by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Blog
Language learners often complain about learning “useless” words: Why should I learn how to say “scarecrow”? I’ll never use that word! Why not learn more important words like “watermelon,” “study” and “bathroom”? People often think that some of the basic, tangible...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Culture Shock
One of the main sources of culture shock – or, as we like to call it, cultural annoyance – is mis-perception. Even though I may think that I know and understand a lot about the culture I’m living in, when something goes wrong, I find myself caught off-guard. I feel...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Blog
Most of us have attempted to learn a language while not living in a community where that language is spoken. We may have studied a language in school, or on our own. Yet for most of us, it was probably a relatively unsuccessful endeavor. Why is that? If language...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Culture Shock
I know I am going to stay in a foreign country for longer. I know what to roughly expect. I am excited and happy but also nervous. That is normal. But, how do I prepare myself for the inevitable culture shock? How do I stop any emotional irritation? Do I do a lot of...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Blog
“How many words do I need to know in order to learn this language?” As a language coach, I’ve been (pleasantly) surprised that I haven’t heard his question more often. But people do sometimes wonder what level of vocabulary they’ll need in order to function. The first...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Culture Shock
We already emphasized: Shock is the wrong word, irritation is better. The internal control of our behavior is disturbed. You have to re-learn what is right and wrong, how to behave in certain situations, what is polite and what is not, how to greet and say good-bye,...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Blog
You can talk all day long about language-learning methodology and what the best ways are to become a more proficient participator in a language and culture. And while these are important things to think about—how you go about learning a language has significant...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Blog
As a language learning coach, when I discuss with people their language learning plans, they often tell me, “I’m a visual learner. I have to see the word on the page in order to remember it.” Ten years ago, I would have said the same thing. But what does it mean to be...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Culture Shock
When you move to a new, fascinating region, first you are pleased. Many new things are usually perceived as exciting, assuming you came voluntarily. If you were someone persuaded to relocate or had to travel, this phase of honeymoon may not happen. The so-called...
by afrar | Jul 16, 2024 | Culture Shock
We landed in Africa and everything, but really everything was different. We had expected some, but so many differences. Uncomfortable border officials who wanted an address which we didn’t have. An incredible number of control: luggage, passports, with body...
