There is one common question nearly all beginners have when they become interested in learning the Japanese language. “How long will it take me to learn Japanese?” is typically top of mind if you have a trip to Tokyo coming up, or if you’ve always wanted to watch your favorite Japanese movie with the subtitles off. Learning any new language is a journey. When it comes to learning Japanese, you’ll need patience, persistence, and a good work ethic. If you put in the time and effort, yo

Are you planning a trip to Italy? Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, it’s important to be well prepared. And we're not just talking about making sure you have your passport and an extra pair of comfy shoes. Besides learning how to speak Italian, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with Italian customs and etiquette. After all, you don’t want to unknowingly offend anyone or get yourself into a sticky situation. Every country, including Italy, has its fair sh

Learning any new language can seem difficult at first. If you’re feeling apprehensive about learning Korean, these tips from Korean tutor Bryce J. can help... If you’re thinking about learning Korean, you might be feeling a little intimidated. After all, Korean has a reputation for being a difficult language to learn. But the truth is that Korean is no more difficult than any other language.  In fact, there are several reasons why learning Korean might even be easier than you thin

Humor is one of those concepts that is impossible to translate literally. So much more depends on the jokes told than the mere words used. Nuances and cultural context add invisible layers that can trip non-native speakers up. In the past, when I watched humoristes (comedians) with my family and even when I understood the words, often, the punchline fell flat. I’d sit there wondering how those around me were giggling. As time passed, I began to find myself also amused as opposed to bewildered.

With the right study plan in place, you can make learning to speak French a lot easier! Take this advice from French tutor Carol Beth L. to create a study plan that is, in a word, magnifique! Are you looking to learn to speak French but don't know where to start? Or maybe you've been studying for a while but aren't seeing the results you want. Check out these 10 essential study tips for learning French and see how you can improve your language learning skills! How Many Hours of Study Does it

Learning Spanish through immersion by being in Spain is an adventure, and a hugely beneficial experience. Not only will you be immersing yourself in the Spanish language but Spanish culture and history. Learn when and why certain traditions are important in most Spanish speaking countries. Just those thoughts alone are very exciting. So, how do we learn Spanish in Spain? A daunting thought, am I right? If the idea still sounds exciting, read on. How to prepare and where to go can seem overwh

  As one of the most widely spoken languages on the planet, Spanish is a popular language to learn and study. Current Spanish-speaking countries are found worldwide, including Europe and the Americas and in remote regions like Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and even Polynesia. Learning

Perhaps you've heard of Bastille Day, the French national holiday in July. Tutor Annie A. shares history and vocabulary to help you observe this holiday like the French do... Are you planning on celebrating Bastille Day this year? If so, you'll need to learn some French vocabulary related to the holiday!  In this blog post, we'll list the French vocabulary words and phrases that will help you get in the spirit of la fête nationale.  Vive la France! What Do the French Say on Ba

While learning Japanese requires time and patience, you can boost your learning with these tips from teacher Willy M... I hate to break it to you, although it's not impossible to learn Japanese, it's also not necessarily easy. Japanese is a complicated language on many levels. First you need to learn how to converse, then you need to learn the specialized words. If you want to read in Japanese, then you need to learn Hiragana for indigenous words, Katakana for non-indigenous words, and

Learning French can be tricky. After all, studying this beautiful language involves memorizing all kinds of important French vocabulary. But if memorizing vocabulary in French is holding you back from speaking fluently and confidently, TakeLessons is here to help.  In our guide on how to memorize French vocabulary, we’ve outlined our favorite tips and tricks for committing both challenging and easy French vocab to memory. Use the following tips to “decode” vocabulary memorization s