Over the past few weeks, several of my students have shared their frustration with me: “I’ve been studying Russian for so long and I still can’t use basic vocabulary! When I asked what kind of vocabulary they were referring to, they mentioned specific cooking verbs (e.g., verbs for cutting ingredients in different ways), words describing
What так и не Really Mean
Amateur language learners are horrified by long words in the target language. This is especially true for learners of Russian, because words in Russian are usually longer. Experienced language learners know that the really scary words are the short ones. There are many little words in Russian that don’t even make any special sense on
Amateur language learners are horrified by long words in the target language. This is especially true for learners of Russian, because words in Russian are usually longer. Experienced language learners know that the really scary words are the short ones. There are many little words in Russian that don’t even make any special sense on
Eight Things Wiktionary Teaches for Free
Wiktionary is an invaluable source of linguistic information. In this article, I’ll show you how to use it wisely.
Wiktionary is an invaluable source of linguistic information. In this article, I’ll show you how to use it wisely.
Language as a Performing Art
A few years ago, I explored one of the popular online learning platforms, and found two music courses. I don’t remember the exact names of the courses, but one was called something like “Developing Your Musicality”, and the other was titled “The Basics of Music Theory” or something like that. The first course was designed
A few years ago, I explored one of the popular online learning platforms, and found two music courses. I don’t remember the exact names of the courses, but one was called something like “Developing Your Musicality”, and the other was titled “The Basics of Music Theory” or something like that. The first course was designed
Langavia Personal Dictionary: Language App for Mindful Learning
If you ask language learners what the hardest part of acquiring a new language is, many of them will probably say, “Building a decent vocabulary so that I stop sounding like a four-year-old.” Adult learners usually experience fewer problems with conceptualization and understanding the structure and grammar rules than kids, but memorizing new words and
If you ask language learners what the hardest part of acquiring a new language is, many of them will probably say, “Building a decent vocabulary so that I stop sounding like a four-year-old.” Adult learners usually experience fewer problems with conceptualization and understanding the structure and grammar rules than kids, but memorizing new words and
Synonyms: How to Tell the Difference
Synonyms are a blessing and a curse for language learners. How can a language learner know the difference between two words that mean the same thing? How do you know when to choose one word, and when to choose the other? Can they be used interchangeably, or does each word have a specific niche and belong to a certain context? I will try to answer those questions in this article, and I will share a few practical tips on how to make synonyms your friends.
Synonyms are a blessing and a curse for language learners. How can a language learner know the difference between two words that mean the same thing? How do you know when to choose one word, and when to choose the other? Can they be used interchangeably, or does each word have a specific niche and belong to a certain context? I will try to answer those questions in this article, and I will share a few practical tips on how to make synonyms your friends.
Private Tutors vs. Language Partners
We live in a wonderful, exciting time. With so many language exchange platforms available today, everybody with a smartphone may learn any language at no cost. Yet, along with LE applications and websites, language learning marketplaces for private tutors and students are booming. Who wants to pay for a tutor, when everybody can practice any
We live in a wonderful, exciting time. With so many language exchange platforms available today, everybody with a smartphone may learn any language at no cost. Yet, along with LE applications and websites, language learning marketplaces for private tutors and students are booming. Who wants to pay for a tutor, when everybody can practice any
Start Writing in Your Target Language Right Now
Every language learner knows that feeling: desperate helplessness when trying to produce a sentence in a target language. You may have advanced to the degree where you enjoy sophisticated books and movies in the language you are learning, but when it comes to speaking, you feel like a beginner – lost, panicked, and embarrassed. No
Every language learner knows that feeling: desperate helplessness when trying to produce a sentence in a target language. You may have advanced to the degree where you enjoy sophisticated books and movies in the language you are learning, but when it comes to speaking, you feel like a beginner – lost, panicked, and embarrassed. No
How To Keep Learning In Summer
Summer is probably the best and the worst time for language learners. Summer breaks and vacations give you a lot of spare time. Nobody tells you what to do—no busy office schedule, no boring one-size-fits-all (or rather, one-size-fits-none) curriculum. You are finally free to do what you want, for example, start to read books in
Summer is probably the best and the worst time for language learners. Summer breaks and vacations give you a lot of spare time. Nobody tells you what to do—no busy office schedule, no boring one-size-fits-all (or rather, one-size-fits-none) curriculum. You are finally free to do what you want, for example, start to read books in
Another Success Story: Preparing For Russian Certification Exams
The best news a teacher can hear from her student is that the student has successfully passed important exams. That is exactly what happened to me last Friday: I woke up, grabbed my smartphone and found an email from one of my students with the good news inside. My student worked hard and received a
The best news a teacher can hear from her student is that the student has successfully passed important exams. That is exactly what happened to me last Friday: I woke up, grabbed my smartphone and found an email from one of my students with the good news inside. My student worked hard and received a