Shannon L. Kennedy's Blog: http://eurolinguiste.com/feed/, page 11

How to Learn Persian: My Persian Language Project Update

Three weeks ago I started learning my fourteenth languages, Persian. I promised regular updates on my methods, progress, and I’ll even do my best to break down exactly what I do each and every day to learn the Persian language.

So let’s jump right in.

Here’s where I was at on Day 0:

And here’s where I was at about two weeks later. (The video says Day 30 but I started the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge late and recorded my Day 30 video early).

My Daily Language Learning Routine: What I Do Each Day to Learn Persian

To learn Persian, there are a few things I do every day:

My Daily Routine to Learn Persian

Complete 6,000 points on Memrise.

If I have words to review, I’ll do this first. Then, any leftover time I’ll spend learning new words.

Where do these words come from? They’re primarily the vocab and phrases that come up during my lessons. But if I come across anything useful while doing other activities (listening to podcasts, watching Youtube videos, etc.), I add them to my flashcards as well.

When do I do this? I squeeze this into the day whenever I can. Sometimes it’s while I’m a passenger in the car. Other times it’s the last thing I do before bed. Some days it’s while my kids are doing karate. And it’s even while I watch tv on occasion.

Listen to 30 minutes of Pimsleur.

I’m currently nearing the end of Level I of Pimsleur. I’ve needed to repeat a few lessons to make sure I fully grasp the new material. And I already have Level II ready to go.

When do I do this? Whenever I’m in the car or on a walk. And sometimes while I’m doing chores.

Complete 5-15 minutes in Drops.

Drops is a good way for me to review some of the thematic vocabulary that comes up during my lessons. It’s also proven to be an engaging way to get introduced to new words I wouldn’t have come across in other contexts.

When do I do this? The same rules apply for when I do Memrise. But I do try to do Drops when I can listen to the audio because it’s read by native speakers and helps me with my own pronunciation.

My Weekly Routine to Learn Persian

Have 1 Persian lesson on Preply.

Every week I have a lesson with my Persian tutor on Preply. (Here’s the link to her profile directly.) We go over topics I’m likely to discuss in Persian with friends and she does an amazing job letting me guide the lessons but also steps in when I need a little more guidance.

I put together a complex sentence correctly on my own which led to a discussion about how many languages I’ve studied. I couldn’t help but grab a screenshot of the interaction!



What I Can Currently Do in Persian

According to Preply’s CEFR scale, based on the number of lessons I’ve done, I’m slowly creeping towards an A1. This, of course, doesn’t take into consideration all of the work I’m doing outside of lessons. My self-evaluation would be that I’m a solid A1 on my way to A2.

Currently, I can introduce myself, talk about my work, things that interest me and my family, and do some other basic things in the Persian language.

I still don’t have a huge vocabulary, Drops says I know just over 200 words and I’ve learned all 155 words and phrases currently stored in Memrise (though I have a lot more to add).

What My Future Plans Are to Learn Persian

Now that I’m over the newbie hurdle in Persian, it’s time for me to start really digging in.

Up until this point, I’ve been using romanization to get by, take notes, and figure things out. I want to start diving into coursebooks, however, so I’m due to start learning to read and write in Persian.

I picked up a copy of Judith Meyer’s Persian Script Hacking and will be using this as my primary resource to learn to read and write.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shannon Kennedy (@eurolinguiste) on Aug 18, 2020 at 6:07am PDT

Once I’m comfortable with the Persian alphabet, I’ll start digging into the course books I purchased. They are:

Teach Yourself Complete PersianFarsi for Beginners from Tuttle PublishingAccelerated Persian

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shannon Kennedy (@eurolinguiste) on Aug 26, 2020 at 4:38pm PDT

And once I’ve gotten through these, other coursebooks I’m interested in evaluating are:

Routledge Basic Persian: A Grammar and WorkbookBeginner’s Persian from Hippocrene Books



A Summary of My Persian Learning Strategies

Overall, I’ve been very consistent in my Persian studies. (You can follow me on Instagram to see daily reports of my progress!)

I also take every opportunity I can to practice the language. We have new neighbors who speak Persian and they’ve been gracious enough to let me practice with them. I also send my video recordings to a friend from karate for feedback. And I also do some grocery shopping at our local Persian market because even if I don’t practice the language with anyone there, I get to hear music in the language and look at labels in Persian.

If you have any questions about how I’m learning Persian, please let me know! I’m happy to add more detail on any part of my learning process. Just leave me a comment below.

The post How to Learn Persian: My Persian Language Project Update appeared first on Eurolinguiste.

15 Popular Study Abroad Locations Among College Students

If you’re thinking about studying abroad to better grasp and appreciate another language or culture, or you simply want to take an opportunity to expand your horizons and see a bit more of the world, your options are incredibly diverse.

Let’s take a look at some of the great places you could choose and everything they have in store for you!

1. Spain

You can really get your money’s worth by making Spain your study abroad option, since it’s one of the least expensive places to study in Europe when compared to U.S. costs. Plus, there’s over seventy universities to choose from.

While you’re there, you’ll be able to enjoy a lively music scene, the delectable cuisine, and major metropolitan destinations like Barcelona, Granada, Seville, and more.

2. Norway

If you’re looking for a really cost-effective opportunity, you might want to consider Norway since it is a free option for everyone both inside the EU and out. This is limited to public universities, and does not cover certain specialized programs, but it’s certainly an attractive offer to consider.

When you have time between classes, you’ll be able to explore the region’s amazing landscape, including in such regions as the Alps, Geirangerfjord, and the Arctic Circle where you can see the marvelous Northern Lights.

3. Brazil

Want a warmer climate? Brazil might be your perfect destination for studying abroad. The country offers numerous programs for students, particularly within the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro.

Guests to that city love the exciting nightlife, outdoor possibilities like hiking and swimming in the ocean, world-class restaurants, and more!

4. New Zealand

New Zealand boasts an impressive statistic when it comes to study abroad options – all of its eight universities are within the top 3% of the world. As a visiting student in the country, your opportunities for fun and fulfillment are nearly limitless, too. Some popular activities include kayaking, skiing, rafting, bungy jumping, whale watching, and so much more. You can also take the opportunity to learn more about the country’s Māori culture.

5. South Korea

South Korea’s study abroad programs are another excellent option for students, particularly if you examine Korea University, considered an equivalent to the United States’ Ivy League schools. With the area’s delectable cuisine, gorgeous mountainside and beachside views, host of museums, and ease of public transport, this is one opportunity to definitely keep in mind.

6. France

With over 3,500 higher education institutions for students to choose from, including many within the City of Light itself, France is a wonderful possibility if you’re looking to do your studying abroad in Europe.

The sky’s the limit when you want to engage with the region’s culture, too, as you can visit any number of first-rate restaurants and vineyards, see masterpieces at the Louvre, explore the Paris Catacombs, and so much more.

7. Costa Rica

Costa Rica not only has sixty universities for students to choose from, but the cost of living in the country is rather affordable as well, making the country an enticing option to add to your list. Visitors enjoy plenty of outdoor activities, lively sporting events, easy and cheap travel, and, of course, the amazing and scenic beaches.

8. Japan

Those who want to experience the full spectrum when it comes to a country’s culture should consider Japan, as it lays claim to both cultural sites that stretch back thousands of years along with some of the most advanced technological innovations on the planet.

You’ll delight in this unique disparity as a student, and will further appreciate the culinary wonders, historic sites, and splendid landscapes that await you.

9. Russia

Russia has a strong emphasis on education, with 54% of their population between 25 and 64 having university degrees. So if you want to travel somewhere with a focus on academics, and especially if you’re studying Russian, this may be the place to go.

While there, you’ll also be able to attend the country’s many museums, marvel at its unique architecture, and more. Also, studying in Russia can be particularly affordable because of the free housing Russian schools provide, called obshagas. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in a culture and meet lots of new people, this is an excellent way to do so.

10. United Arab Emirates

For students who are honing their Arabic language skills, UAE can be a great study abroad option. There are numerous programs within the country, including several for the major metropolis of Dubai.

If you end up choosing Dubai as your option, you’ll be able to explore all of the amazing projects the city has been working on such as Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, the Dubai Frame, the market and cultural fair Global Village, and IMG Worlds of Adventure which is the largest indoor theme park in the world.

11. Germany

Students who have an academic interest in areas like business, the hard sciences, and, of course, the German language, will feel right at home in one of the country’s many universities. During downtime you can scope out the region’s impressive art scene in places like Dresden, hike through the picturesque Black Forest, or engage in some afterhours fun in one of many beer halls.

12. China

China has the fastest-growing influx of international students in the world, and for good reason. With its top-rated universities and major presence in both world affairs and commerce, choosing China as your study abroad option can be greatly beneficial to your future.

But let’s not overlook the amazing and authentic cuisine you’ll be able to have while in the country, or the key historical sites you can visit like the Lintong District’s Terracotta Army, the illustrious Summer Palace, and, of course, The Great Wall.

13. The United Kingdom

With the wide variety of excellent schools the country offers, and the lack of a language barrier for Americans, it’s no wonder so many students choose the UK for schooling. In fact, the collective of countries has been known to often hold over 10% of U.S. study abroad students.

And since the UK is comprised of four separate countries, during your downtime you can visit England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to see key cultural and popular sites like Stonehenge, Buckingham Palace, Loch Ness, Portmeirion, and the Giant’s Causeway.

14. Italy

Students who are drawn to Italy’s study abroad programs can come from a variety of backgrounds, but many have an interest in business, languages, or the fine arts. And because of the region’s food, wine, beautiful architecture, and rich cultural history, the country is one of the world’s most popular study abroad locations.

While there, be sure to visit the wide variety of museums, churches, and more to take advantage of all the country has to offer. And we can’t recommend Venice enough if you’re looking for a beautiful and picturesque city to spend time in.

15. Switzerland

Switzerland has been ranked second in the world for teaching quality, making it an ideal choice for students looking to study abroad. Swiss universities are also known to make innovative learning models and global-minded education a priority.

As a visitor, you’ll be able to engage in a variety of outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, take day trips to historic, fairytale-like castles, and get your fill of delicious Swiss chocolates.

About the author: Linton Lewis works with Kent State’s MCLS department which provides an online Master’s in Translation in six separate language tracks.

The post 15 Popular Study Abroad Locations Among College Students appeared first on Eurolinguiste.

How I Became Eurolinguiste | A Post in French

Bonjour… Bon, voilà quoi – j’ai enfin décidé d’écrire un article en français. Je discute souvent des langues et des façons de définir le bilinguisme, mais je ne l’ai jamais fait dans une langue autre que l’anglais. J’espère donc que vous apprécierez mon histoire sur comment je suis devenu Eurolinguiste.

Quand j’avais onze ans, j’ai commencé à apprendre ma deuxième langue. En fait, c’était ma troisième – j’ai parlé espagnol quand j’étais petite – mais j’ai presque tout oublié. En fait, j’ai tout oublié. C’est vrai qu’on oublie les langues que on n’utilise pas régulièrement – c’est dommage.

Quand j’ai été choisir mon cours de langue, j’ai voulu apprendre l’allemand. Hélas, l’année où j’ai commencé mon cours de langue, l’allemand a été abandonné, et donc, je n’avais plus qu’un seul choix. Malgré le fait que ce n’était pas ce que je voulais, je ne regrette pas le chemin que j’ai pris. Si mon chemin avait été différent, je n’aurais pas cette passion pour la linguistique (qui existe en moi) aujourd’hui.

Mon voyage linguistique n’a pas été facile, et il y a tellement de choses que j’ai oublié dans les langues que j’ai apprises. Quand mon désir d’apprendre une nouvelle langue l’emportait et que je laissais l’apprentissage de la précédente en suspend, ce qui arriva souvent, tout mes efforts ont (souvent) été perdus. À un moment donné, j’ai changé la langue que j’apprenais avec une telle fréquence qu’il me semblait que je n’arriverais jamais à la parler couramment.

C’était beaucoup plus tard que j’ai finalement porté mon apprentissage sur les langues que j’aimais. La raison pour laquelle j’ai eu la chance d’apprendre plusieurs langues est que j’ai rencontré des gens qui me soutiennent dans l’apprentissage chaque langue. J’apprécie telement pour ceux qui m’ont soutenu jusqu’ici.

Mon objectif pour l’instant « à ce jour » est d’ajouter l’italien et l’allemand et, plus tard, le croate.

Je suis encore en apprentissage, et je serai toujours une étudiante en langues.

PS. I added a sort of secret page to Eurolinguiste. Est-ce que vous pouvez le trouvez?

The post How I Became Eurolinguiste | A Post in French appeared first on Eurolinguiste.

11 of the Most Inspirational Language Learning Quotes

Learning a new language and looking for a bit of inspiration? Look no further.

I put together this collection of my favorite quotes about learning a new language or language learning in general. Here are 11 inspiring quotes about learning a new language.

One does not inhabit a country; one inhabits a language. That is our country, our fatherland – and no other.
EMILE M. CIORAN

Language shapes the way we think and determines what we can think about.
BENJAMIN LEE WHARF, American Linguist

A language has very little that is arbitrary in it, very little betokening the conscious power and action of man. It owes its origin, not to the thoughts and the will of individuals, but to an instinct actuating a whole people: it expresses what is common to them all: it has sprung out of their universal wants, and lives in their hearts. But after a while in intellectual aristocracy come forward, and frame a new language of their own. The princes and lords of thought shoot forth their winged words into regions beyond the scan of the people. They require a gold coinage, in addition to the common currency.
JULIUS CHARLES HARE, Guesses at Truth

The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.
LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN

In the acquisition of languages by direct study, where time can be afforded for the purpose, it is found that several languages, belonging to the same family–as the Latin, Italian, and Spanish, for instance–can be acquired together, almost as easily and rapidly, as either of them can be acquired separately, and with far less chance of their being lost from the memory of disuse. By finding the roots in the parent tongue, and by tracing the growth from these roots outward into different tongues, as it were genealogically, it is found that they descend and spread according to certain organic laws of modification and growth.
HORACE MANN, Thoughts

No language is justly studied merely as an aid to other purposes. It will in fact better serve other purposes, philological or historical, when it is studied for love, for itself.
J. R. R. TOLKIEN, “English and Welsh,” The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays

Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.
RITA MAE BROWN

Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own.
JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

To have another language is to possess a second soul.
CHARLEMAGNE

One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.
FRANK SMITH

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.
NELSON MANDELA

What’s your favorite quote about language?

The post 11 of the Most Inspirational Language Learning Quotes appeared first on Eurolinguiste.

How Learning a Language is Like Eating Cookies

This month I am honoured to feature a guest post from Jarvis1000 from I Want 2 Speak Thai, a linguist fluent in Thai and English and learning Spanish. I admire Jarvis1000 greatly because he is able to excellently balance his family, a job and language learning (something I one day inspire to do as well!). All this goes without saying that in addition to his already busy schedule, he still finds time to write inspiring posts on learning languages.

He no longer has a blog, but I really enjoyed his posts when he did!

How Learning a Language is Like Eating Cookies

When I was 19 years old, I did like many young men in my church and became a missionary. I spent two years of my early adult life in “AMAZING THAILAND” and came back fluent in Thai. Fast forward 10 years and I am now a 30 something married father of 4 kids. I work 40+ hours a week along with my other responsibilities as a father. On top of all that I am learning Spanish. Though there are many things I learned about language learning in Thailand, learning how to apply them to my current situation has been totally different.

Learning a foreign language is like eating a tim tam slam I am sure most of you know what an Oreo Cookie is. A childhood is not complete without dunking an Oreo cookie in milk every so often.

On the other hand, you may or may not have heard of a Tim Tam. I was introduced to Tim Tams by my wife, who is from New Zealand. It’s a cookie (or a ‘biscuit’ as my wife would call it) that is made of too thin chocolate wafers with a chocolate crème filling. The entire thing is then coated in chocolate.

When my wife introduced Tim Tams to me it wasn’t just, “here’s a Tim Tam.” She introduced them to me as a “Tim Tam Slam.”

A Tim Tam Slam is done by first preparing a hot chocolate beverage of your choice. Then, after biting little bites on each side of the Tim Tam, you use the Tim Tam as a straw to suck up the hot chocolate into the biscuit. Once saturated, you tilt your head back and let the warm chocolate goodness fall into your mouth and enjoy. It’s one of the greatest chocolaty pass times I have ever experienced!

What does that have to do with language learning?

For me, learning Thai in Thailand was like having a Tim Tam Slam. When you suck up that hot chocolate, you have committed to eating that whole thing with all you have in you. You can’t go back, you NEED to eat that thing or make a horrible mess otherwise. Immersion commits you to learning the language. When you do eat it, though it might be a bit overwhelming for a moment, you eventually just sit back and embrace immersion for what it is!

Right now, I am not learning Spanish in an immersive environment. I don’t NEED to learn Spanish. In fact, it can be difficult to find opportunities in my regular day-to-day life to use it. Learning Spanish is less like a Tim Tam Slam and more like dunking Oreo’s in Milk. No matter how much I want to learn, I will never be able to be as committed to it as if I lived or worked in an immersive environment.

There is another way I have notice that it is like dunking Oreo’s. If I put it in and out too quickly, it’s basically pointless even dunking it. On the other hand, if I put it in too long the cookie crumbles and falls to the bottom of the milk, ruining the cookie and the milk in the processes. When I learn something, I need to do it in such away as to keep my confidence and motivation going long enough to actually get something done. At the same time, if I try to do too much I lose all confidence and motivation to do anything at all.

So how does one do that?

There are many things one can do, but that are a few tips and trick that I have learned on the way.

Set a plan/system. I have created a system that I follow day in and day out. I use a combination of input and output activities as well as both structured and unstructured activities to help me. The most important thing is that you should never wonder to yourself, “What am I going to do this week?”

Be Flexible. Nothing will ever go as you plan. Adapt. As you start getting better at certain things, you will find it is no longer useful to practice the language in one way or another. Don’t fret about it; just go with the flow and change.

Find as many opportunities to talk out loud. Talk to the wall or your steering wheel. Don’t know how to say what you want to say yet? Do what you know and fill in the rest with your native language. Don’t know the past tense yet? Just use the present tense for now and just use a lot of context words like already or yesterday. Some will say that you will “create bad habits.” Let me ask you, have you ever known an adult who was stuck saying “pasgetti” all of their life because they didn’t know how to say it as a kid? Me neither. Just talk!

Don’t just learn a language, live it. Learn how to say and talk about what you already do everyday. If you like Sports, then learn the Sports words you need. I mean everything, so you can listen to a play-by-play announcer and listen to commentator talk about player contracts. Don’t just learn how to say your profession, learn every detail of your profession in your language.

Don’t worry if you can’t do all you want to do right away. Its baby steps. To paraphrase a bad joke, how do you eat a packet of Oreo cookies? One dunk at a time.

[image error]

The post How Learning a Language is Like Eating Cookies appeared first on Eurolinguiste.

Confessions of a Serial Language Learner

I’ve mentioned my personal experience and history with language learning in a few different posts. And I do my best to keep this page updated.

I grew up with exposure to Spanish but stopped hearing it at home at a really young age. I quickly forgot nearly all of it.

Thankfully, my third language stuck.

My History Learning Languages

But I was never really satisfied with just two languages under my belt. At the age of 15 I began learning Arabic so that my friend and I could share a “secret”-to-us language at school. I loved learning the script, but I struggled with it and quit after a semester.

Not long after, I set a goal I kept to myself, worried about what people would say if I shared it with them. I decided I would speak 8 languages. But after my Arabic course, I didn’t really do anything to pursue it (music was becoming a bigger part of my life).

It was only at university while studying for my Master’s degree things changed. I needed to learn other languages for my major and I took the requirement seriously, taking courses for the suggested languages. It was then I realized how much I loved not only speaking other languages but the learning process itself.

I started on Italian, continued German (which I had dabbled in before), took up Croatian, and begged my roommates for one or two lessons in Mandarin (though again, nothing stuck). And that, with a few years in between, brings me to today.

Am I a polyglot?

I don’t at all feel comfortable calling myself a polyglot. I prefer to say that I’m an “avid language learner” or a “language lover”. I love being a part of the language community and am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to get to know several other awesome language lovers. But there’s one other title I’m comfortable giving myself… I feel confident calling myself a “serial language learner”.

Today, I’d like to share a few things…

A few confessions from a serial language learner.

Confessions of a Serial Language Learner

Being unable to avoid walking into any bookstore you pass just because you can’t keep yourself from perusing their foreign language section.

If there’s a book in the foreign language section that looks interesting, it’s impossible to avoid an impulse buy. #allthebooks!

Forgetting words in your native language as your brain makes room for words in your target language. It’s a thing. Your brain only has the capacity to hold many words and the more languages you know, the fewer words you are capable of knowing in each (I wish I had a link to the article I read on this). So make the words you learn count! Learn words that are relevant to you and the conversations you imagine yourself having.

It’s frustrating. Oh so frustrating when you realize you have the same sentence written in your notes five times. That means all five times you stumbled across it, it was new to you. Or when you chat with a native speaker and despite being able to speak to them, you do not understand a word they say. Or when you have entire conversations by paper because your reading and writing progressed so much more quickly than your speaking skills.

You have breakthrough moments that make every frustration and moment of self-doubt worth it.

Realizing you will never live long enough to learn all the languages on your list or read all the books in your “to read” pile.

Having to choose a finite list of languages because of the above.

The confusion of dreaming in another language.

The joy of realizing you dreamed in another language.

When you fill a notebook and can’t decide whether to keep it in case you need it for reference, copy your most pertinent notes into another notebook to condense and continue or just start over.

When you work on your language in a language app and they release a new language and that new language tempts you away from what you were working on. Or when you look at their list of offered languages and that temptation arises.

When you used to know more in a language. For some reason, you still think you are at the same level even though you haven’t practiced and get called out on it when someone shares that language and tries to speak with you and nothing comes out.

When suddenly the food you eat, the movies you watch and the music you listen to get on your significant other’s nerves because they are all in your target language and they don’t feel like reading subtitles or learning how to use chopsticks or eating with their hands or listening to that same k-pop song you have on repeat for the 100th time.

When you only intend to study for an hour and end up spending most of the day immersed in your target language, forgetting to write a blog post so you either skip blogging or throw up some travel photos instead.

When you feel like you should be progressing more quickly. The truth is, with language learning, and most skills, there is nothing quick about it. You can quickly learn certain facets of a language like specialized vocabulary, but to really become fluent or conversational (and retain it) it takes years. Anything else is like cramming for a test. You may pull it off but you can forget remembering it six months down the line.

If you’re learning (or have tried learning) another language, can you relate to any of the above? I’d love to hear from you in the comments! Or, if you have any of your own language learning confessions to share, feel free!

The post Confessions of a Serial Language Learner appeared first on Eurolinguiste.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Vocabulary in French: How to Talk About Your Favorite Books in French

I’m a bookworm. One of my favorite genres, aside from history or historical fiction, is that of la fantaisie/fantasy (“fantasy”) and la science-fiction (“science fiction”).

When you get to the intermediate level in a language, diving into content created for native speakers is an effective way to boost your skill in a language. And that’s why I dive into books as soon as I’m able–LingQ helps a ton with this!

I read in French as much as I read in English, but there’s something I make sure to do whenever I read.

I only read books in French I would have read in English.

That means I don’t read something just because it’s in French. It has to be something I’m interested in–regardless of the language the book is in.

Sometimes this means I read translations of my favorite books–like “The Name of the Wind”, “Game of Thrones”, or “Eye of the World” in other languages. Though sometimes I read books in the same genre in French, too. Pierre Bourdieu is one of my favorite French fantasy authors!

Needless to say, I read a lot of fantasy and science fiction in French, so I thought I would share some of the most common fantasy/science fiction vocabulary I’ve come across in my reading. Please let me know if you feel if anything is missing from this list!

Please note that some of these are words that I have come across in my reading and some are ones that I have added on my own – any that seem out of place are those that I had to look up while reading.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Vocabulary in French with English Translations



Fantasy and Science Fiction Nouns in French

These are some of the characters, objects, and ideas you may come across when reading science fiction or fantasy in French.

Key Fantasy Vocabulary in French

une quête – “quest”une légende – “legend”un mythe – “myth”le héros – “heroes”le méchant – “the villain”une dystopie – “dystopia”une aventure – “adventure”une théorie du complot – “conspiracy theory”sous-création – “world-building” (I’m not totally sure about this one)l’intrigue – “intrigue”

Words to Discuss Knights in French

un chevalier – “knight”une lame – “blade”une épée – “sword”un bouclier – “shield”une lance – “spear”une cotte de mailles – “chainmail”une armure – “suit of armor”un ordre de chevalerie – “order of chivalry”

Words to Discuss Magic or Something Otherly in French

un magicien – “magician”la magie – “magic”un sorcier – “wizard”une sorcière – “witch”un sort – “spell”une malédiction – “curse”un système de magie – “magic system”les ténèbres – “darkness, obscurity”

Words to Talk About Characters in French

le protagoniste – “the protagonist”l’antagoniste – “the antagonist”le roi et la reine – “the king and queen”un aubergiste – “innkeeper”les pommettes – “cheekbones”les androïdes – “androids”un dragon – “dragon”un serviteur – “minion”les nains – “dwarves”les elfes – “elves”les gobelins – “goblins”Bilbon et Frodon Sacquet – “Bilbo and Frodo Baggins”



Fantasy and Science Fiction Verbs in French

These are some of the verbs you might come across in your French reading.

échouer – “to fail”rebiffer – “to balk”jaillirent – “gushed”aiguiser – “to whet”chuintements – “hissing”chamade – “racing, pounding”



Fantasy and Science Fiction Adjectives and Adverbs in French

Use these words to get more descriptive when speaking French.

farouchement – “fiercely”en sueur – “sweaty”épique, héroïque – “epic, heroic”



Fantasy Book Titles in French



Le Seigneur des anneaux – “The Lord of the Rings”Le Hobbit – “The Hobbit”Trône de fer – “Game of Thrones”Le nom du vent – “The Name of the Wind”Le Cycle de L’Assassin Royal – “The Farseer Trilogy”Le Meilleur des mondes – “Brave New World”La Guerre des étoiles – “Star Wars”Harry Potter à l’École des Sorciers – “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”Conan le Barbare – “Conan the Barbarian”Le Maître du Haut Château – “The Man in the High Castle”

Any other fantasy or science fiction words you’d like to see on this list? Let me know in the comments!

The post Science Fiction and Fantasy Vocabulary in French: How to Talk About Your Favorite Books in French appeared first on Eurolinguiste.

Clear the List | Monthly Language Learning Strategies Update | August

This last month has been exciting, with lots of new updates. I will, of course, get into more detail about what those are below soon.

The Free Language Learning Library

As a friendly reminder, in case you missed the update last month, my free language learning library moved! If you’d like to join and get access to the materials available within the library, access it here.

The Language Hacking Podcast

We’re into the second month of the Language Hacking Podcast over at Fluent in 3 Months where I’m co-hosting with Fi3M founder, Benny Lewis.

We’ve interviewed a lot of fascinating folks, so it’s definitely worth checking out.

If you give the podcast a listen, or if you already have been listening, we’d love your reviews!

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on Stitcher

Here’s how you can celebrate the podcast with us:

Step 1:  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (or your favorite podcasts app) so you don’t miss an episode.Step 2: Listen to Episode 1.Step 3: Leave a review to let us know what you like about the podcast.



Virus Prevention Vocabulary is Now on Drops

In addition to recently releasing Croatian, Drops also released a new topic so you can learn vocabulary to discuss recent events in your new language.

You can now spend 5 minutes a day learning thousands of new words–including those related to staying healthy–in 39+ languages!

For now, on to #clearthelist …

If you’re new around these parts, #clearthelist is a linkup where we share our monthly goals, and by we, I mean myself, and Lindsay of Lindsay Does Languages.

We’d absolutely love for you to a part of our community. You can join us by adding a link to your own goal post below.

So let’s get started, sharing our goals and motivating one another to #clearthelist!

Please feel free to tag your posts or photos with either #clearthelist on your favorite social media channels!

Last Month’s Highlights on Instagram



Last Month’s Goals

Continue filling the gaps in my Mandarin vocabulary I’ve noticed since Little Linguist’s arrival. // We’ve put together a plan to create more of an immersion environment at home. I’m hoping we’re able to better implement it this month.

Maintain my vocabulary learning streak. // Yes! I’ve been able to successfully maintain my vocab streaks and even with a new language.

Keep working through my YouTube Queue.  // Another month of adding more videos to watch rather than watching many of them, but I did manage to get through a few of them.

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge // I ended up having to stop my Russian challenge because I started a new language…

Keep reading Game of Thrones in Russian. // I have kept this up!

Study Stranger Things in Hungarian. // Same as above with Russian.

How to Choose the Best Resources to Learn a New Language

One of the great things about technology, the Internet, self-publishing, and the rise in entrepreneurship is that we now have a plethora of language learning materials available to choose from.

At the same time, one of the most troubling things about figuring out which language learning resources you should use is that we now have a huge selection of materials to choose from. Figuring out what works and what doesn’t work for you as a learner can be quite the enterprise.

A question that I’m often asked is “how did you learn Italian/Mandarin/Croatian/etc.?”

I typically reply that I’m self-taught, but that’s not entirely true. I use a number of resources to pick-up and develop vocabulary, sentence structures, communication skills, and the cultural aspects that go hand-in-hand with a language.

But the truth is, I’m only kind of really self-taught. Really, I’m just self-motivated. It’s the native speakers I converse with and resources that I use that steer me in the right direction and help me along my way.

Let’s get back to the question.

It often comes from curious, soon-to-be language learners–those looking for the one resource that will “teach” them the language. But there is no one resource. Instead, you need to find a combination of resources that teach you the skills you need in the way you need them.

So I try to impart the importance of selecting the language learning materials that work for them personally. Everyone learns differently, finding enjoyment in learning in their own way. Choosing the right tools for your language learning journey–for just you–can go a long way in helping you to remain motivated while you steadily progress.

The Best Language Learning Resource

I began learning my second language in school, buried in grammar books and vocabulary exercises. I was focused on memorizing words and conjugations that would be stored on my mental hard drive until the test only to be dumped immediately after. It wasn’t a very useful or beneficial way to study language.

It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to use the language outside of school that I really began to see any significant progress. Suddenly I had a reason to really hang on to the vocabulary and grammar I was learning in school. It felt incredibly rewarding to carry on a conversation in another language and it drove me to continue my efforts. In just a few months, my abilities far surpassed what five years in school had ever allowed me and that was all the motivation I needed to keep going and even take on new languages.

Using a language with other speakers is by far the BEST way to improve your accent, your grammar, your vocabulary, and your overall skill in another language, but only once you’ve set up a foundation on your own.

But you still have to build that foundation. You can’t expect to launch into a discussion of Russian literature or French politics without having learned the vocabulary to go along with the conversation.

The Best Language Learning Products

That need to build a foundation is where things like online learning programs, podcasts, grammar and vocabulary books, audiobooks, and flashcards come in handy.

Here’s what I suggest when evaluating and selecting resources:

Consider Your Current Level in the Language When Choosing a New Resource

You have to take the level you are at into consideration when selecting resources. Someone who is completely new to a language will have to implement an entirely different approach than someone who is more advanced.

Just like you might not want try having a conversation with a native speaker right off the bat, you also shouldn’t stick to the same methods you started out with once your abilities become more advanced. Your speaking/reading skills may grow stagnate and that can be frustrating. The best thing to do is seek out resources that will help you reach the next level.

Try Out Language Learning Resources for Yourself

As I mentioned before, the various methods and tools available are going to work differently for each person who reads this, so it’s incredibly important to try things out and find out what works best for you.

Personally, I’ve spent several years playing around with different resources and discovering what works for me and what doesn’t. I suggest you do the same.

Your goals also play an important role when you’re selecting resources. If you want to begin speaking as soon as possible, going with audio-based resources can be one of the most efficient routes to take. For this, I would suggest something like Pimsleur or Assimil.

I listen to Pimsleur lessons whenever I’m in my car for an extended period of time and they’re a great way to establish basic speaking and comprehension skills.

Assimil is a bit different, and while it has audio, it also has text to go along with it and you really need to use the two together. Since I can’t (and won’t) read while driving, I only listen to Assimil in the car if I want to “immerse” myself in the language or review what I’ve already worked on. And, of course, you can always listen to music and watch movies in your target language as well.

If a grammar-focused method works better for you, or you’re more interested in reading and writing than speaking, a grammar or vocabulary book may work for you. As far as resources I recommend, I like Assimil (again), the Routledge Grammar Books, and some of the books in the Practice Makes Perfect series. I also really like Schaum’s grammar books.

There are also dual-language books that come with one language on one side and another on the other (or one language printed immediately under the other).

If you’re at the intermediate or advanced level, you can try diving right into foreign language books, translating words you don’t know as you come across them (or after you finish each passage). Starting out with easier texts (like Dr. Seuss) and then transitioning into more complex texts (Harry Potter then even texts by native speakers on more complex topics).

If gamification methods work best for you (or you just enjoy earning points for your efforts or playing games), some of the online tools available may work for you. I personally like Drops, Memrise, and LingQ.

You can also go with a good phrasebook to help you build a foundation in any language. The Lonely Planet series is pretty good, but if you’re just getting started, almost any one will do.

If you’re looking for more recommendations and reviews, I plan to start posting several in the near future.

I’ve started to create resource pages for each language I am studying. You can check out the pages here – French, Italian, German, Mandarin, Spanish, Breton, Russian, Japanese, Korean, and Croatian.

What materials do you use to study and practice the languages you’re learning? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

For more language learning tips like this, check out my collection of articles on Pinterest!

The post How to Choose the Best Resources to Learn a New Language appeared first on Eurolinguiste.

New Language Project: Learn Persian

I’m learning a new language.

Yes, this means I’m up to my 14th language I either am in the process of maintaining, learning, or using on a somewhat regular basis.

What’s the motivation for doing this? Let’s get into the reason behind it.

My New Language Project: Learn Persian

Since Drops released Persian, I’ve toyed with the idea of learning the Persian language (also known as Farsi). Where I live, we have a large community of Persian speakers, many of whom I count as friends and I’d love to share the language with them.

Given that my last language project didn’t pan out as planned (I intended to learn Hebrew for a trip to Tel Aviv that didn’t happen due to COVID-19), and the fact that travel guidelines are still restrictive, I decided to learn a local language. Something that I could use while still at home.

My Goal Learning Persian

At the end of about 90 days, my goal is to surprise some friends with my ability to speak Persian. They’ve occasionally taught me a word here or there in the language, but I haven’t yet seriously studied the language and I know they’ll be thrilled to find out I started learning it on my own.

I plan to practice the language in other settings leading up to the “big reveal”, but I’m hoping to surprise them like I did my co-workers at Drops with Hungarian a while back.

How I’m Going to Learn Persian



My Farsi Language Learning Tools

Preply

I plan on taking weekly lessons (perhaps more) during the duration of my Persian learning project. I’m currently trying out several different tutors on Preply, and will hopefully have one selected by the end of the week!

PS. Have you seen Preply’s learning goal dashboard? It’s amazing! You can select a study goal and it’ll break down how much you’ll have to study to reach it. I set the ultimate goal of B1 in the language and it estimated how many weeks and hours of study I needed.

Drops

To start building my vocabulary and foundation in the Persian language, I’ll study new words each day with Drops.

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

I’m joining a challenge a bit late (just over a week), but I plan on taking part in an Fi3M challenge for the extra accountability and community while learning a language.

PersianPod101

In my first week, I like to dig through all the Pod101 videos available to quickly learn basic phrases.

Pimsleur

One of my favorite resources when starting to learn a new language is Pimsleur because it’s been a great way to get in both listening and speaking practice.

My Language Learning Routine

My routine for learning Persian will look like this at the start of this project:

Every day:

5-15 minutes of vocabulary study with Drops15-30 minutes of video lessons with the PersianPod101 Youtube channel30 minute Pimsleur lesson

Every week:

1 lesson with my Farsi tutorAdditional research and study as needed



My Initial Plans for My First Week of Learning Persian

In the first week of learning Persian, I’d like to accomplish the following:

Learn the Persian writing systemGet my self introduction down in PersianLearn around 100 words



My Updates

I’ll update you on my progress about once every two weeks either by blog post or by video. To keep everything in one place, I’ve put this page together so you can find all my Persian updates in chronological order.

Have any questions about this project? Let me know in the comments below! I’m putting together an “Ask the Polyglot” video and post answering many of the questions you’ve sent me about my Persian language project—whether it’s about starting a new language or about my learning strategies in general.

I also plan to make regular videos on Instagram and Youtube – so be sure to follow me there.

In the meantime, do you have any advice for me as a new Persian learner? Have any resource recommendations you couldn’t live without while learning the language? Let me know in the comments below! I look forward to hearing from you.

The post New Language Project: Learn Persian appeared first on Eurolinguiste.