Learning to Speak Chinese - Rocket Chinese Review

By Mike Shaw


Of all the foreign languages you can learn, Chinese might be the most important in the coming years. For one thing, there are over one billion people living in China, and for another, China is rapidly developing and expanding. Being able to communicate in Chinese might be highly beneficial, both politically and from a business standpoint.

Think of all of the products around you that have that little "Made in China" label or raised lettering. Someone has to communicate with the manufacturers in China. Whether or not this is your reason for learning Chinese, it is nevertheless something to consider. There are many other reasons why it might be useful to know a foreign language like Chinese: having a sharper mind, being exposed to a vastly different, yet up-and-coming, culture, and being able to say you're bilingual (which can benefit your career). There's also a sense of internal satisfaction and pride that you can't put a price on.

But if you had to put a price on it, you wouldn't want it to break the bank. Enter "Rocket Chinese," a foreign language course developed by Rocket Languages, Ltd., for the purpose of teaching people like you the language of your choice. If you need to learn Chinese for any reason, you should check out Rocket Chinese. Among its benefits are the interactive lessons, the illustrated pages, and the audio lessons that you can take with you and listen to wherever you are. This is a major advantage for the busy professional who wants to further his goals by learning Chinese. Now, you'll be able to conveniently fit in lessons while you're driving to work, working out at the gym, or any number of activities.

Another reason why you might look into Rocket Chinese is the fact that Chinese isn't offered as frequently as other foreign languages. Surprisingly, you may not even have it as a choice in high school or even college. If you can take Chinese classes, this still won't necessarily make you able to speak it effectively. Rocket Chinese excels in teaching you how to pronounce, speak, and write Chinese correctly using fun, interactive lessons.

If you want to know Chinese, you need to pick up Rocket Chinese. It will allow you to reach your goal.

Trying to Learn How? Speak Spanish Fast With Fluenz Today

By Miriam Price



If you are interested in speaking Spanish and are still wondering how? Speak Spanish with the right inflection and the correct accent through one of the world's most famous Spanish language courses - Fluenz Spanish.

The software is a newcomer in the learning languages market. However the teaching methods and easy to use interface, has made the critics take off their hats. The learn Spanish CD is going to teach you Spanish in a way different from other conventional methods. How? Speak Spanish as well as read, write and listen to it by a new innovative method. You are not going to get long lists of vocabulary and grammar to read and cram. Private tutors are going to give you "personalized" one-on-one lessons, where you are going to learn the language through assimilation and retention.

Complete Conversations

Fluenz Spanish is based on activities that are going to be graded from easy to difficult. The moment you have finished those activities, you will be able to hold a complete conversation in which you are going to participate. If that does not give you a complete practice session on how speak Spanish fluently, one needs to look at even more innovative software in the market, today.

How? Speak Spanish with Colloquial Spanish Activities

The usage of locally spoken colloquial Spanish is the reason why this software is the best option for people who want to visit Spain for business or pleasure. So you are definitely not going to learn words like "perro" (dog), but are going to know what a hotel or a cell phone is called in Spanish. The learn Spanish CD is filled with the words which you are going to use instead of obsolete word lists, which you might not use ever during your stay in Spain. This program has 2 modules. These modules are centered on what a person is going to say, while talking to a Spaniard. It definitely does not have long conversations between imaginary characters, using language and terms which might not be used ever.

Practice Makes Perfect

The simple interface, the curriculum that can be heard on MP3 or even on Pocket PCs, and extra teaching resources make it extremely easy for you to speak, read and write Spanish well, with the help of this language program. Video activities as well as video instruction can help you learn Spanish at your own pace. You are not going to get a list of your incorrect/correct answers. On the other hand, you are going to get positive feedback, and you will be encouraged to repeat the activities to make you more confident with the language. The games and quizzes are going to help in the retention of what you have learned in the modules.

Cons:

Fluenz has just 2 cons, it does not have extra lessons or material, that you can use to practice. However the material, which you get, can help you. How to Speak Spanish by using the learn Spanish CD.

One would want this program in mobile versions, so that one can study it on portable devices. Nevertheless, this language software is one of the best learning language software in the market today.

You Can Learn to Speak Italian Online

By Tad Desarmo


Are you trying to learn how to speak Italian? Searching for online Italian classes? You may be surprised to know that learning how to speak Italian can be learned at home by yourself! Here are some tips to keep in mind when searching for learning to speak Italian with online material.

Learning a new language can be confusing if you don't obtain quality-training material. Material should help you gain the direction and confidence you need to make substantial progress in the shortest possible time.

Many - if not most Italian speaking language learners can share a story about a less than successful attempt to learn a second language in school. Make sure to pursue a program that has a proven track record. Read reviews and success stories about the program.

Learning to speak the Italian language or any language should be an educational experience that you thoroughly enjoy. Look for one that goes step by step from beginner through advanced in fun and exciting ways.

Definitely look for one with an interactive audio course to start speaking and understanding conversational Italian fast.

Lastly the language learning program that you select should contain a comprehensive grammar section. If you are spending your hard earned money and time, you should be investing in a program where you not only learn how to speak Italian, but read and write it as well. So weather you are learning to speak Italian to improve your cultural understanding, or you simply would like to navigate the county independently, choosing the proper online language course is important.

I believe that an important part of the overall understanding when one starts to learn Italian involves listening, speaking, reading and understanding the spoken language. This involves the study of the sounds of language. Learn to Speak Italian Now! Learning to speak Italian has many advantages such as numerous employment and social opportunities. When visiting a foreign country, people tend to trust those that speak their language. Another fact is that visitors to foreign countries are seen as culturally sensitive in the sense that they took the time to understand and learn the language and customs. There are absolutely no disadvantages that I can think of as to not learn as many foreign languages and you have the desire to. People choose to learn a second or third language for many different reasons. A couple of things are for sure, learning new languages gives a competitive edge employment wise and opens cultural doors. Learn to Speak Italian Now!

Write to Speak Or Speak to Write? The Blurring of Writing and Speaking

By Lance Winslow


If you want to improve your speaking skills, I suggest that you do some more writing. If you sit down and write out a speech, and then continue to edit it, while visualizing your speech, this will help you become a better speaker. And if you are having a coffee shop conversation with a friend and recall that conversation when doing your writing you will note that your writing looks more like a conversation or discussion, and your reader will notice this and they will enjoy it.

Writing in this way looks as if you're speaking to the reader, and it is more pleasurable to read. If you doubt this go ahead read an article in a magazine and the articles that like, will be the ones in which it appears that the writers are talking to you. You can almost picture the person on the other side of the table having a conversation and makes you feel good you enjoy reading it. This is what I'm talking about.

Whether you decide to write to speak better, or use speaking to improve your writing, you will indeed end up doing both. The blurring of writing and speaking will improve your overall communication with the rest of the world. It will improve your telephone conversations so that you get to the point quicker and with more emphasis.

It will also prevent people from misunderstanding what you are trying to say. Writing skills help people in everyday communication. Those people who are really good speakers also note that their writing starts improving because when they speak to people they watch the facial feedback, and they start to understand which types of sentences and words provoke the proper reaction, and by using this knowledge to improve their writing; they find their skills expand exponentially. I hope you will consider blurring your speaking and writing communication skills.

Book Writing - How to Write a Book Quickly and Efficiently - Write in Bite Sized Chunks

By Rafael Marquez


You've taken the time to come up with a topic and you've figured out that there is a market for what you're wanting to write about. You've even come up with a title for your book, now all you need is time.

Probably one of the hardest things to do is to find the time to write your book. As if our modern day life didn't put enough demands on our time already, now you have to find the time to write out a book.

Here are some time saving tips that can help you chunk your book writing into small bite size chunks that are easily managed.

1. Set aside 5-10 minutes or 5 pages a day until you complete the book. You don't have to sit down and write the entire book all at once. Do it in small chunks of time that way you can stop or continue as the mood strikes.
2. Get a writing buddy. Perhaps it's a business partner, or a friend that also wants to write a book, but get someone else to write with you. Make the commitment to spend a certain amount of time a day working on the book and nothing else.
3. Commit to getting the book done. I think that this is the biggest part of being able to finish the book. Commit to getting it done.
4. Set aside a weekend to get the book done. If you need to go check into a motel, do it.
5. Speak your book, don't write it. Talk into a voice recorder, or use the memo function of most modern day phones and record your book as you drive to work, sit on the train commuting or while you workout. When you're done, have the recording transcribed.

Public Speaking - How to Speak With Confidence

By Edward Hope


Most people experience "nerves" when they speak in public. Both skilled public speakers and novice speakers experience this anxiety. The difference is in how they use it when they present because of the actions they take and their attitude towards it.

The way to speak with confidence is:

1. Preparation
Careful preparation naturally leads to self-confidence. This involves researching your topic thoroughly so you can build your expertise in it. When a selecting a topic it helps greatly if you are interested in it because when you stand up to speak to a group you are merely expanding the conversation you will have had previously. Once you have researched the topic the next step is to organize, outline and write the speech. When beginning in public speaking, it is advisable to write your speech out in full, so you get a fully thought through speech. Keep the sentences short. Use spoken language rather than written language especially if you are considering reading your speech. (Note it is difficult to convey confidence when reading a speech).

2. Practice
Thorough practice builds confidence. The more familiar you are with your speech the better armed and confident you will be in delivering your speech. The number of times required to run through your speech will depend on the nature of the speech and the natural skills of the speaker. The practice speech delivery should include presenting in front of friends and family. If possible have a dry run at the venue will help you get used to the actual circumstances of the delivery.

3. Performance
When it is your time to present, keep a confident expression on your face and walk purposefully to where you will present from. Stand firmly on both feet placed slightly apart and stand up straight (don't lock your knees). This gives over an air of confidence. Pause and take a few deep breaths and smile (but not like a Cheshire Cat) to settle your nerves. A smile is contagious and also conveys confidence. Be natural, move and speak like you would in normal conversation. This includes looking at your audience. Looking down or away from your audience can be interpreted as "nerves" or lack of preparation. The more often you speak in public or to groups the easier it becomes and the more confident you become. 4. Self Talk

Talk to yourself in a positive way. Keep focussed on the success of the talk rather than what could go wrong. Just before you go on to speak, really go overboard on the positive self talk so you are bursting with "positivity" when you speak.

Experienced speakers can still have "nerves" before they speak. They see this as a spur to give the best speech they can. Others see it as excitement. The same feelings are experienced but a different attitude towards them makes a big difference.

Speaking with confidence comes from exercising a little courage. Many talents are denied the world because it is not exercised. The forest would lack much music if only the birds that sang were the ones with the best voice.

Persistently speaking in front of groups builds confidence. It is by consistently practice and doing, that public speaking is improved. By taking the first step and realizing that the key to success is in your own hands the first "bud" of confidence appears. With proper care and attention the "bud" is developed so that you become more effective and speak with confidence.

Learn to Speak Spanish Online Free

By Penny Howe


You can learn to speak Spanish online free. In fact, there are a multitude of free materials available. Clearly, most of us do not have the hours to spend looking for the free materials we need to learn to speak Spanish. Save yourself some valuable time and alleviate some of your frustrations by checking out these free resources that worked for me.

I have been living in Mexico for nearly fifteen years now and fully understand what it is like not to be able to communicate in the native language. I appreciate the frustrations of thinking: "I know lots of Spanish words, but why can I still not communicate properly!"

I assure you, these free Spanish materials, which include: reading, writing, pronunciation, listening, games, and vocab lists, will get you communicating immediately. In a jiffy you will be able to form real sentences instead of just knowing a bunch of disjointed vocabulary words.

Let's have a closer look at these unique downloadable free Spanish lessons:

1. Free Spanish Lessons That Work--These lessons get you using verbs immediately. This one factor is so important when forming real sentences. Before the first lesson is over you will be able to make real Spanish sentences and communicate. Of course, you won't be bilingual, but you will be on your way! You will read and write immediately.
Putting all those disjointed words together and making something real from them is exhilarating!

2. Free Audio Spanish Lessons--Now, in order to learn any language, you need to hear the proper pronunciations. You can read and write all you want, but until you get those words out of your mouth, you are not going too far. It is imperative that you practice your pronunciation along with hearing the real spoken words and phrases. Use the Spanish pronunciation audio provided to practice forming those sentences out loud. When learning a new language, it is an absolute must to vocalize those words.
Best of all, if you make a mistake, repeat it again. That is what it is all about, isn't it?

3. Free Spanish Games--Download, print, and you are ready to play. As a teacher, I know that it is much more fun learning through games. Be entertained and take your conscious mind out of learning mode.
'Practice makes perfect.' 'Repetition is a great teacher.'
These old sayings are true; so enjoy the repetition through competition!

4. Free Vocabulary Lists Spanish--Leverage those verbs and sentence building with more content. When learning any language, it is a fact that you do need vocabulary. Use the vocabulary lists provided in Spanish and English to help increase your knowledge level. Use this new terminology to build more and more sentences with the verbs you have already mastered.

Do yourself a favor and take advantage of these tremendous free lessons by using the link below in the resource box. Reap the benefits of these terrific materials to kick start your chance to learn to speak Spanish online free. You will not become bilingual overnight, but you certainly will have a good basis for the next steps.

Here is hoping you enjoy these fantastic free Spanish materials as much as I did. Here is hoping that I have saved you some valuable time, alleviated some of those frustrations of not being able to communicate in real sentences, and relieved some pressure in leading you to an easy way to learn to speak Spanish online free.

Learning How to Write Japanese?

By Al Harding



If you are planning on learning a second language, and a Japanese is the language you have chosen then you should learn how to write Japanese as well. The written language is part of the overall language so you should not overlook it. Learning how to hear and understand language as well as speak it is a great start but if you truly want to know the language you should learn how to read it and write it as well.

If you fail to learn how to read and write in Japanese then you are doing yourself a disservice because if you ever want to visit Japan you will need to know how to read the language in order to do something as simple as order food in a restaurant. Using a program like Nihongo you can quickly learn how to speak, understand, and write in the language of Japan. If you're planning to visit Japan anytime soon, learning the written language is going to be very important.

Finding out how to write Japanese words as well as knowing how they look when written is going to benefit you greatly if you visit Japan. You'll be able to spend more of your visit doing things you enjoy and less time asking the local population what things mean. The Japanese language is notoriously difficult to master, especially the written language. However, when you finally get the hang of it you will have a great sense of accomplishment.

When learning how to write Japanese you can take confidence in the idea that if you do visit that country, you'll have your independence and not have to rely on other people to get around the country. You will be able to navigate street signs and order from a menu with ease.

Can You Learn to Speak Spanish Fast?

By Mohd Syahrir


The main reason why you read this article is probably because you want to know is it possible to learn Spanish fast. Yes of course you could learn it fast but if a product promises you that you can learn Spanish in 3 days it is cheating and only wanted your money. Even a professor could not learn it in 3 days. Learning Spanish will need your effort. Buying a product will not guarantee that you will learn the language fast. However there are few ways that will help you to learn the language fast.

Make a Goal

Why goal setting is important? Easy, because without goal you do not know where you are at. You can not see your progress. As a result you give up. You start to lose your focus and try something else. Take a baby step instead of changing the whole world in one day. So why should you wait more, grab a pen and write your goal. Keep it where you could see it everyday

Practice Practice Practice!

If you practice, you could achieve anything is the world. Do not think that buying a product will guarantee that you will learn it fast. Buying any product is not going to change anything if you do not change your attitude. The problem is you not the product. The best product would not help you either.

Mistake Is Not A Sin

There is no Mr. Perfect in this world. In fact, losers are people who never lose. So do not afraid to make mistake. Even the president had made a mistake. Mistake is not something you should be ashamed of. Making mistake is the fastest way that you could do to learn Spanish fast. It is like a shortcut to learn Spanish fast.

The tips might be simple but I am sure it is very useful. Best of luck. Thank you very much.
"Muchas gracias."

Learn How to Write and Speak Japanese

By Kenneth H Jones


When you are learning Japanese what you are really thinking of is speaking. You want to speak for sure but to have a conversation you need to be able to listen well. How many times have you been abroad and made an attempt to speak and been completely confused by a torrent of words coming back to you from a native speaker. So to learn how to write and speak japanese you need to listen.

To actually have a conversation in Japanese you need to listen and listen hard. To do this you need to spend time practising your listening skills using a number of resources.

Passive resources for improving your Japanese listening skills

I use radio and television in the background to support my language learning. So instead of just switching on to the usual English channels I consciously choose to put on a Japanese speaking station. What you gain from this is a good ear for the way the language sounds. You will also pick new vocabulary and colloquialisms that will not be in a text book.

Active resources

Most of my DVD collection has subtitles and audio in a choice of languages. I often use this feature to acclimatise my brain to listening. The subtitles also help to confirm what you are hearing. You can rewind back and check out certain phrases. You are really checking your hearing out with this exercise. Of course you may have to do this alone as other people might not appreciate what you are doing.

There are many Japanese language courses on CD and MP3 that I have playing in my car wherever I go. I do not worry about doing the course material while I am driving but use it as listening practice. You do need a fair few to stop this being boring. I am reasonably fluent in Japanese now but even when I was just starting out I would listen to the beginners and advanced vocabulary CD's for the express purpose of improving my listening skills.

Friends who speak the lingo from Tokyo.

Live conversation is the unbeatable way to improve your learning skills. I have a Japanese friend who I spend time with not only because they are good company but also because they help me learn Japanese. I am also helping them learn English so it is a win win situation. You get coaching on your accent and practice listening in a natural environment that is non threatening.

The main point of these resources is to spend time immersed in the Japanese language. When you do go overseas and need to speak and listen for real you will have had plenty of practice.

Learn to Write Chinese in Weeks, Not Years

By Barbara Glades


Speaking a new language can seem like the impossible, especially if you find learning languages really hard - so imagine what it is like to be able to write in a totally new language from your own? Many people find learning to write in French for example tricky, and that is with using the same alphabet that they are used to, so think what it would be like to learn to write Chinese! For many people, myself included, Chinese writing has always looked beautiful and artistic, but it has never been something that I personally thought I would be able to do. In fact if you had told me 6 weeks ago that I would be able to both read and write in conversational Chinese I would have laughed out loud! But now, after taking a new and easy to understand Chinese course I can now do both with ease.

So what was the secret to me being able to learn to write Chinese in a matter of weeks? "Rocket Chinese" that's what. This is an online course that helps you write and speak in Chinese by utilising a 31 lesson audio course and 4 other components that will teach you how to write in Chinese and learn more about Chinese culture and grammar through games and by using the Rocket Languages support team who are available 24 hours a day. If you are unsure as to how easy it will be to learn to write Chinese you can even take a free 6 day trial of "Rocket Chinese" and see for yourself. I was astounded at how simple and straightforward these lessons are and with each stroke of written Chinese being explained step by step, you too will soon be able to write confidently in Chinese and amaze your friends.

Learn How To Speak Spanish Online

By Alicia Ramos


When it comes to learning how to speak Spanish online a person does not necessarily have to spend a large part of their time going through various different web pages reading each one as they go. In fact when it comes to ways to learn how to speak Spanish online today there are a lot of ways which can be extremely beneficial to the person wishing to learn this particular language. In this article we will look at just what these ways are.

Today a person if they are looking to learn Spanish online can now gain access to many different courses and software programs which they can easily download onto either their PC or laptop. Not only does it make the learning process more enjoyable but they are also interactive where are buying a book and learning that way can be extremely time consuming but also extremely difficult as well. The reason why we find it much easier to learn something using the say a software program is because our brains find it much easier to take information in when it is able to interact rather than just when we are sat down with a book in front of us and reading it.

A lot of the courses that are now available online use a combination of different methods not just reading, but also audio and videos along with games and lessons where you will need to interact with others. Certainly people who have already used this method for learning a new language such as Spanish have found that they learnt it a lot more quickly than they expected.

A couple of courses that you may want to consider using when it comes to learning Spanish online are Rosetta Stone's and Tell me More. With Rosetta Stone's you find that it uses real life images along with written text, but it also contains audios of native speakers of the Spanish language and so will teach you as if you were a native learner. Through this course you will soon find that you are able to not only speak but also read and write in Spanish much more easily and quickly and naturally.

As for TeLL me More this is a good software package which is highly recommended by teachers and students who have already used it. In fact more than 5 million around the world have already used this package to help them to speak, read and write Spanish. The package that now is available from this company has four levels contained within it. Starting with complete beginner and moving up to those who have more advanced levels of the Spanish language. Plus they also provide the user with a free headset and microphone.

So when it comes to ways to learn how to speak Spanish online you will find that there are number of different options available to you including the two that we have mentioned above.

Learn How to Speak French Fast and Easy

By Bruno Fajou


Despite advertisements such as "learn french in 30 days," there is no shortcut to learn to speak and write fluently but it is possible to accelerate learning. Read our advice to learn french of the most effective way.

Immerse yourself in the language, practice, practice, practice! I strongly suggest you for a period and to the extent possible, you cut everything except the french, of course! Read newspapers and magazines, watch television, listen to the radio. Get in touch with as many people as possible. Discuss with someone who know french language very well don't be shame and don't be afraid of the mistakes. The aim is to TALK!

The more you're exposed to the french language, the less you use your native language and the more you learn quickly. Learning by heart the grammar's rules is one thing, but nothing beats practical experience! Apply these tips, you measure your progress very quickly.

Television is probably the fastest way to increase your level of understanding and listening. It costs nothing and you hear people who speak naturally. Do not expect to understand everything, it is sometimes difficult for people who have a good level of french. The more you listen, the more you improve your vocabulary and without too much effort.

You can use different method or either way to learn the french language. There is no limitation for which approach you are going to learn it's just a matter of time and effort. But you need the learning guide to lead you to the right direction. To have a better insight into the language over time, it would be useful for you to study the french culture also.

Writing a First Novel - How to Make Money Writing and Finance Your Work

By Jorge Chavez



Many people aspire to write novels. It's not an easy market and it takes time for researching, outlining and writing a first novel. So how do you support yourself while you are writing? It could take months and few can afford to spend that much time on anything that doesn't produce immediate revenue.

You have to be independently wealthy, find a rich patron or be gainfully employed at some other work to be able to afford the time. Later, after you are published and a success you can ask for advances from publishers, but that comes later. We are talking about writing a first novel here...

But much writing requires travel to visit places you are writing about. Or it takes a special schedule or research more conveniently done during the day, when it would conflict with a day job. So how do you get around those problems?

Why not take advantage of some freelance writing opportunities and be a freelance writer? There are two good possibilities: freelancing as a travel writer and getting paid to write for the Internet.

As a freelance travel writer you can travel free or for very reduced rates while you visit places for which you are writing articles for travel magazines. Oftentimes the publisher will give the writer the front end costs of going and returning as a down payment on the coming articles, promotional pieces, etc. that he expects.

Being a travel writer can be a great job for visiting exotic places, gathering materials and knowledge, doing research and everything required for writing a first novel. And you get paid for it, while you learn how to speak and write authoritatively about the places you've been!

Working as an Internet freelancer, where you make money writing for the Web, is great for managing both mobility and hours. You can work whenever it is convenient for you... there are no fixed hours. Almost all work is done on a a short-term contract basis. So you can go into and out of the Internet "workforce" at will.

And you can work from anyplace in the whole world! Take your laptop with you and work anywhere. All you need is periodic access to the Net to communicate with clients, upload finished work, negotiate your next contract, etc. You can work just enough to make the money you need for the moment while you are writing a first novel.

If you are interested in writing a first novel, those are things that would bear looking into...

For more information on being a travel writer, making money writing for the Web or writing a first novel, follow the links below...