Latin American Christmas traditions tend to include a lot of noise. Many times, it's full of fireworks and parrandas or aguinaldos, a version of caroling where people go from home to home singing, dancing, and indulging in food and drink. While people in Latin America make lots of time for partying, Christmas is also a religious occasion for many. Nativity scenes are the focal points of homes, and going to midnight Mass is a must. Some towns even try to re-create Mary and Joseph's journey to

Looking for fun language facts? The world is full of diverse and unique languages that can thrill the senses and stretch the boundaries of your imagination.  The words we use shape how we experience the world around us. For example, while most native English speakers may look at a wintery landscape and label it simply “snow,” Scots are said to have over 420 words for snow. This includes everything from subtle differences in the snowfall to mentions of the supernatural! Whether you’re lo

Thank you, or the simpler form- thanks, is a polite expression of one’s gratitude and is used often in everyday interactions. While manners and etiquette differ between cultures, a sincere thank you is an easy way to show gratitude among most people. Since showing respect and good manners is necessary when learning new languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), learning to sign thank you is important. So let’s jump right in and discuss the

It's never too late to learn a second language! Sure, kids may have those "spongy" brains... but the reality is, there are many advantages to learning a new language as an adult. Here, Spanish tutor Joan B. explains...    If you studied a language in middle school or high school, you might recall the days of memorizing verbs and vocabulary for your exams. Maybe you also recall learning with ease as you familiarized yourself with foreign sounds, words, and experiences. As an adult, o

Are you interested in becoming an American Sign Language interpreter? Are you curious about what that type of work entails? Is it easy or hard? It’s important to note that an interpreter’s work can vary greatly, which does make this job intriguing. Here are some examples:  A Day Working at a College:  As an American Sign Language interpreter working in a college environment, your schedule varies per semester. For example, when I worked as an interpreter in a college, one semester I h

Do you want to learn a new language but are undecided on which one? Perhaps you are considering Spanish because it is the second most popular language in the world with around 470 million speakers. Or maybe you have always been interested in Hispanic culture.  Whatever your reasons for wanting to learn Spanish, here are 10 compelling reasons that will make you want to start learning today! What Are 6 Reasons it is Important to Learn Spanish? So why is Spanish important to learn? Her

One of the best ways to learn about cultures and language is through food and food vocabulary. Learning about traditional Spanish holiday food is one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary, and it’s also one of the most fun, as well! Christmas is a day that ties many countries around the world together, but the food can look quite different. Spain is all about holidays, and one of their favorites is definitely la Navidad. It’s a family centered holiday, and very much traditional in the s

Are you wondering how to improve your Spanish accent? Have you been learning Spanish, but find yourself unsure of your pronunciation, and even when you know what the proper pronunciation is, have a hard time making the correct sounds? One of the hardest parts of learning a new language is improving your accent - and learning a Spanish accent is no different. In this case, you're probably wondering, how to speak like a native Spanish speaker. How do you get rid of your American accent - wh

There are various approaches to studying and memorizing information, from practice quizzes and note-taking to outlines or flashcards, and although flashcards may seem like a boring and repetitive way to study, they actually work. Flashcards engage active recall, metacognition (i.e., self-reflection), and spaced repetition. When used properly, flashcards are effective study materials. And making sign language flashcards can help speed your ASL learning. Using Physical Flashcards Properly us

For those of us who love language learning, sometimes we are left wondering which language to learn next. Sometimes, we might even debate which language to learn based on how easy one or the other is. There are some obvious answers here. For examples, for native English speakers, a language with a Roman alphabet is going to be easier to learn than a language that doesn't share etymological roots, such as Japanese. However, when it comes to some similar languages, it can be hard to choose.