#8220;Language embodies the intellectual wealth of the people who use it.” – Kenneth Hale Heading off to college this year? Back to high school? Sending your kids on their way to class? We posted last week about adding a foreign … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: August 2012
La Défense: a Central European Business District in the Heart of Paris
Set at the westernmost extremity of the famous Axe historique (Historical Axis), which comprises the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, La Défense positions itself as the largest and foremost European business district. The name comes from the … Continue reading
Practice German by Explaining What Words Mean
Do you know when you have really mastered a language? When you are able to define simply things in the language you are learning. You do not have to provide a super smart definition a la Wikipedia or any other … Continue reading
Louis XIV and his Legacy in France
A central figure in the history of France, with a personality of such magnitude as to outshine other sovereigns, Louis XIV pushed royal splendors to unmatched summits. His passion for beauty and the grandiose left a profound and durable mark in … Continue reading
Summer Escape in Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan
If television and magazine ads are any indication, beaches are a popular summer destinations for vacationing Americans. Not so in Japan. One of the most sought-after summer destinations is Karuizawa, a high plains area located in Nagano Prefecture. By way … Continue reading
Back to School Basics: Why You Should Enroll in a Foreign Language Course
#8220;The sum of human wisdom is not contained in any one language.” – Ezra Pound The swimming pools are being drained and weather is starting to cool down. That means one thing to most of those under the age of … Continue reading
Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows — in German
Have you ever heard George Clooney, Brad Pitt or Julia Roberts speaking German? Many American TV shows and movies are aired on German TV stations and in movie theaters, the content, of course dubbed in German. Here is a peek at the Ocean’s Twelve German trailer: … Continue reading
Kat Learns Chinese: Perfecting Pronunciation
Living Language Note: Over the next few months, our new friend Kathleen, aka Kat, will be taking a journey with us. She’ll be learning the challenging yet rewarding language of Chinese – and she’ll be blogging about it along the … Continue reading
Pack Your Bags for Your End of the Summer Vacations!
Où est-ce que vous avez voyagé cet été? ¿Dónde has viajado este verano? Dove sei stato quest’estate? Wohin geht die Reise in diesem Sommer? 你今年夏天去哪里旅行？ – Nǐ jīnnián xiàtiān qù nàlǐ lǚxíng？ この夏、どこへ旅行に行きましたか。 – Kono natsu, doko e ryokoo ni … Continue reading
Glass Roofs in the City of Lights: Passages et Galeries de Paris
Paris is the archetypal city that is best discovered by walking its streets. Umbrellas are always handy however, when the skies announce inclement weather. But besides the grands magasins (grand department stores) like Printemps or Les Galeries Lafayette, one finds … Continue reading