For some reason I love hearing about language blunders. For example...
For those learning a foreign language these blunders are common and, with the right attitude, can add flavor to the language learning process. In the business world, these blunders are even more poignant because international businesses "should know better," right? One which I Read more [...] Language and Business
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For some reason I love hearing about language blunders. For example...
For those learning a foreign language these blunders are common and, with the right attitude, can add flavor to the language learning process. In the business world, these blunders are even more poignant because international businesses "should know better," right? One which I Read more [...] 
Recently, I started a thread on a language learning forum and asked the forum members the simple question "Is vocabulary really necessary early on?" I posed this question in all sincerity based on one simple assumption: Vocabulary comes over time whether I like it or not, so wouldn't a focus on grammar be a better emphasis in the early stages of language 
Learning a new language can be an extremely rich and rewarding experience. It can also be drab, mind-numbing work. What makes the difference? I submit that culture is one of the greatest spices which add flavor to the language learning experience. Here are a few analogies to paint a picture of things.
Language Without Culture is Like...
Eating 
Trying to learn a new language can be a lot like trying to drink from a fire hose. As I mentioned in the Language-Time Conundrum, there is simply an enormous amount of information - culture, grammar, vocabulary, etc. - associated with language learning. It can be extremely daunting at first. One of the early keys to success in language learning is 
Are you familiar with the word "miser"? I realized the other day that when it comes to learning a new language, I happily bear that title - a miser, a penny pincher, a stingy old goat. I see no reason to spend much money on learning a new language. There are so many free (or cheap) resources to provide the information necessary to learn a new language 
Have you ever caught yourself watching sands fall through the narrow opening of an hourglass? It's pretty impressive, really, that hundreds of years ago this simple method was devised for keeping time. The opening is set to a very specific width, and just the right amount of sand is loaded inside so that it takes a very specific amount of time for all 
- Benefits of Bilingualism -
Learning a second language provides many benefits. Some study a second language for the intellectual stimulation, while others have a legitimate need (such as travel) that requires it. But the benefits of learning a new language often reach much farther than simply gratifying any one specific need. Rest assured that the 
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My name is Kenny Trent. I was named after Kenneth Mattingly,