Thursday, September 8, 2011
As you already know, there are over 15,000 idioms in the English language and you’d better learn at least some of them. But as you encounter an idiom after idiom, you have to be at least slightly curious how they were originated and became widely used. Some of them were coined by the great writers, others came from the Bible, and a lot of them came from French and Latin.
Shakespeare alone is credited with adding over a hundred idioms, many of which you definitely know. Phrases like “a fool’s paradise” and “a sorry sight” date back to the 17th century and yet, they are still used in the everyday speech. He was also the first to compare envy to a green-eyed monster and the first to capture the essence of love in now immortal expression “love is blind.” If you want to learn more about phrases like “good riddance” and “wild goose chase” - and yes, they also belong to Shakespeare - follow this link.
Throughout the centuries, English been greatly influenced by other languages. English, as we know it today, has a lot of words of French, Latin and Greek origin. The Gallic language, French, brought many unmistakably graceful and sophisticated expressions, and phrases like a la mode, a la carte and double-entendre are very widely used in written and spoken English. You can find a comprehensive list of the most common idioms of French origin here.
There is a lot of idiomatic expressions of Latin origin in the contemporary English. Most of them pertain to law, medicine and politics, but others like status quo, et cetera and alter ego are more universal. See how many of the Latin expressions you know at the link - we bet you will be pleasantly surprised!
Shakespeare alone is credited with adding over a hundred idioms, many of which you definitely know. Phrases like “a fool’s paradise” and “a sorry sight” date back to the 17th century and yet, they are still used in the everyday speech. He was also the first to compare envy to a green-eyed monster and the first to capture the essence of love in now immortal expression “love is blind.” If you want to learn more about phrases like “good riddance” and “wild goose chase” - and yes, they also belong to Shakespeare - follow this link.
Throughout the centuries, English been greatly influenced by other languages. English, as we know it today, has a lot of words of French, Latin and Greek origin. The Gallic language, French, brought many unmistakably graceful and sophisticated expressions, and phrases like a la mode, a la carte and double-entendre are very widely used in written and spoken English. You can find a comprehensive list of the most common idioms of French origin here.
There is a lot of idiomatic expressions of Latin origin in the contemporary English. Most of them pertain to law, medicine and politics, but others like status quo, et cetera and alter ego are more universal. See how many of the Latin expressions you know at the link - we bet you will be pleasantly surprised!
Watching movies and videos in English is a great way to improve your ability to understand spoken English and pick up the pronunciation. Since it might be difficult for you to understand most movies and TV series, you can start with watching videos made specifically for the ESL Students. You can find them everywhere: on YouTube, on Facebook, and on the websites designated to Learning English. To save you some much needed time, we did a search for you. (You are welcome!) Watch these videos and learn.
Real English has a lot of free videos, featuring real people and most common topics you’ll definitely encounter in your daily communication, from social introductions to talking about your family and friends. All videos are available with and without subtitles, but as the site owners suggest - and we second that opinion - try watching them first without captions, even a few times if needed. It will really help you in the long-run. Do not miss the video from Lesson 58 - not only it features a very handsome guy, but also you can gain a lot from his insights on learning the language, since he’s done it himself, and amazingly well at that! These videos come with exercises aimed at listening comprehension and better understanding of English grammar rules and nuances.
Elllo.org, English Listening Lesson Library Online, is another great source of free videos in English. The topics covered range from politics and economics (video#572) to sports (video#1028) and business practices in different countries (video#1037). The videos feature native and non-native speakers of English from around the world and listening to them will help you get used to the variety of accents and dialects which you will inevitably encounter in New York, the city of immigrants. If you have problems with understanding the dialogue in the videos, refer to the transcripts provided for each topic. The videos could be viewed as audio slides with captions which you can turn off whenever you want. For your reference, the detailed explanation of the phrasal verbs, idioms and industry-specific terms is also provided in the audio notes section. This site is a great collection of English videos and a must-visit for any ESL student.
Do you know of other online video resources? Share with us in comments!
Real English has a lot of free videos, featuring real people and most common topics you’ll definitely encounter in your daily communication, from social introductions to talking about your family and friends. All videos are available with and without subtitles, but as the site owners suggest - and we second that opinion - try watching them first without captions, even a few times if needed. It will really help you in the long-run. Do not miss the video from Lesson 58 - not only it features a very handsome guy, but also you can gain a lot from his insights on learning the language, since he’s done it himself, and amazingly well at that! These videos come with exercises aimed at listening comprehension and better understanding of English grammar rules and nuances.
Elllo.org, English Listening Lesson Library Online, is another great source of free videos in English. The topics covered range from politics and economics (video#572) to sports (video#1028) and business practices in different countries (video#1037). The videos feature native and non-native speakers of English from around the world and listening to them will help you get used to the variety of accents and dialects which you will inevitably encounter in New York, the city of immigrants. If you have problems with understanding the dialogue in the videos, refer to the transcripts provided for each topic. The videos could be viewed as audio slides with captions which you can turn off whenever you want. For your reference, the detailed explanation of the phrasal verbs, idioms and industry-specific terms is also provided in the audio notes section. This site is a great collection of English videos and a must-visit for any ESL student.
Do you know of other online video resources? Share with us in comments!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Committing to learning English is a serious decision. To succeed in this endeavor, you need to be ready to invest a lot of time and effort, but eventually all your hard work will pay off. In case you haven’t made up your mind yet, here are 5 reasons that might persuade you to go for it.
- English language is spoken in 180 countries worldwide. Since there are only 196 - or 195, according to different sources - independent countries in the world, it means that wherever you go, you will be able to communicate, understand and be understood.
- Your chances to find a great job will be significantly better. While the overall effects of outsourcing on global economy is still unclear, the ability to speak English will help you to secure a job offer from an English-speaking company. In 2004, USA- and UK-based corporations outsourced 42% and 17% of jobs, according to the findings of the latest “English Next” study conducted by the British Council.
- Do you spend most of your time online? If so, learning English is definitely a good idea for you, since the English language continues to dominate the cyber space (even though other languages as Chinese experience a rapid growth in this area).
- The number of people speaking English as a Second Language keeps growing and has already exceeded 1 billion people. That’s a great community to belong to! We doubt you can find anything even close on Facebook.
- Shakespeare, Elliot, Plath, and Whitman - these are just a few of the great timeless classic writers who created in English and whose works are a must-read for any educated person. While there are many good translations, do not miss out on pleasure that comes from enjoying the beauty and complexity of the English language and read the originals instead.
Do you have your own reasons for learning English? Share with us in comments!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Now that you are an ESL student in New York City, you are a part of your college community. As any other subculture, college has its unwritten rules, laws and a specific lingo - a great deal of student terms and expressions that you’d want to get familiar with. An interesting fact about college slang is that while it changes over time, most of it is a long-accepted ritual talk that students have been using for generations. So here’s what you need to know to be able to talk to your college buddies.
- When you do very well on your test, you can proudly tell all your friends that you aced it.
- If you are going to a movie instead of attending a class, which we strongly advise against, you are blowing it off.
- If your classmate does not know anything, you can safely call him clueless (but probably not to his face).
- If you’ve been planning to skip a difficult class intentionally, you are cutting it (again, not a good idea).
- If your classmate keeps complaining about too much work in a group project, just tell him to deal with it.
- If you are fine with your friend dating your ex-girlfriend, you are down with that (hey, that’s life, right?).
- If you drink too much at a party, which, again, we strongly advise against, you are hammered (really, not a good idea).
- If your paper was written in a rush and the best you can hope to get for it is a C, then it is lame! (we’ve said it before – not a good idea!)
- If you can’t help your classmate with his assignment, just tell him “no can do.” He will understand (hopefully).
- If your friends ask you how you are and things are fine, you can tell them that everything is just peachy (we do not recommend using it at the job interviews, though).
- Are you happy? Yes? Then you are stoked!
- If you daydream in your algebra class, then you are zoned out.
When you read books and newspapers, you will inevitably encounter unfamiliar words. But before looking them up in the dictionary, try to guess their meanings. You will be surprised how much you actually know. English is largely derived from ancient languages, and a lot of the English words have roots of Greek and Latin origin or are formed by combining parts of the Greek or Latin words. If you learn the most common Latin and Greek root words and prefixes, you can easily understand the meanings of many words, even those you have never seen before.
Let’s take a look at the following words, misanthrope, philanthropist, and anthropology. They share the same root, -anthrop-, which stands for “man, human” in Greek. If you know that -mis- means “hatred” and –phila- or -philo- means “having a strong affinity or love for,” you don’t need to check with the dictionary to know that a misanthrope is an individual who hates mankind while a philanthropist, on the contrary, is an altruist concerned with welfare and advancement of his fellow men. As for the “anthropology,” the second part of the word, -logy-, should be very easy to guess. What do biology, theology, phraseology and dermatology have in common? Each one of them is a theory or a study of a specific area or subject, so “anthropology” should mean a study of mankind or human beings.
Let’s take a look at the following words, misanthrope, philanthropist, and anthropology. They share the same root, -anthrop-, which stands for “man, human” in Greek. If you know that -mis- means “hatred” and –phila- or -philo- means “having a strong affinity or love for,” you don’t need to check with the dictionary to know that a misanthrope is an individual who hates mankind while a philanthropist, on the contrary, is an altruist concerned with welfare and advancement of his fellow men. As for the “anthropology,” the second part of the word, -logy-, should be very easy to guess. What do biology, theology, phraseology and dermatology have in common? Each one of them is a theory or a study of a specific area or subject, so “anthropology” should mean a study of mankind or human beings.
New Yorkers are known for their loyalty to healthy lifestyle, hence the number of gyms and organic food stores in the city, and for their intellectual curiosity and insatiable desire to expand their horizons, hence the number of yoga studios and various workshops and classes where they can work on their minds, bodies and souls. It certainly is very interesting and commendable; however, ventures into self-improvement come with a hefty price tag. Membership in Pilates studio and ballet lessons can easily set you back hundreds of dollars a month, which might be difficult to handle for an ESL student on a budget in New York City. Yet, there is no need to fall into despair and go on a bread-and-water diet – try one of these free classes instead.
If you live in Queens, you are at luck; if you don’t, consider going there nonetheless. Visit Socrates Park in Long Island City where, come May, you can attend free weekend classes and practice yoga, capoeira, Pilates or Tai Chi. You can also Sign up for free kayaking starting late May.
If you are artsy and creative, clear your Monday nights schedule to attend one of the Etsy Craft Nights at Etsy Labs. Artists and designers will show you how to make unique accessories and transform regular clothes into one-of-a-kind pieces. Hey, you never know – if you are good, you might just start a booming business of Selling your handmade items online.
If you can’t decide where your interests and passions lay, but you desperately want to find an outlet for your creative energy, sign up for the Mini Skills classes at Brooklyn LaunchPad and learn anything from sewing to meditation techniques. For girls with a fashion sense and nothing to wear, there are occasional clothes swap events where you can get rid of your tired outfits.
If you live in Queens, you are at luck; if you don’t, consider going there nonetheless. Visit Socrates Park in Long Island City where, come May, you can attend free weekend classes and practice yoga, capoeira, Pilates or Tai Chi. You can also Sign up for free kayaking starting late May.
If you are artsy and creative, clear your Monday nights schedule to attend one of the Etsy Craft Nights at Etsy Labs. Artists and designers will show you how to make unique accessories and transform regular clothes into one-of-a-kind pieces. Hey, you never know – if you are good, you might just start a booming business of Selling your handmade items online.
If you can’t decide where your interests and passions lay, but you desperately want to find an outlet for your creative energy, sign up for the Mini Skills classes at Brooklyn LaunchPad and learn anything from sewing to meditation techniques. For girls with a fashion sense and nothing to wear, there are occasional clothes swap events where you can get rid of your tired outfits.
Monday, April 11, 2011
As good as your textbooks are, chances are they devote very little attention to the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the English language. Yet, slang is everywhere and you need to be familiar with at least some of it to be able to fully understand and speak English. Slang expressions are usually particular to specific subcultures. For instance, the expression “up your sleeve” came from gambling and used to mean a powerful card that a player holds on to win a hand. Now, it refers to any hidden strength or unfair advantage. Another slang phrase, “go postal,” which means to be completely outraged, derives from the mass murder acts committed by the U.S. postal workers when they killed police, coworkers and supervisors. Some words and expressions we use on a daily basis once were slang, too, and then became so common that it’s hard to believe they were not always a part of normal, standard English speech. New York’s preferred schedule, 24/7, is one of those expressions. Slang is precise and descriptive. Don’t own any clothing save for that from Abercrombie & Fitch? Then don’t be surprised when your friends start calling you an Aberzombie.
If you are interested in learning more about modern urban lingo, you should definitely check out Urban Dictionary. The website is largely based on community collaboration so should you come up with a new expression you want everyone to use, you can go ahead and create a new entry. The website also has a blog which makes for a very fascinating read.
If you are interested in learning more about modern urban lingo, you should definitely check out Urban Dictionary. The website is largely based on community collaboration so should you come up with a new expression you want everyone to use, you can go ahead and create a new entry. The website also has a blog which makes for a very fascinating read.
Phrasal verbs are very similar to English idioms in the sense that different prepositions radically change the entire meaning of a verb. Look at this sentence, for instance: “You might still get on with your supervisor, even though he has an annoying habit of getting on at you every once in a while.”Confusing, indeed. But don’t let these complications get to you; instead, check out our tips on nailing down English phrasal verbs.
First of all, you’ll need to find a good reference. You can start with the Longman Pocket Phrasal Verbs Dictionary. It’s very compact and neat but very informative - it has over 3,000 entries. It is also very affordable: the price varies from $2 to $8. The dictionary is also available for download as an ebook. (With a little bit of luck, you can also find it online for free).
First of all, you’ll need to find a good reference. You can start with the Longman Pocket Phrasal Verbs Dictionary. It’s very compact and neat but very informative - it has over 3,000 entries. It is also very affordable: the price varies from $2 to $8. The dictionary is also available for download as an ebook. (With a little bit of luck, you can also find it online for free).
With prices starting from $23, Cambridge Phrasal Verbs Dictionary is a slightly more expensive, yet more comprehensive choice. It has almost 6,000 verbal expressions along with thousands of example sentences and easy-to-use thematic sections.
Or, check this Online reference with almost 3,000 phrasal verbs organized alphabetically. The website also has phrasal verb quizzes where you can test yourself and find out where you need to pay more attention. You can find more tests here.
Or, check this Online reference with almost 3,000 phrasal verbs organized alphabetically. The website also has phrasal verb quizzes where you can test yourself and find out where you need to pay more attention. You can find more tests here.
If you plan to learn English, New York City is definitely the right place to be. Not only is it one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world, but it also has such an amazing cultural and national diversity that regardless of where you are from and what language you speak, you will feel at home here. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations, and for a good reason. Whether you are interested in music, architecture, history, art or nightlife, you will definitely find something to enjoy, from going to the world-famous museums to the underground galleries featuring works of up-and-coming artists, from seeing Broadway shows to tasting unique cuisine in three-star restaurants, from visiting historic sites to exploring new trendy neighborhoods. Your stay in New York can certainly be one of the most interesting and memorable times of your life, and the best thing about it is that you do not necessarily have to spend a lot of money to make it happen. Even though New York is one of the 30 most expensive cities in the world, there are a lot of things that you can do and see for free.
With summer on its way, everyone tries to spend more time outdoors and the city offers a lot of great opportunities to do that. We suggest you start with visiting one of the many green and leafy escapes from the chaotic life of the megapolis.
Central Park is one of the city’s landmarks and a definite must-see, but it’s just one of the many New York’s urban oasises. The Fresh Kills Park is spread over 2,200 acres of land in Staten Island and is about to become the largest park in New York. Take a Free 90-minute bus tour and learn about the transformation of the former landfill into a green gem of the Staten Island waterfront while enjoying the view of the surrounding bridges.
Fort Totten Park of Queens is a home to Civil War masonry forts and everyone interested in U.S, History should consider going there. Sign up for a Free guided tour and enjoy a glimpse into the historical part of New York. You can also participate in one of the many events and festivities taking place here all year round, from bird watching in the winter to visiting the park’s haunted mansion at Halloween.
If the only means of transportation you acknowledge is a bike, reserve a spot at the Bronx River Ride to The Source. Keep in mind that this 5-hour ride is not for the faint of heart.
Park Slope, an up-and-coming neighborhood in Brooklyn, was not always a home to artists and writers. If you want to know what the area was like before the invasion of art galleries and upscale coffee shops, the Urban Ranger tour is a good way to find out.
With summer on its way, everyone tries to spend more time outdoors and the city offers a lot of great opportunities to do that. We suggest you start with visiting one of the many green and leafy escapes from the chaotic life of the megapolis.
Central Park is one of the city’s landmarks and a definite must-see, but it’s just one of the many New York’s urban oasises. The Fresh Kills Park is spread over 2,200 acres of land in Staten Island and is about to become the largest park in New York. Take a Free 90-minute bus tour and learn about the transformation of the former landfill into a green gem of the Staten Island waterfront while enjoying the view of the surrounding bridges.
Fort Totten Park of Queens is a home to Civil War masonry forts and everyone interested in U.S, History should consider going there. Sign up for a Free guided tour and enjoy a glimpse into the historical part of New York. You can also participate in one of the many events and festivities taking place here all year round, from bird watching in the winter to visiting the park’s haunted mansion at Halloween.
If the only means of transportation you acknowledge is a bike, reserve a spot at the Bronx River Ride to The Source. Keep in mind that this 5-hour ride is not for the faint of heart.
Park Slope, an up-and-coming neighborhood in Brooklyn, was not always a home to artists and writers. If you want to know what the area was like before the invasion of art galleries and upscale coffee shops, the Urban Ranger tour is a good way to find out.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Once you learn enough vocabulary and polish your grammar, you won’t have as much fear as at the very beginning and will be eager to use your English in conversation. However, even though Americans are known to be very open-minded and straightforward, certain conversational topics are better to be avoided.
It is never a good idea to discuss standards of living. Curiosity is in human nature; yet, inquiries of this kind are frowned upon. Job-related questions are fine as long as they do not involve anything salary-related. Or, ask a New Yorker how much they pay for a wonderful downtown loft and watch how quickly this person finds an excuse to walk away from you.
One question you will hear very often, usually accompanied by a genuine smile, is “How are you?” It makes you think your response should be just as sincere and honest-to-goodness. Yet, hold on – do not go into the gruesome details of your latest break-up, an atrocious behavior of your coworker, or paying off an outrageously high interest on your credit card. There will be time when you’ll talk about what and how you feel; for now, just say, “I’m good” and move on to the next topic.
America is probably more ethically and culturally diverse as any other country. But even after centuries of people of opposite beliefs and ideas living side by side, certain tensions and grievances still exist in the American society. You might feel strong about politics, religion, race issues, or reproductive rights, but these topics are rather controversial and might easily turn a discussion into unpleasant, heated arguments.
New York is a great place to be an ESL student. You are fully immersed into American culture, exposed to the English language and get to see with your own eyes everything that makes New York one of the most exciting cities in the world. But as welcoming and densely populated as the city is, sooner or later you might run into a problem of not knowing enough people with whom to practice your English language skills. Your classmates might not be always available – after all, everyone has a lot of responsibilities to deal with on a daily basis – and your new American friends might not be always willing to play the role of English tutor due to the very same reason. Online language communities like Livemocha that we wrote about earlier are definitely a great solution, but nothing beats a face-to-face conversation.
Enter Meetup.com, a hugely popular online network of local groups. The membership on the website is free and you can join as many groups as you want. Those of you interested in practicing your English, should check put these groups:
We Are New York was founded in January 2011 and has only 7 members to date. Yet, it’s very active – in less than 3 months, WANY held 2 meetups and has 6 more scheduled. The events are not only free but also are a lot of fun. Along with your fellow Meetup group member, you will sing karaoke to one of the most famous songs about Big Apple, Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”
New York City English as a Second Language was created in 2005 and has over 450 members, all of whom are raving about the group. If you want to make new friends, practice your conversational and reading English skills in a relaxing atmosphere and have fun while doing that, email the group’s organizer, Al, and ask to join the NYCESL.
Enter Meetup.com, a hugely popular online network of local groups. The membership on the website is free and you can join as many groups as you want. Those of you interested in practicing your English, should check put these groups:
We Are New York was founded in January 2011 and has only 7 members to date. Yet, it’s very active – in less than 3 months, WANY held 2 meetups and has 6 more scheduled. The events are not only free but also are a lot of fun. Along with your fellow Meetup group member, you will sing karaoke to one of the most famous songs about Big Apple, Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”
New York City English as a Second Language was created in 2005 and has over 450 members, all of whom are raving about the group. If you want to make new friends, practice your conversational and reading English skills in a relaxing atmosphere and have fun while doing that, email the group’s organizer, Al, and ask to join the NYCESL.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
English idioms are one of the most difficult topics for any ESL student to master since they are not translated literally and cannot be understood from the individual meanings of their elements. If your new smart phone cost you an arm and a leg, it does not mean that you actually had to amputate your limbs in exchange for a high-tech gadget. There are over 15,000 idioms in the English Language so it’s understandable why it might be quite a challenge for a non-native speaker to know them through and through. Yet, there is no need to look for a shoulder to cry on. If you happen to stumble upon an expression you don’t know, you can refer to one of the many online idiom dictionaries.
A good place to start is The Free Dictionary. With over 12,000 idioms, it’s one of the most comprehensive resources on the web. You can browse through a list of random idioms and pick up a couple of new expressions. If you want to see the idioms containing a specific word, enter it in a search field and see what you get.
Online Idiom Dictionary is another must-see website. Similar to The Free Dictionary, it also provides you with a list of most common idioms and expressions picked at random. For every idiom, there is an example of its use in the sentence. The dictionary is significantly smaller – it contains about 5,000 expressions – but it’s less crowded and more pleasing to the eye.
If money is no object, you should consider investing in the Cambridge Idioms Dictionary. It has up-to-date content, a section on the most commonly used idioms and the option to search for an idiom by different topics. Click on the picture to learn more about pricing and availability.
A good place to start is The Free Dictionary. With over 12,000 idioms, it’s one of the most comprehensive resources on the web. You can browse through a list of random idioms and pick up a couple of new expressions. If you want to see the idioms containing a specific word, enter it in a search field and see what you get.
Online Idiom Dictionary is another must-see website. Similar to The Free Dictionary, it also provides you with a list of most common idioms and expressions picked at random. For every idiom, there is an example of its use in the sentence. The dictionary is significantly smaller – it contains about 5,000 expressions – but it’s less crowded and more pleasing to the eye.
If money is no object, you should consider investing in the Cambridge Idioms Dictionary. It has up-to-date content, a section on the most commonly used idioms and the option to search for an idiom by different topics. Click on the picture to learn more about pricing and availability.
Everyone has a favorite social network. It’s either a ubiquitous Facebook, or straight-to-a-point Twitter, or down-to-business LinkedIn. Here’s another service that you might want to check out, LiveMocha. It’s an online language learning community offering free and paid lessons. The website is very popular and has over 9 million members from all over the world. What you can do there, is to find a native English speaker for language practice. You can ask questions about grammar, word usage, translation, take online tests or quizzes, and more importantly, work on your English speaking skills. Since practice makes perfect, you should use all resources you have to perfect the language, and this website offers just that.
Livemocha community is built on reciprocal approach wherein people work together to help each other learn the languages they want. When you create a profile on Livemocha, you need to specify what language you want to learn and what language(s) you speak fluently, and the website will match you with other members.
Livemocha has an online chat where you can practice your written English Skills. If you don’t know a meaning of any word, you can use the built-in Phrase Translator to look it up. You can also work on your understanding and maintaining a conversation using the Conversation Scenarios. This will definitely come in handy when you’ll be taking tests or writing essays. You can use a microphone and/or webcam to talk to your Livemocha partner and practice your conversational skills. If you want to work on pronunciation, you can record phrases, words or texts and submit a spoken exercise for review.
All basic features of Livemocha membership that you might need to work on your English skills – chat, messaging, and flashcards - are free.
Livemocha community is built on reciprocal approach wherein people work together to help each other learn the languages they want. When you create a profile on Livemocha, you need to specify what language you want to learn and what language(s) you speak fluently, and the website will match you with other members.
Livemocha has an online chat where you can practice your written English Skills. If you don’t know a meaning of any word, you can use the built-in Phrase Translator to look it up. You can also work on your understanding and maintaining a conversation using the Conversation Scenarios. This will definitely come in handy when you’ll be taking tests or writing essays. You can use a microphone and/or webcam to talk to your Livemocha partner and practice your conversational skills. If you want to work on pronunciation, you can record phrases, words or texts and submit a spoken exercise for review.
All basic features of Livemocha membership that you might need to work on your English skills – chat, messaging, and flashcards - are free.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
To develop and practice your English skills, you need to talk as much as you can, preferably with native speakers of English, so you could get a feel of the English speech flow. For those of you who have American roommates, friends or coworkers, it should be pretty easy. However, for most of you finding conversational partners other than your classmates and professors might be a bit challenging, even in a city as big as New York. Yet you don’t need to know someone to start a conversation; you can talk to cashiers at the supermarket, sales assistants at department stores, people you meet at a party, or commuters on a train. The good news is that you don’t need to engage into long discussions which might be hard for you to maintain at this point; all you need to do is to master the art of small talk. Small talk is actually a big part of American culture and the ability to start a light yet interesting conversation is valued very highly. Here are some topics that you should definitely consider discussing:
Weather
It does not matter if it’s raining cats and dogs or it’s the hottest day of the year; you can talk about how much you like or hate it, whether it makes you miserable or happy, and of course, how it’s different from your home country.
Hobbies
It’s always interesting to learn what other people like to do in their spare time, so don’t be shy, go ahead and tell a person you met at a party about your lifelong passion for writing poetry, painting, or running 5 miles every day. If they happen to share your enthusiasm, you might have just made a new friend.
Entertainment
Talk about new releases, hottest bands or latest scandals in the world of show business, which there are plenty of. Remember, though, that we all have different tastes and preferences, so don’t be too quick judging Justin Bieber’s haircut, Blake Lively’s acting chops, or Snooki’s drinking habit. A shouting match or, worse, a fistfight with a die-hard fan of any of the above is never a good idea.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
At the very beginning, you can get away with some basic vocabulary. If you know enough to ask questions, express your thoughts and maintain a conversation, it means that you are going to be just fine when it comes to your daily routine. You can ask for directions when lost, order food at the restaurant, talk to your friends about your day and try wowing your date with the story of your life. This is a great beginning. However, as you go further in your English studies, you will realize that in order to move to the next level and become a fluent and eloquent speaker, you need to work on increasing your English vocabulary. When it comes to learning new words, everyone has a method that works the best. For some students, it’s necessary to write down the words and their translations while others prefer working with flash cards. For those of you who rely on visual memory in your studies and everyday life, you might use Visual Thesaurus to increase your English vocabulary, and dramatically so.
Visual thesaurus creates word maps with relations between words. For example, a visual map for a word “visit” will look like this (the image from Dictionary.com):
You can regroup the words by clicking on any of them and every time you do that you see a different map representing the semantic relationships between words and concepts.
Visual Thesaurus has more than 145,000 words and 115,000 meanings. Read more about Desktop and online editions of Visual Thesaurus and take a look at the VT magazine about writing, words, language and creative process.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
It’s hard to find a website as time-consuming and addictive as Facebook. The seemingly never-ending saga with the privacy issues aside, it’s a really great resource for staying in touch with your friends and family, spying on your exes, networking and meeting new people. Or, if you happen to bored, you can easily kill an hour or two playing Mafia Wars or FarmVille. However, while games are a lot of fun, you might be better off engaging into activities of a more educational nature, since now your goal is improving your English language skills. So here’s what you should definitely try on Facebook:
This app, perhaps, is better suited for more advanced users, because while it appears to be easy, you do need to have a pretty good command of the English language to answer the questions. You need to guess only one word that fits all three sentences and once you get it right, it’ll be embedded in your mind forever.
You can choose between 2 modes of difficulty, normal and easy, and work either with 5 or 10 multiple choice questions at a time. It’s suitable for ESL Students of all levels for questions range from easy-peasy to somewhat tricky. In an unfortunate event of getting a question wrong, you have an option to discuss it with your Facebook friends and get this particular grammar rule straighten out together.
English Placement Test
English Placement Test
In case you ever wonder where you stand as an ESL Student, take this test, and all your questions will be answered. Want to transfer to one level up in your program? You can definitely consider using your test result as a supporting argument.
You have 10 minutes to take a test of any level, ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced. If anything, you definitely can use this app to prepare for your exams.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Do you dislike reading because a lot of words are unfamiliar to you? Do you often find yourself at loss for words not due to emotional duress but simply because you don’t know how to say what you want? Don’t worry — many people, and even native speakers, are no strangers to this phenomenon. Fortunately, there is a way to overcome this weakness. Good working vocabulary is one of the defining factors in your success as an ESL Student. Of course, that does not mean you should start memorizing dictionary entries in alphabetical order. As we might have mentioned before, a bit of creativity and a lot of dedication go a long way toward your progress with studies. What if new words, along with their etymology, meaning and pronunciation, were selected at random and sent to you every day and all you’d have to do was to read and memorize them and then impress your friends and classmates with your English vocabulary? You can’t perfect your English overnight, but what you can and should do is to learn a little every day, so let’s start with an absolute minimum – one word.
Dictionary.com Word of The Day
Here you can sign up for a daily email and learn new words as well as the ways to use them in the sentence. Dictionary.com is a website you should definitely consider bookmarking for it offers a truly comprehensive array of linguistic tools, from thesaurus to an online translator. The website also has a “Did you know?” section where you can learn very interesting facts about words, such as what pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, which is the longest word in the English language, means.
Merriam-Webster.com Word of The Day
This is a great subscription service offered by Merriam-Webster Dictionary, owned and operated by the world-famous Encyclopedia Britannica. Visited by over 40 million people every month, the site is one of the most popular and comprehensive vocabulary resources on the web. The print edition of the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary is one of the all-time bestselling American books.
A Word A Day
The New York Times called this newsletter “”the most welcomed, most enduring piece of daily mass e-mail in cyberspace.” Sign up and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Dictionary.com Word of The Day
Here you can sign up for a daily email and learn new words as well as the ways to use them in the sentence. Dictionary.com is a website you should definitely consider bookmarking for it offers a truly comprehensive array of linguistic tools, from thesaurus to an online translator. The website also has a “Did you know?” section where you can learn very interesting facts about words, such as what pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, which is the longest word in the English language, means.
Merriam-Webster.com Word of The Day
This is a great subscription service offered by Merriam-Webster Dictionary, owned and operated by the world-famous Encyclopedia Britannica. Visited by over 40 million people every month, the site is one of the most popular and comprehensive vocabulary resources on the web. The print edition of the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary is one of the all-time bestselling American books.
A Word A Day
The New York Times called this newsletter “”the most welcomed, most enduring piece of daily mass e-mail in cyberspace.” Sign up and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Previously we mentioned the importance of self-study and use of additional resources in learning the language. To start you off, we compiled a list of websites with free English exercises aimed at beginners.
Beginner’s English Vocabulary Word Lists
Here you will find lists of words describing body parts, colors, days of the week, months and numbers from 1 to 20. What’s remarkable about this resource is the number of different learning and testing modes. You can test yourself in spelling and typing games, working with dictionary flash cards or flash puzzles.
Elementary English Exercises
A great collection of exercises for the beginner level where you can learn basic nouns, verbs and adjectives.
English Vocabulary Games With Pictures
In a fun and easy way you can learn the vocabulary for animals, food and drinks, fruit and vegetables, sports, household, and shapes of objects.
Vocabulary Quizzes
This website has one of the best collections of vocabulary exercises and over a hundred vocabulary lists covering topics from clothes to parts of a car.
Confusing Verbs
Here you can learn the difference between commonly confused English verbs.
Common English Mistakes
If you are in doubt whether you should choose “there” or “their” – after all, they do sound almost identical! – you’ll definitely find this material to be useful. Go over all sections and don’t forget to take the free online tests!
More Confusing Words
Another resource with explanations and exercises targeted at learning the difference between commonly confused English words.
Beginner’s English Vocabulary Word Lists
Here you will find lists of words describing body parts, colors, days of the week, months and numbers from 1 to 20. What’s remarkable about this resource is the number of different learning and testing modes. You can test yourself in spelling and typing games, working with dictionary flash cards or flash puzzles.
Elementary English Exercises
A great collection of exercises for the beginner level where you can learn basic nouns, verbs and adjectives.
English Vocabulary Games With Pictures
In a fun and easy way you can learn the vocabulary for animals, food and drinks, fruit and vegetables, sports, household, and shapes of objects.
Vocabulary Quizzes
This website has one of the best collections of vocabulary exercises and over a hundred vocabulary lists covering topics from clothes to parts of a car.
Confusing Verbs
Here you can learn the difference between commonly confused English verbs.
Common English Mistakes
If you are in doubt whether you should choose “there” or “their” – after all, they do sound almost identical! – you’ll definitely find this material to be useful. Go over all sections and don’t forget to take the free online tests!
More Confusing Words
Another resource with explanations and exercises targeted at learning the difference between commonly confused English words.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
As with any other studies, the keys to successful learning of English are hard work, dedication and consistency, which means you absolutely must attend your classes, actively participate in discussions and do your homework. But even when you don’t have classes, you still can – and should – continue learning the language. Here’s what you can do
Use Additional Resources
There are hundreds of websites with free vocabulary and grammar exercises, quizzes and games, ranging in difficulty from the most basic to very advanced, so regardless of your level of English, you can definitely find something to work with. Not only is it a fun way to learn, but also it’s a great supplement to your school studies.
Watch Movies and TV
To those who just embarked on learning English, this may seem a very difficult and definitely not enjoyable task. However, while indeed difficult, it is a very effective way to learn. The more you are exposed to English, the quicker your progress will be. You will learn grammatical rules and word usage, pick up the intonation and rhythm of the language, and get used to fast speech styles. At the very beginning you can start with watching TV and movies with subtitles, but over time you’ll need them less and less.
Speak English As Much As You Can
You can memorize grammar rules, words and idioms, but keep in mind that it’s just a part of the learning process. You have to constantly practice everything you learn by communicating in English with your friends, coworkers and classmates. You may feel a little self-conscious at the very beginning because you might not be sure how to pronounce a word or what verb tense to use. Remember that mistakes are natural since you are just starting to learn the language and the only way to move on to the next level is to work through the difficulties.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Learning a new language is never easy. Knowing what you can expect in the process will help you avoid desperation and stay focused and persistent. Difficulties in learning will greatly depend on the degree of difference between your native language and English. Students whose native language is French or German generally face fewer obstacles than native speakers of Chinese, Japanese or Arabic. This is something that you should definitely keep in mind if you experience difficulties with any aspects of learning. Remember: everyone is capable of mastering English, but some of you might have to invest more time and effort into it. So what are the most common difficulties that you might encounter?
Pronunciation
As you already know, the same letters in English words are pronounced differently. For instance, the letter “a” in “cat” is not the same as “a” in “rate,” and the digraph “th” is pronounced differently in “there” and “thaw.” The way to deal with it is to learn and constantly practice the rules of pronunciation and memorize the exceptions from these rules.
Grammar
While it may seem confusing and complicated at the very beginning, English grammar is actually very structured and clear. Do a lot of grammar exercises, write often and read a lot, and you’ll learn it in no time.
Spelling
Read, read and read once again to learn the spelling of the words. Memorize the rules of spelling and learn to recognize the exceptions by doing a lot of vocabulary building exercises, word games, puzzles and quizzes. And don’t forget to invest in a good dictionary!
Pronunciation
As you already know, the same letters in English words are pronounced differently. For instance, the letter “a” in “cat” is not the same as “a” in “rate,” and the digraph “th” is pronounced differently in “there” and “thaw.” The way to deal with it is to learn and constantly practice the rules of pronunciation and memorize the exceptions from these rules.
Grammar
While it may seem confusing and complicated at the very beginning, English grammar is actually very structured and clear. Do a lot of grammar exercises, write often and read a lot, and you’ll learn it in no time.
Spelling
Read, read and read once again to learn the spelling of the words. Memorize the rules of spelling and learn to recognize the exceptions by doing a lot of vocabulary building exercises, word games, puzzles and quizzes. And don’t forget to invest in a good dictionary!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Two major factors fuel the increasing demand for bilingual professionals in the U.S. First, Hispanics now represent over twelve percent of the U.S. population; their spending power has more than doubled in less than 20 years. Since customers often prefer to do business with someone who speaks their language, companies need bilingual employees to communicate with their Spanish-speaking customers.
The second factor is the expansion of U.S. companies into other countries. While the recent economic downturn has slowed foreign revenues, overseas business is still a major force in the U.S. economy. In the international marketplace, bilingual executives help their companies acquire and develop new markets and build global presence. Their language fluency and cultural sensitivity contribute to bridging the differences between the countries.
Jobs for bilingual professionals span all industries and levels. While positions in sales/marketing and in operations dominate, recent job openings include a wide variety of jobs, including:
It certainly is a plus to know more than 2 languages and there are some companies who will pay premium or provide extra pay for being bilingual. A variety of employment resources are available who eagerly assist bilingual professionals and connect them with companies who seek bilinguals. Many small businesses as well as Fortune 500 companies are looking for qualified bilingual professionals. Job fairs and numerous career websites specialize in the employment of bilinguals who speak English and other languages. They may specialize in Hispanic or Asian languages or act as a central clearinghouse for hiring speakers of any language.
Companies that succeed in integrating a diverse, multi-lingual global workforce stand by their commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect. They hold diversity training and foster communications about cultural awareness and differences. Once word gets out that a company places a high value on diversity, the company will automatically attract a multi-lingual workforce.
Bilingual professionals are in high demand at all levels in most industries. In the increasingly global economy, organizations need people who speak more than one language to bridge language and communications differences.
The second factor is the expansion of U.S. companies into other countries. While the recent economic downturn has slowed foreign revenues, overseas business is still a major force in the U.S. economy. In the international marketplace, bilingual executives help their companies acquire and develop new markets and build global presence. Their language fluency and cultural sensitivity contribute to bridging the differences between the countries.
Which industries are seeking bilingual employees
Financial institutions are among the largest employers seeking bilingual professionals. The insurance, consumer products, and healthcare industries also employ large numbers of bilinguals, as does the U.S. government, particularly the Department of State, Census Bureau, and Social Security Administration. Non-profit organizations that serve non-English speaking people in the U.S. or work in foreign countries also need workers who speak more than one language.Jobs for bilingual professionals span all industries and levels. While positions in sales/marketing and in operations dominate, recent job openings include a wide variety of jobs, including:
- General Store Manager
- Insurance Claims Adjustor
- Editor
- Family Therapist
- Legal Assistant
- Customer Service Representative
- Mortgage Call Center Representative
- Healthcare Professional
- Retail Sales Associate
- Medical Office Assistant
- Health Educator
- Counselor for Internationally Adopted Children
It certainly is a plus to know more than 2 languages and there are some companies who will pay premium or provide extra pay for being bilingual. A variety of employment resources are available who eagerly assist bilingual professionals and connect them with companies who seek bilinguals. Many small businesses as well as Fortune 500 companies are looking for qualified bilingual professionals. Job fairs and numerous career websites specialize in the employment of bilinguals who speak English and other languages. They may specialize in Hispanic or Asian languages or act as a central clearinghouse for hiring speakers of any language.
Companies that succeed in integrating a diverse, multi-lingual global workforce stand by their commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect. They hold diversity training and foster communications about cultural awareness and differences. Once word gets out that a company places a high value on diversity, the company will automatically attract a multi-lingual workforce.
Bilingual professionals are in high demand at all levels in most industries. In the increasingly global economy, organizations need people who speak more than one language to bridge language and communications differences.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Is English your second language? Are you strong enough with it to make the language an asset in your life? Too many people, with English as a second language, allow their lack of knowledge to become a hindrance to their life. Everyone in a similar situation knows what they need to do, learn the native language of the country where you live. It may seem there are plenty of reasons to continue procrastinating, but the truth is these reasons are not substantial.
Not enough money for classes. This is a common enough excuse for people who do not know the language to avoid learning it. The truth is, there are affordable classes and finding one is as easy as clicking here .
Cannot find a learning center Maybe this is a problem in rural areas, but I doubt it. Most every city or town conducts classes for adults on improving their English. If you live in a major city like New York, then there are plenty to choose from, like this one .
Learning another language is too hard. The hard part is deciding to learn a new language. Actually learning it will not be that hard, as long as you sign up for a school with well trained, enthusiastic teachers.
Claiming not to need it. This has to be the worst excuse of them all. If you live in a country where the main language is English, then you need to learn it. Posing as if you do not need it is simply a strong case of denial. Of course you need it.
Success in learning English means you can get a job that can turn into a career that will make you and your family proud. Stop letting your handicap to all those around you, keep you down in life. Many have done it before you and you will not be the last. People take it upon themselves to become fluent in English as a matter of course for improving their prospects in life. Stop letting meager excuses hold you down and sign up to for English courses today.
Not enough money for classes. This is a common enough excuse for people who do not know the language to avoid learning it. The truth is, there are affordable classes and finding one is as easy as clicking here .
Cannot find a learning center Maybe this is a problem in rural areas, but I doubt it. Most every city or town conducts classes for adults on improving their English. If you live in a major city like New York, then there are plenty to choose from, like this one .
Learning another language is too hard. The hard part is deciding to learn a new language. Actually learning it will not be that hard, as long as you sign up for a school with well trained, enthusiastic teachers.
Claiming not to need it. This has to be the worst excuse of them all. If you live in a country where the main language is English, then you need to learn it. Posing as if you do not need it is simply a strong case of denial. Of course you need it.
Success in learning English means you can get a job that can turn into a career that will make you and your family proud. Stop letting your handicap to all those around you, keep you down in life. Many have done it before you and you will not be the last. People take it upon themselves to become fluent in English as a matter of course for improving their prospects in life. Stop letting meager excuses hold you down and sign up to for English courses today.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
There is no better spot in a country to learn about culture and language, than a major city. When it comes to finding the people, location and resources to learn English, New York City is the place. It meshes so many different cultures together, living harmoniously in one area. However, the people of those different cultures find themselves in similar straights, needing to better their English in order to succeed in the city. Many people know English only as a second language in the city, sharing the common goal of improving their command of it. New York City is known for quite a few things and teaching English to those who need it to improve their lives is definitely on the list.
The best part about city life is that many resources are available and well within access most of the time. Learning any language requires participating in a well paced program that combines lessons with constant immersion. To learn a language, you have to speak it, sleep it and live it. Going to classes can be a nuisance, but in the city it’s very easy. With so many available locations, it is easy to find a program conveniently located, with time slots that fit any schedule. Public transportation in a city is usually at its best. A person can get anywhere in the city at anytime with little or no hassle. These benefits of the city just make it much easier on a person to go to classes and improve their English.
Not to mention, New York City is one of the most vibrant cities in all of the United States. If you are going to pick a place to learn English fluently, this is it. All aspects of the language are handled, heard and learned in the streets of the Big Apple. English isn’t just a language here, it’s a way of life. Learn the language in the classroom and experience it in the city.
The best part about city life is that many resources are available and well within access most of the time. Learning any language requires participating in a well paced program that combines lessons with constant immersion. To learn a language, you have to speak it, sleep it and live it. Going to classes can be a nuisance, but in the city it’s very easy. With so many available locations, it is easy to find a program conveniently located, with time slots that fit any schedule. Public transportation in a city is usually at its best. A person can get anywhere in the city at anytime with little or no hassle. These benefits of the city just make it much easier on a person to go to classes and improve their English.
Not to mention, New York City is one of the most vibrant cities in all of the United States. If you are going to pick a place to learn English fluently, this is it. All aspects of the language are handled, heard and learned in the streets of the Big Apple. English isn’t just a language here, it’s a way of life. Learn the language in the classroom and experience it in the city.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Throughout the world, language resides as a barrier between cultures. The spread of technology and global business ventures turned language into a barrier that needed overcoming. As a result, there are a few languages that have taken a leading role as a common tongue throughout the world and English is one of them. To communicate business in anyway, you almost have to know English. If you live in the U.S, it is possible to get by without being fluent in the legal language of this country, but it will make life incredibly difficult. Not having a strong base in the English language puts limiters on what a person can accomplish in this country. It is necessary to overcome an obstacle of this size to achieve your goals and make use of other opportunities that may find you. Knowing the native tongue of this country gives a person options and a chance to find their own way to living well. Open doors and stop limiting yourself, learn English and start living the life you want.
As we have all heard before, knowledge is power. When that knowledge involves the leading method of communication, then it is a power that acts as the key to all the locks around. Do not be fooled, the locks are everywhere. You cannot get most jobs offered without knowing English. You cannot raise higher in any business organization without knowing how to communicate in English. Healthcare is mostly handled in English, so if you cannot speak it, how will you properly maintain your health and the health of your loved ones? Driving, finding good deals, keeping up with current events and everything else is done in English. Not learning it or not becoming fluent in it is creating a handicap for yourself. It is like cutting off a limb; in this case, perhaps two.
Advancing down a path to a better life will eventually, require that you know the English language. One of the main tools for bettering life is furthering ones own education. If you live in the U.S, education is handled in English. The dots connect themselves.
If you are not fluent or at least have a firm grasp of the language, then gaining one should be your first priority. It is the biggest problem anyone not fluent faces in this country, when trying to make their way. There are accredited organizations that can and will help anyone improve their skills with English. Learn English and start unlocking the doors to a better life .
As we have all heard before, knowledge is power. When that knowledge involves the leading method of communication, then it is a power that acts as the key to all the locks around. Do not be fooled, the locks are everywhere. You cannot get most jobs offered without knowing English. You cannot raise higher in any business organization without knowing how to communicate in English. Healthcare is mostly handled in English, so if you cannot speak it, how will you properly maintain your health and the health of your loved ones? Driving, finding good deals, keeping up with current events and everything else is done in English. Not learning it or not becoming fluent in it is creating a handicap for yourself. It is like cutting off a limb; in this case, perhaps two.
Advancing down a path to a better life will eventually, require that you know the English language. One of the main tools for bettering life is furthering ones own education. If you live in the U.S, education is handled in English. The dots connect themselves.
If you are not fluent or at least have a firm grasp of the language, then gaining one should be your first priority. It is the biggest problem anyone not fluent faces in this country, when trying to make their way. There are accredited organizations that can and will help anyone improve their skills with English. Learn English and start unlocking the doors to a better life .
Monday, January 24, 2011
Traveling abroad presents an ideal opportunity to master a foreign language. While the immersion process facilitates communication in a diverse world, people are often surprised to find they have difficulty returning to their native language. This phenomenon is referred to as first-language attrition and has University of Oregon psychologist Benjamin Levy wondering how it is possible to forget, even momentarily, words used fluently throughout one’s life.
In a study appearing in the January, 2007 issue of Psychological Science, Levy and his colleague Dr. Michael Anderson discovered that people do not forget their native language simply because of less use, but that such forgetfulness reflects active inhibition of native language words that distract us while we are speaking the new language. Therefore, this forgetfulness may actually be an adaptive strategy to better learn a second language.
In the study, native English speakers who had completed at least one year of college level Spanish were asked to repeatedly name objects in Spanish. The more the students were asked to repeat the Spanish words, the more difficulty they had generating the corresponding English labels for the objects. In other words, naming objects in another language inhibits the corresponding labels in the native language, making them more difficult to retrieve later.
Interestingly, the study also showed that the more fluent bilingual students were far less prone to experience these inhibitory effects. These findings suggest that native language inhibition plays a crucial role during the initial stages of second language learning. That is, when first learning a new language, we have to actively ignore our easily accessible native language words while struggling to express our thoughts in a novel tongue. As a speaker achieves bilingual fluency, native-language inhibition becomes less necessary, accounting for the better performances of fluent bilingual speakers in the study.
Although the value of suppressing previously learned knowledge to learn new concepts may appear counterintuitive, Levy explains that “first-language attrition provides a striking example of how it can be adaptive to (at least temporarily) forget things one has learned.”
More information for this ongoing study can be found at the University of Oregon Memory Lab website at http://memorycontrol.uoregon.edu/.
In a study appearing in the January, 2007 issue of Psychological Science, Levy and his colleague Dr. Michael Anderson discovered that people do not forget their native language simply because of less use, but that such forgetfulness reflects active inhibition of native language words that distract us while we are speaking the new language. Therefore, this forgetfulness may actually be an adaptive strategy to better learn a second language.
In the study, native English speakers who had completed at least one year of college level Spanish were asked to repeatedly name objects in Spanish. The more the students were asked to repeat the Spanish words, the more difficulty they had generating the corresponding English labels for the objects. In other words, naming objects in another language inhibits the corresponding labels in the native language, making them more difficult to retrieve later.
Interestingly, the study also showed that the more fluent bilingual students were far less prone to experience these inhibitory effects. These findings suggest that native language inhibition plays a crucial role during the initial stages of second language learning. That is, when first learning a new language, we have to actively ignore our easily accessible native language words while struggling to express our thoughts in a novel tongue. As a speaker achieves bilingual fluency, native-language inhibition becomes less necessary, accounting for the better performances of fluent bilingual speakers in the study.
Although the value of suppressing previously learned knowledge to learn new concepts may appear counterintuitive, Levy explains that “first-language attrition provides a striking example of how it can be adaptive to (at least temporarily) forget things one has learned.”
More information for this ongoing study can be found at the University of Oregon Memory Lab website at http://memorycontrol.uoregon.edu/.
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