Trouble getting from A to B, not knowing how to politely apologise for an inconvenience, not understanding what other people are saying around you, afraid of being misunderstood … Just a few of the practical problems my clients articulate when signing up for a language coaching programme. But the underlying problem is much more complex:…… Continue reading The true cost of not learning a language
Tag: Languages & The Inner Work of Learning
Why speaking English is simply not enough when doing business internationally
Fact: Good business relationships are more likely when both parties make the effort and try to understand each others’ points of view, including language and culture. I recently came across a brilliant new book called Linguanomics. It’s about the market potential of multilingualism, written by Gabrielle Hogan-Brun. Gabrielle takes us back in time to the…… Continue reading Why speaking English is simply not enough when doing business internationally
The secret to staying committed – especially when you’re not seeing the results
Have you ever struggled with staying motivated and remaining dedicated when it comes to learning a foreign language or in fact, learning anything? Have you ever been in a situation where you set yourself a specific goal that you wanted to achieve, but it felt like you didn’t make much progress? If so, then this…… Continue reading The secret to staying committed – especially when you’re not seeing the results
What to expect from a 20-hour language training programme
Thinking about signing up for a language training programme? Most language schools offer 20-hour courses. 20 seems to be a magic number when it comes to language studies indeed. Why? In 20 hours, you can indeed achieve certain short-term goals, it’s a relatively low-cost initial investment and it will also help you get a feel…… Continue reading What to expect from a 20-hour language training programme
How to find time to practise between lessons (or learn something new)
This is the most common problem my students face … how to find time to practise between their German or Hungarian lessons. And I bet that’s a common dilemma for all of us, no matter what we’re learning. Honestly, I totally get it! We all work an extreme lot, running multiple projects at times, our…… Continue reading How to find time to practise between lessons (or learn something new)
A fun but effective way to learn new vocab
I learnt the English word ‘peculiar’ from my dear Spanish friend Elena, about 8 years ago: We were talking about a guy (obviously) and she used this word to describe him. I’ve never heard it before, and I remember how surprised Elena was that it was a completely new word to me. We had huge…… Continue reading A fun but effective way to learn new vocab
Group class vs One-to-One – is there an ideal format for language studies?
To sum it all up in one sentence: It all depends on your learning style, personality, your availability, desired learning pace and location. In this article, I’ll explore the pros and cons of both so you can decide what fits you best. Learning in a group class Pros: There is usually a real supporting atmosphere…… Continue reading Group class vs One-to-One – is there an ideal format for language studies?
Why it’s so hard to learn the pronunciation of a language …
In this article, I’ll explain to you 3 key factors you need to know about if you want to speak a language flawlessly. Firstly, you’ll learn a little about how we create sounds. Then, I’ll explain how children learn their mother tongue and how we learn foreign languages at a later stage in our lives.…… Continue reading Why it’s so hard to learn the pronunciation of a language …
12 (not so obvious) benefits of learning another language
Thinking about starting to learn another language? Or maybe you want to brush up on your existing language skills? If you make the decision and go for it, let me tell you: You’re in for a fantastic ride! You’ll expand your horizons and contribute to your personal development in ways you couldn’t even imagine. What…… Continue reading 12 (not so obvious) benefits of learning another language
Gabriella Ferenczi 