Exercise your working memory
Your memory is central to your studying; it is, after all, where all of your knowledge goes. However, the brain is often poorly understood, and a little focused brain exercise can greatly improve your memory power, allowing you to do better in your studies as well as in other areas of your life. Try these […]
7 secrets to learn a new language
They say that children learn languages the best. But that doesn’t mean that adults should give up. Some of the polyglots in TED’s Open Translation Project share their secrets to mastering a foreign language. Their best strategies distill into seven basic principles: 1. Get real. Decide on a simple, attainable goal to start with so that you […]
Stationary must-haves to get your life organized now
Chances are you made a resolution way back in January to get your life more organized. Chances ALSO are you forgot all about that by February. Well, with a new season comes new beginnings, so start taking notes, making appointments, and labeling everything this spring with the help of these stationery must-haves. Chic, functional, and […]
Ways to Decrease Stress from Studying
1. Engage in a physical activity One of the greatest ways to relieve stress is through physical activity. Whether this is through a vigorous workout or by participating in sports, you will find that getting your body moving helps you to literally sweat off tension. Wittenberg University student Ben Fox has been involved in athletics […]
Ways to Accelerate Your Language Learning with Spaced Repetition but Without Using Flashcards
If you want to learn a language, you can’t really avoid Spaced Repetition. But that doesn’t mean you have to use Flashcards. There are many ways you can use Spaced Repetition without them… In fact, you can use Spaced Repetition for almost any language learning activity. And doing so can seriously accelerate your learning. In […]
Steps for Planning a Productive and Successful Language Learning Week
The weekend is a great time to spend an hour looking to the week ahead by mapping out goals and intentions. Many people plan ahead for business goals, upcoming deadlines, events, meetings at work, fitness or meals. But did you know that making a language learning plan can actually help you learn a language faster? […]
Your Most Important Task in Language Learning
It’s not learning vocab, although that’s important. It’s not learning grammar, although that’s important, too. It’s not improving your pronunciation, although…blah blah blah. Your main job in language learning is to tolerate your inner resistance. You know, that nagging sensation you often experience when learning your new language. Learning the language is a side effect […]
How Google Translate Can Help You Remember How to Say Something in a Foreign Language
We all experience it sometimes: You know you should be able to say a specific thing in your target language, but…it’s not exactly at the tip of your tongue. Sometimes this is a case of Emergency Speech, but often you’ve just plain forgotten about the word or grammatical construction. Sucks, right? But in spite of […]
8 Things Not to Say While in Buenos Aires
When we’re in our own country, and speaking in our native language, tactfulness and saying what we mean are things that come naturally to us (…well, most of us). But expat life in Argentina is a whole different kettle of fish! #1: “I don’t eat red meat” A perfectly cooked bife de chorizo and a […]
How To Pack Like a Minimalist Traveler
We all know the importance of traveling light; packing lists are the things many a Pinterest board are made of. And while I’m not one to hate on a good list, I will make the case that traveling minimally is more of a mindset. It’s not just about getting by with one carry-on and wearing […]
