Spanish Tempest over English Instruction

How does the English language get mixed up in a citizenship class polémica in Spain?

When Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero initiated Educación para la Ciudadanía (EpC) in 2007 based on a Council of Europe measure, opposition was almost immediate. The Catholic Church saw its philosophical classes thrown out in place of more secular citizenship classes.

Conservative forces led by the Church quickly reacted. In Valencia, a novel approach in teaching these Spanish citizenship classes in English sparked a wider political protest between Madrid and the provinces.

Since most philosophy teachers could not teach the subject in English, an interpreter would attend the class. English teachers refused to enter the classroom.

Teaching Spanish citizenship in English became the way the Popular Party-led (opposition) Valencia government built resentment among the people (see Flikr photos). It worked.

Students began the protests which were soon joined in the streets. The political firestorm reaches a crescendo today when the Spanish Supreme Court is set to rule on parental objections to the entire project.

***
If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

English, please!

In scanning the world headlines for English news, two items intrigued us.

First, in the gathering of the world elite at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Le Figaro reports about the curious incident in the press center involving Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, "Panique en salle de presse."

Jiabao began his statement regarding the state of the Chinese economy, but only the German translation was available for the gathered group of journalists. No one knew what was happening until..."moins de dix minutes et quelques maniements de télécommande plus tard, la traduction en anglais fonctionne enfin (emphasis added)." Ten minutes later the translation in English finally worked proving again the indispensability of the language on an international basis.

Second, which language did Japanese public television choose for its 24 hour international channel in order to " acercar la cultura nipona al mundo?" (bring Japanese culture closer to the world). Well, of course, English! NHK World will provide 30 minutes of news in English as well as a mixture of productions in Japanese. Other languages are on tap, but English was chosen first.
***

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

3 More Top Tips for Language Learning

6. Love for languages

If you are intrigued by languages, you will obviously be interested in investigating all areas of English that you don’t understand. Ask your professor about language issues you encounter while reading or writing the language. Or during your class, if a thought strikes you, let your professor know. This inquisitiveness will push you to learn more.

7. Ability to remember things

It’s obvious that you need to remember a lot of things to learn a language. If you are adept in finding methods to remember vocabulary, grammar, conjugations, etc, you’re going to progress more rapidly than others who get stuck in the beginning stages, always returning to look up words that they have seen many times.

My advice is to use any method you like to remember words- mnemonics, flash cards, rote memory, carrying around a notebook, repetition- the point is to remember the word long enough to use it a few times a day in conversation for a few days, after which the word will be “yours”. You will no longer depend on the crutch to artificially remember the word, you mind will simply know what it means.

8. Make your English learning goal part of your daily life

Languages are not learned overnight. I think I’ve saved the most important advice for last.

It’s very simple, yet at times hard to do.

Make your English learning part of your daily life. When you cook breakfast, think of the items in English, not your native tongue. Increase your vocabulary by taking all the objects you use in your daily life and learn how to say them in English - write the English word on the item or write it down in a notebook that you carry with you at all times, and practice that vocabulary.

Practice your pronunciation by practicing the sounds of Spanish all day long. Listen to music in English and try to understand it. Follow along with the lyrics easily found online and look up the words you don’t know. If you really saturate yourself in your target language, it’ll start seeping into you and you will have more success in learning.

Now go do it.Learn and explore English! If you need an English coach, Professor Winn is available!

***

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Top 5 Tips For Language Learning

These tips can be applied to learning almost any language.

1. Internal or external motivation

To begin with, there are different types of motivation. If you are externally motivated- your boss is forcing you to learn, you have to do it because it’s a requirement to graduate- that is what I call outer, external or imposed motivation.

The other type of motivation is internal or inner motivation. This is the case where you simply have a desire to learn the language. You like the culture of an English-speaking country, you like language/languages in general, and so on. Internal motivation is much more useful in terms of moving your toward fluency in your target language.

2. Truthfulness in motivation

I have noticed endless English students who happily proclaim that they are very motivated to learn the language. I talk to them about internal and external motivation, and they point to internal motivating factors as being their primary reason to learn English. After some more extensive conversation with them, it turns out that they are highly motivated to know English, but they aren’t very interested in learning English. What is the difference between wanting to know Spanish and wanting to learn Spanish?

Simple.

Wanting to know English skips all the hard work that is required to meet that goal- learning English implies a learning process that will be work.

When evaluating your motivation, you need to be very honest with yourself. Really examine what you really want. Do you want to be able to speak English or do you want to pass through the English learning process. These are two very different concepts. You must decide.

3. Interest in grammar

Many linguists prefer a grammar-less approach to language learning (language acquisition), but grammar can give you a shortcut to a language in some cases. If grammar does not scare you, if it’s something you’re interested in of its own right, then directly studying the target language’s grammar can be helpful. In many cases grammar can (unconsciously) raise a barrier to language learning, since its a topic that’s not widely appreciated or studied. Of course learning a language is more than grammar. As we translators know, language is also culture - food, music, habits, beliefs, etc. Grammar is a good base to explore the entire language. However, learning grammar can be made fun to ease the pain!

4. Attention to detail

Attention to detail can be quite helpful too. There are many aspects of a language (grammar, pronunciation, usage, vocabulary) that elude the learner, because they are not meaningful parts of the learner’s native tongue. If you have a special attention to detail, you will begin to pick up on some of these things. At first the language may appear a dense forest. As you explore deeper into the forest, a bigger picture emerges and one begins to "connect the dots" between grammar, speaking, writing and listening to the language.

5. Interest in the culture of the target language

An interest in other cultural fields related toEnglish can help you to continue learning the language to help you better understand the cultural interest you have in the people or country. This is a good example of using language for meaningful communication, something that will mature your understanding of the language. Visit an English-speaking country. Read news in English about these countries. Language is culture as we mentioned above.

Now go do it. Explore, learn, and enjoy English!

***
If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Minding Your Schwa

Schwa is the name for the most common sound in English. The phonemic symbol for this sound is <ə>.

It is a weak, unstressed sound and it occurs in many words. It is often the sound in grammar words such as articles and prepositions.

One must remember that English is a stress-timed language meaning stresses occur at regular intervals.

Getting the schwa sound correct is a good way of making your pronunciation more accurate and natural.

English is not spoken as students think, with every vowel being given its full sound, and after an initial introduction to the schwa they start to look for it themselves in other words and sentences.
***
Do you need coaching in English pronunciation?

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

English-speaking Universities Gain Students

Glyn Davis, Vice Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, writes in the UK's Independent that English-speaking countries had 45 per cent of the international student market in 2006.

English remains the world's lingua franca and continues to strengthen its importance in the daily routine for many worldwide.

The UK colonial legacy and US dominance in the global economy and popular culture spread English worldwide and made the English language a necessary skill for modern workers.

Despite rising economic power in Asia, no Asian language is emerging to eclipse English as the world's second language. Indeed, Asian elites and those seeking to participate in the global economy are matriculating in universities in English-speaking countries.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Increase Your Vocabulary, Feed the Hungry

Yes, you heard right!

Listed as one of Time magazine's best websites for 2008, Free Rice tests your vocabulary.

Each correct answer wins a donation of 10 grains of rice to the U.N. World Food Programme.

Five correct answers equals 50 grains of rice.

Beware, the game is addictive!

If you need to increase your English vocabulary, hire Professor Winn to coach you as part of his English-Language Services.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Find Your Voice Speaking English

A great post by Morf Morford on his ESL Lesson Plan blog provides great links to websites for help in find your voice while speaking English.

From President Obama to Winston Churchill, Mr. Morford advises one to study their cadence, pacing, and phrases. And above all, practice makes perfect as the saying goes!

I would add watching for word choice and noticing the length of the statements by these speakers.

Whatever your mother tongue, the way you speak English will probably follow a different rythym.

Another excellent way to practice your English is with a native speaker.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Synonyms are Synonymous with...

Synonyms are different words with identical or very similar meanings. They can be any part of speech whether nouns, adjectives, adverbs or prepositions.

For example, heap and pile are synonyms. Purists say no two words can have the exact same meaning. For general purposes, who can tell the difference for example between a car and auto? To a point, synonyms are usually nuanced variation with slightly different meaning depending on the context.

Synonyms are used to spice up text and can increase your vocabulary. Who wants to use the same word over and over again? When you learn a new vocabulary word, find synonyms to expand your knowledge.

The English language is rich in synonyms. A thesaurus is very helpful to seek out another word with a similar meaning.


If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Top 6 Vocab Tips

Tips for Improving Your Vocabulary

Tip #1: Read, Read, Read! Most vocabulary words are learned from context. The more words you're exposed to, the better vocabulary you will have. If you still do not recognize the word, write it down and look it up later in the dictionary (see Tip #5).

Research shows that the vast majority of words are learned from context. To improve your context skills pay close attention to how words are used.

Tip #2: Practice, practice, practice. Learning a word won't help very much if you promptly forget it. Research shows that it takes from 10 to 20 repetitions to really make a word part of your vocabulary. It helps to write the word - both the definition and a sentence you make up using the word - perhaps on an index card that can later be reviewed. As soon as you learn a new word, start using it.

Tip #3: Make up as many associations and connections as possible. Say the word aloud to activate your auditory memory. Relate the word to words you already know.

Tip #4: Use mnemonics ( memory tricks). For example, consider the word EGREGIOUS (extremely bad). Think EGG REACH US - imagine we've made a mistake so bad that they are throwing eggs at us and a rotten EGG REACHes US. Such funny little word pictures will help you remember what words mean, AND they are fun to make up. Also, find out which learning style suits you best. Everyone learns differently!

Tip #5: Get in the habit of looking up words you don't know. If you have a dictionary program on your computer, like Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary with CD-ROM Keep it open and handy. Or compile a word list and plow through the dictionary for definitions. You may find more words you like as well!

That idea leads up to our Tip #6: Be a word lover! - A good vocabulary learner loves words and is fascinated by their construction, word origin, and usage.

You can always call upon an English coach to improve your vocabulary, too!

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Nashville 'Nay' on English-only

By 10,000 votes, Nashville, the capital of the US state of Tennessee, defeated a measure pushed by its Metro Councilman Eric Crafton to mandate English-only proceedings in city government with exceptions voted by the Council.

Crafton had argued the measure would have saved the city more than $100,000 in translation costs.

Though there is no official language in the United States, 30 states among them Tennessee declare English the official language.

If the measure had passed, Nashville would have been the largest city (600,000 population) among 19 that do have an official English language policy. For that reason alone, Crafton's English-only measure garnered widespread media attention.

Language is culture as translators know. The US is undeniably a multi-cultural society - the proverbial "melting pot" - a country built by immigrants.

Indeed, English-only measures in the US are a subtext of the immigration issues facing the country.

Just as speaking French if you live in France or Spanish if you live in Latin America is plain practical to survive and prosper, so is English in the United States.

Declaring it the official government policy is another matter.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Nashville, TN Goes English-only?

Voters in the capital of Tennessee, Nashville, decide today whether the metro government goes English-only in a special election.

This amendment provides that: (credit: Vanderbilt University)

• English is the official language the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee.
• Official actions which bind or commit the government are required to be taken only in the English language.
• All official government communications and publications are required to be made only in English.
• No person shall have a right to government services in any other language.
• All meetings of the Metro Council, Boards, and Commissions of the Metropolitan Government are required to be conducted only in English.
• The Metro Council may make specific exceptions to protect public health and safety.
• Nothing in the amendment shall be interpreted to conflict with federal or state law.

There is no official language in the United States.

The local newspaper, Tennessean, frets the measure is discriminatory and runs afoul of civil rights laws. The editorial urges defeat of the English-only proposition and reports the world is watching the vote carefully.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Sipping English Exam Soup II

In our previous post, we covered the primary exams for entry into a US university.

An entire testing industry is also devoted to British English and entry into university in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada.

The University of Cambridge administers the testing alphabet soup via its ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) department.

The British are more organized in spreading their brand of English with a British Council office is almost every country. American English on the other hand is diffused on a wide basis through popular culture - music and film without a strategic plan to advance the use of American English.

British English Exams

There are principal British English tests served up in our alphabet soup of exams today each leading to a higher level of English language proficiency.

1. KET (Key English Test) - The KET tests on a basic English language level. It's a starter exam to prove competencies in four main disciplines of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. According to its official handbook, "a language user at this level needs to be able to read simple
texts, many of which are of the kind needed for survival in day-to-day life or while travelling in a foreign country."

On the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), a scale of language abilities, the KET encompasses levels A1 and A2. The target age group is 12 to 16 year olds (mostly female), but some adults take the exam as well. The KET prepares one for the PET.

2. PET (Preliminary English Test) - The PET tests on an intermediary English language. "PET reflects the use of language in real life, such as understanding signs and announcements, and is accepted by many employers as proof of ability to use English in clerical, secretarial or managerial jobs."

3. FCE (First Certificate Exam) - The FCE tests on an upper-intermediary English language level. Mastery of the FCE demonstrates core competencies to function in work or study.

4. IELTS (International English Language Testing Sytem) is the granddaddy of the British English exams. Its official website boasts about a half of million candidates take the test every year, far less than the TOEFL. The nearly 3 hour exam is scored from 0-9 - a 9 indicates an "expert user." Many universities require a 7-8 for entry. The IELTS is required by universities using the British brand of English.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Time to invest in your English!

When the economy is down, it's time to kick up your investment in yourself to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to survive.

There has been no better time to learn English than now. Written and oral communication in English is a necessary skill for anyone seeking to distinguish themselves in the job hunt or prepare for a better job.

Communication skills are one of the highest rated qualities employers look for when hiring or promoting staff. In addition, having a good standard of English makes your working life more pleasurable. Of course, social functions are so much better as well!

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect!

Start investing today in yourself and rapidly improve your English skills by hiring your personal English-language coach. Perfect your accent and get an English-language resume!

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Sipping English Exam Soup I

An alphabet soup of exams to test your English proficiency exists. We explain the acronyms and the gist of each test to dispel any confusion.

In this post, we will discuss those exams geared more for attending a US university in particular or US English in general. In our second post we will cover the exams with a focus on British English.

TOEFL: (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) - The TOEFL exam is the granddaddy of all the US-based English exams. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) declares boldy on its website that the TOEFL is "most widely accepted English-language test in the world."

There are two TOEFLs: paper-based (PBT) and Internet-based (iBT). The TOEFL PBT tests reading, listening and writing skills in English, but you will need the TSE® (Test of Spoken English™) for your speaking ability. The iBT has the two advantages: 1) it covers all four disciplines incuding speaking English in one sitting and 2) given it is taken on the Internet, wherever in the world you are with a Net connection you can take the exam. By visiting their site, you can download an e-book with test tips and even take a practice exam.

TOEIC -(Test of English for International Communication^TM) - The sister of TOEFL, may be less known, but 4.5 million annually take the exam measuring your business skills in English. We have previously discussed the importance of Business English in the global economy (1,2). Speaking, writing, reading and listening to English are tested.

MELAB - (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) - The renown University of Michigan stirs the bowl of English exam alphabet soup by offering its MELAB to evaluate "advanced-level English language competence of adult nonnative speakers of English." The MELAB also tests the four main components of mastery of the English language in three parts: a composition, a listening test, and a written test containing grammar, cloze, vocabulary, and reading comprehension problems and an optional speaking test. As of November 2008, according to their website, the test has been designed with more questions.

TOEFLGear MELABGear TOEICGear IELTSGear FCEGear KETGear

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs including test prepartion or other English Language Services, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations (Spanish, French, and Portuguese > English) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Animating Business English Learning Pt 2

Traditional staid approaches solely using textbooks, for example, to teaching Business English bore students and do not produce the communicative skills necessary to function in real-life situations.

Therefore, scenario-based Business English training is gaining critical mass. Professor Winn believes the most practical usage of the language serves the student and provides the preparation for the real work world.

There is a growing consensus among language teaching community that, compared to the classical approach of learning emphasizing vocabulary and formal grammar rules better learning outcomes can be achieved by using approaches that enhance opportunities for students to engage with real-life situations and tasks.

Scenario-based learning may be defined as learning that occurs in a context, situation, or social framework. Practical use of the English language is the ultimate aim focusing on the importance of contextualizing learning activity in real life scenarios and contexts.

In scenario-based learning, learners participate in a fictional context-based meaningful
authentic learning environment and collaborate with other participants in completing activities structured into scenarios reproducing real-world situations. Decisions made by the learners affect the outcomes of the scenarios.

The benefits of scenario-based learning and its successful uses in language teaching are well documented. Scenarios are selected to reflect common and/or particularly important situations that are likely to occur in the actual language use.

Scenarios and case studies are a common way to structure business-related knowledge.

Therefore scenario-based learning is particularly suitable for an authentic, immersive learning
environment. In such an environment, linguistic knowledge can be acquired directly as tacit knowledge, without formalizing it as grammar rules or vocabulary lists.


If you are in Buenos Aires and want animated English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Hire an English Coach for Your Project

Sports coaches guide a team to victory on the playing field. English coaches lead you to championships in the business field.

English coaching perfects your oral presentation: advising how to give a speech, instructions/directions, or criticism/praise in the Anglo culture. Developing an awareness of rhythm, pacing, and emphasis is essential to swaying your intended audience and achieve the success you seek.

English coaching also improves intercultural communication skills: enhancing awareness of human differences and similarities in order to move from ethnocentricity to a global outlook. Before your next business trip to the United States or hosting US colleagues from the parent company, hire an English coach to pave the way for a smoother business meeeting.

English coaching, an essential English-language service, can also include advice about any specialized topics as needed.

If you are in Buenos Aires and need English coaching personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com to score the success you deserve.

Anyone interested in translations or other English-language services may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Animating Business English Learning Pt 1

At present, numerous factors can inhibit these learners from attaining high level of proficiency in business English. One of them is due to how business English courses are conducted.

For instance, often English Foreign Language syllabi put excessive emphasis on formal aspects of grammar, while learners are taught at a common pace without taking into account their background or individual needs. Adult learners are often not accustomed to acquiring formal
knowledge, and have different levels of exposure to English in their daily and professional lives, requiring an individualized approach, particularly for weaker students.

This problem is further compounded by the choice of teaching and learning materials. Traditionally, the most common type of teaching material used to teach business English are textbooks. The major problem with using textbook format is that it is non-interactive and lacks stimulation. Apart from textbooks, audiovisual materials which only provide one-way interaction, such as video and audio cassettes, may also be used. Boring!

Teaching materials that lack interactivity in combination with high student to teacher ratios in the classroom often result in learning environment that is not conducive to developing communication skills.

In most cases, these learning materials are imported from overseas, and are targeted at non-native speakers who either work or study in native speaking contexts and almost invariably interact with native speakers.

So, what is an effective alternative? Professor Winn uses scenario-based learning for business English.

Find out more about scenario-based learning in our next post.

For an animated approach to learning English (business, legal, medical, etc), please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 in Buenos Aires or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Yin and Yang of 21st-Century Translation

The fact that English is spreading around the globe seems to clash with the fact that many companies are translating their documents into a greater number and variety of languages. A current trend (especially in the production of software manuals, marketing materials, and web sites) is to localize the translation of a document.

The term localization means modifying a translation to fit a local culture's patterns of language usage. For example, a training manual being shipped to Argentina might be published in a special Argentinian Spanish edition. A localized manual is vernacular: It speaks to the audience in a familiar style, with local idioms.

In contrast, globalization (or "internationalization") refers to editing a document before translating it. This means making the original English text clearer so that it will be easier to translate into a wide variety of languages. Although the original document may seem clear to a native English speaker, it probably contains idioms that cannot be easily translated.

Mr. English 101 specializes in providing English-language services including the localization of your texts for a global market.

If you need translations into English from Spanish, French or Portuguese or other English-language services, please send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Follow me on Twitter!

Get your updates regarding Mr English 101 and learn English using a fascinating "micro-blogging" program (less than 140 characters per post) known as Twitter.

I must admit from the beginning I did not think Twitter had a chance. However, I have followed its growth and now I am in the process of adding it to all my blogs: English in Buenos Aires, Translate This!, Bookworm Outpost, Global Security Monitor, and Eagles, Dragons, and Bears.

Notice the "Tweet Me" link in the right column of this blog. On the my Twitter page click "Follow Me" and get updates about all my blogs.

Check out the "Twitter in Plain English" video guide for more information on using Twitter. Let me know and I'll follow you, too!

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

3 More Tips for Better Spoken English

In our previous post, we offered three tips for better spoken English, the modern lingua franca. Hey, why not three more for our loyal readers? We want you to learn and improve your English!

Tip #4 Correctness

As boring as the subject may be, using the correct tense and grammatical structures is also extremely important in communicating your message accurately and clearly to your listener. If you are uncertain about using a certain structure then stick to the ones you know and are confident about.

Tip #5 Listening

Although this article is focused on English speaking skills, listening is also very important to building effective communication skills in any language. Listening carefully to what the other person is saying is the other half of the conversation! It really does make a difference and will enable you to get your message across effectively when you do actually speak.

Tip #6 Body Language

As strange as it may seem over 80% of all communication is non-verbal. Look at another's facial expressions or how one sits in a chair. Human beings transmit information silently through their body language. Good eye contact and body language are also important to get your message across effectively, and being able to “listen” to the other persons body language is also important. Having good body language will actually help your spoken message get across better.

Improve your English skills today with your own private professor.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

3 Tips for Better Spoken English

The mostly commonly used language in the world today is English, the modern lingua franca. It is used as the language of commerce, entertainment, diplomacy, and for social interaction between multi-national friends in every corner of the globe. The ability to speak clearly in English is an essential skill for good communication.

Tip #1 Accent

Many people think having a “proper British accent” or being able to “speak the Queen’s English” (Received Pronunciation) is important. In fact, there are many different accents from different countries whose populations speak English as their native language. Within each country there are regional accents, such as a Yorkshire accent or a Birmingham accent. All are correct! Of course, some accents are easier to understand for non-native speakers than others.

Tip #2 Pronunciation

Being able to pronounce a word correctly is perhaps the most important of all the skills needed. Understanding new vocabulary whilst reading is one thing but being able to reuse this word in your own speech is another. Although an understand of the International Phonetic Alphabet is useful, the best way to learn correct pronunciation is with a native English tutor who can give instant feedback on your errors.

Tip #3 Confidence and Fluency

Being able to speak fluently and confidently comes with both practice and the knowledge that you are pronouncing words correctly. It also helps to be able to think in English and not to translate what you want to say from your native language. Translating often brings with it numerous grammatical errors.

Improve your accent, pronunciation, confidence and fluency with your personal English professor.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Reaping Richer Vocabulary II

In our previous post, we explored understanding "chunks" of the English language to make reaping a richer vocabulary easier to be able to communicate effectively with native speakers.

In addition, an understanding of how English words are structured will also help your ability to communicate fluently. English has developed over thousands of years and its roots are a combination of words from famous cultures such as Greek and Roman as well as the indigenous people of the current United Kingdom, France and Germany. English is like a vacuum cleaner absorbing the words of other languages.

Many such words are combinations of word stems from these cultures with an added affixes. The most common affixes are prefixes (an additional word [actually a morpheme] that comes before the main stem) or suffixes (which comes after the main stem).

So, for example, if “hyper-” means “very, high and over” then it’s easy to understand what “hyperthermia” means (a very high temperature). So, if “hypo-” means very small then what does hypothermia mean then? Learning Greek prefixes and suffixes is a positive step in mastering the English language.

A good way to learn vocabulary is by reading. Instead of using a dictionary all the time, look at the structure of the unknown words you come across and then ask yourself if it resembles a word that you already know. Nine times out of ten you will be able to make a good guess and get the meaning. Try to understand an unknown word by its context in the sentence.

The next step is to put these vocabulary items into use. One of the best ways is to practice your English conversation with a native English professor.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

6 More Tips to Improve Business English Writing

In our previous post, we dropped 5 top tips to improve your business English writing. We are always striving to help our loyal readers and so conjured up 6 more to help you. Let us know what you think!

6. Avoid using jargon and technical terms. - Again, KISS principle - keep it simple!

7. Don't use clichés such as "Please be advised that" - Write clearly and with purpose - don't obfuscate!

8. Use active verbs instead of the passive voice - Verbs are the engines of any language. Let them shine and accurately express your thoughts in the active voice.

9. Format information in lists and use bullet points. - Break up monotonous text by grouping similar thoughts together in lists.

10. Insert tables and graphs into text rather than writing lengthy descriptions.- A picture is worth a thousand words.

11. Know your target audience. - Who is going to read your writing and why? - Are you writing for executives or front-line managers? Adjust your writing to fit the audience.

Hire your English coach today to assist you in perfecting your written English!

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Reaping Richer Vocabulary I

English is now the language of global commerce and is spoken in every corner of the world. Being able to understand words used commonly by native speakers is essential for good communication.

Luckily for English learners, many vocabulary items come in the form of “chunks” or collections of words. By learning these chunks you will be able to understand native speakers better and also sound more natural in your day to day conversation.

These chunks can be grouped into three main categories:

(1) Collocations – a group of words that are commonly used together, for example: “human rights, presidential elections, and unemployment rate”.

(2) Idioms – phrases that cannot be understood from their literal meaning, for example “It’s raining cats and dogs.” or “It’s a piece of cake.”

(3) Phrasal verbs – these are groups of two or three words (combining a verb with a particle) that can only make sense in a sentence when they are taken as a single entity. Examples are: Drop off, profit from and compensate for.

Tomorrow we will examine key tactics to reap a richer vocabulary.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Most Important Trait to Learn any Language

There are universal ways to learn any language.

Probably the most important trait is discipline. Let's face it. You cannot master a language overnight, in a week, or even a month. It requires dedication, moments of frustration, and then the sheer joy of all your lessons making sense in the end.

Like a puzzle, you learn different parts of a language. You read, write, do your homework, listen to the instructor, and are assaulted from different angles with the language.

One thing never changes - you do not give up!

Each day for the time you allot, you return to studying the language without fault. Consistency along with discipline will carry you across the finish line!

An English coach can guide your learning program, provide all the exercises and practice you need. In the end, it is your commitment, dedication, and yes, discipline, that determines whether you master the language or not.

If you are in Buenos Aires and need an English-language coach for lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations (Spanish, French, Portuguese to English) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

5 Tips to Improve Your Business English Writing

Have you ever read an email or memo you did not understand? Have you had to read and read again the same paragraph to grasp its meaning? Do you worry that others may not be able to understand what your writing is about? Be understood today!

The purpose of any piece of writing is to communicate information to your readers. Here are our 5 top tips to make your writing clearer and more understandable:

1. Plan your writing for your readers - Know what you are going to say before you write it.

2. Put the most important information at the beginning - First things first as the saying goes!

3. Use short, understandable modern words instead of long, complicated old ones - Freshen your vocabulary!

4. Use short sentences - Keep it short and simple, stupid! (KISS principle)

5. Get rid of unnecessary words, information and sentences. - Brevity is the soul of wit so Shakespeare said.

Hire your personal English-language coach to perfect your English today. Writing is often overlooked in traditional language learning programs. Be understood today and get a leg up on your competition!

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations or other English-language services may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

How to Learn English

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Why Type of Language Learner Are You?

There are two basic types: 1) risk-takers and 2) play-it-safers.

Risk-takers dare to be bold and devote hours to not only learning, but improving their language skills. From listening to podcasts over the Internet to constant exposure to texts in another language, the risk-taker student plans on conquering the language in a determined and purposeful manner and dedicates the time and resources to accomplish this goal. She or he envisions the day ordering an expensive dinner in a perfect French accent in a quaint village in the Loire Valley or sampling beluga in Russian. She or he seeks out native speakers to test her or his proficiency. When the language professor asks if there are any questions, she or he is attentive and probes deeper into the language with inquiries beyond the immediate scope of the class.

The play-it-safer dutifully attends language class, completes all assignments, and maintains a passable level of the language. Textbook exercises and classwork suffice. However, she or he lacks the discipline to bear down hard and conquer the language. Lack of extra work outside class assignments and general disinterest defeat in the end this type of language learner.

Languages are not acquired overnight. Who among our loyal readers acquired a language by doing the bare minimum necessary?

Do more than necessary today! Kick up your language learning by hiring an English language coach.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

TOEFL Exam Preparation Course

Mr English 101 is happy to announce the launch of our “TOEFL Preparation Course."

The TOEFL exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is the most widely used English tests in the world and 6,000 colleges and universities in 110 countries accept it for entry into their courses.

The test is very convenient and the whole testing process takes just a day to complete.

With experienced, mature teachers you will improve both your understanding of the TOEFL test and improve in all the key areas necessary to get the grade you deserve.

The best way to prepare for your TOEFL exam is by taking an TOEFL preparation course. Professor Winn from Mr. English 101 runs regular TOEFL preparation courses which are customized to your exact needs.

If you are in Buenos Aires and need TOEFL preparation or want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Hire a Native English Proofreader!

Your English communications are too important left to non-native speakers.

• Do you have a publishing deadline?
• An important document for publication?
• An academic thesis?
• A business proposal?
• A critical business presentation?
• An important client report?
• An impossible copywriting deadline?

Hire your personal English coach today to improve your written English communications! Your personal English coach checks and corrects your brochures, business plans, business reports, manuals, marketing, customer letters, sales letters, advertising copy, press releases, business presentations, cover letter, resumes and cv's, academic papers, thesis, research papers, and academic essays for accuracy and proper grammar.

Your business, academic or personal success depends on effective English communication. Get it right the first time.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Why Learn A Second Language Today!

I prefer to say " second" or if you are a real language practitioner "third" language instead of the tired, exclusive use of the word "foreign" language.

Many reasons exist for learning a second or third language. Only a partial list is below. What are you reasons for learning another language?

1. Travel - Whether it's Paris or Phuket, knowing a little of the local language goes a long way. Natives always appreciate another attempting to speak their language.

2. Culture - Perhaps you are interested in the literature, poetry, films, TV programs, music or some other aspect of the culture of people who speak a particular language and want to learn their language in order to gain a better understanding of their culture. What a joy it is reading, listening or watching culture in its original language. Reading Cervantes' Don Quijote de la Mancha in Spanish or Hugo's Les Misérables in French beats a translation any day.

3. Food - Language, culture, and food are intertwined. From sipping French wine or savoring chocolate and churros, one gains a greater appreciation of food and culture by knowing the language.

Send us the reasons why you are studying another language. Please identify the language and why. We will include the best responses in a subsequent blog entry.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in translations may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!