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How to study Korean grammar: my method and schedule
Studying grammar shouldn’t be tricky. With a few simple organization, planning and note-taking tips, you can transform the way you study grammar in any language. This post is specifically for Korean, but you can use my methods for any language! Step 1: Get a textbook and note down the grammar structures I bought this Korean…
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Language goals: 2020 Q1 progress check
At the end of 2019, I set some (pretty lofty) language learning goals for myself. I documented them in a pinned tweet on Twitter so I can keep myself accountable. It’s been a tough year so far (understatement), but it’s good to check in with myself as we’re almost a quarter of the way through 2020. Here…
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Re-evaluate your language learning methods
Is there a wrong or right way to learn a language? Someone asked me this question on Tumblr today and it got me thinking. This is what they said: My answer is yes. There are definitely methods that are not helpful in your language learning journey, and a lot of this has to do with…
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Audioclip review: best app for Korean listening practice
If you’re a Korean learner looking for good audio, you definitely need to download Audioclip. It’s an app by Naver full of podcasts, audiobooks, soft background sounds and music for studies, and much more (INCLUDING bedtime stories narrated by Gong Yoo?!). I can’t express how excited I am to have discovered this app.
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An A to Z Grammar for Chinese Learners: textbook review
Introducing my favorite Chinese grammar reference book! Hello friends! Today I’m reviewing my favorite book for Chinese grammar. It’s called An A to Z Grammar for Chinese Learners. Before I continue, please take note note: this book is written using Traditional Chinese. If you don’t know the difference between Traditional and Simplified Chinese, you can…
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Making time for languages in a busy day
Many people have the mindset that language learning goes something like: taking classes, doing homework, and practicing now and then when you can. It’s much more than that. It should transform your life and fill your days if you really want to improve. Solid results come from the shift to transforming your daily life to…
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Should you learn simplified or traditional Chinese?
Upon deciding to learn Mandarin Chinese, you need to choose whether you’ll learn Simplified or Traditional as a writing system. Fear not – here’s a guide to help you!
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Should you take a language test?
Language exams are useful if you’re looking for a very standard way to prove your level. This is generally when you’re applying for a job in another language. Companies or schools require a certification to see if you can communicate in the language. That being said, I don’t think it’s a true reflection of one’s…
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How I study Korean vocab for TOPIK
I bought a book called “한국어 벵크 TOPIK 2 한권이면 OK” to prepare me for the test and it came with a smaller handbook for vocabulary, listing all the important words that appear in the textbook. Realising that I can read two pages on the bus on the way to work and two pages on…
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What I learnt at Polyglot Conference 2019
The annual Polyglot Conference was held at Kyushu Sangyo University in Fukuoka, Japan this year! I stayed in Fukuoka for 6 days and 3 full days were spent at the conference. It was the first Polyglot Conference I was able to attend and what an experience it was! One that I will treasure for my…
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How to choose a language to learn
It’s always exciting learning a new language, but choosing one feels like a huge level of commitment… as much as you have the motivation to learn a new language, you just can’t bring yourself to choose one to start with! It makes sense: language learning is personal. Your life, choices, thinking, entertainment, and hobbies will…
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My Spanish experience with the Lingoda Marathon
What’s Lingoda? Lingoda is an online Language School where you can study English, German, Spanish, French and Business English from beginner to advanced. The instructors are qualified teachers who are native speakers. You take classes online, learn from anywhere at any time with wifi. Personally, I took a lot of my lessons in my pyjamas…
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Improve your Korean in 6 unique ways
You may have just finished your Korean textbook or passed your first Korean class. Now you feel accomplished but not sure where to go next. You might be bridging the gap from beginner to intermediate, or making your way from intermediate to advanced. Wherever you are in your journey, there are a few things you…
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How to have a successful language exchange
Here are some great tips to having a successful language exchange. The first thing you need to do is to communicate your expectations. Some people are only at events to make friends and I’ve experienced many who just keep talking in English even though we have multiple languages in common…
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See you at Polyglot Conference 2019!
Hello, friends! I’m very excited to announce that I’ll be speaking at this year’s Polyglot Conference in Fukuoka, Japan. The conference runs from 18 to 20 October 2019. You can buy tickets and get more information here. I’d like to share with you the outline of my topic: Holistic language learning through cultural immersion and…
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A month of Spanish: resources & journey
Hello, friends! I’ve been learning Spanish for one month now. Time flies! Some of my older YouTube viewers may recall that I often said Spanish is the one language I would never learn. Never say never! Circumstances have changed and here I find myself immersing myself in this beautiful language. Here’s a video I made…
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Arirang TV A Plus feature
I am thrilled to announce that I’ve had the opportunity to be featured as the second KOREATOR on Arirang A Plus. A Plus is an offshoot of Arirang TV and promotes Korean culture to foreigners through various TV shows like KOREATOR. The theme of this series was “Korean in Your Life” and they contacted me…
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Korean Grammar for Speaking textbook review
Korean Grammar for Speaking Textbook As a grammar fan and Korean learner, I was really excited when Song Won, the author of Korean Grammar for Speaking, contacted me regarding his newly released textbook series. The books are brand new – the first volume came out in 2016 (a revised version in 2018), and the second…
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When you don’t feel motivated to learn a language
Finding the cause You’re probably here because you’re looking for motivation to continue studying a language. Maybe you’re burnt out or maybe the original passion you had for the language has died out. Whatever your reason, read on to find some tips on what to do when you really don’t feel up for studying. First…
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Overcoming fear in language practice
Making mistakes in a new language is OK! You might be the most extroverted person on the planet, but as soon as you start learning and speaking a new language, something in you changes and you feel a bit more shy. You’re nervous you’ll make a mistake in front of a native speaker. What if…
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Women In Language 2019 is coming!
Women In Language is a three-day, online seminar featuring some of the most influential women in the online language-learning community. From 7 to 10 March, more than 30 female speakers will be sharing their thoughts on language learning and culture. If you haven’t already, make sure to register here for Women In Language!
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Why did I move to Singapore?
I fell in love with Singapore in 2015. When I was in university, I discovered The Sam Willows online. They’re a Singaporean band and I really enjoyed their music. That led me to discovering more Singaporean music, like LEW, Disco Hue, Jasmine Sokko, Sezairi, Charlie Lim and M1LDL1FE. A lot of you know music is…
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My JLPT N3 Results
So, turns out I forgot my password to access my JLPT results, and I had to email the Japanese embassy, to my embarrassment, to ask for my password. After a few excruciating hours of waiting, I was finally able to access my results. I passed!
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Tutoring a language: All you need to know
MY BACKGROUND IN TUTORINGI started tutoring when my mom, an English teacher, moved to Japan and passed her students on to me. I mostly learnt from watching her give lessons. It helps if you’re a language learner yourself – you’ll figure out what the best way to learn a language is, and then use that…
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Questions to ask yourself before 2019 starts
As we approach the end of the year and reflect on 2018, we also think ahead to the new year. I’ve compiled a list of questions to ask myself so I can prepare for 2019, and I thought I’d share them with you here too. These are personal to me and my faith, so feel…
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How I set up my planner for 2019
With 2019 around the corner, it’s time to sort out our lives for a fresh start. Have you been consistent in using a bullet journal or planner this year? I used 3 planners this year – each book is for 4 months. It was a great feeling to finish one and start afresh in another…
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How I take notes (cram) for JLPT N3
So it’s only a few days before the big test, everyone! I made a video yesterday about how I take notes and pretty much cram for the test. I’m not focusing on listening as in all my practice tests, listening is the best aspect, but I really do need to work on vocabulary and Kanji.…
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How I’m studying for JLPT N3
こんにちは！I’m taking the JLPT N3 this December. I’ve never taken a JLPT test before, and I’m not sure if my level is near N3, but I have enough time until then to formulate and stick to a good study plan. ☆ Reading practice The Japanese novels I have are limited, but I’m going to make…
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6 unique ways to improve listening in any language
You sit at home and read your textbook, get all the questions right, and speed through your Duolingo and Memrise apps… but then once you have to talk to a native speaker, suddenly, you have no idea what they’re saying! Why is listening so hard? Remember, listening is one of the most important aspects of…
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Tips & tricks for vocabulary acquisition
New language learners often look at others and think learning vocabulary is something that happens quickly. They seek for ways to speed up their vocabulary retention. It’s not wrong to look for ways to learn faster, but one needs to keep in mind that having vocabulary words stick in your long-term memory takes a while!Here…
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Why am I a Christian?
Why do I believe? I’m a Christian because I have experienced God working in my life, doing miracles and helping me grow. I’m a Christian because I’ve spent hours on my knees in tears and in prayer calling out to God for the truth. Calling out to God to save me from things happening around…
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How to study Japanese grammar
Let’s demystify studying Japanese grammar! Grammar is either your favorite part of a language, or the most frustrating part of a language. Here’s my guide on how to study Japanese grammar. These methods can be applied to any language with a similar sentence structure, though! If you’re looking for tips to study Korean grammar, read this…
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5 Rules for Choosing a Language Textbook
Buying language textbooks can be intimidating. How do you know you’re getting one with an equal balance of grammar and vocabulary? What if it is too businessy and outdated? What if it’s too difficult? What if you can just find resources online instead? Here are five simple guidelines you can apply when you’re looking for…
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What is a TCK?
TCK is short for Third Culture Kid. TCKs are people who grew up outside of the country or culture of their nationality. I grew up in Paris, Islamabad, Pretoria, Dubai and Japan, and moving around this much has had both positive and negative impacts on my life. There’s a big online community for Third Culture…