When you're taking Spanish lessons, you may be confused by new concepts and grammar rules, especially imperfect vs. preterite. The past in Spanish, has two different ways to describe the past; the imperfect and the preterite. Here, Carmichael, CA Spanish teacher Joan B. shares some helpful hints to help you describe the past in Spanish... Are you curious about the difference between imperfect vs. preterite in Spanish - and when to use imperfect vs. preterite? If so, this post will tell yo

Do you want to explore what Germany's restaurant scene has to offer? Below, German teacher Tyler S. shares some common German phrases and etiquette tips to ensure you have a delicious and enjoyable meal... Imagine you’re in Germany dining out for the first time. You excitedly enter through the restaurant’s front door, take a quick look around, and wait at what appears to be the host stand. If you wait to be seated in this manner, you’ll be waiting a long time. In almost every

Every culture has its own set of legends, myths, and superstitions. And Japan is no exception! Japanese culture dates all the way back to 35,000 BC., and so do some bizarre but really interesting Japanese superstitions. In the US, a rabbit’s foot brings good luck. But, who came up with this? We don’t know, but it is an interesting superstition! So, what are some superstitious beliefs in Japan? Let’s check them out! What Are Some Interesting Japanese Superstitions? Just like most cu

In the United States, you’ll certainly come across your fair share of English expressions, idioms, and common proverbs. Some of the most common expressions in English sound profound, while others sound silly and darn right outlandish. While they can seem strange at first, especially if you consider their literal meanings, you’ll soon find that they play a big role in the English language.  So what is idiom? Although English idioms don’t make sense at first, these unique expressions

Want to dive deeper into learning Spanish? Don’t be afraid to ask! Questions are critical to understanding the world around us. Question words in Spanish are used to ask who, what, where, and when regarding a particular subject. Once you learn all the question words in Spanish, you’ll be able to discover more about the language and the people you’re conversing with. The basic question words in Spanish are easy to use because people love being asked questions! It shows you’re i

French accent marks are an integral part of French writing and correct spelling. Incorrect usage of accent marks, or the absence of them, can cause embarrassing mistakes and frustrating miscommunications. These accent marks may seem like a small inconvenience when writing, but you’ll soon realize how important they are when communicating in French. French students who want to become competent in reading the language must also understand how to use French accent marks. Depending on the

Have you considered learning how to speak Italian? While taking Italian lessons with an experienced teacher is certainly a good idea, language-learning books can be a great supplement to traditional classes. Reading Italian books - particularly Italian books that are meant to teach the language to beginners - is a great way to boost your skills and proficiency in this language.  In fact, many teachers encourage or even require their students to utilize Italian books while not in class

 Slang words are an essential part of conversing in English. American slang is full of eccentric sayings and colloquialisms, which are useful in a wide variety of casual situations. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned English speaker, you’ll want to brush up on your command of American slang terms and their meanings!  Now, you may be wondering what is a slang word, or what are some cool slang phrases? “Slang” refers to informal vocabulary words that aren’t typically found in a

If you're learning Japanese, here's some good news: Conjugating Japanese verbs is much easier than you think! Here, Ann Arbor, MI teacher Elaina R. shares some simple tips to help you conjugate Japanese verbs... I love conjugating Japanese verbs. Why? In most romance languages, conjugations are based on tons of factors, including subject, number, and even gender. For example, in Italian, "I am tired" is Io sono stanca; but if you are male, it's Io sono stanco. If there are sever

As an English speaker learning French, articles are little words that can still give you big problems. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. It’s just a matter of learning the French articles and better understanding the role they play in the French language. Once you get a handle on these tricky nuances, you’ll be speaking and writing like a native in no time. Read on to find out more about French articles, grammar, and more.  First things first. Before we can start experimenti