3 Reasons to Learn Mandarin

Mandarin is one of the major dialects in China with over seventy percent of the population speaking the tongue. Across the globe, Mandarin is the most spoken language, with over one billion people communicating using this language. Apart from China, some of the countries where a considerable part of the population knows how to speak the language include Taiwan, Singapore, Mongolia, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and South Africa. Indeed Mandarin is becoming one of the most influential and important international languages.

If this is not enough of a reason to convince you to learn Mandarin, then the following might change your mind.

· Commerce and business

The Chinese economy is growing steadily at a relatively rapid pace. There are plenty of businesses and job opportunities in China. Likewise, many nations throughout the world have established good trading and working relations with China. For instance the U.S. has, for some time now, been importing Chinese goods which are much more affordable. It has also been outsourcing services from China and establishing businesses in China. In other words, the Chinese economy is becoming a woken giant.

If you want to succeed in dealing with Chinese business counterparts or work for an international company with offices in Asia, knowing Mandarin is one of the best steps you can take. Mandarin is the business language, hence, knowing how to communicate in Mandarin will not only let you convey your ideas properly, but also help you get the confidence of your Mandarin-speaking colleagues. Learning how to speak Mandarin gives you the edge to take on numerous commercial and financial opportunities.

· Sharpens the mind

It has been proven in many scientific studies that knowing more than one language is beneficial to the intelligence as it stimulates the brain and improves comprehension and learning skills. It has been demonstrated time and again that people who are bilingual do better in standardized tests than individuals who only speak a single language. Furthermore, the development of dementia, like Alzheimer's disease, is slow or not present at all in persons who study different languages; more so when learning Mandarin. Some say that Mandarin is a difficult and complex language with its thousands of characters, tones that give different meanings to the same words and different rules in grammar. However, this complexity may just be the reason why the brain is honed to its optimum capability.

· Beneficial to future generations

If you do not want to do it for yourself, then do it for your children or grandchildren. With the population of Mandarin-speaking people continuously ballooning and the Chinese economy and power constantly growing in strength, knowing Mandarin is more important now more than ever. You would want to prepare your children for the future. When you know Mandarin, you can teach them the language, hence, giving them the advantage of knowing a language that might just be the next most language of the world.

There are many more benefits from learning Mandarin. These should be enough reasons to overcome any reluctance in tackling the language. You may find it hard at first, but that is only in the initial stages. Besides, Mandarin is not really difficult, it is just different.

Daniel C Howard is a language teacher living in Asia. He has over a decade of experience teaching all ages a variety of subjects. For free info and lessons on Mandarin Chinese, please visit his blog here.

You can also sign up for a newsletter full of free language tips from Daniel's many hours in a class. And as a bonus, stay updated on all the new information on http://www.learnmagnificentmandarin.com/.

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3 Reasons to Learn Italian

The Italian language is widely believed to be the most beautiful language in the world. It is known to be a language of fluidity, respect and simplicity. Though there are not many instances that require you to speak Italian, unless you live in Italy or you plan to live there or marry into an Italian family, learning the language is still worth the time.

However, the decision to learn the language is more because of passion and the admiration felt towards the Italian language. But even so, there are really compelling reasons to take up the language and learn its intricacies.

· Career and Business

Italy is one of the largest economies in the world. Many companies are looking for people who can speak both English and Italian languages. More than 1000 American firms have branches or offices in Italy such as Citibank, IBM, Motorola, Hewlett Packard and General Electric. Furthermore, more than 7000 U.S. businesses have dealings with Italy. There are also countless Italian companies that hold business in the U.S. So if you are an entrepreneur, you can further your business in Italy if you know how to speak their tongue. Besides, many Italian businessmen have little or no skill in speaking English. Even though they may have someone working for them who speaks English, it would be to your advantage if you know Italian since you can deal with the owner directly.
Career wise, Italy has lots of opportunities to offer. Italy is very well known for their fashion, culinary arts, furniture design, interior design, graphic design, machine tool production, electromechanical machinery, space engineering, shipbuilding and robotics among others. If you know how to speak Italian, you have an edge over others who don't. You have better chances of building a career in one of these Italian industries.
· Italian Culture, Arts and Literature

Italian heritage is rich and significant in world history. The Roman Empire and Renaissance are two of the most important and influential times in the history of the world. Italy has produced many of the most popular art treasures and revered artists- Michelangelo, Botticelli, Da Vinci, Giotto and the list goes on. About 60% of the world's art treasures are in Italy. To fully fathom the context of Italy's art, you need to know Italian.
Italian literature is also vast and impressive. Petrarch, Dante, Machiavelli and Boccaccio are just a few of the famed Italian thinkers and writers. Italian literature encompasses opera, film, humanism, science, political ideas, design, fashion and cuisine. To fully understand and appreciate these treasures, knowing the language in which they were created is necessary.
· Travel

Traveling to Italy is an experience like no other. The rich history, culture and landscapes are awe-inspiring. Knowing the tongue the locals speak lets you experience Italy in a more fulfilling way. Besides, many Italians do not speak English fluently, so your stay will be easier and more enjoyable if you can converse with them in Italian.
There are many more reasons why you should learn Italian. So why not start on your lessons today so you can experience how beautiful this language really is.

Daniel C Howard is a language teacher living in Asia. He has over a decade of experience teaching all ages a variety of subjects. For free info and lessons on Italian, please visit his blog here.

You can also sign up for a newsletter full of free language tips from Daniel's many hours in a class. And as a bonus, stay updated on all the new information on http://learnincredibleitalian.com/.

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Helpful Tips On How to Learn Spanish Fast

Do you want the possibility to talk in the Spanish language with anybody about anything? Do you want to be a part of a community of 200 million people that speak the same language as you? Or maybe you only need to speak one of the most used languages in commercial relationships, internet, tourism and music, and to be proud in front of your friends. If you want to learn Spanish without any effort, having an envied pronouncement, you will need to follow the nest steps:

Why would you need to learn Spanish?

Maybe you are looking for a workplace in Spain, and your chances to succeed are strictly connected with your Spanish language knowledge. All the Spanish employers appreciate this aspect, and you will obtain the paperwork much faster. However, this is not the only reason for you to learn this language. If you are a passionate reader, you will discover the charm of the language of Sancho Panda, as reading in this language is surely a nice experience. Even if you are only preparing for a tour in Spain, you should understand and speak a few words. Now that we established why it is good for you to learn Spanish, let's see a few effective methods to do this.

What are the efficient methods to learn the Spanish language?

If you are looking for a method to learn the Spanish language quick and easy, you will need to find a course. The course must assure you a complete and permanent method to learn, and it must be based on the four principles of learning foreign language: Listen, Talk, Write, and Read.

The starting lessons must be easy containing elements like: personal presentation, looking for directions, talking about tourism, fashion, hobbies. Along the course, you will have to advance further, so you could express your opinions in front of others.

The course must be structured to help you learn Spanish and to put into practice all the knowledge gained. The course must be made for you, so you could have incredible results without so much effort. The best Spanish courses of this type are made by specialists, and must also be based on the Lozanov method. Lozanov is the creator of the auto-suggestion principle, a principle that was declared as one of the best to learn Spanish.

The average Spanish course has 18-20 lessons, both in audio and .pdf format. It is attractive, making you wish to learn more. The guide must also be available for you in any moment, so you could study in your spare time at work or home. The best courses have a bonus including dictionaries, and a few grammatical lessons, and some ebooks. An interactive course is the best method, making the Spanish language accessible for you. You must be able to learn pleasantly, not extensively. Learning a new language is a new experience that would bring you satisfaction if you were able to master it completely, as it is an important moment of your life and a great achievement.

Right here we provide the helpful and professional language studying soft: Rosetta Stone, so if you're troublesome now because of a new and unfamiliar language, welcome to take a look at the Rosetta Stone Spanish.

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No Time or Money to Travel? 12 Fun Ways to Learn Spanish Online Free

If you're like millions of other Americans, you're somewhat interested in learning Spanish, maybe have even taken a class or two in your day, but can't really do much with it, let alone hold a conversation with native speakers. You've spent some money on language software or books but haven't gotten through much of it.

The reason for this is because most of the common ways of learning a language just aren't fun. Above all, learning a language should be a lot of fun, and if you aren't enjoying it, you won't get very far.

The number one way to have fun and learn is to live abroad for a while, or at least take an immersion language learning trip. But if you don't have the money or time to do that yet, you are in luck that you can at least get started for when you do travel (What, you aren't packing yet?). The Internet is absolutely chock full of free, entertaining ways to jump start your language learning. It doesn't matter if you are a complete beginner with just a few words, like hola, under your belt.

Here are ideas that can get you "virtually" immersed in the moments when you can't physically immerse myself in another country. Remember, pick a few ideas from the list below that you like and don't get discouraged. It doesn't matter if you are just a beginner or whether you are intermediate or advanced in Spanish. These ideas are useful for learners at all levels.

Free Online Radios. Very cool. There are several big companies offering free radio now, and most of them offer artist bios and stories, plus links to similar music that can keep you going in loops for hours. Type in any artist or genre and find the lyrics online to follow along. Bookmark the artists you like and find similar songs and artists by browsing. Try some traditionally Latino genres like vallenatos or bachatas or you can try Latino Rock. You can also find local radio stations from all over the world that stream for free online by searching for: radio escuchar en vivo.
Blogs. Learn from people who actually learned to speak Spanish or whatever language you are interested in, not just the sites selling you their software. Blogs dealing with immersion language learning usually offer a wealth of free information about how they succeeded in learning or becoming fluent. Because these people have had so much fun learning a language, they have a ton of interesting stories and give you really specific tips for free about how you can do it. It's like your own personal consultant or book without having to pay for it. These sites usually have community discussion groups and free newsletters, video or audio tutorials, games and learning programs, e-books, and links to other great online resources. Try searching for "immersion language learning Spanish," "why study abroad," or Spanish plus the word "blog" and start exploring. You can also browse blog directories and find sites of interest that way.
Online video sites. You can find just about anything on YouTube, Yahoo videos, and other similar sites. There are tons of videos that are in Spanish but have English subtitles. You can often find your favorite show, movie, or cartoon. Cartoons are great because a lot of times you can follow the plot very easily and pick up isolated words here and there more easily than in movies. Try to find a clip of some of your favorite scenes but with Spanish audio or subtitles. Get a little creative with your searches. Also, you can look for interviews and commercials with Latino or Spanish actors and actresses in their native language or dubbed or subtitled versions of programs you like. If they are international superstars, their Spanish interviews can often be found with English subtitles. If you are a beginner, audio in Spanish with English subtitles should be the goal. If you are an intermediate or advanced learner, you should be looking for Spanish audio with Spanish subtitles, so try searching for shows you like and adding "en espanol." Remember, the goal isn't to understand everything, or even 2% if you aren't there yet. Try to catch a single word that is repeated frequently and start building your vocabulary. Eventually you will want that foundation when you do have time or money to travel (Looking at maps yet?).
Online Pen Pals. Or should we start calling them text pals? You are probably already on some of the social media sites, and maybe you even have a bunch of friends. The beauty of social networking is that you can connect to people all over the world. Search for friends from countries you are interested in and send them a message. It's free, and a lot of people might be interested in being pen pals. There are even sites dedicated completely to international pen pals and offer their services for free. Once you get a little better at writing, you can begin instant messaging (also free).
Web Chat. And if you are at the stage where you can speak a bit, ask your pen pal to do free video chat through your social media site, instant messaging service, or free computer-to-computer calling service. There are tons out there so just search for them and pick the one you like.
Futbol Online, or maybe as you know it, soccer. I know, I know, you think soccer is boring. Okay, but that's mostly probably because you don't know many players so it doesn't mean much. Read a few bios about Ronaldinho, Messi, and other players at ESPN's Soccernet or other sports sites, wait for the big games, and even watch some free games and replays online. Watch Barcelona face off with Real Madrid next season for the rivalry rematches and see some of the best players in the world stacked together on one field. And of course watch in Spanish any time you can. Watch a replay of the third-place match between Uruguay and Germany from the 2010 World Cup with a Spanish commentator. You can't say you don't like soccer until you watch the final of the World Cup or Spain's professional soccer league and the voice on the big screen screams Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooolaaaazo golazo golazo golazo goooooollllaaaaaazzzzooooo! By the way, golazo translates to "absolutely brilliant fantastic amazing goal." You gotta love how much you can say with online little word. Compare that to a U.S. commentator calling some of the most important goals in U.S. soccer history (Goal!). It just doesn't match up!
Spanish Cable Online. Head over to a cable station from Latin America or Spain, such as Telemundo or Univision, and click on the Videos menu. Not only can you watch small clips of video online for free, and if you are a beginner or intermediate small is better for now. You will also see short, 5- to 30-second ad spots. Normally you might zone out when ads come on, but you can use those ads to your advantage because they are often new and entertaining in a new language. When you see a particular brand that you are familiar with, you will hear the slogan or tagline that the company uses in Spanish. After hearing it a few times, try to write it down. Try looking up the phrase and you will most likely learn not only a few words, but also a new grammatical structure. And stumbling across grammar in context is much more likely to stick in your head than hours or reading in textbooks.
Company Web Sites. Go to your favorite electronics, clothing, food, or beverage company and click on the link to turn the page into Spanish. Companies that appeal to young or college-age audiences often build in videos, games and other fun things to do. When you get to the site, look for the spot on the page where it lets you go to the Spanish version of the site (most of the big companies have this now). Sometimes you can change the region to Latin America or even pick a particular country and get specific types of Spanish versions of the site. If it's a supermarket, look at all of the pictures they have and the names of the products and you've just got yourself a free bunch of flashcards. If it's a different site and you are a beginner, it will be difficult to read most of the content, so concentrate on the ads and the pictures and captions. The picture gives you context for what is happening, and you can put the caption into a free online translator.
Free Online Translators. Just don't expect their translations to be totally accurate. Use them as a basis to get started, not as your ultimate source, and then look up the words in the free online dictionaries...
...such as Wordreference.com, a free online dictionary that is more than just a dictionary. The secret? The forums. Even after 6 years of learning Spanish, I find myself constantly going to the bottom of a given word entry and perusing the different contexts where the words and phrases are used. And the best part is that native speakers chime in every day with nuggets of cultural and linguistic knowledge that otherwise might only be available to you if you traveled to their home countries (Searching for plane tickets yet?).
Spanish Magazines Online. Most online magazines give free samples, and you can search for People en Espanol or other magazines you like. Although you might not understand much as a beginner, you can pick up a lot of fun sayings from the figure captions and cover pages, and you don't have to pay for the subscriptions at first because you will have more than enough material to keep you busy.
Search engines. It doesn't matter what your favorite search engine is, it matters what you search for. First, in your head, complete this phrase "I really love ____!" Whatever that word or phrase is, search for it and then add the word "spanish" and start browsing. Every day there are new things to learn about.

Anything that you can do or find online to have some fun will help you. Once you have a foundation of vocabulary, you are ready to start traveling and studying in other countries, which is even more fun and is really where your Spanish learning will take off!

Rocky Citro is a self-taught language learner, freelance writer, and editor. With no formal background in Spanish, he went from knowing just 50 words of Spanish in 2003 to becoming nearly fluent a few years later.

On his blog, ImmersionLanguageLearning.com, he shares his stories, resources for learning to speak Spanish, and if you are ready to immerse yourself in Spanish, free advice on planning your study abroad trip.

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Learning Language in Spanish Does Not Have to Be Hard - Learn To Speak Fluent Spanish Now

Learning a second language is always a good idea. In the United States today, Spanish is almost as prevalent as English. Consider this, how often do you hear English repeated in Spanish? That is a good reason for learning Spanish. But a lot of people have difficulty with learning new languages. What follows are some helpful tips and a few tricks you can use to make things easier to learn language in Spanish. Learn to speak fluent Spanish now!

Get a course on CD. If you're feeling shy about learning a new language, CDs are great to use. You will be able to listen to someone pronounce the words and use them in sentences. CDs contain the same learning material as used in a classroom, but there will be no stress about talking in front of a class. And it's great because you can listen to your CD just about anywhere. You can just use a CD player, or you can download lessons on an MP3 player and you're all set! So there's no single location where you must learn.

Use labels in your environment. Do this in as many spaces as you can, whether at home, work or even in your vehicle. This way you will get used to associating the correct words with the correct items. When it comes to speaking a new language, you don't want to make silly mistakes. If you take the time to learn what words really mean, you won't do what some tourists and other novices of a language do, and make mistakes that can be humiliating. By using this technique of labeling objects, you'll be absorbing all the right names for things, and you'll find yourself picking up the new language quite naturally.

Practice makes perfect! Don't worry about how you look or sound, it's important to always practice speaking Spanish. Even if you aren't great at putting together whole sentences, using the words you know in place of your native language regularly will help commit those words to memory. So if your new language is Spanish, then just try to use "cena" instead of "dinner" and in place of "one" use "uno." The words will feel like second nature to you, in time. This way you'll be able to understand the words when you hear others speak them. This technique will really help you understand your new language when you talk to others who are fluent in it.

There are lots of reasons to learn another language but figuring out the best way to learn that language can be tough.

You might be thinking about driving to the closest bookstore and getting a book about it. Taking a class is also a good idea, as is getting to know people who are already fluent in the language. There really are many options to learn Spanish or other languages. Be sure to have lots of fun!

So, if you are looking to learn language in Spanish, here is a highly recommended tool for you to take advantage of. Thousands of people, just like you, all over the world have used this fun and effective multimedia Spanish course to hasten their learning, while having a lot of fun in the process. Don't let your inability to speak fluent Spanish now hold you back any longer. Click here to open up a whole new world of Language in Spanish.

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Why Should You Learn Foreign Language

If you want to be able to travel in different countries, to meet people of different cultures, or you only need to make your life more interesting, knowing foreign language is the solution. Knowing the language of other cultures is a satisfaction, but in the latest years, it is also a necessity.

If you learn new languages, you will have the capacity to express yourself in any situation, feeling wonderful and having an immense satisfaction with every conversation you have.

Using new conquests in science and technology, and also the researches on the learning techniques for foreign language, you will be able to be a speaker of Spanish or French language in a short period. Using the method of Lozanov, you will reduce the necessary time to learn another language with more than 75 %.

You can try the foreign language courses of 90 days. You have nothing to lose if you try, and if by one reason or another, you don't like it, or you were expecting something else, you will only need to return the package, paying only the transport expenses. Some of those courses are so effective that you will be able to learn another language only in 20 days.

The main reasons for learning foreign language are traveling, interviews for new jobs, improving your current knowledge, or only because you like to be a polyglot.

Learning foreign words is not necessarily an annoying process. You can learn it using a CD with 20-25 lessons, with duration of 5-8 hours. If you wish, you can have the lessons in an .mp3 format, so you could listen to them wherever you want: in the car, at work, at the gym, while you cook, or before sleeping. However, you will also need the lessons in a .pdf format, as this aspect is essential for accelerated learning.

According to the studies of Lozanov, the person that changed the learning and teaching methods completely, anybody could learn foreign language in a short period, if the person reads, hears, sees, and spokes the words and the new expressions.

What types of lessons must be contained in an effective course?

- Vocabulary and pronouncement - contains the communication themes and exercises for fixing the problems
- Grammatical exercises - grammatical problems with the corresponding exercises
- Recapitulation - repeating the learned words and implementing the teaching methods.

The best courses of this kind will also include free electronic books written in the respective language. You will also need a small dictionary, in a.pdf format, so you could translate using the search feature of Acrobat Reader. However, you must also have a handbook dictionary to use during your travels.

The perfect guide must be more like a package containing all the useful resources needed. The easiest method to learn a new language is to surround yourself with those resources: take the dictionary with you, listen to the lessons, and read the books. You should also try to speak in front of the mirror every night to recapitulate.

Here we offer the helpful and professional language studying soft: Rosetta Stone, so if you're troublesome now as a result of a new and unfamiliar language, welcome to have a look at the Rosetta Stone Spanish.

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Good Ways To Learn French

French is spoken by over 110 million individuals globally. The language is spoken in many nations including France, Canada, and a few others. A number of U.S. citizens within the states of Maine and also Louisiana are actually native French speakers. The language is also a standard for many global organizations such as the United Nations. If you're thinking about learning another language for a profession or simply for personal enrichment, give some thought to learning French. French is the most beautiful spoken language and also suggests class and distinction. Mastering this language could be a great asset in your own profession and may also improve your experience when you visit French speaking countries.

If you choose to learn this language, you have a number of options. You might earn a degree in French from a university or college. A degree gives you expert knowledge of the language, both written and verbal. You might have already established yourself as a professional, and believe that understanding the language may help augment your career. If so, you may learn French online using a course, such as Rocket French, which is certainly a great way to study in your own convenience. They provide a free six day trial for their study course. Learning French this way will be a quick and easy way for you to master the language.

Of course, if you have time, another great way is an immersion program. In this manner, you have an opportunity to experience French culture. You will actually be residing in France and experience the daily life and culture of the French people. This really is the quickest option to learn French. You can expect to communicate with native French speakers each day. Most of the people will not be able to speak in English. For that reason, you must communicate with these people in French. You will be completely absorbed into French everyday living. You will take classes that can help you to write and speak in French. An immersion program is the most effective method for learning French fluently.

Being fluent in a second language offers benefits as a professional. For instance, you may attain certification to be a foreign language translator. This particular career opportunity presents lots of challenges and benefits. There are a lot of foreign language agencies that provide full-time jobs to translators. A translator ordinarily helps a company translate their particular business files and also company websites. You may want to work as a freelancer, taking care of your individual workload, and may set your own schedule. Another possibility may be to teach English in French speaking nations. Just by knowing French and English, it's possible to succeed in any French speaking country.

Mastering French offers you a chance to begin a new job or further build up your job just by working abroad. Additionally, you will enhance your trips in the French speaking nations. Learning another language will be a rewarding achievement. It is easy to learn French online right now by going to Rocket French.

Read related articles here: Rocket French Review

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What to Consider When Choosing Sites to Learn Chinese Online

The development of Pinyin Romanization has made it easier for Westerners to study Chinese online through a widely accepted and easy-to-learn system of transcribing Mandarin sounds using the Roman alphabet. Most importantly, Pinyin includes tone marks or numbers to indicate the four different Mandarin tones and clarify the meaning of transcribed words. The main disadvantage of Pinyin is that its sounds are different from English, which may lead those who are unfamiliar with the system to mispronounce them. This minor drawback has not hindered the wide adoption of Pinyin; it has become the official Romanization system of China and Singapore, as well as the US Library of Congress.

Because of Pinyin, there is now an extensive range of options for learning Chinese online using a variety of modalities ranging from videos to one-on-one online tutoring. However, because of the sheer number of choices available, it can be difficult to find the site that best suits your particular needs. The first step in deciding which site to use is to browse their different lesson offerings to see if they have a package that is most suitable for your requirements. For example, if you are learning Chinese because you are planning to visit China or other Chinese-speaking country, do they have a simple course that will teach you to quickly converse in Mandarin? If you are planning to apply for college in China, do they have a learning package that will help you build your vocabulary and Chinese-reading and -writing skills?

The next step is to look at the learning tools that they offer on the site. The wider the selection of tools available the better, since every person has a different way of learning. For example, some people might prefer to learn on their own using self-guided audio lessons with occasional supervision from a tutor while others might feel more comfortable being taught live by a teacher through Skype or Adobe Connect - an advance e-education software used in the universities and professional bodies for interactive online classes. The best sites may even offer assistance in preparing you for Chinese language proficiency exams that are a requirement before you are allowed to study or work in China.

Price, of course, is an important consideration. The best sites for learning Chinese online will offer a selection of pricing options, ranging from monthly subscriptions for unlimited lessons to one-time fees for particular lesson packages. In addition, they may even offer you free trial periods or sample lessons that you should take advantage of, as this will give you the flavor of how the site teaches Chinese so that you can decide if you feel comfortable with their approach. And of course, a good site always guarantees the satisfaction of its users by offering a money-back warranty if you're unsatisfied with their services.

Finally, the best sites have responsive customer service and technical support in case you encounter any problems accessing their lessons. You can even test how good their customer service is by asking to speak to a customer representative or e-mailing them, just to see how fast they get back to you to address your concerns.

If you are seriously considering learning Chinese online, the above mentioned pointers are worth a second look. Learn Chinese Online is one program you must see before making any final decision because the programs offered met most the featured mentioned in this article. Without further delay, hop over to http://chineseonline.sg/ for more information.

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How To Learn Or How To Use The Spanish Verb Tener

This lesson covers the topic of how to learn or how to use the Spanish verb "Tener." "Tener" is a very useful verb in Spanish, that is used to express many things. As you start to speak Spanish with more ease, you will find yourself using the verb "Tener" a good amount.

Firstly, we use Tener, to express "possession".

"Tengo un auto azul." (I have a blue car.)
"?Tienes casa?" (Do you have a house?)
"Marcela tiene un gato como mascota". (Marcela has a cat as a pet.)

Also, we can use "Tener" to speak about relationships: "Tengo muchos amigos" (I have a lot of friends), "Tiene 5 hermanos varones" (She has 5 brothers), "?Tienes novia?" (Do you have a girlfriend?).

Another important use of "Tener" is when we speak about how old we are.

"?Cuantos anos tienes?" (How old are you?)
Tengo 23 anos. (I'm 23 years old.)

We also have a lot of expressions that use Tener.

Tener Miedo (To have fear/to be afraid/scared)
"Tengo miedo cuando miro peliculas de terror." (I am scared when I watch horror movies.)

Tener Hambre (To be hungry)
"Cuando regreso del trabajo siempre tengo hambre." (Coming home from work I am always hungry.)

Tener Sed (To be thirsty)
"Tenia sed, y por eso fui a buscar un vaso de agua." (I was thirsty, so I went to get a glass of water.)

Tener Razon (To be right)
Tengo razon cuando digo que los tigres no son animales domesticos" (I am right when I say that tigers are not pets.)

Tener Suerte (To be lucky)
"Anoche Gabe gano U$ 2.000 en el casino. Tuvo mucha suerte." (Last night Gabe won $ 2,000 in the casino. He was very lucky.)

Tener Sueno (To be sleepy)
"Siempre tengo sueno despues de almorzar." (I am always sleepy after lunch.)

Tener frio (To be cold)
"He tenido frio toda esta manana, creo que es hora de prender la calefaccion." (I have been cold all morning, I think it's time to turn up the heat.)

Tener Calor (To be hot)
"Si tienes calor, deberias darte una ducha" (If you are hot you should take a shower.)

Tener Cuidado (To be careful)
"Si anduviera por esa zona, sola y por la noche, tendria cuidado" (If you were walking through this area, alone and at night, you would be careful.)

Tener que + Infinitive (To have to....)
"No pude salir porque tuve que trabajar hasta tarde." (I couldn't go out because I had to work until late.)

Tener ganas de + Infinitive (To feel like...)
"Ariel y yo tenemos ganas de ir al cine esta noche, pero no se si habra entradas todavia." (Ariel and I feel like to go to the movies tonight, but I do not know if there are still tickets.)

Tener Tos
"Tengo mucha tos, deberia abrigarme mas." (I have a bad cough, I should cover myself up more.)

Tener gripe (To have a flu)
"No me siento bien, creo que tengo gripe." (I do not feel well, I think I have the flu.)

Tener dolor de + a part of the body (Hurts)
"Doctor, tengo dolor de espalda." (Doctor, my back hurts.)

Tener verguenza (To be ashamed)
"Ricardo no quiso participar del congreso, tuvo verguenza de hablar en publico" (Ricardo did not want to participate in the confrence, he was ashamed to speak in public.)

Tener comezon (To have an itch)
"Voy a ir a la farmacia, necesito una crema que me alivie porque tengo comezon en mi espalda". (I'm going to the pharmacy; I need a cream that will help me because I have an itch on my back.)

Tener is one of many verbs that I recommend that you practice with your Verbarrator software for learning Spanish verbs.

Anna Rivera is a native Spanish speaker from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is also a Spanish instructor and the author of 2 learning Spanish books. If you would like to get FREE instant download access to the MP3 audio and PDF transcripts to her Spanish lessons absolutely free AND read her reviews of the most popular learning-Spanish products, then visit her web site now in order to: learn Spanish online That's http://LearningSpanishProductsReviews.com/

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How To Prepare Yourself To Learn Another Language

So you want to learn another language but you are not sure if you are capable of doing it? Relax, it is not rocket science when it comes to learning a second language. If millions of people can do it, so can you.

What do you gain out of learning a language? You will surely be increasing your intellect because you will be understanding more concepts from different countries or perspectives. You will also have a wider understanding of world issues and views because now you can understand what other people are saying. And in a less serious note, you will feel a lot better knowing you are capable of pulling it off.

And so if you are serious to learn another language, here are a few of the things that you need to understand or prepare yourself with.

Just relax and take it easy. You might even say that you should have much fun out of it because if you are not having fun then everything will surely be harder for you to understand and achieve. Learning a new language is without a doubt not an easy task that is why you should make it as light as possible, at least with how you feel towards it so that it will not feel too tasking on your mind.

Build up your vocabulary. Every language is composed of words and for you to understand the whole language you need to understand each word. Not just the meaning but also how they are used within a sentence. So on the onset of your training you should buy a dictionary. But not just any dictionary, try your best to look for the authority in dictionaries in that language, something like the Merriam-Webster of that language. This is so you know exactly from the start the real and full meaning of the words that you encounter.

You should also make it a habit to listen and read every single day on all the materials that you can get your hands on in that language. For example, if you want to learn Japanese then you should watch Japanese TV shows that are not translated in English. This way you will be familiarizing yourself with how the language sounds, how it is used, and also how every word is spoken or delivered. You should focus particularly with news sites because the anchors there are trained to speak the language as clearly and as perfectly as possible.

And probably the most important thing of all is this: spend the time to learn it. You should allot an hour or two each day just to learning that new language. If you are serious about it then you should spend more hours into it to help speed your learning process. Spend an hour writing in that language, spend an hour listening to that language, and spend an hour speaking it. That is a total of three hours, but for the serious individuals, three hours may not even be enough. It really depends on you.

So there you have it. These are just some of the things that you should be doing if you want to learn another language. It is not easy and you will have to spend considerable time and effort, however in the end it will be all worth it.

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How To Learn The Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish

Today we will turn our attention to how to learn the perfect subjunctive in Spanish. The perfect subjunctive is a tense that is used to speak about situations in the past, but with a point of view in the present. This is another topic of Spanish that students of the language often find very challenging. If you understand the Present Subjunctive, learning how to conjugate the Perfect Subjunctive will be a piece of cake. We could say that we use the Perfect Subjunctive with the same rules as the Present Subjunctive, with the principal verb in present, but with the situation being in the past.

The conjugation for Present Subjunctive is as follows: "Haber" + Past Participle

Yo Haya
Tu Hayas
Usted/El/Ella Haya + CantADO/ComIDO/BebIDO
Nosotros-as Hayamos
Ustedes/Ellos-as Hayan

For example, we can use it with wishes. Imagine that last week was the wedding of one of your best friends and you couldn't go. You are speaking with your roommate today and you say: "Ojala que haya tenido una Buena fiesta" (I hope he had a good party.), "Espero que haya recibido muchos regalos"( I hope he received many gifts.)

We can use this tense with doubts and probabilities: "Probablemente haya habido mucha comida en la fiesta" (There was probably a lot of food at the party.), "Puede ser que Jose se haya emborrachado en la fiesta"(Joseph may have been drunk at the party).

We can use it with opinions in negative: "No creo que hayan preparado un video para pasar en la fiesta" (I don't think they have prepared a video to show the party), "No pienso que Martin se haya afeitado para la boda, el es muy informal" (I don't think that Martin shaved for the wedding, he is very informal.).

We can express emotions too (remember: you need 2 subjects in the idea): "Me encanta que Marcelo se haya casado con Mariana" (I love that Marcelo got married to Mariana.), "Me molesta que no me haya dicho que le gustaria como regalo" (It bothers me that he did not say what he would like as a gift.).

And finally you can use it with impersonal opinions: "Es increible que hayan pasado 10 anos desde que se conocieron" (It's amazing that 10 years have passed since they met.), "Es bueno que hayan decidido ir a Grecia de Luna de Miel" (It is good that they decided to go to Greece for their Honeymoon.)

I recommend that you practice the topic of the perfect subjunctive using your Verbarrator (Spanish Verb Conjugation software) until you know this topic as well you know or should know the present perfect subjunctive. If you do not already own a copy of the Verbarrator software, you can download a free demo from the Verbarrator site.

Although the Perfect Subjunctive can be tricky, if you practice it enough, you will get the hang of it! Good luck or "buena suerte."

Anna Rivera is a native Spanish speaker from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is also a Spanish instructor and the author of 2 learning Spanish books. If you would like to get FREE instant download access to the MP3 audio and PDF transcripts to her Spanish lessons absolutely free AND read her reviews of the most popular learning-Spanish products, then visit her web site now in order to: learn Spanish online That's http://LearningSpanishProductsReviews.com/

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What Is the Best Way to Learn a Second Language?

What is the best way to learn a second language? This subject can have many opinions and views, mine are as follow:

Learning a second language can be very frustrating but yet extremely rewarding... as of my personal experience to learn a second language; I started first by nailing the alphabet down, and then moved to learn some vocabulary (meanings). It takes a little while to memorize and a lot of patience. I guess it depends on the learner and how fast can they absorb the information. I had students that learned how to speak, read and write a second language in matter of few weeks...others took longer. The methods of teaching a second language play a big role in making student's comprehension more effective.

There are some language programs and CD's out there can be very helpful, however, learning a second language of a live tutor is very important because it gives students the opportunity to ask about anything they desire on the spot, something videos and CD's cannot provide.

Here are a few tips to consider along the way of your language leaning journey.

‧ Choosing your language teacher is essential; make sure they can "speak" English clearly and comfortably so you don't feel nervous around them.
‧ Write down every note you can get in YOUR language so you know what you wrote without forgetting.
‧ Ask about anything you like don't let anything go without understanding it.
‧ Use the few words and sentences you learned in a conversation and let the natives correct you as this is one of the best methods to master a language.
‧ You have to be inquisitive and detailed about the structure of the sentences of the foreign language, the earlier you get the bigger picture the simpler the details become.
‧ Use some helpful software, they are all over the internet, I will be recommending some programs in a later article
‧ Always learn the proper version of the language, not a dialect.
‧ Have an exchange buddy- someone who you can help learn English, Spanish,...ect and in return he help you learn the target language.
‧ Find and download a free dictionary to keep on your desktop, and research the verity usage of the words in the language structure.
‧ Make a plan and goals to what you want to accomplish first, this was my plan; ALPHABET> MEANINGS +PRONOUNCIATIONS> SIMPLE CONVERSATIONS> DIGGING DEEPER.

I hope you benefit from these tips and I wish you good luck with everything.

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Learn Chinese Using Online Curriculum Courses

Almost all Mandarin students will investigate the net for opportunities to practice their Chinese. Premium online courses now deliver high quality material for study and many students will supplement their Chinese learning by purchasing a product.

To learn Chinese Online can be effective - but cutting through the hype to find the right product is time consuming. Without a proper understanding of language methodology and/or technology many people become confused and either give up on their search or end up purchasing an 'ill fitting' course. This is a pity as there are a couple of excellent courses that would really benefit students learning Chinese as a foreign language.

Online Curriculum Courses - the Best Solution for Beginners.

Online self-learning curriculums have a long history stretching back to the audio-lingual courses for gramophones. Over time some products dropped out but the better companies kept moving with the times and eventually transferred and developed their product to utilise the internet. New products also entered the market.

Online curriculum courses are basically automated learning solutions. Once you start you will find that the learning journey is already mapped out before you. All you are required to do is follow and complete the course.

The journey which you take has been designed to give you maximum benefit and exposes you to targeted language learning techniques. A good curriculum designer knows that learning a language is not just about learning a word or phrase; rather it is learning how to learn - the techniques and strategies that bring results. By finishing a course you will have picked up enough to begin formulating your own study plans.

Learning Chinese Online has its Problems.

Self-learning courses do have negatives. The biggest killer for studying online is distraction - it is so easy to end up browsing endlessly rather than buckling down to the task at hand.

What is important is to focus and believe in the process that the curriculum is exposing you to - as ceasing to use it will take you back to square one.

It is also important to realise that any language learning requires the will to self-learn - this is particularly so when learning Chinese online.

Breaking the Pain Barrier.

Any type of learning that is of value is going to be painful at times and only those who can take the pain will eventually reap their rewards. Curriculum courses are designed to give your learning some structure and to make the process as economical as possible. But not all courses will give you support.

The Important Features of an online Chinese Learning Course.

If you are new to learning Chinese you will find many offerings on the net. Take care when a product says you can learn Chinese in 5 minutes or some other catch phrase - rather look at the features and resources they provide.

The key elements to an online Chinese language course are structured recordings of the language so that you can listen, practice and develop. Also look for courses that offer motivational resources and support.

Quentin Sallis is an expert in Language Education and Language Curriculum Design. For an analysis of a Beginners Chinese Course please feel free to read his Rocket Chinese Review. For other tips and strategies for improving your Chinese check out http://www.checkoutchinese.com/

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Chinese: The Trickiest Language To Learn And Its Effects On The Challenges Of Chinese Translation

To begin with there really isn't any one single Chinese language. There are a number of languages that are home to China which are completely different from each other. While two languages like Ukrainian and Chinese, or Spanish and Italian, hold a number of similarities and are largely intelligible to each other, this doesn't hold true when it comes to the various languages that were born within China. However in general when people speak about the Chinese language they are speaking about Mandarin Chinese, so let's focus on that one. Mandarin Chinese translation is difficult enough as is without considering all the other potentially relevant languages.

One of the biggest difficulties when it comes to the Chinese language and its complexity is the fact that there is a significant amount of tension between the language as it is spoken compared to the language as it is written. A big reason for this is the fact that the Chinese spoken language has changed significantly and continues to evolve and grow and adapt, taking on new characteristics and losing others as time goes on, while the written Chinese language has not changed to quite the same degree. To oversimplify the issue even further for the sake of brevity, over the lifespan of the Chinese language its spoken component has changed more rapidly and more significantly than its written component.

The written language of Chinese also plays such a significantly difficult role in Chinese translation due to its most apparent characteristics- written Chinese is still heavily indebted to and in entrenched within the nation's earliest hieroglyphics. While many other world languages have adopted a more pared down alphabet revolving around the combination of letters, the Chinese system of writing still revolves at least partially around a system of somewhat abstracted pictographs. This statement once again oversimplifies the point as there is a system of phonics within the written Chinese language, but overall the difference between written English and written Chinese is SIGNIFICANTLY different than written English and written Spanish, or even written English and a language that utilizes a different alphabet such as written Russian.

All of this is to say nothing about the many other significant differences between the languages, such as the importance of tonality as it ascribes to meaning within the different languages, the differences of grammar, etc.

Overall due to the difficulty of the Chinese language it is far better to simply hire on a professional to perform Chinese to English translation for you than it is to attempt to learn and understand the language within a very short period of time. Learning the Chinese language to the degree where you'll be able to produce a clear and accurate translation requires a truly significant amount of time, and unless you choose to learn the language for your own purposes it's almost always better to stick with a qualified and trained Chinese translator from a translation agency.

Charlene Lacandazo is a marketing executive for Rosetta Translation, a leading full-service translation agency in London, UK.

Rosetta Translation specialises in Chinese translation worldwide.

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Learn Spanish Abroad: Latin American Literature Part I

When you learn Spanish abroad, you will find that you learn more than just a new language. When you study Spanish in Peru, Argentina or Chile, you will also find that you learn a great deal about the culture and history of these regions. One way to do accomplish this is through exploring the rich tradition of literature in these countries.

The importance of literature in Latin America can be traced back to the Pre-Columbian days. While literature at this time was primarily passed orally down from generation to generation, there was a strong tradition that was quite important to civilization. Luckily, some of the oral narrative has been preserved to this day. Typically, this very early literature deals with mythology and religion.

If you are interested in the early history of Latin America, it is also useful to look at literature produced during the colonial period. Much of this text that was written deals with the experiences of the conquistadores and explorers. A few examples are Bernal Diaz del Castillo's account of the conquest of Mexico and Bartoleme de las Casas's Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies. This literature provides the reader with some unique insights into this time period and also issues that surfaced due to colonization.

Of course, it is extremely valuable to read the literature written from the native's accounts as well. If you study Spanish in Peru, you will find that there are some fascinating Peruvian writers in particular. It is useful to read authors include El Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Guaman Poma.

El Inca Garcilaso de la Vega was a historian who is often read due to his tremendous contributions to the understanding of the society of the Incans in the 1500's. In fact, this writer is so important to Peruvian culture that the main stadium in Cusco was named after him in the 1950's.

Guaman Poma was an indigenous Peruvian who wrote about how he was unsatisfied with the way the people of the Andes were treated after the Spanish conquest. He wrote the illustrated chronicle Nueva Coronica y Buen. Due to the fact that Poma used Quecha words in this document, it helped scholars later on to learn more about this language. This 1189 page document described various injustices the people faced. It is interesting to note that while the book was addressed to the King of Spain, the King never actually received this document.

When you learn Spanish abroad, you have the benefit of gaining insights into a culture that has a fascinating history. Anyone with an interest in ancient times will find reading this early literature to be an exciting experience. Even if you already know a great deal about Latin American civilization, you will find that your knowledge is heightened even further when you have an experience to read the early literature of the region.

When you attend one of Latin Immersion's Spanish language schools you will have many chances to look into the region's impressive literature. Through the organization you can study Spanish in Argentina, Chile, and Peru.

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Learn English Online - What You Can Expect to Learn

When you learn anything on an online class there is always a part of yourself wondering what you are going to get out of it. With an online language class there is so much information given to you that it can be hard to gauge how much you are learning. If you learn English online here are some of the things you can expect to be taught by a course. English is a difficult language to learn because there are so many rules and exceptions. In a reputable online English language course you will learn vocabulary, pronunciations, guidelines, and total comprehension of what you are being taught.

Vocabulary is the main focus of any language course. This is because the more words you know the more you can say, write, and comprehend. Vocabulary can be confusing because several words are very similar to others. There are also several words that can mean almost the same thing. As you acquire more vocabulary you can begin to have much more confidence with speaking with other English people. There are several techniques that an online course could offer for teaching vocabulary. Do not trust an offer to learn English online that says it does not require repetition and study, because vocabulary requires it.

Pronunciations will make a huge difference in whether or not you can pass as a viable English speaker. If you pronounce a word incorrectly it can still sound like you are speaking a foreign language. The easiest way to learn proper pronunciations is to listen to a native speaker. There is often a difference with dialects depending on where the person you are speaking to grew up. Pronouncing words like you hear them from a native English speaker will help you to blend into the culture and society of and English speaking country. If you learn English online you are not always taught this so look for a program that does teach it.

Guidelines and comprehension should also be taught in any course that teaches a language. When you learn English online you should be taught the rules and given and understanding so that you can speak English on your own. Comprehending what others are saying is a huge percentage of communicating. The number one tip is to always try to say something that way they know you are trying. Learning in an online course you should always find these basic components. If feedback is your primary concern try learning English through a video chat based system with a person raised and living in an English speaking country.

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3 Reasons to Learn French

French is one of the Romance languages from the Indo-European language family. It is closely associated with Spanish and Italian. About 110 million native speakers are found in France as well as parts of Switzerland, Belgium, Canada and Monaco. In other parts of the world, around 190 million people use French as a second language. Additionally, an estimated 200 million people study French as a foreign language. In fact, it ranks as the second most studied foreign language, second only to English.

There are many reasons why French is learnt. Some say that it is the most beautiful language they know. This may be more because of the rich culture of France than the language itself. The following are three reasons why you should learn French.

1. French is a widely used language all over the world.

Aside from France, French is an official language in Canada, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Rwanda, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Mauritius, and Seychelles among many others. Moreover, it is one of the official working languages in the United Nations, NATO, UNESCO, European Community, International Red Cross and other international organizations and entities.

All these mean that career and business opportunities are better when you know how to speak French. You will be more globally competitive if you know at least two languages. In international job listings, for instance, many positions require the ability to speak French. In addition, numerous French companies have offices in the U.S. Canada, also a French speaking country, has good trading relations with the U.S. Knowing how to speak the language puts you in an advantageous position.

2. Travel to France will be more fun when you know French.

France is one of the favorite tourist destinations in the entire world. Its castles, beaches, museums (think Louvre!), architecture, awesome landscapes, popular cuisine, wine, shopping and a whole lot more, are more than enough to keep tourists and vacationers of all ages entertained and occupied.

However, knowing how to speak French makes a lot of difference in the way you experience the country. The French people are not really the friendliest or the most helpful or the most tolerant bunch on earth. There are few French who can speak English fluently, so speaking English will not be of great help when you are in France. The French are also very critical of non-French speaking visitors. They do not take kindly to language mistakes by foreigners. So if you speak French and have a little understanding of their culture, French people will treat you more kindly and with more respect. You can avoid being treated rudely during your travel.

3. Knowing French allows you to appreciate French art, literature, cinema, music and dance.

French is the language of culture. Knowing how to speak French will help you understand the numerous great art, literature and music pieces.

French is not the easiest language to learn, which may be what makes it so appealing. When you have learnt French, you will have a sense of great accomplishment; you will have more confidence in the pursuit of your career; and can maintain poise when conversing with French-speaking persons.

Daniel C Howard is a language teacher living in Asia. He has over a decade of experience teaching all ages a variety of subjects. For free info and lessons on French, please visit his blog here.

You can also sign up for a newsletter full of free language tips from Daniel's many hours in a class. And as a bonus, stay updated on all the new information on http://www.learnfantasticfrench.com/.

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Learn Spanish In Spain, The Fastest Way To Learn Spanish

A new language can open new doors and send your life in a completely new path. The quickest way to learn is to have the need to learn. If you need to learn then you will learn much quicker. Necessity is the mother of invention after all. You will learn Spanish much quicker if you learn Spanish in Spain.

Spanish is the one of the widest spoken languages in the world. It is spoken in countries spread across the planet and is understood by over 50% of the world's population.

Living in Spain

The easiest way to learn a language is to live in the country that speaks it. The Spanish people are friendly and welcoming and Spain is a lovely country to live in. Why not join the thousands of ex-pats already living in Spain. The country has a laid back attitude, low cost of living and some of the most beautiful shore lines in the world.

Reading on the internet is one thing but living in the country is something completely different. Everything is different. Buying property, using the facilities and the language barrier are some of the things that you will need to think about and things that you will need to contend with.

The majority of ex-pats live in around the costas, mainly because they have probably visited the areas on vacation. But some of the inland areas of Spain are every bit as stunning as the shore resorts.

Learning Spanish

So you have made the decision to learn the language, but where do you start? Your ideal will be to be residing in Spain and learning from the locals. This is probably the route to fluent Spanish but you will need to be reasonably proficient before you land in sunny Spain. A good guide can help you get by but the best way is on-line, in the comfort of your own home.

The basics

Like anything in life you should start with the basics. Repeating 'hello' and 'goodbye' over and over again may seem like a joyless task, and really it is, but it isn't pointless. It will get you accustomed to the Spanish lingo. A good audio guide can be a great tool or if possible a tutor. Try to keep it fun.

Intermediate

The basics are firmly implanted in your head. It is time to move onto the next stage. Remember you need to keep everything fun and you will learn much faster. You can move onto complete sentences and phrases, a more conversational approach. You are probably ready to move to Spain and start your path to fluent Spanish. You will only really become proficient once you are forced to interact with the locals, order food off them and hang out with them.

Much like the country itself Spanish is a beautiful. It isn't as hard to learn as you imagine and you will find yourself picking it up in no time.

Learning Spanish online is the fastest way. It can be a challenge but with the right help you can get there fast!

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