Got It Tutor - Experience A Good Language Education

Got It Tutor - Experience A Good Language EducationFinding a good, got it tutor can be a daunting task especially if you are searching for one who is specialized in foreign languages. The internet provides a large variety of sites that contain a large amount of details and are ranked according to the quality of education they offer to their students. Some of these tutors are better than others but a lot are good at what they do and are able to help you learn your next language just as quickly as you could learn the first one.When seeking the services of a got it tutor, it is important to understand what to look for in a tutor. In general, those who specialize in foreign languages and language lessons are qualified to teach the target language. They are able to overcome the difficulties involved in learning the language by offering excellent customer service. Whether you need help with the English language or Spanish language, you will be able to find a specialist that specializes in that language.Foreign language tutors are trained experts in their field and have years of experience in teaching a new language. So, you will get the assistance that you need when learning a new language. They are able to teach you how to use the language in everyday life situations. So, rather than spending a lot of time speaking with natives in the different countries that you will be visiting, you will be able to converse with them in simple ways and learn from them at the same time.Got it tutor services are also affordable and easy to avail. You may be able to spend around $200 per month for the services offered. You will receive help with no strings attached. However, some might charge you more for additional services such as helping you to practice the language for yourself.You should also consider whether you need assistance in writing English. This is useful when you are starting your life as a foreigner in a foreign country. So, even if you are just beginning your new life , you should consider getting a tutor who will help you in this area.There are a number of good online sites that provide a free evaluation so that you can get a feel for the quality of services provided. Once you sign up with a site, you will be able to check out the details of all the services they offer and they can tell you if you are eligible for free learning or not.So, if you want to learn a new language, you will be able to do so with the assistance of a got it tutor. Check out the qualifications of the person who you choose to help you and then make sure that you sign up with them and see if they are trustworthy and experienced.

20 Spanish Hispanic Culture Traditions from Spain, Mexico, Latin America

20 Spanish Hispanic Culture Traditions from Spain, Mexico, Latin America Maile Proctor One of the best ways to improve your understanding of the Spanish language is to learn more about Spanish traditions. A major aspect of any culture is its traditions. Spain, and other Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico, have very unique traditions that are fascinating to learn about, and they might just inspire you to plan a visit soon! No matter where you are in your Spanish lessons, you will love learning about the Mexican and Spanish traditions, holidays, and customs on this list. Click through this table of contents if youre looking for something specific: Spanish Traditions Mexican Traditions Christmas Traditions Holiday Traditions Spanish Customs Superstitions Spanish Traditions Piñatas You may have already seen cardboard piñatas decorated in brightly colored paper-mâché at childrens birthday parties. Blindfolded participants try to hit the piñata with a stick, to break it open and spill out fruits, candies, and other treats hidden inside. Theres a lot of speculation about the true origin of the piñata.  Some believe they  originated in China,  in animal shapes like cows and oxen. Other reports claim that piñatas  originated in Mexico  with the Aztecs and Mayans, and were originally clay pots made in the shape of the gods. When piñatas first came to Spain, the first Sunday of Lent was called the Dance of the Piñata.  While the first piñatas  in Spain were made of clay, decorations and bright colors were eventually added to the design. Even though the history of the  piñata  has spiritual significance, modern-day piñatas are mainly used for games during parties and celebrations. Its also one of the most widely popular Mexican traditions.  Quince Años For girls in Hispanic countries, the 15th birthday signifies a coming of age. The family throws a big party, called a Quinceañera, which begins with a Misa de acción  de gracias, or giving thanks for completing childhood.   The festejada (birthday girl) wears a formal dress and receives gifts from family members. Common  Quinceañera  gifts include tiaras, bracelets,  and earrings. A  traditional Quinceañera begins with a church ceremony, followed by a party with food, music, and dancing.  This is also one of the most common Mexican traditions. Carnival In Spanish-speaking countries,  Carnival celebrations are held between late January to early March, the time leading up to Lent. Carnival is generally recognized as the final chance to celebrate before Lent. There are many festivities, including dancing and music, throughout the day and night. Spanish traditions for carnival also include dressing up and wearing masks. SEE ALSO: 50 Interesting Facts About Spain Mexican Traditions Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe Devout Catholics in Mexico make a pilgrimage to the Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City every year on December 12th. The date commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego in 1531. According to the story, no one believed that Juan Diego had seen the Virgin and asked him to return with proof. The Virgin reappeared and told Juan Diego to collect flowers in his coat. He returned to see the archbishop of Mexico City and dropped the flowers. A miraculous picture of the Virgin had formed on the material, which today is displayed in the Basilica. Many Mexican traditions such as this one have religious significance. Día de la Independencia Dia de la Independencia  (Mexican Independence Day) falls on September 16th, but begins the night before when the President of Mexico rings the bell at the National Palace in Mexico City and shouts  Viva México! This is one of the most widely celebrated Mexican traditions. There is a national military parade ever year on September 16th, and to celebrate Mexicos independence from Spanish rule, people decorate their homes,  dress in the colors of the flag, throw confetti, and hold parties where they feast on traditional foods. San Judas Tadeo This is another one of the many Mexican traditions with spiritual significance. San Judas Tadeo (St. Jude Thaddeus) is known as the Saint of Lost Causes. On the 28th day of every month, people gather at  San Hipólito Church, the church dedicated to St. Jude in downtown Mexico City. People bring icons and statues of St. Jude, and  ask  for his blessing and help in difficult circumstances. The same events are held every October 28th, which is St. Judes saints day. Spanish Christmas Traditions  Posadas Originally Spanish Christmas traditions, Posadas  are now also Guatemalan and Mexican traditions. In Spanish, posada means inn, and in Mexico,  people  hold candles and sing songs as they  reenact Mary and Josephs search for shelter in Bethlehem. Christmas Posadas last from December 16 until Christmas Eve. Nochebuena Nochebuena (the Good Night/Christmas Eve)  is a family event, celebrated with a feast. Traditionally, families would have lechón (pork) for dinner on Nochebuena, but in more recent times, the meal varies depending on the region. Dinner generally incorporates music and gifts, and many families also attend Misa del Gall0 (Midnight Mass) on Nochebuena.  Misa del Gallo Another one of the religious traditions in Spain, the midnight mass on Christmas Eve is called Misa del Gallo  (The Mass of the Rooster). This event is known as The Mass of the Rooster because its believed that a rooster crowed at midnight the day that Jesus was born. In Spain, attendees first light small oil lamps in their home before setting out to the church. In Bolivia, people only eat after mass, usually a traditional dish of picana de pollo, a  chicken stew with carrots, peas, and potatoes. Reyes Magos Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) starts on January 5th with a reenactment of the arrival of the Three Kings. The Spanish Christmas tradition features a parade,  Cabalgata de los Reyes,  where the Three Kings arrive on horseback or on decorated floats, and throw treats and presents to the children. Before bed that evening, children leave goodies for The Kings, and leave their shoes out for The Kings to fill with presents. Spanish Holidays Día de los Muertos In Hispanic cultures, its important to remember family members and friends who have passed. Día de los Muertos is a particularly significant holiday in Mexico, where its observed on November 1st and 2nd. Mexican traditions for  Día de los Muertos combine Catholic elements with Aztec rituals. People create altars in their homes with photos, foods, and other objects that have some link to the deceased. They also visit the graves of their loved ones, where they may spend hours or even the entire day. Art related to the holiday depicts skeletons enjoying life on the other side. Semana Santa Semana Santa (Holy Week) runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, and is one of the most important events of the year in Catholic countries. While all of Mexico celebrates Semana Santa, different regions have different events. Many Semana Santa celebrations include cascarones (colored egg shells), church services, and the Passion Play the reenactment of the Passion of the Christ. Spanish Customs  Las Serenatas One of the more romantic traditions in Spain, this unique custom involves hiring a band of mariachis, or arriving with a group of friends, to play music below a lover’s window. Traditionally, the recipient of the serenata keeps the light off during the first song, turns the light on for the second, and comes out to the balcony (or at least opens the window) for the third song. “Provecho” This is the Hispanic tradition or custom  of wishing someone a good meal. Its similar to bon appétit in French, but its not restricted to fine dining. You can say provecho when you sit down to a meal with family or friends, or you can use it in passing, if you see someone you know who is about to eat. RELATED: 20 Easy Spanish Words and Phrases Siestas A siesta, or afternoon nap/rest (between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.) is one of the classic traditions in Spain and other Hispanic countries. The three-hour siesta doesnt necessarily mean nap time for everyone. Some people will take a long lunch, while others will  use the  break to spend time with their family. La Mordida La Mordida is one of the Mexican traditions for birthdays. While friends and family sing La Mordida, the birthday boy or girl must take a bite of birthday cake without using his or her hands. This generally results in a face full of cake. Spanish Superstitions  Mal de Ojo Theres a great fear of the mal de ojo (evil eye) in some Hispanic traditions. The superstition dates back to medieval Europe and the belief that a look can curse people, or cause children to become ill. There are different remedies, like amulets and bracelets, for mal de ojo, and some more specific cures in different regions. For example in Central America, people believe that mal de ojo can be cured by rubbing around the eye socket with an umbilical cord. La Mal Sal La mal sal  means bad salt or bad luck. Many people refuse to take a saltshaker, when its handed to them, as this is seen as receiving someones bad luck. Instead, you must place the salt shaker on the table, within reach of the person who wants it. Sweeping Over Feet Some Hispanic traditions say that if you sweep over someones feet, that person will never marry. Also, it is believed that leaving an upside down broom behind your door can ward off unwanted visitors. Cutting Babies Hair You may want to think twice before cutting your babys hair. According to Spanish superstitions, cutting a babys hair before he or she learns to walk, will prevent him or her from learning to do so. Also, if you want your son or daugther to learn to speak in Spanish, do not cut his or her hair before they turn one. If you want to experience these Spanish traditions firsthand, consider taking a trip to a Spanish-speaking country soon. To get ready for your trip, you can also take some free  online Spanish classes so you know how to communicate with the locals. Do you know of any other customs or traditions in Spain? Share them with us in the comments below! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Joey Parsons

Facebook Madness! Advanced Listening Exercise

Facebook Madness! Advanced Listening Exercise Last week was a big news week for Facebook, as the company began trading publicly on the NASDAQ on Friday. Im not sure how it was in other countries, but here in the U.S. it was an important topic.A lot of people wondered, and still wonder, if Facebook is really worth $100 billion. Over the next few months well watch and see. In the meantime, I know a lot of our students are interested in the tech world, and especially the startup world that Facebook helped to create in many ways, so Ive made a listening exercise with a video about the company going public.The video is a little difficult, but its short, so you can watch it a few times. Below youll find listening questions.You can write the answers below in comments, and well give you the results.What information about Facebook were people trying to download from the internet?Apparently there were so many people that had _____ ____.What does the phrase from the sentence above mean?How many monthly active users does Facebook have?Thats basically __ ____ _____ almost everyone that has a computer in the world, has internet access in the world. (note: Shes wrong. There are about 2.45 billion.)What was Facebooks warning about these numbers?What did Zuckerberg say in his 2,000 word letter?Why would this bother investors?

LOI Participates in English Day at Swedish School

LOI Participates in English Day at Swedish School LOI recently took part in  an English Day at  the request of a longtime student, Frank. Frank teaches English and Spanish to middle school students in Sweden. He  asked  LOI to offer our live classes to  a group of his 13 and 14 year old students as part of English Day, so that they would have the chance to talk with native speakers.We were excited to have the opportunity to work with Frank and give this  group of young learners the chance to really use their English.We broke them into six groups of 4 students each. Each group  met an LOI English teacher by Skype. The classes were focused around conversation and dealt with topics interesting to teenagers, like violence and bullying in school, dress codes and appearances, the importance  of education and whether  money makes you happy. Here is what Franks students had to say about our classes:The teacher’s name was David. He was the British teacher and he was very  funny. He made a lot of jokes and was very open and polite. He talke d all the  time and asked us a lot of things and was very good at making the  conversation flow. So we think the teacher was very good and funny and I’m  happy that we got him. The good thing was that we lost track of the topic and  talked about many other things in a natural way. Anyways this idea with  Skype was very fun and a great way to learn English. It was funnier to speak  on Skype instead of writing and stuff.  We used the video so we could see each other and that was a lot easier.    Julia, Linn, Elliot and Filip (group 3).Everyone in our group think that it was very funny to talk to someone who  just speaks English and not understood Swedish. In that way we had to speak  English and it turn into a real conversation. Muireann was really kind and she  talked so we could understand her. We understood what she said and it was  really easy to talk with her. We would love to do this again. We recommend  this program to other schools because we learned a lot by talking. It w as easy  to use Skype.  Elsa, Fillipa, Felicia and Linus (group 2).Our Skype teacher was Mark. He is an American, from California. He is funny and really  cool. We discussed different topics and when we could not find words he helped us. It is  much better than learning English in class. It is also better to speak with somebody from  a country where they speak English. It is also better because you can ´t speak Swedish  with that person so you have to speak English whole the time.  We think that using Skype for learning English in school is awesome and we would love  to do it again.  Alva, Magdalena, Isak and Hampus (group 6).If you are interested in having an English Day with your students, or have other interesting ideas for our classes, please contact us!

How soon can I teach abroad

How soon can I teach abroad Our friends at University of Toronto TEFL Online  published a great post about how soon you can teach abroad:You’ve decided to teach abroad...let the adventure begin! But hold on before squeezing your life into a tiny suitcase and booking a cheap flight, because the process is not always as straightforward as it might seem. Whether you're looking to teach English abroad or teach your chosen subject specialization, making the big move can take anything from a few weeks to a few months and even over a year if you want to secure the job you really want. How long it will take to prepare to teach abroad depends on your answers to the following questions:Do you have the right qualifications to teach abroad?If not, you will have to allow some time to take a course, which could take anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the kind of teaching career you’d like. To get a well paying job with a good school, you’ll need to set yourself apart from hundreds of other teachers. The best way to do this is with qualifications from reputable institutions that make you stand out. The kinds of teaching jobs available abroad can be split into two categories which require different kinds of qualifications:ESL jobs: Positions teaching English in language colleges, and sometimes schools. Although you don’t need experience, many institutions will require teachers to have some teacher training under their belt in the form of a TEFL certification. A TEFL certification is considered the standard for applying to teaching jobs overseas and can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete.Certified teacher jobs: Positions teaching children and young adults a variety of subjects in public and private schools. These kinds of jobs normally require a Bachelor’s degree in Education, or a degree in a specialist subject, and require you to hold a teaching credential. It takes several years of study and practical teaching to become a fully certified teacher.It is important to note that although you don’t need any teaching experience or formal teaching qualifications to teach English abroad, a lot of countries require you to have a Bachelor’s degree in order to work there legally. You should search the work visa requirements of the countries you would like to travel to. What region are you interested in teaching?Some countries are well known for having strict requirements that must be met to work as a teacher there. The Middle East is known for requiring a higher level of qualification, such as a BEd or other formal teaching qualification, and requiring candidates to have more experience as a teacher. This has gained it a reputation for being a difficult region in which to find a teaching position. If you’re set on moving to Dubai, for example, it might be worthwhile working on gaining your teaching experience for a few years to improve your chances of employment. Asia tends to be more relaxed when it comes to teaching job requiremen ts. Jobs with language schools and some public and private schools will happily welcome applicants with a basic TEFL certification. As an enormous country with a booming population, demand for English teachers is especially high in China, and therefore there is also somewhat less competition for jobs and a better chance of scoring a last minute position if you’re keen to start soon.When do schools in your desired country hire teachers? True, there is no shortage of opportunities out there to suit your timeline -- whether you’re looking for a short notice role or whether you’re still saving up the money, or waiting until you graduate. However, you should take into consideration the time of year you’d like to find a teaching job abroad. If you’re hoping to work at a public or private school overseas, check when the school year starts in the country you’d like to live in. In the Middle East and Asia, this can be January or April. Language colleges for children and adults ma y hire teachers year-round, but tend to concentrate their hiring at the start of the school year, and mid way through the school year. How soon would you like to teach abroad?If you fill qualification requirements, there is a good chance you’ll be able to find a good position at short notice. There is growing global demand for English teachers throughout the year and with some basic teacher training under your belt, you will be a desirable candidate for many schools. If you have a longer time line - perhaps you need to save or finish your studies - you can also make this work for you too. Plenty of schools hire for their next intake up to a year in advance. Registering with a teacher recruitment agency, such as Teach Away, is also a good idea as you will be notified about any relevant opportunities that come up in the future. View Current Teaching Positions >

The Value in Taking Online Courses

The Value in Taking Online Courses Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash Have control of your own schedule One of the most promising aspects of online courses is that online courses allow you to have control of your own schedule as they are much more loosely scheduled than your typical class would be. Of course, you will still have the usual deadlines for quizzes, exams, papers, or discussion posts, but you wont have to go to a lecture at a set time several times a week when you might need to be somewhere else. Taking an online course allows you to adjust your schedule accordingly. For example, if you need to trade shifts at work to go home later in the week and the only shifts people are willing to give up when you would typically watch an online lecture, you can always find another time to study the lecture in order to pick up a shift. By taking an online course, you minimize the chances of having serious time conflicts and save yourself the trouble of picking if  having a job  or going to school is more important to you. If you are notorious for skipping your early morning classes because you cant find it in yourself to become a morning person, taking an online course eliminates that problem. If you know you work better at a certain time of the day, like nighttime, you can easily plan time during your nighttime routine for listening to online lectures. You get to decide when your class time is. Taking an online course also allows you to follow your own pace. If you hate going to lecture just because your professor is slow while going through a concept, trails off on a tangent too often, or doesnt stop to gauge the students level of understanding for the lectures content, you can listen to online lectures without worrying about that problem. Create your own learning environment When it comes to taking your typical college course, you may find yourself disliking whatever learning environment you are set in. You might prefer to learn in a smaller, more private area instead of the typical lecture hall, which can be full of distractions. The people around you could be in a full conversation, conflicting with whatever the professor is lecturing about. The person ahead of you can be online shopping or streaming something on Netflix, allowing your wandering eyes to take advantage from the lecture. If you are taking an online course, however, you get to decide what your learning environment will look like. Build your own distraction-free zone according to your taste. You can reserve a study room on campus to eliminate the possibility of a roommate barging in mid-lecture or you getting sleepy and taking a nap instead of sitting through a full lecture. If learning from the comfort of your own home is your best option, create a study space just like you would to crank out an essay or study for an exam. Turn your phone off or set it to the side, let your roommates know if you want to keep the noise level down, and whatever else you usually do to create a space you can be productive in. Test your self-control, or learn some While online courses may seem very promising, the idea of holding yourself accountable to follow a strict schedule on your own may seem daunting depending on the level of self-control you already have. Online courses give you plenty of freedom when it comes to deciding when and where you want to have class time, and that freedom comes with a large amount of responsibility when you are in charge of creating your own class schedule and studying schedule. You can build your own class and studying schedule, you are responsible for sticking to it. There is no strict attendance policy forcing you to go to set lecture times you just need to be strict with yourself to actually sit down for an online lecture when you plan to. This may seem like a little too much responsibility if you are the type to procrastinate on everything, but taking an online course is the perfect opportunity to learn how to practice self-control. When you have control over when you have class because of an online course and learn how to stick to the schedule you set in order to not fall behind, it will help you in other classes that arent online as you get to use the self-control youve learned to stay on top of other class schedules. When it comes to registering for next terms classes, consider registering for an online course if its offered for the classes you need. While unconventional, online courses have plenty of value, especially for busy college students that are seeking better control of their own schedule.

How to Study Any Language Effectively 7 Common Study Time Mistakes to Avoid

How to Study Any Language Effectively 7 Common Study Time Mistakes to Avoid How to Study Any Language Effectively: 7 Common Study Time Mistakes to Avoid We all make mistakes.There, its out there.Thats probably no big newsâ€"but when you learn a foreign language, you might be surprised by just how many mistakes you end up making.Too many language learners assume that this is a bad thing and end up feeling discouraged.But mistakes can be very productive!The best way to improve your language skills and make the most out of the learning process is to identify  these mistakes, learn from them and try to avoid them as best you can.Even if you study languages at school or college where professional educators help you deal with pitfalls, mistakes are still bound to happen to you, in class and after class.Now, were going to discuss  how  to turn  these mistakes into productive learning experiences.Language study cant be called a one-size-fits-all process. Learning styles vary, learning techniques develop and upgrade and students open up to new ways of learning, but we all want one thing: to master the language were learning.We have something else in common. There are some common mistakes that far too many of us make! Lets learn from those who have gone  before us. Here come 7 common mistakes  for you to remember and avoid while learning foreign languages. These are so common, and so very subtle, that they often arent recognized as mistakes that make an impact on learning. How to Study Any Language Effectively: 7 Common Study Time Mistakes to Avoid1. Try to remember tons of new words at onceWhen you learn a foreign language, its needless and virtually impossible to remember ALL the words.Even native speakers dont use them all, only regularly dealing with 2,000-3,000 on average. For example, while an adult native English speaker might have tens of thousands of words stored in their brain,  you only need about 3,000 words to be able to read the vast majority of modern English texts in existence.The same goes for most languages: To understand and speak a language, several thousand words will be enough to get by in convers ation and while reading modern writing. Youll need more if youre going to tackle more specialized or academic writing, or perhaps if youre going to become a translator or interpreter. But we all have to start somewhere.How do you know which words to learn and remember?We live in the digital era when the Internet surrounds us everywhere. So, check the list of most widely used words in the language youre learning or download some applications that show you popular words, helping you to remember them along the way.You can also watch FluentU videos in your target language. Thanks to the vast array of modern, relevant video content here, youll be able to become more strongly familiar with the most common words used by natives.With FluentU, you hear languages in real-world contextsâ€"the way that native speakers actually use them.Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of FluentU videos on offer:FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. It’s already hand-picked the best videos for you and organized them by level and topic. All you have to do is choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started!Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more.Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab.You can use FluentU’s unique adaptive quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions and exercises. Just swipe left or right to see more examples of the word youre studying.The program even keeps track of what you’re learning and tells you exactly when it’s time for review, giving you a 100% personalized experience.Start using FluentU on the website  with your computer or tablet  or, better yet,  download the FluentU app from  the  iTunes store  or  Google Play store.Tip: Using vi sual elements is the best method to learn new words, as they cause associations in our head, making it easier to remember permanently, not just learn by rote. (Another reason to try FluentU!)2. Try to memorize  all grammar rulesCertainly, grammar is important, and no one is going to say that you shouldnt learn it.Regardless of the language, grammar is always tricky for non-native speakers (well, let’s be honest: it’s often tricky for native speakers, too). All those gerunds, tenses, infinitives and exceptions are useful when you write academic essays,  do research or write professional emails. You need to build a foundation of great grammar in order to speak and write correctly.However, if your primary goal is to communicate, prepare for a trip abroad or master just the basics, dont stress about this too much. If youre seriously turned off by the nitty gritty of grammar, dont torture yourself trying to remember all the rules at once.Many learners get discouraged by the idea of s tudying grammar and end up avoiding their daily practice. Dont procrastinate. On days when grammar fills you with dread, treat yourself to some movies, games or music videos in your target language. Keep building familiarity with the language every day, and  youll start learning grammar naturally.Some educators recommend starting off with full immersionâ€"constant exposure to the language through a diversity of authentic materialsâ€"and never cracking open a textbook or starting formal grammar study until youve developed basic proficiency in the language. You can always give this route a try!Tip:  Write something every day. Write blog posts, diary entries, shopping lists, notes to yourself or anything else that is already part of your daily life, but do it all in your target language.  Using grammar in practice will improve your skills many times over.3. Forget about listeningWhile learning a foreign language, we usually pay lots of undue attention to vocabulary and grammar. Our goa l is to learn how to read, write and speak.That’s all well and good, but we often forget about listening to a target language despite the fact that its key to understanding and communication.Learners too often discover the hard way that speaking a language and understanding it arent the same thing.Sometimes one can speak but can hardly understand native speakers at all while listening to songs or watching a movie in the target language. Never underestimate the importance of listening skills; you need to practice them on a daily basis.Tip: To develop your listening skills, you can watch movies or TV shows with subtitles, listen to a radio show in your target language, play games, try to understand all words from your favorite songs and so on. Keep it fun and casual! Listening to  TED lectures  is always a good decision, too.4. Read classic literature to learn new wordsFive bucks say Im right: Your past or current language teachers have assigned  you the task to read a book in the l anguage youre learning, make a vocabulary list  of unknown words from it, learn them and discuss the book in the classroom afterward. I got those five bucks, didn’t I?Such exercises are great unless your teacher asks you to read classic literature in the target language. They often dont, and instead opt for abridged and otherwise simplified reading material.Why?First of all, it can be difficult to understand a plot and get pleasure from reading a book if you dont know the meaning of most words. The extensive reading method encourages learners to choose texts where they know 95% of the words on any given page.Secondly, books of classics may contain lots of  archaic vocabulary (lets take Shakespeare, for example). Theres no real need to learn all words from classics, as no one uses them in everyday language anymore.However, many language learners make the mistake that teachers strive so hard to avoidâ€"they dive into deep, complex literature and other texts that are well outside the ir reading level. They want to read what they want to read, even if they cant read it! As you may already know, it can be very discouraging when you dont understand most of what youre reading.Youre not giving yourself the chance to develop good reading habits. You wont learn how to get into the flow of a native text if youre constantly stopping to use your dictionary. You also wont be able to pick up words via context if most of the language is way above your head (for the time being), and this kind of deductive work is critical for learning a language effectively.So, what to do?If youre at the beginner level of learning, childrens books would be the best option  for you. Intermediate and advanced learners can always try reading simplified versions of classics to learn some new words and grammar rules. If youre pretty advanced, you can start tiptoeing towards the classics. Start with modern classics.No matter your level, always  read books that suit  your learning level.5. Spend all your time studying from textbooksGoing by the book is  one of the biggest mistakes you can make while learning a foreign language.The textbook can give you all the essential building blocks, but it cant take you much farther.Have you ever heard the people speaking in the audio files accompanying English textbooks? Theyre speaking perfectly correct English, but they sound a bit forced and awkward at times. Thats because theyre reading a script designed for learners. Its easy on the ears, and great for becoming familiar with the basics of language, but youll probably never hear a native speaker who talks quite like that.Slang, idioms, jokes, regional dialects, pop culture referencesthey usually cant be learned from standard textbooks. To really understand native speakers, you must learn casual language.This doesn’t mean that you shouldnt use textbooks at all. Some of them are worth trying, and one can find many reasons to use modern textbooks: Theyre well-designed, they provide use ful content and a road map for learning, they give lots of practice opportunities and they usually offer audio components.Just don’t make them the only instrument  you use for  learning that target language.6. Consider the target language a task to completeSome learners arent super passionate about languages, and instead  consider reaching fluency  just another task to complete. Its just another task on a life list, bucket list or resume building plan. There are a couple of noteworthy problems with this:Its very difficult to pinpoint the exact moment you reach fluency, so you may never be able to check the task complete box.You dont know a language just because  you score all As and 100s on your exams.You need to find some personal motivation coming from within to really master a language without ever losing focus.You cant just study for the test. Fluency doesnt come until after youve put your language skills into action, spoken with natives for hours, listened to native speakers intently and followed their directions. You also need to learn the culture behind the language to a certain extent, or youll find a large gap between you and natives while communicating.Not to mention, you have to constantly be updating your language knowledge. Languages change and develop all the time. Don’t miss a chance to learn the culture of those people whose language you learn, chat with your native speaker friends, watch movies, listen to songs, travel to countries and interact with locals.If you make the language enjoyable and something you genuinely look forward to studying, it will be much easier for you to master it.7. Rely on language schoolsThis may be the most common mistake made by language learners. They rely on whatever course theyre taking, whether theyre taking it  through a college, university or institute online, at home or abroad. This reliance comes in two forms:Relying on the course to give you all the material and exposure you need to learn.Holding the co urse or teacher responsible for your successes and failures.When you learn a language, its good to have a teacher who will help and support you, but it doesnt mean he or she can  do everything for you. Teachers guide youâ€"they cant inject the language straight into your brain. Its only you whos  responsible for your learning.If you feel like  the books and materials your school gives you arent effective or sufficient on their own, find a different textbook or other language learning materials to accompany the coursework. If the coursework doesnt target your preferred learning style, learn how you learn best on your own time. If you learn best through music or visual cues, but simply dont get enough of that in class, take care of yourself at home later.Dont only do your homework, study for tests and call it a day. Read and listen to your target language every day, communicate in it, go to language exchange clubs, make friends with native speakers and seek out new articles, blog post s, YouTube videos and more in that language. Become ravenous. Consume as much of the target language as you can on a daily basis.Ask your school to assist you where needed, manage your emotions and try to stay motivated and optimistic.If you dont study properly and perform poorly on tests, take responsibility for this. If you ace all the reading and writing assignments but cant speak without a heavy accent, then take responsibility for this and double up on speaking practice. The teacher and coursework can only get you so far.Its you whos learning the language.Its you who needs it.And its you who will succeed.