Review of The Michel Thomas Method
From surviving Nazi internment camps to teaching French to Hollywood stars, Michel Thomas was truly an amazing man. Read on to learn more about his life and his unique language learning approach.
Effects of English Hegemony on Education
In this guest post, writer Estelle Shumann discusses the effects of English on world education, culture, and ideology, and how some consider the prominence of English a form of neo-colonialism. What’s your stand?
How to Conquer Chinese Characters
Chinese characters are arguably the most intimidating part of getting started in Japanese or Chinese, but I believe they can also be the most enjoyable if tackled correctly. This article shares the tips, tools, and psychology you need to master kanji and hanzi.
Review of Brainscape Spanish
If you are learning Spanish on your iPhone, Brainscape’s Spanish! app is definitely worth checking out. Read on to see why.
Is Your Native Language a Help or a Hindrance?
When I started my Vietnamese intensive course, a lot of non-linguistists I talked to said that the Chinese students would have an advantage because they already speak a tonal language. It is true that some westerns could be completely stumped by tones, and just not get the language at all. But, a person who already speaks a tonal language does not have an advantage over a westerner or a Korean or Japanese who is intelligent, motivated and who is trying to learn tones.
Is That Word Difficult or Just Unfamiliar?
You often hear people say that certain words are “difficult”, but I don’t think this word applies to languages. Instead, I suggest you use the word “unfamiliar” instead. Read on to see why…
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About Me
Howdy language lovers! I’m John Fotheringham, an author, linguist, vagabond, entrepreneur, and full-time silly goose. I have been learning and teaching languages for over a decade and have seen first-hand what works and what doesn’t. The Language Mastery site, podcast, and guides provide adult learners the tips, tools, and tech needed to create fun, engaging, immersive environments no matter where in the world one happens to live.