Adult Portuguese Archives - Zinta Inspired Language

10 HUGE Benefits to Learning a Foreign Language

February 26, 2016/0 Comments/in Adult American Sign Language, Adult English, Adult French, Adult Portuguese, Adult Spanish, Youth Language Training /by Kerry Smith

Many studies have shown that people benefit from learning a foreign language at any age.

Whether you are interested in the language for travel, connecting with family, boosting your personality or any other reason, the following advantages demonstrate just how beneficial it is to learn a foreign language at any time.

Research has proven that children who study a foreign language have shown an increase in problem solving skills; these skills also help the children in other curriculum such as math and science. In addition, they tend to get higher scores in math, reading and English assessments. Here are some other benefits to learning a foreign language during youth and adolescence:

Enhance mental development
Improve listening skills
Improve the understanding of the child’s native language
Open the door to understanding people who are different from themselves

Learning a foreign language in adulthood has been highly recommended for the adults who wish to achieve these benefits:

Give them a jump start on the language requirements for college
May increase their future job opportunities
Improves relationships in multi-cultural couples
Increase life satisfaction when the language is passed on to children and younger generations

In older adulthood, learning a foreign language:

Enhances memory and decreases the chances of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
It is also beneficial to learn a foreign language during this time of the life-span so that traveling becomes easier
This unique talent can also be passed onto children and grandchildren.

Common Mistakes that Beginning Language Students Make while Speaking: part 2

February 18, 2016/0 Comments/in Adult English, Adult French, Adult Portuguese, Adult Spanish /by Kerry Smith

Common Mistake #2

“I’m embarrassed to speak because I don’t want to make mistakes”

That’s right, one of the most common spoken mistakes that beginners make is actually fearing making mistakes to begin with!

Being embarrassed is an emotion that many students feel when they begin speaking a new language. In fact, it’s probably safe to say that everyone wants to avoid sounding ridiculous. So how do we become fluent if we are scared to try?

The Solution

Recognize that you already have the passion to learn a new language, and have chosen to follow through with speaking it. Allow this passion to help you persevere on your way to becoming fluent.
It’s important to find new interests in the language you are learning to keep the momentum going. Find new music to listen to, or television shows to watch. Practice repeating what you hear; this will help you to feel more comfortable.
If you make mistakes, make them with confidence! It’s better to just try, and make minor errors, rather than to not try at all. You could surprise yourself.
Stick with it! Many times beginners will drop the language all together because they can no longer handle the pressure, but taking a break only slows you down, and you will never reach your goal of becoming fluent.
Take it from us, it does get easier! It’s best to laugh at mistakes instead of feel bad about them.
No one is going to judge you. The only thing that could cause embarrassment is your own reaction to the mistake. Don’t hold back!
Zinta offers one on one language training sessions so that you may feel more comfortable when beginning to speak a new language. Special help from the instructor will give you the confidence that you need to speak with ease.

A Guide to Finding a GREAT Foreign Language Class

February 18, 2016/0 Comments/in Adult American Sign Language, Adult English, Adult French, Adult Portuguese, Adult Spanish /by Kerry Smith

Looking for the right foreign language class can be a challenge, especially when your main desire is to skip the boring lessons and excel to communicating effectively. Sometimes software programs and college courses may trap you under the glass ceiling by preventing you from reaching your goal.

If you want to speak the language in record time, these are the aspects to be looking for in a GREAT foreign language class:

1. Interaction

Equal time with the teacher requires small classes; 20 students or less is perfect.

2. Student Focus

The teacher must be willing to focus on the students’ needs and apply them to practice.

3. Efficiency

Learn what you want to learn in the way that you want to learn it. If you don’t want to learn in a “lecture” setting, do not settle!

4. Practice

Classroom time should be spent USING the language verbally. Reading and writing can be put into practice at home.

5. Activities

Every student has a unique learning style and the instructor should recognize how they learn the best by including activities to evoke creativity.

6. Oral Assessments

Some teachers often focus primarily on grammar instead of conversation. Ongoing oral assessments, instead of only using paper tests, should be administered so that the student can recognize their progress.

7. Culture

Cultural competence is imperative for good communication. Understanding the culture behind the language will assist with deeply connecting to the speakers.

8. Meeting Goals

Students should be moving forward and advancing their skills, not staying in place. Instructors should adjust their lesson plans accordingly for students in different levels.

9. Student Fluency

If communicating effectively is what you are looking for, then you must verify that specific techniques for obtaining fluency will be taught in the class.

10. Teacher Fluency

Look for instructors who have lived in or visited countries where the target language is spoken. This is a good indicator that they can assist a student to become fluent.

Common Mistakes that Beginning Language Students make while Speaking

February 16, 2016/0 Comments/in Adult English, Adult French, Adult Portuguese, Adult Spanish /by Kerry Smith

Common Spoken Mistake #1

“I can communicate perfectly if I just have a list of words to change!”

If learning a language were this simple, we could all be bilingual after just a few classes. Of course learning new vocabulary is a great way to form competence in the language, but only knowing the vocabulary will not assist to communicate your ideas properly. Language isn’t just about translating your sentences and memorizing phrases; it’s all about effectively communicating your ideas, which requires knowledge of nonverbal communication as well!

Communication is a complex system that takes time to master.

The Solution

Beginning language students should not expect to become fluent in a short amount of time, but should expect to learn the patterns of the language by practicing frequently. Learning some of the culture can help you to communicate effectively as well. Do not assume that all forms of communication are the same in every culture, for example: hand gestures and body language can indicate entirely different meanings in another country. Be careful not to send the wrong message!

Focus on nonverbal communication as well as vocabulary and you will be able to gain confidence in the language and successfully connect with others.

How to Learn a language FAST

February 16, 2016/0 Comments/in Adult American Sign Language, Adult English, Adult French, Adult Language Training, Adult Portuguese, Adult Spanish, Business /by Kerry Smith

It is pleasantly surprising how much information the brain can obtain and retain within a short amount of time. What makes all the difference is HOW you are taught the information.

Adapting teaching styles

Did you know that are 8 distinct learning styles that affect the way an individual learns new material? This means that everyone must be taught a specific way in order for them to fully grasp the concept and retain the information. Make sure that you are utilizing all resources that help you learn the best, whether it’s videos, games, reading, etc., Instructors need to be able to identify the specific learning styles of every individual and adapt the lesson plan to suit the participants’ needs.

Don’t get caught up in the mechanics

Focus more on the structures and patterns of the language, rather than grammar. We have created communication activities that will help you communicate in record time.

Don’t study a language; Speak a language

Why do some people learn a language faster than others? The answer is simple: they are speaking the language instead of simply studying the language. More time needs to be spent on practicing. Building fluency only requires small pieces of information and a lot of repetition.

Cultural tips

Language and culture go hand in hand. Did you know that placing your hands in your lap at the dinner table is perceived as rude in some cultures? Learn the norms of non-verbal communication so you don’t send the wrong messages!

With this instructional model, Zinta Inspired Language has transformed the idea of “impossible,” making it easy to speak a language in a very short time.

Am I Too Old To Learn a Foreign Language?

February 16, 2016/0 Comments/in Adult American Sign Language, Adult English, Adult French, Adult Language Training, Adult Portuguese, Adult Spanish /by Kerry Smith

At Zinta Inspired Language, we work with language learners of all ages. It’s not rare for some adults to think that they are “too old” to learn a language, but this is far from the truth. Learning a language is possible at any age, just ask our students; they range from 3 to 90!

See for yourself how many advantages it can have on your life.

Memory Boost!

Learning a new language activates important areas of the brain to increase productivity, and expands your memory. Studies show that learning a language in older age is associated with lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Energize your Social Life!

Social support is something that many people often take for granted. An advantage to taking a foreign language class is the chance to meet other people who share the same interests as you, as well as learning and growing together in your abilities.

Having Fun!

Learning a new language should be exciting, not a hassle. We want to help you learn, and we do so by incorporating culture and humor into our classes to make your experience that much more rewarding.

Don’t let your age prevent you from learning! It IS possible to learn a foreign language at any age, and the benefits of doing so are endless.

How do some people learn a second language so quickly?

December 23, 2014/0 Comments/in Adult American Sign Language, Adult English, Adult French, Adult Language Training, Adult Portuguese, Adult Spanish /by Kerry Smith

The answer is easy! They know what is important about communicating!

First of all, learning a second language is not like learning any other subject. Naturally, most attempt to learn in the traditional fashion because that is what we are accustomed to.

Traditionally, we start at a young age taking notes, quizzes, and tests. We even come to accept the stress of it all. To a certain extent this is a part of learning and applying our knowledge. However, if we think back to how we learned our native language, it did not involve taking notes, quizzes, or even tests. A good first step is to be open to having fun and never forget that it’s ok to make mistakes!

Far too often we worry about how we might sound or if we are using the correct words, and this is something that significantly slows down communication. It is imperative that when you know what you want to say, but are unsure of how to say it, that you dive in and begin to try to communicate the idea.

For instance, if you can’t remember verb endings, but can just say the verb itself, others will understand you and you will be communicating much faster. More than likely you will be understood and eventually you will start to produce more and more complex phrases. Your brain will automatically correct you once you learn the concepts, so it is not necessary to be corrected all the time.

It’s a common misconception that one must know and understand everything about a language to be able to communicate. The fact is that if you focus on listening and using the vocabulary that is familiar to you versus what isn’t, you will advance more quickly.

In other words use what you know!

5 Steps to Superior Fluency

November 4, 2014/0 Comments/in Adult American Sign Language, Adult English, Adult French, Adult Language Training, Adult Portuguese, Adult Spanish, Business /by Kerry Smith

What can you expect to be able to say in your language classes? How much should you be able to understand and communicate? What do you need to do in order to reach the next fluency step?
Remember: You will always be able to understand the language BEFORE you can fluently speak.

Step 1: Beginning Level Students

Students at this level are slow at understanding spoken language, need phrases repeated, and respond in 1 word or short answers.
• To move to next level: Listen! Listen! Listen! Listen to the same songs, stories, poems, etc. over and over in the target language in order to become faster at understanding the language. Listen every chance you get!

Step 2: Intermediate Level Students

Students at this level are faster to understand the spoken language, don’t require a lot of repetition, and can respond slowly in complete sentences. Open ended questions such as “Why?” or “What happened?” will still be very difficult.
• To move to the next level: Force yourself to use complete sentences when possible. Keep listening, and work at responding quicker to questions

Step 3: Advanced Low Level Students

Students can understand the spoken language, can respond fairly quickly to simple questions, and should be able to start putting sentences together to form paragraphs while conversing.
• To move to the next level: Begin to put simple sentences together to form larger ideas. Describe everything around you. Invent very simple stories using short sentences.

Step 4: Advanced High Level Students

Students can understand and respond quickly. Students should be able to speak in paragraphs and begin to describe simple stories.
• To move to the next level: Practice telling stories. Tell about what you did yesterday, a funny thing that happened in the past, or an embarrassing story. Try to make the stories more complex each time you tell them.

Step 5: Superior Level Students

Students can understand and respond with details quickly. Students should be able to tell stories and begin to build more complex stories with details.
• To move to the next level: Learn more technical vocabulary or vocabulary of something different than you are used to talking about. Learn to talk around the words that you don’t know. Read stories, poems, novels, and talk about them!
You can’t skip any of the steps in order to reach fluency, but you can make the steps shorter by practicing the skills needed at the next levels.

Are online or traditional classes better for language learning?

April 30, 2014/0 Comments/in Adult English, Adult French, Adult Language Training, Adult Portuguese, Adult Spanish /by Kerry Smith

We have had many discussions with customers asking this exact question. Learning a second language is a little different than other courses that you could take online such as history and math. Language at its core is “interactive” and online learning or software programs just can’t give the interaction that students require for true fluency in a language.

Speaking a foreign language is more than just converting words from one language to another. It is about understanding that words are only one way in which we communicate. Most online and software programs are able to teach you vocabulary fairly effectively. However, sentence structure is much more complex and requires more interaction simply because there are numerous ways to say the same thing in a language. Learning vocabulary alone is missing a key element, because language is also composed of culture. For instance, in English we use the word “hate” quite frequently. However, in Spanish, the word “hate” is much stronger and therefore is rarely used.

Fluency in a language should not take years if taught effectively. The language classroom should be very interactive and fun with many activities given for speaking practice in the language. Unfortunately there are many classrooms in institutions that don’t know how to effectively help a student become fluent. I find a large amount of people who have “studied” a language, but few who actually “speak” a language. This is due to the fact that we have traditionally thought that the way to assess is through “testing” on paper. This is not the nature of language; therefore many students can pass paper tests and still not be able to use the language effectively.

If you are wanting to gain some vocabulary words, then online or software programs may be right for you. If you want to become fluent in the language, then a traditional approach may be better. However, make sure you pick your educational institution well, preferably with small classes, lots of time devoted to speaking practice, one-on-one help, and above all, make sure the emphasis is placed on speaking rather than taking paper tests.