages to studying at home might be costs as often course fees for overseas course are cheaper. But this is out weighted by the fact that you don't have to pay for airfare. Also, your course tutors might not know much about the country where you want to teach.

Studying Abroad

Many people who decide to study their course abroad, pick the country that they plan on teaching in. By doing so, they are able to learn from tutors who often have experience teaching in that country. They can be given advice about where to work as well as visa requirements. Housing costs are also often cheaper abroad than at home. And lastly, studying in the country where you are planning to live might be a good way to transition into this culture.

Having to deal with language can also be a disadvantage. Studying an intensive course is stressful enough, but having to deal with not knowing where anything is, about cultural customs, or the language just adds more stress. Having to find your way around and pick up a couple of phrases in the country's language in addition to studying just adds stress. Costs might also be higher as you will have to pay for airfare.

Abroad or At Home?

There are pros and cons about studying at home or abroad. Each person is different and you'll have to weigh the options and decide which is the best for you.

Sharon de Hinojosa (naturegirl321) has lived and worked (mainly teaching English) in the US, Scotland, Spain, the Czech Republic, China, Korea, and Peru. As well as teaching short-term in Venezuela and Taiwan. She has created The LA Job List http://www.thelajoblist.blogspot.com which lists schools, institutes and universities in 19 Latin American countries which offer English teaching positions. Since living in Peru since August 2006, she wrote The Ultimate Peru List http://www.theultimateperulist.blogspot.com With 60 pages it's a comprehensive guide for those living in or moving to Peru.

How English As a Foreign Language Exams Affect EFL Learners and What to Do About It

By Larry M. Lynch

What Affects English as a Foreign Language Learners During Exams

Lina Maria Lopez* squirmed in her seat for the fiftieth time, scratched her scalp until it was nearly raw and sighed repeatedly. A mechanical pencil in one hand and a bright red lollipop in the other, she struggled abysmally with her final exam in English as a foreign language. Only in her second semester of English, the "lights" still hadn't "clicked on" yet. Not a good university student across the board in her major, English as a foreign language was still her worst subject. She gazed around the room, at other learners' papers, at the EFL teacher and reluctantly, at her EFL test paper.

"Tap, tap, tappity, tap, tap". Luis Felipe Rodriguez* drummed on the desk, tapped his well-worn sneakers, hummed a Salsa beat and turned around to look behind him at the poster-plastered classroom wall for "inspiration". "Da, da, dada, da, da - dat, dat dada, dum." His English as a Foreign Language level two exam paper was still nearly blank. More than half the final exam allotted time had already passed. It he failed this exam too, he'd almost surely have to repeat the English level next semester. It had already taken him an extra semester just to get this far. "What time is it?" he asked the teacher. But, it really didn't matter.

The Functional Needs of the Brain

EFL teachers should know that the human brain needs three key elements to function at peak efficiency. These are: oxygen, water (fluids) and sugar (preferably from complex carbohydrates). Both immediately before and during an exam, it's not uncommon to see English as a Foreign Language learners eating chocolate, hard candy, lollipops or even packets of raw sugar. I draw the line at chewing gum, largely due to its "tendency to wind up" stuck under the desks. It's because of the brain's need for sugars that I allow "eating" of high-carbohydrate and high sugar content "foods" before, during English as a foreign language exams.

Some Causes of Cheating on English as a Foreign Language Exams

When EFL learners openly or frequently "cheat" on exams, highly probable "causes" are typically one or more of these motivation-related factors which include:

• Lack of English as a foreign language grammar and theme study

• Poor English class attendance

• Failure to understand or apply English as a foreign language skills promoted in class

• Insufficient English as a foreign language skills practice / repetition to successfully internalize the skills and materials

• Ineffectively focused teaching methods

• Deficiency in English language classroom materials

• "Chemical addiction/dependency" problems (i.e., caffeine, nicotine, etc.)

• Personal or family problems

• Not taking English as a foreign language studies seriously enough

• Poor language-learning aptitude

• Learning disabilities

• Lack of sufficient or effective English as a foreign language learning preparation resources

This is certainly but a "partial" list of the possibilities. These can affect not only English as a foreign language skills development, but the overall intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of the EFL learners.

EFL Teacher-Affective Factors

Then, of course, as English as a foreign language teachers, we often endure a multitude of additional factors which directly or indirectly impact and affect the intrinsic / extrinsic motivation of our EFL learners. How many of you, for example, are negatively impacted by:

• Large EFL learner class groups

• An excessively low number of English as a foreign language contact hours per week

• Behavioral problems on the part of your English as a foreign language learners

• Excessive administrative demands

• Lack of resources, equipment and / or materials

• Extremes of mixed ability in English language knowledge and skills among your EFL learners

• Lack of sufficient, on-going governmental, administrative, or parental support

• Personal problems of your own

Certainly, the list could go on, but you get the point, don't you?

What Can You Do, If Anything?

In upcoming article posts in this series, we'll continue to consider some possibilities which English as a foreign language teachers and EFL learners have available to address, minimize or eliminate many of the aforementioned intrinsic and extrinsic affective factors. Doing so will undoubtedly improve our EFL learners' motivation. With these incorporated into our curriculum and daily schedules, we should be able to generate some improvement and more success in our EFL classrooms and our English as a foreign language learners themselves.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 125 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "Creative, Dynamic Ways to Motivate and Teach English as a Foreign Language to Diverse Groups of Reluctant Learners" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Five Tips For Choosing a Spanish Language School

By Kyle W Bumpus

Many people simply can't get the idea out of their head they need a class to learn Spanish, and that's fine. Self-study simply isn't for everyone. Enrolling in a Spanish language class is something even most self-taught Spanish speakers will do eventually, if only to polish off their skills towards the end of the learning process.

Unlike studying the language at home, however, language schools are without exception an expensive proposition. There's simply no way around the need to spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars. With so much at stake, here more than anywhere else it's important to make sure you get good value for your money. Here are some guidelines to follow when you're thinking of enrolling in a Spanish language school.

1. It's In A Spanish-Speaking Country - Sure you could take classes in your home-town, but they wouldn't be half as effective as taking them abroad. At home, your lesson is over when you leave the classroom. Abroad, however, every interaction you have with practically anybody is part of your Spanish curriculum. Your teacher can show you how to conjugate a verb in the past tense, but only using those verbs time and time again will cement the concept in your brain and make the conjugation automatic. The benefits of being immersed in the language and culture you're studying are immeasurable. So great are these benefits that even most self-taught students will want to spend at least a few weeks abroad to polish off their skills. Booking a two-week language-school vacation is the ideal way to do that.
2. The Teachers Are All Native Speakers - Even if you can't afford to stu
   
   dy a few weeks abroad, you should never, under any circumstances, take spanish lessons or enroll in a spanish class taught by a non-native speaker. Even if the non-native is an excellent speaker of the language and gifted instructor, you won't have the advantage of learning the proper accent or colloquial usages. There are so many native spanish-speaking teachers around that this shouldn't be a difficult requirement to fulfill.
   
   
3. Small Class Sizes - In general, the smaller the class size the better. Most reputable spanish schools around the world try to limit their group classes to a maximum of 6 students, with some being even smaller. Anything larger than 8 students, however, and it will be impossible for them to give you the individual attention you need to really learn the language. If the school offers one-on-one lessons and you don't mind the extra cost, even better.
   
   
4. At Least Two Hours Of Instruction Per Day - Two hours is a bare minimum here. If you're studying less than that per day, it's hardly worth the trouble of getting on a plane. The benefit you get out of your studies is directly proportional to the work you put in. If you really want to learn the language, you'll have to study. A lot.
   
   
5. Free Cultural Excursions - Many of the better schools provide free cultural excursions to interesting cultural landmarks around town. Sometimes, these freebies even include dance lessons, cooking lessons, or any number of fun activities related to Spanish culture. Taking advantage of these opportunities gives you even more opportunities to practice.

Follow these five tips to increase the chances of finding a good school. Nothing will ruin your trip faster than finding out you were ripped off, paying outrageous prices for subpar instruction.

Want to learn to speak Spanish but don't know which program is best? Visit learnspanishonyourown.com and check out my Spanish Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone Spanish product reviews to make an informed decision.

How Can I Learn Spanish Fast?

By Jack Jimmy

If you are interested in learning Spanish you would no doubt want to know how you can learn it quickly. There are some ways to learn this language fast and this article would show you some of them.

The first way to do so is by hiring a private tutor and the reason why this method is good is because as long as you get a tutor who is certified he or she would most likely know ways for you to be able to learn this language in the shortest possible time, the only issue with this method is that hiring a private tutor can be very expensive in some places and it might not be that easy for you to be able to find a good private tutor depending on where you live.

Another good way is to go a local college and take a course in Spanish, you can let them know that you would like to learn the language as soon as possible. Some colleges might have ways you can use to fast track the learning of this language. The good thing about this method is that if you go to a good college you know that you are receiving one of the best training possible as colleges usually try to use the methods that would make it easy for you to learn this language. The not so good thing about this method is that it requires you have time to go to a college.

But if you really want to do it fast and you want to do it on your own, you can use a language learning software. Most of them just require a one time fee after which you can download it to your computer and use it whenever you want and wherever you want.

There is a good software you can use to learn Spanish fast and if you would like to find out more about this software you can do so by Clicking Here Now You can also find out more about this software by visiting this website: http://www.rocketspanishs.com

Teaching English As a Foreign Language - A Way to Help Eliminate Stereotypes

By Larry M. Lynch

The Stereotyped American in English Language Learning

What do your EFL learners think off when they hear the term "American". Unless you're an American, in all probability many images that will come to mind will not be positive ones. Other images, like the recent election of Barack Obama as America's first Black President will be the opposite.

During an introductory class in American History, an American instructor wanted to illustrate what stereotypes are and the prejudices that Swedes and other nationalities have about the United States. So first, her Swedish students were asked to, during one minute, write down what they though about when they heard "The U.S". A lot of people thought of fast food, Bush, Starbucks, CSI, FBI, NRA, fat people, and according to their teacher, Swedes also think Americans have ugly hairstyles. This according to a blog post "The Stereotyped American" by The Norrlander on her blog.

What is a Stereotype?

Webster's New World Dictionary defines stereotype as, "a fixed or conventional notion or conception, as of a person, group, idea, etc. Held by a number of people and allowing for no individuality; critical judgment of people". In other words, it's when you pre-judge people based solely on their nationality, race, religion, language, sex or other extraneous factors.

Concerning American stereotypes, it cuts both ways. Americans have stereotypes of many different language and ethnic or religious groups. Can you imagine the American stereotypes of Muslims, Arabs, Africans, Mexicans and Latin Americans, Russians, Scandinavians, East Indians, Eastern Europeans and the Chinese? Trust me, you don't want to know.

Not all Americans are bound by stereotypes, of course. But far too many are and it's distasteful either way. The phrase "Ugly American" is based in part on real behavior and real actions of real Americans. These "stereotypes" simply do not represent all of us. Do your learners watch "The Simpsons", "Weed" or even "CSI"? Not just television, but Hollywood and its movies play a dramatic role in fostering some highly unwelcomed stereotypes among English as a foreign language learners. What stereotypes are fostered by these and numerous other television programs broadcast worldwide?

"We see all kinds of "crazy" things from America on TV here (in Sweden), so that is obviously an important factor of how we see Americans. Also, we don't really like Bush here, and I think his politics also have made us distrust America", comments The Norrlander.

In an added comment on stereotyped Americans Joyce said, "Do you think the Swedes have a bad impression of Americans? I guess I would blame the media for that. I bet some countries think that we all ride horses, have gun battles in the streets and fight Indians." While Americans, of course, no longer all ride horses, there are, unfortunately, still "gun battles in the streets" if you believe American television.

Ask Your English as a Foreign Language Learners

Try this out on your English as a foreign language learners. Ask them what thoughts and images come to mind when they hear the term "Americans" or "The USA". Perhaps you'll be more than a bit surprised at their responses. Then, if YOU are an American or at least have an intimately detailed knowledge of the United States, it's history and culture, your work will be cut out for you. You are then charged with the responsibility of altering perceived stereotypes with factual input and information. As the Norrlander comments again, "It's quite intersting actually to think about how you view other people."

After all I say, a great part of foreign language learning is the culture, isn't it? So get to it then, and be sure to have some fun with it too.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, prolific writer, expert author and public speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" and English language teaching and learning information at: http://bettereflteacher.blogspot.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Contact the author at the above blog address for more information.

How to Choose a Spanish Learning Program

By Kyle W Bumpus

With so many costly Spanish language programs out there, how do you know which are the real deal and which are a waste of cash? That's an excellent question. The Spanish program you choose has a direct impact on how well you eventually learn the language. Choose wisely and it's smooth sailing. Choose unwisely, however, and you've just wasted a nice chunk of change. Here are a few things to look out for in a good Spanish audio program.

1. Primarily Audio-Based - The best Spanish programs are predominantly audio-based. Some of them, such as Pimsleur, go further still and don't include a book at all. The point is, you absolutely cannot learn Spanish, or any language for that matter, without hearing it spoken. Thirty hours of audio would be an absolute minimum but the more the merrier. Programs like Pimsleur and FSI fit the bill in this arena.


2. Plenty Of Drills - There are no shortage of claims about magical products that can supposedly teach you the language without work, memorization, or grammar drills. If you don't want to waste your hard-earned money, ignore those claims. When learning a language, there is simply no substitute for repetitive drilling. Yes, drills can be boring but the best programs, like Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone, cleverly structure the drills to minimize the pain. A program without drills may be a lot less work, but it will inevitably be a lot less effective, as well.


3. Keeps Grammar In Its Place - Grammar is extremely important to eventually mastering the Spanish language, but it's not the most important thing by a long shot. The ideal Spanish learning program would teach you to speak a certain way because it just sounds correct, not by following complex grammar rules. Introducing too many grammar rules too soon has a nasty way over over-complicating things, impeding the learning process.

My two favorite Spanish learning programs share all these characteristics. The Pimsleur Spanish and FSI Spanish programs focus on drills, repetition, and oral skills more than grammar rules or written translation. If you're serious about learning the language, you won't go too far wrong with either of those fine programs.

Want to learn to speak spanish? Check out my Spanish Pimsleur and Spanish FSI reviews and make an informed decision.

Learning English Online

By Amit Salkar

There are many ways in which you can learn the English language online. Learning English online is of great help especially for people who wants to go abroad for the sake of their studies or for their jobs. There are many ways in which you can study English. But the online courses which have emerged are of great help since they offer comprehensive courses. In these courses the beginner gets to know about the basics of the language and can analyze the language with the skills imparted to them by online tutorials. Therefore in recent times, most people prefer the online courses than the rest.

*Get help from tutors: The best way to study English is to take the help of tutors who teach English. They will come to your house and teach you. From some experienced people you can take help and study the language in the best way.

*Watching foreign movies (English) helps a lot: Another way in which one can grasp the language is by watching the English movies. When you see the people in the movie expressing their emotions in some foreign language then you will gradually learn that language (English here) very easily.

*Story book is recommended by online English tutorials: Reading a lot of story books can help. This is because of the fact that when you are truing to read anything in a foreign language (and especially a story), then it is extremely easy to learn that language. Reading story books is also recommended by the online English tutorials.

*Recommended newspaper reading: Reading newspaper is also of great help since you get to know about the world and also your own country from the newspaper. It is much like thinking in English, a foreign language. When you start thinking in English you will learn this language very quickly.

*Exams help to understand where you stand: Give exams in English. Online courses offer this help and you can actually test your skills and the knowledge that you have obtained so long by giving the test. The online schools actually offer these tests. When you give the test then you get to know more about the language.

*Language skills are polished and sharpened: Pronunciation and language skills: when you study in an online school you get a clear idea about the language and the pronunciations. In English pronunciations are of great importance. When you study from an online school, your language skills are polished and sharpened.

Learning English - TalktoCanada.com helps you to Learn English online and experience what many other students have come to discover. It's like nothing else you have ever tried, offering live online English conversation in real time with a fully qualified tutor. Book your lesson today!!

Rocket Spanish - The Honest Review of Rocket Spanish Course

By Victor Emmanuel

The best product which is unique and interesting is nothing but Rocket Spanish. This particular course has been the overwhelming choice of many would-be Spanish speakers, especially for its low price. While this may seem to be the case, this article will try to show the truth about Rocket Spanish by providing an honest opinion about whether it's worth your money and time.

When you first arrive on the Rocket Spanish product site you are presented with a pair of options. You have the option to purchase a downloadable digital version or have a physical copy shipped to your door. As of today, the physical version of Rocket Spanish is sold for $299 in addition of $49.95 for shipping. You can get a copy of digital instantly via their instant download service, and for only $99 -- 1/3 of the original price. I encourage you to get the digital version because it gives you access to the lessons instantly. Since we have understand the two choices, it's time to discuss the course itself!

If you don't have a lot of time and are trying to master a new language, you would likely choose an easy program that allows you to proceed at a speed you are comfortable with. This is a positive feature of Rocker Spanish. You will have up-to-the-minute access to games and audio lessons given step by step. I have to add that the games are a great addition. Learning Spanish becomes hands-on and exciting!

The audio lessons are presented in friendly, easy-to-understand voices, so you can follow them at ease. They are clear and succinct so you are able to understand the basics of the language right from the start. You can also download the audio lessons onto your mp3 or CD player so that you can listen to them while you are working out or just kicking back on the couch.

There are also more than five hundred pages of material. These pages contain the critical aspects of the course and though it is lengthy, it is easily understood. There is such a large quantity of material that you are able to print them out and learn them at the rate that is best for you. Pronunciation skills are often not emphasized in traditional Spanish classes but they are really highlighted here. You may find this very useful.

Other exercises and a memory game known as MegaCards are also included. Here you can practice what you've just learned before using it in the real world. The most productive way to use Rocket Spanish is to play the audio lessons, read the written materials and also do the assignments before you try to speak the language. You'll know you're getting comfortable with basic Spanish grammar and vocabulary when you no longer need to repeatedly refer to the materials.

The most effective way to learn Spanish involves immersion in a Spanish-speaking environment, but if that's possible for you, Rocket Spanish is truly the fastest and easiest alternative for you to gain command of the language for use in your everyday life. Rocket Spanish could be the answer if you are struggling with Spanish in school, need it for business, or just want to learn Spanish for pleasure.

To learn more why Rocket Spanish is by far the most comprehensive Learn Spanish Course available and thoroughly deserves its excellent reputation and value for money, go over to my Rocket Spanish Review blog.

The Different Ways to Learn English - UK

By Michael Novik

Learning another language is a recognized skill and ability that many aim for. Being bilingual or multilingual has its numerous benefits not only for personal gains but also professionally.

English is one of the languages most desired by many. English has global recognition and significance so the demand for English education has increased over the recent years. Because of this great demand for high quality English education, there has also been an increase in the ways people can learn English UK in different ways. Let us take a look at each method and also see how each one has its own advantages and disadvantages.

A. Learn English UK Through a UK-Based School

Advantages: Studying English in an English or UK-based school is probably the best option for anyone who wants to become better or to be proficient in English. The environment as well as the instructors for English classes are considered top rate. Being in the UK is also an added factor because those who study English as a second language will also have a complete English environment.

Disadvantages: One disadvantage to this is that you, of course, have to be located in the UK. If you are not based in the UK, then, you have to consider board and lodging or overseas study.

B. Learn English (UK) Through the Internet

Advantages: One advantage to learning English through the internet is that you need not be literally in the UK. There are many distance learning centers which offer complete or per-level English courses to those in many countries. If you have a computer and an internet connection, then, you can conveniently acquire English education without spending much and even without leaving home. Also, you can choose many different courses without having to think of time and distance as a problem because many courses are flexible.

Disadvantages: Studying through the internet requires you to search for schools which are accredited and those which offer quality education. If you are looking for reputable online schools, then, the best advice would be to search and scout around first to look for the best online schools and the perfect English course for you.

C. Learn English UK Through Self-Study

Advantages: Any kind of self-study gives you sufficient flexibility with regards to time, materials, and even study pacing. You can advance through the different levels based on your own development. Also, self-study is always cheaper than enrolling in campus-based school or an online school.

Disadvantages: You need to have a lot of self-discipline if you want to self-study. Self-discipline to follow your schedule, to set specific time slots for studying, and to advance your English level. Also, you need to have a steady source of good materials which you can use.

Mike Novik provides how-to advice on small business and home-based work issues. He helps small businesses reach their fullest potential. His recommendation for to-day is to visit English courses UK and Learn English UK