by afrar | Jul 17, 2024 | Assessments
Last time I started looking at the skills you want to assess under the listening comprehension . Now on to speaking skills: Range: What kinds of topics can the learner speak about? What domains of life are out of his/her range? How deeply can he/she talk about a given...
by afrar | Jul 17, 2024 | Culture Shock
The phenomenon of culture shock is seldom dealt with directly. In scientific literature, it is relegated to intercultural studies. In popular scientific literature, there are experts such as Chen (see below) who always have difficulty describing a culture without...
by afrar | Jul 17, 2024 | Rosetta Stone
While there are numerous language-learning software programs available on the market, perhaps the most well-known is Rosetta Stone. Its innovative approach and high-quality, well-developed product have made it very popular. So how effective is it? First, let’s start...
by afrar | Jul 17, 2024 | Assessments
In the previous post, I talked about the good and bad reasons for doing an assessment of your language abilities, making the case that a multi-faceted, forward-reaching, practical assessment could be an important part of maintaining motivation and continuing to...
by afrar | Jul 17, 2024 | Culture Shock
What is culture shock? A summary Culture shock is the result of the confrontation with a culture that is different from our own, so that a person falls into some kind of “shock.” Shock may be the wrong word. We are confused because rules we had known may...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Assessments
Let’s start with this: do an assessment in order to get a clear, multi-faceted, and detailed picture of your current skill set. (see part 1 here) Optimally, your assessment will allow you to have a more objective, accurate idea of your current proficiencies. This...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Blog
In language learning, we have a concept called “false friends”: Words that both languages have that sound or look alike, or sound a bit similar but with completely different meanings. These words are found particularly in languages of neighboring countries, for...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Culture Shock
In the first six articles we have seen how culture shock can be defined, how it progresses and what you can do to moderate, accept and overcome. The main problem is to recognize the culture shock. The situation is not always so clear that I automatically deal with...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Assessments
When many language learners hear the word “assessment” or “evaluation,” they immediately tense up. Language learning is a humbling process, as you become a child again in a new environment and relearn how to interact in the world. So it makes sense that critiquing...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Culture Shock
After years abroad I returned to my home country. “Finally!” May be one thought. But on the other hand, “What a pity I couldn’t stay in my host country longer!” Upon arrival, I’m met with a rude awakening: The country I returned to is not the country I left!...
