3 Important Tips When Translating French to English

3 Important Tips When Translating French to English Megan L. Translating French to English is a common way to study the language and improve your skills. Tutor  Nadia B.  shares three big tips so you dont get lost in translation Are you learning French and need to translate some of your French homework into English? Or perhaps you want to translate a  French text just to be sure that you have understood the meaning? Translation is a useful tool for improving comprehension and fluency, so read on for three important tips for translating French to English. These tips will ensure you translate  quickly and accurately  on your first try! 1. Dont translate idiomatic expressions literally. There are many French expressions that shouldnt be taken  literally when translating French to English. The literal translation wont reflect the meaning of the expression. If you come across an expression that, when translated literally makes no sense in context, youve probably found an idiomatic expression. Here are some examples of French idiomatic expressions and how they can be translated into English: une bouche dincendie fire hydrant (Since  bouche means mouth in English, a mouth of fire isnt a correct translation!) une bonne fourchette a hearty eater (or, literally, a good fork, but that lacks meaning to English speakers!) faire le pont to make a long weekend (literally, to make a bridge, but it refers to the French habit of taking a four-day break by adding Friday or Monday to the weekend plus the mid-week day that a holiday falls on) To improve your skills when translating French to English, try to learn as many idiomatic expressions as possible. If youre listening to a French speaker and you dont understand an expression they use, inquire as to the meaning so you can continue to build your knowledge base. Over time, this will make French translation easier and more rapid as you draw on the knowledge you already possess. 2. Use online forums and dictionaries to get help when needed. When translating French to English, sometimes you can get stuck with certain expressions or usages. If you just cant figure out how to appropriately translate something, forums like WordReference  offer valuable help from native French speakers and highly knowledgeable second-language French speakers. There is a huge archive of threads covering a wide range of topics in French, so you can type in a phrase or word to learn more details about it. After all, when possible it is always in your best interest to use human translation for the most accurate understanding. Online French dictionaries are another excellent resource. A well-respected one is Larousse. Here,  you can access a French-English dictionary, as well as a French monolingual dictionary, in which you can find words and definitions all in French. The monolingual dictionary can be an especially great way to increase your knowledge and your proficiency in French as you research your translation query. 3. Use cognates, but watch out for false cognates. Cognates are a great help when trying to increase fluency in a language and translate quickly. Here is a short list of French-English cognates: immense immense amusant amusing, fun la page the page la musique the music la tomate the tomato le candidat the candidate lhôpital the hospital The only thing to remember with cognates is that there can also be faux amis  (false cognates). These tricky  French  words sound like a word in English but are not equal in meaning. Here are some French false cognates to watch out for: actuellement currently (not actually) attendre to wait (not to attend) assister to attend (not to assist) bras arms (not bra) blessé injured (not blessed) une librarie bookshop (not library) un raisin grape (not raisin) If you follow these three tips, you should be translating with confidence in no time! The more attention you pay to the details and work on increasing your vocabulary and knowledge of idiomatic expressions, the more you will find that your translations are accurate and thorough. Want to learn more about translating French to English? Taking French lessons with a private tutor is a great way to increase your proficiency in the language, because you can receive individualized instruction that best  fits your needs. Find your French teacher today! Post Author: Nadia B. Nadia B. teaches Italian  and piano in New York, NY, as well as through online lessons. She speaks Italian, English, and French and received her degree in Music Performance from New York University.  Learn more about Nadia here! Photo by  decar66 Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Is It Hard To Learn Hindi

Is It Hard To Learn Hindi Is Learning Hindi Easy Or Difficult? ChaptersFacts About HindiSimilarities With Other LanguagesEasiest Ways To Learn How To Speak HindiLearning a new language, with all those new words and phrases, is always going to be a challenge for any learner, no matter how smart you are or how easily you learn new words to use in conversation. Even though many of us can get by when it comes to communicating with people who speak a foreign language, becoming proficient in their language generally takes time and a lot of effort. That is why learning the Hindi language is well worth it!That said, learning a new language doesn't have to be difficult. While it will challenge you, when you learn to speak a new language it is incredibly satisfying and many say that being bilingual or even multi-lingual makes you more intelligent.You will certainly impress if you come out with fluently spoken grammar and vocabulary in Hindi next time you visit India!So, what is there about the Hindi alphabet that resembles our own language? Start learning Hindi, which is said to be the language of India, and you could also then find easier to learn other languages and dialects spoken by Indians (as well as Indo Aryan languages) such as Bengali, Pakistan, Mumbai, Korean and Gujarati.Keeping the momentum up when learning a new language is key, and it couldn't be easier to do this than with a language app.Some of the most well-known apps are of course DuoLingo and Rocket Languages, but with the first being free many people will start with this cheaper option. What's more, with an app like DuoLingo, all you need to do is spend 5 minutes a day, 7 days of the week, studying or playing to progress your skills. While this sounds arduous, you will probably find yourself hooked and will spend far more time looking at your screen and going through the lessons than the bare minimum!If you are being serious about learning Hindi, why not hire a private Hindi tutor.However, you don't have to restrict yourself to apps designed as teaching resources . You could always search your chosen app store for games published in Hindi and try your hand at muddling your way through! Playing games definitely sounds more fun than studying for hours on end and it lets you have fun along the way!Radio and PodcastsWhile videos can offer something for your visual senses as well as your hearing, radio and podcasts shouldn't be ruled out as a method of language learning.If anything, having the radio playing in the background whilst focusing on other tasks around the house can sometimes be as beneficial as sitting down and studying for an hour or two. It's a bit like white noise - the comfort of the sounds you hear will envelop you and become second nature, making it so much easier to pronounce  words when you get around to speaking Hindi with others.One fabulous podcast for Hindi beginners is HindiPod 101, which features over 880 Audio and Video Lessons with engaging hosts. As well as the listening advantages, the podcast creators provide followe rs with learning tools like vocabulary flashcards and PDF lesson notes to take away and revise.Furthermore, there is a lively discussion forum for any queries relating to Hindi!Listening to the radio or podcasts is a great way to improve your language skills. Photo on VisualHuntGo Abroad!Finally, the easiest way to absorb a new language is to see first hand the culture of the country and hear the locals communicating with one another. In the county, you'll have visual prompts all around you such as road signs, places of interest and much more to help you to get by and have exchanges with the residents.By working or attending a study group in the country, you will no doubt master the language far more quickly than if you were sat at home at your desk. By using the language in its context, it is much more likely to stick in your brain for a lasting effect.

Summer School Tips for High Schoolers

Summer School Tips for High Schoolers You did it! You made it through finals and the end-of-the-school-year pushnow to arrive at the start of summer school. That could mean the dreaded return of early mornings and hours spent in the classroom, but it could also mean learning some interesting material and hanging out with friends from class. You may be wanting to make the summer school transition and experience as smooth and effective as possible. Summer school tips for high schoolers can include taking a break first, communicating with others about your expectations for the summer, keeping an open mind, and remaining focused on the goal at hand. Summer school tip #1: Take a break Hopefully youll have a window of time before you start summer school. Even if its just a weekend, take advantage of it. Think about what you were dreaming about doing while in the midst of studying. Was it sleeping in? Playing basketball with your friends? Catching up on all your favorite TV shows? Do those things! Theyll replenish you and help create a restful time. [RELATED: The Best Study Breaks: How to Avoid Study Overload] This is also a great habit to start cultivating before college. There is always work to be done, so its important to learn how to set aside healthy break time. Summer school tip #2: Be prepared for your summer school course(s) Before the start of summer school, make sure you know exactly what will be expected of you. This may include: specific books, notebooks, writing utensils, or other materials a varying time commitment transportation arrangements balancing any summer extracurriculars Gather your materials, get organized, and be prepared. This will help you jump into the course ready to learn and get as much out of the experience as possible. If you are spending part of the summer in the classroom, you want to put yourself in the best possible position to reap the benefits. Summer school tip #3: Stay focused on the goal There are several different reasons for attending summer school. Sometimes its to retake a course, get ahead, or pursue enrichment activities. These are all very different goals and require different tactics. If youre retaking a course, it might be good to pinpoint what didnt work in the course before. Were you getting enough support on homework? Did you find that a certain learning style didnt work for you? Some reflection might bring about more success this round. If youre trying to get ahead in a subject or try something new, check out your subject online and start previewing. Previewing helps with comprehending and remembering information long-term. Summer school tip #4: Figure out what kind of structure you need Some students know exactly what they need to bring about academic success. Some are still figuring it out. Wherever you are, create some sort of structure for your summer school class. Maybe its setting a timer for 30 minutes for an intensive, uninterrupted study time. Maybe its getting together with some new friends from class and making the material a little more fun and manageable. Or maybe its buying a planner and actually making a plan for the week every Sunday evening. Whatever it is, make a plan and stick to it throughout the summer. [RELATED: Time Management Tips for Students] Summer school tip #5: Keep an open mind Summer school can sometimes get a bad rap because, well, its school in the summer. But it doesnt have to be a negative experience. Without the pressure of having all of your classes at the same time and extracurriculars piled on top, you can really take the time to fully learn and understand the material in the class. You might not realize this now, but that time is a gift. Plus, your teacher might end up sparking your interest in something youve never thought of before, oryou might end up meeting your new best friend. Who knows! Keeping an open mind can bring about these possibilities. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Why Music is a Great Extracurricular Activity

Why Music is a Great Extracurricular Activity Being well-rounded for college applications is of course one of the top reasons students join school organizations and clubs. However, there are a lot more benefits to be gained from extracurricular activities than extra bullet points on the resum. Extracurriculars can boost college successas well! With such an extensive selection of groups to choose from, how do you pick? You can find everything from sports to more academically-inclined societies to areas of the fine arts. One area of the fine arts that can be particularly good for students is music. It is difficult to find someone who does not enjoy and appreciate music on at least some level, so joining a music-related organization should be a no-brainer for many students who are looking for that perfect extracurricular. Your mainstream options in this field are band, orchestra, and choir each of them have great things to offer that can really give a student the support they need in a busy academic schedule. Often, students will fear that a time-consuming extracurricular activity will aggrandize their workload and increase stress levels, but the typical result is quite the opposite. In fact, most students end up learning to prioritize a lot better when they have highly demanding extracurriculars in their schedule. So why choose music? What music offers is much more detail-oriented programs that also allow students the opportunity to learn a whole new skill. Learning to play music is a challenge that lets students exercise their brain in new ways. While some may feel this would be another burden of material to learn on top of an already hectic homework load, it can actually be a soothing relief for the brain to give the student a healthy break from schoolwork but still keep his or her mind working. Many people find learning, playing, and listening to music to be therapeutic, so being so engaged in it on a regular basis could give a student great emotional stability as well. You may also want to check out these tips on how to make the most of college extracurriculars. One major element of these music-related activities that gets overlooked is the team aspect of them. An important thing to remember is that sports are not the only endeavor available for students looking to be part of a team effort. Being a part of a musical ensemble creates an incredibly special sense of belonging that all students are comfortably welcomed into. It takes every singer and every instrumentalist to produce the big sound that ultimately emerges from the group. No one is ever on the bench, so to speak. Additionally, music is never a one-size-fits-all opportunity. There are several different parts of the ensemble that you can fit into. For instance, the choir needs a plethora of different voices for different ranges and keys, rather than a hundred people singing the same part. Discovering if you are a soprano, a tenor, or something else can be an interesting new fact about yourself that you never knew before. You may surprise yourself as to what you can do with that voice of yours! When it comes to band and orchestra, of course, you have the many various instruments to choose from. No one will force you to play anything you dont want to, so the infinite possibilities of what instrument you might take on can be quite exciting. If you are absolutely clueless as to what these instruments are all about, ask the respective music teacher they should be happy to guide you through the selection process. Make sure you really take some time to investigate and make your final decision about what instrument you will play, because you will hopefully be investing some serious time in it. If youre lucky, it could end up being your new passion. The strong possibility of that new passion is another reason to consider music as an extracurricular. In addition to taking on the activity as a whole, you will find a new individual responsibility that could significantly increase your involvement and give you a personal hobby to enjoy. Students who invest in such an idea will typically be more encouraged to bring that creative and critical thinking to school every day and hopefully apply it more often to their classes. Never underestimate the power of having something to be excited about and how it can positively affect your daily experiences in this case, the educational experience. Joining a musical ensemble creates a comfort zone for students to express their creativity and let it blossom in a place where their peers are having the exact same goals. Plus, events like extra practices, concerts, and competitions provide that exciting incentive to keep going. With this at the end of a school day, a student has many reasons to stay bright and interested in their academic world. If anything, the activity allows for an intriguing new area of learning, which is always a good thing. You may want to check out these tips on how to choose your extracurricular activitiesif you aren't sure if music is the best extracurricular for you.

How to Study for the GED Test and Be Successful! - Private Tutoring

How to Study for the GED Test and Be Successful! BobbiM Jan 9, 2016 What is the GED Test? Knowledge and an education has always been the key to unlocking many opportunities that may lay ahead of us. In recent years, many young people and adults have chosen to get their GED in order to complete their high school education and graduate. The GED test is primarily for adults and young people who left high school without attaining a diploma and is recognized in both the United States and Canada. Why the GED Test is Important: There are several benefits for completing your high school education and getting that degree.   And by completing the GED tests using several GED practice strategies, you’ll be able to have those benefits for yourself. To start with, you get a high school equivalency certificate which sets the stage for potential employment, promotions at work, and the ability to have access to further educational opportunities or apply for an apprenticeship program. Preparation for Taking the GED Test: Just like any other test, candidates who enroll for this test have a good opportunity to improve their future and career opportunities but being prepared is mandatory. Passing the GED test requires a thorough GED prep test so that you know, are comfortable with and can easily pass the test. Preparation is a critical part of the process as it substantially increases the odds of passing the test on the first attempt. Fortunately, there are several preparation techniques that candidates can make use of to sharpen their skills and get ready for the GED Test. Image courtesy of Pixabay.com GED Test Preparation Options: Preparing for the GED test requires good utilization of strategies in order to ensure that the results are achieved when the test scores are finally out. -Attend GED Prep Classes Enrolling in a GED prep test class is one of the best decisions you can ever make. Classes are advantageous because candidates benefit from hands-on learning from seasoned experts which offers them the best opportunity to grasp concepts better and pay more focus to improving in weak areas. The good news is you can easily find an adult education classroom near you either by searching on the internet or contacting the nearest Office of Adult Education or your State Director. Hire a Private Tutor Choosing private tutoring services from someone that is an expert in what you want to know is beneficial if you feel you need personalized attention. This method offers a good foundation for preparing for the GED Test including numerous GED practice sessions to make sure your skills are where they need to be. In a private tutoring session, direct interaction enables your tutor to focus on your personal needs and address the specific areas where you need help. Since a private tutor is aware of your abilities, speed of learning and personality, they will be able to adopt a customized all-inclusive preparation strategy that will address each area of concern.   In addition, if time is an issue or you arent able to attend a class regularly, private tutors at home will work with your schedule and time constraints. -Purchase GED Prep Books You can opt to buy GED Prep books and study on your own. Whether you’re preparing for the GED math test or language test, there are several information sources you can use study from. Books let you study at home and cover the material in your own time.   But it does require that you have the initiative to allocate the time and use the time for doing the studying that you need in order to succeed. Some people can work well on their own and others are best with some tutoring or assistance. Fortunately, the internet has revolutionized how you can quickly and easily access GED study materials. You can choose from comprehensive study guides and books on GED prep test strategies. You can also study at your own pace, polish your strong areas and concentrate on the weak points. Before picking a GED study guide, be sure to check for past customer reviews to gauge the effectiveness of the study materials you intend to use. It is best to use top GED prep platforms since you’re guaranteed you’ll be using high quality books authored by experts. -GED Practice Test Whether you are studying on your own, opting to join a class or using a private tutor, GED practice tests are very helpful. These tests give you an opportunity to have a feel of how the actual exam will look like and the type of questions you’re likely to encounter in a GED Test. GED Practice Tests are supposed to boost your confidence by exposing you to as many questions as possible and ensure you remain calm and relaxed when the time comes to sit the actual GED Test. Candidates who take several GED practice test sessions increase their chances of passing the GED Test. -Take an Online Study Course With the introduction of the internet, online studying has reached new levels. Preparing for the GED test is now simple and convenient thanks to numerous established platforms that offer online GED courses. Fortunately, there are states which have come up with their own state sponsored GED courses. You can also make use of your state website to identify credible online study platforms.   In addition, many private tutors will do a Skype session or online tutoring and frequently their rates are even lower since they dont have travel time or expense. -Use Multiple Study Methods You can also choose multiple study methods if you feel that it will be beneficial for you. There are some people who combine study books with an online course, hire GED tutoring and at the same time, attend GED preparation classes. It is up to you so long as you don’t select an arrangement that will overwhelm you. Key GED Prep Study Tips: GED (General Education Development) tests skills in different subject areas. In order to prepare effectively for the GED Test, you need to fully understand the scope of your study and which subject areas you’ll be tested in. Doing this ensures you come up with a comprehensive GED preparation plan that will ensure every subject tested in the exam is allocated adequate revision time. Knowing the tools you’ll need for the test and beginning to familiarize yourself with them early enough is the best idea. Some of the items needed include calculators. You should also know how to use the GED Math Formulas and Symbols Reference Sheet when preparing for the GED math test. With the above tips and suggestions as well as putting in the time required, you can get on track to pass your exam with flying colors and open the doors to the next exciting phase of your life. Remember, you can choose a single GED prep test technique or combine two or more methods of study. Whichever GED Test preparation method you choose, make sure it works for you. Let us know in the comments below which are your favorite GED study tips that worked? Find the Best Private Tutors At Reasonable Rates - Get Real Results Fast! Choose Your Subject - Add Your Zip Code - Find Top Rated Tutors Today InPerson or Online Online InPerson

Language Learning Programs The 9 Smartest Online Options

Language Learning Programs The 9 Smartest Online Options Language Learning Programs: The 9 Smartest Online Options At some point, most of us have failed horribly at learning a language.Why?Because for most of us, that language was just another subject we had to take in school.And we really didnt have the motivation to do it.Even if we passed the course, we may have still bombed at learning the language to any degree of real usefulness.However, just because weve already had this experience of failure doesnt mean the need for language learning itself is  going away anytime soon.What if you want to not just survive but really enjoy your vacation to Paris?What if youre interested in opening a business in Beijing?What if you play soccer with people who dont speak English, and you want to chat with them?Or what if youre heading off to college now and you want to actually learn a language for real while youre there?When the desire to learn a language is real, the stakes are different.And luckily, your learning options can be different, too.Learning a language with online programs gives you the opportuni ty to customize your process, goals and the timeframe in which you accomplish those goalsâ€"whether or not youre taking an academic or in-person course, too.In addition to being able to choose your own pace and learning style, studying languages online and with apps also gives you the added advantage of having tons of course options.All these factors give you the ability to actively guide yourself towards real success in language learning, whatever that means to you.To help you further towards that success, weve compiled a list of the best programs for achieving your language learning goals that are currently available.These programs use highly effective methods that have been proven to bring learners great results. If you dont want to settle for second-rate language programs, the nine options below are perfect for you.But before we get to the list, lets look at how to effectively use online resources and how to get the most out of the time you spend using them. How to Effectively Use Online Language Learning ProgramsI know its tempting to find a language program that you like and start studying without really thinking about how it works. However, here are a few things you can do to greatly increase your chances of success at online language learning.Find an accountability partnerFirst, find an accountability partner so you can stay motivated!This strategy allows two people to share their goals with each other and to keep at them. People use accountability partners in different ways, but there are some things you should definitely do with yours.Specifically, share your goals, victories and failures.Doing so keeps you motivated to keep moving forward. It also allows both you and your partner to grow your knowledge base of learning strategies that work and those that don’t.Set realistic goalsSecond, make sure you and your partner set realistic goals for yourselves without asking too much or too little.A good way to do this is to set achievable daily goals ra ther than long-term goals. An example of an appropriate goal would be, I want to learn ten Russian words a day. This is much more achievable than saying, I want to learn Russian in a year.By making your goals small and short-term, you set yourself up to succeed, because you can have a small success every day.To really accomplish these daily goals, you need to set a reasonable daily schedule and aim to work on your language study every day. Its also helpful to set your language study at the same time every day, as this establishes a routine thats easier for you to follow.Diversify your learningFinally, to really take advantage of these fantastic online resources, you need to diversify your learning by not using only one resource all the time.This will help you to broaden your knowledge of the language and round out your abilities. This doesnt mean you necessarily need to use more than one main learning programâ€"this depends on the program itself as they have different strengths and weaknesses. But no matter what program youre using, you should always try to supplement it with authentic materials (in other words, articles, videos, radio, etc. intended for native speakers rather than learners).Now that you know some of the ways to effectively use our list of the top language learning resources, lets look at the resources themselves.Language Learning Programs: The 9 Smartest Online OptionsPimsleurPimsleur uses a mix of science and good planning to make a genuinely good audio system for learning the core of any language offeredâ€"and there are lots offered.This innovative system is based on the research of Dr. Pimsleur, which covered very important functions of the brain like anticipation and graduated recall.These scientific principles allowed him to create a system to help push a language deep into your memory in a shorter time through memory hooks and reviewing the right vocabulary at the right time.If youre not interested in the science behind why Pimsleur wor ks, thats okay. Just understand that by listening for 30 minutes a day, you can start building a foundation for a language inside your brain with this system.Pimsleur focuses on important basic vocabulary and sentence structures to push you to a conversational level in a short amount of time.View available languages and get started here.FluentUHave you ever searched around the internet for hours looking for real content in your target language?Maybe if I change my YouTube search just a little, Ill find something thatll actually help me learn German!Well, youre not the only one. Weve all been there.FluentU solves this problem by painstakingly selecting authentic videos from around the webâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news, vlogs, speeches and moreâ€"adding helpful subtitles and publishing them according to difficulty, so you can always find a video to help you learn.Not only does FluentU end your days of endlessly searching for new content on the web, but it also gives you a complete learning system in the form of powerful tools that make learning the content you find in the videos easier than everâ€"like interactive captions and custom quizzes.Plus, the database of videos is constantly being updated, so youll always have something new to watch. As Fluent is based around real-world videos, youll also be able to absorb all kinds of cultural details and understanding as you learn.FluentU also continues to add new languages, and here are the programs that are currently available:ChineseEnglishFrenchGermanItalianJapaneseKoreanRussianSpanishTheres also an accompanying app for  iOS or Android devices  that syncs with the online platform, so youll never have to struggle to find where you left off.  Your videos, flashcards and quizzes will be with you on the go, which means youll have no excuse not to learn a language!Plus, FluentU has content for all levels and interests. Whether youre a beginner or advanced language studentâ€"and whether youre into beauty vlo gging, travel videos or the most recent superhero filmsâ€"FluentU was made and continues to be updated with you in mind.FluentU has a wide variety of videos, including funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive Transcripts You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.You can try any FluentU subscription with a free 15 -day trial, and one subscription covers all languages, so you can learn multiple languages with one account.Rocket LanguagesRocket Languages is  based on interactive audio that you can listen to anywhere you want. Do you have a long commute to work every day? Why not take advantage of that free time to accomplish your daily goal of learning a new language?Rocket Languages also incorporates cultural lessons into their units, so you can simultaneously learn the functions of the language and the culture of the people who use it.For every language, there are three Premium levels that take you from beginner to advanced.Here are the different programs offered by language:ArabicChineseFrenchGermanItalianJapaneseKoreanPortugueseRussianSpanishAlso, Rocket Languages supplies you with a host of motivational tools to keep you from getting discouraged and giving upâ€"which can be very useful as a supplement to your accountability partner or language learning friends.BabbelIf youve ever seen thos e online videos of the twin polyglots, youve at least heard of Babbel. But many people dont know about the wide variety of features that Babbel offers.This is a great system for people who dont have a lot of time in their schedules but still want to jam pack their spare time with learning. Babbels flexible system allows you to learn in bite-sized chunks of 15-20 minutes throughout the day.With their innovative app, you can create powerful memory hooks with pictures, sounds and words to retain new vocabulary and sentence structures longer than with traditional learning methods.Babbel is known for innovation, which is why you can sync your progress between your devices and pick up on your computer where you left off on your phone. That means you can use Babbel on your phone on the bus during your commute, on your tablet on a plane or on your computer at home.Customizable, flexible language learning means that you can reach your goals on your own schedule with Babbel.And the best part is, Babbel starts by gauging your level, so you can be sure of being set up with the right material. View the languages Babbel offers and start learning here.Innovative LanguageInnovative Language uses audio and video language lessons to keep pushing your language learning further.Their database is updated weekly with even more lessons, and it allows you to choose content that interests you.Their content is created by real teachers and native speakers, and they focus on learning practical, actionable language skills from day one.Youll be having real conversations soon after starting to expose yourself to the native content on the website.One thing that makes Innovative Language so innovative is that they offer in-depth progress reports that allow you to monitor your own progress and stay motivated along the way.Here are the different language courses you can subscribe to:ArabicChineseEnglishFrenchGermanItalianJapaneseKoreanPortugueseRussianSpanishIn addition to their subscriptions, Innovative Language also offers many free online resources to give you help in your language learning journey.With Innovative Language, youll be exposed to real, native content that will push you and grow your language abilities from the very first day.Rosetta StoneRosetta Stone is what you may think of as the classic computer-based language learning program, but theres more to it than meets the eye (plus, they now offer online subscriptions in addition to software).With this program, youll learn a language the way a baby learns his or her first languageâ€"with images. Throughout the program, youll never be exposed to your native language. Instead, youll learn new words by being introduced to them through pictures.This helps your brain think in your target language rather than translating everything from your native language.Over the years, Rosetta Stone has had the chance to perfect their approach and add many key features that allow them to push your language learning to the next level.For example, Rosetta Stone takes advantage of voice recognition technology to help you perfect your accent, audio lessons to help you master comprehension, native literature to perfect your reading abilities and live tutor support to allow you to dive into real conversations with native speakers.Will handling yourself in another country be difficult after all of that practice? Probably not.Rosetta Stone can take you from zero to hero, as they have programs for all levels.Check out the links below to see what Rosetta Stone has to offer for the following target language(s):ArabicChineseFrenchGermanItalianKoreanJapanesePortugueseSpanishDuolingoDuolingo is one of the most innovative language learning platforms online. Their game-like lessons help you develop various skills in your target language in a convenient and flexible way.Once your level is high enough, Duolingo can help you further enhance your language skills with articles from around the web in your target language that have never been translated into English. While youre practicing your language comprehension by reading and translating these articles, youre actually translating the web!Duolingo started out small with only a few languages, but they have grown very rapidly and now offer over 25 languages, including some artificial languages from popular TV series!By using this innovative service, you can pick up a new language and start from zero, or you can take a placement test and pick up where you left off. The test is generally pretty accurate and allows you to skip lessons that would be too easy for you.The gamification of the entire website and app makes learning a fun competition between you and your friends, so take a look around and start studying a language!You can check out their available language courses here.Transparent LanguageIf youre learning an obscure language, a common language or any language in between, chances are good that you can find it on Transparent Language.Transparent Language offers a unique platform that touches on all aspects of learning a foreign languageâ€"even some that you may not have thought of!Do you want to make sure your spelling is perfect? Try some of the spelling exercises. Do you want a native accent? Make use of the voice recognition features to compare your accent to real natives.Not sure if you can figure out how to type in another language with a different alphabet? They have fully mapped on-screen keyboards that allow you to learn to type quickly and accurately in another language.Along with these truly innovative tools, Transparent Language offers grammar exercises and tons of supplemental material to help you learn the culture and function of each language.With tools to cover any skill that you can think of, Transparent Language is a great way to pick up a new language and develop your skills from day one, especially for beginners.Their innovative tools to improve accent, comprehension and grammar will help you handle yours elf with confidence in your target languageâ€"whatever that language may be.You can view their list of available languages and programs here.Living LanguageLiving Language functions on the principle that building blocks are established at every point in the language learning process.Every learner will start with words and phrases that are actually useful and progress to real sentences.Finally, after sentences, words and phrases can be combined naturally, and the learner will easily advance to conversations and expressions.This system is designed to give learners the real ability to create language in their heads, not simply listen and regurgitate what theyve already heard.Living Language takes advantage of a multi-sensory approach that combines audio, visual, interactive and written practice. At each level in the program, retention of the previous levels is stressed, and building blocks are added to the foundation that has already been laid.Not only does Living Language have a relia ble and trusted language learning system, but they also have free online resources and an online language lab that accompanies the program.View available languages and get started here.With this wealth of resources at your disposal, you can progress to conversing in a new language with confidence.No matter what program you choose, its important to keep a few details in mind at every step in your language learning journey:Create goals and share them with an accountability partner.Create a daily schedule and stick to it.Dont give up, because that’s ultimately the only way not to succeed.If you keep these three tips in mind and stick to them, youll breeze through a second language like you never thought possible.Best of luck to you on this exciting journey!Yassir Sahnoun is a content strategist, writer, polyglot and co-founder of WriteWorldwide. You can learn more about Yassir at YassirSahnoun.com.

The Second Presidential Debate What You Should Know

The Second Presidential Debate What You Should Know Photo Credit: theintercept.com 1. No sportsmanship awards for Clinton or Trump. Perhaps a foreshadowing of the night to come, Clinton and Trump didnt shake hands before the debate, which is tradition, as they did in the first presidential debate. At the end of the nights debate though, the two did shake hands. 2. Trump tries to divert attention away from his vulgar comments about women on a 2005 recording that surfaced and over to Bill Clinton. Before the presidential debate started, Trump held a press conference with three women: Paula Jones, Juanita Broaddrick, and Kathleen Wiley, who have accused former president Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct and one woman, Kelly Shelton, who was raped at age 12 and had her alleged attacker represented by Hilary Clinton. What Trump said in 2005 amounts to claims that his fame basically allows him to sexually assault women yet he tried to downplay his words as locker room talk but make Bill Clinton out to be a much worse guy. After trying to dismiss some of the tape and shirk his responsibility to own up to his words, Trump did admit that hes embarrassed by it and claimed that no one has more respect for women than he does. (Proof of that, anyone?) 3. Trump makes snarky comments. Adding to the tension of the night, Trump calls Clinton the devil, and made some snarky comments that were very middle school-esque. After Clinton said its just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump isnt in charge of the law in this country, Trump snarked Because youd be in jail. Trump also accused Clinton of having hate in her heart and attacking the women Bill Clinton was abusive to. 4. Clinton missteps by bringing Abraham Lincoln into the debate. After part of a paid speech leaked last week, Clinton tried to clear the air by bringing Abraham Lincoln into the debate to explain how a president can have two different sides to them. Clinton attempted to use Lincoln as an example of having both a public and private position on issues, as Lincoln used varying methods and arguments on different lawmakers to abolish slavery. Clinton didnt exactly succeed here and Trump managed to capitalize on that, saying She lied, and now shes blaming the lie on the late great Abraham Lincoln. Honest Abe never lied; thats the big different between Abraham Lincoln and you. 5. Trumps rampant false claims continue. Continuing his streak, as in the first debate, Trump made many inaccurate and false claims, which were fact-checked not in his favor. Claims by Trump about taxes, Syria, healthcare, the Iraq war, Sheltons rape case, trade deficits, refugees, and more, during the second presidential debate were all proven wrong, and while Clinton herself did perhaps make a few misleading comments, Trump outdid himself and her in stating false facts. 6. Trump seemingly abandons VP candidate and running mate Mike Pence. During last weeks vice presidential debate, Trumps running mate Mike Pence took a hard stance on Russia breaking with Trumps policy on Syria   and threatened the use of force by the U.S. if Russia and Syria continued to bomb civilians. During the presidential debate, Trump threw Pence under the bus by disagreeing with him and stating he didnt have the same position as Pence, saying He and I havent spoken, and I disagree. Instead, Trump continued to defend Russia, claiming theyre bombing ISIS. 7. OK kids, lets go around the room and everyone say something nice about each other. To end the night, Karl Becker, a town hall participant, asked the final question and it was quite the change in pace. Becker asked if either of the candidates would name one positive things that they respect in one another. Clinton answered first, saying I respect his children. His children are incredibly able and devoted and I think that says a lot about Donald. She did also slip in that she doesnt agree with everything he says or does but she respects that and as a mother and grandmother, the abilities and dedication of his children is very important. Trump then returned the compliment, saying, She doesnt quit and doesnt give up. I respect that She is a fighter, before also stating that he disagrees with much of what shes fighting for and her judgement in many cases, though overall the fact that she fights hard and doesnt give up is a good trait. So both managed to make genuine compliments about the other to end the night while also stating their disagreements with the others actions and words. Nice try, Becker you almost pulled it off. The third and final presidential debate will take place on Wednesday, October 19, at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.