We have learned 3 important things to remember when you study a second language.

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It is finally July, and the weekend of 4thof July is coming up so soon! Here is a brief history of America’s favorite holiday in case you didn’t know. Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. Therefore, July 4th of 1776 is seen as the birth of American independence. Nowadays, people usually celebrate with fireworks and parades in cities, as well as barbecues and small family and friend gatherings.

Fireworks are likely the most popular part of this holiday, as thousands of people gather and watch beautiful firework shows all over the United States the night of Fourth of July. The most amazing fireworks are said to be in NYC, Nashville, Washington DC, and of course RoLa Languages' neighbor city, Boston, this year. Now, do you know how to say the word “fireworks” in other languages?

Spanish: fuegos artificialesFrench: feux d’artificeItalian: fuochi d’artificioMandarin: 烟火Portuguese: fogos de artifícioGerman: feuerwerkDutch: vuurwerkSwedish: fyrverkeri

Do you see some similarities among these languages? Come learn more languages with RoLa starting this July!

Finding time to practice a language is one of the biggest challenges that all language learners face. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day to achieve everything you want to do. And unfortunately, when you’re very busy language learning can easily become forgotten and neglected.

The main reason that this matters so much is that learning a language is always more effective when you practice on a consistent basis. This allows the brain to get the repetition it needs to remember the new vocabulary you’re learning and make grammatical connections. Studying for 2 hours once a week is not the same as studying for 20 minutes six days a week. Both add up to 2 hours of study time in total, but if you spread your learning out over the course of the week you’ll be repeating the material more regularly and this will make it much easier to remember.

If you practice a language for large chunks of time on a less frequent basis, you’re not learning in a very efficient way. You’ll have forgotten much of what you learned in your previous session and you’ll have to spend extra time reviewing that material before you re-learn it. It also makes it more difficult for you to to start thinking in the target language because you’re not making it part of your daily life. So you can see why it’s important to make time to practice a language a little bit everyday! Even just 5 or 10 minutes can make a surprising difference over the course of a month or two.

But where are you going to find the extra time to practice a language? You probably already have a hectic schedule. There are two main times that I have found perfect to ensure I get some language learning done everyday – early in the morning; and in short work/coffee breaks during the day.

In this post, I’m going to focus specifically on those ‘coffee breaks’ and how you can use them to practice a language.

Memorize Vocabulary Play games Listen to a podcast Watch a short video on YouTube Listen to the audio from a course or textbook you’re studying Read a quick article Practice Your Writing Skills Have a quick conversation! Get some feedback from a native speaker

*This is an excerpt from an article originally published on Rype*

Foreign Language study creates more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different.Analytical skills improve when students study a foreign language.Business skills plus foreign language skills make an employee more valuable in the marketplace.Dealing with another culture enables people to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture.Creativity is increased with the study of foreign languages.Graduates often cite foreign language courses as some of the most valuable courses in college because of the communication skills developed in the process.International travel is made easier and more pleasant through knowing a foreign language.Skills like problem solving, dealing with abstract concepts, are increased when you study a foreign language.Foreign language study enhances one’s opportunities in government, business, medicine, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, etc.A second language improves your skills and grades in math and English and on the SAT and GRE.Four out of five new jobs in the US are created as a result of foreign trade.Foreign languages provide a competitive edge in career choices: one is able to communicate in a second language.Foreign language study enhances listening skills and memory.One participates more effectively and responsibly in a multi-cultural world if one knows another language.Your marketable skills in the global economy are improved if you master another language.Foreign language study offers a sense of the past: culturally and linguistically.The study of a foreign tongue improves the knowledge of one’s own language: English vocabulary skills increase.The study of foreign languages teaches and encourages respect for other peoples: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature.Foreign languages expand one’s view of the world, liberalize one’s experiences, and make one more flexible and tolerant.Foreign languages expand one’s world view and limit the barriers between people: barriers cause distrust and fear.Foreign language study leads to an appreciation of cultural diversity.As immigration increases we need to prepare for changes in the American society.One is at a distinct advantage in the global market if one is as bilingual as possible.Foreign languages open the door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, film, philosophy, science…

Visit WWW.ROLALANG.COMto see our schedule of classes. We offer online and in-person, group and private options. RoLa Languages is a premier language school that has been serving the Boston area as well as students all over the world for the past 10 years. Join us, ENROLLtoday!

This article was originally published on the Auburn University website and authored by Renate Latimer, Associate Professor Emerita of German.

1. “In the House” (Dans la maison)

Director François Ozon is often associated with “New French Extremism” and the cinéma du corps (cinema of the body), both of which commonly refer to films of an edgy, transgressive nature. However, Ozon and many of the other directors placed in this camp employ a wide range of artistic styles, and may be most notable for their willingness to experiment with new approaches that offer a vivid and quirky quality to their work.

This film of Ozon’s, which features French cinema favorites Fabrice Luchini and British-born Kristen Scott Thomas, presents mainstream subject matter in a fresh and unexpected manner. It loosely employs two common formulas: the teacher-meets-gifted-student drama and the classic family drama.

Due to the nature of the plot, which involves Luchini’s character teaching students French literature and helping one particular student, Claude, with his writing, there are several French lessons hidden within the film.

Keep your ears tuned to try to pinpoint when Claude’s narration switches from the past to the present.

2. “The French Minister” (Quai d’Orsay)

“The French Minister” follows Arthur Vlaminck, a new employee at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, as he tries to find his footing and comes into contact with a wide range of distinctive characters. A far-reaching political comedy, the story shoots off into several subplots and sometimes seems to have been conceived more as a sitcom than a movie. But this is great for learning! It brings you into contact with many different styles and modes of speech.

As there are plenty of quick vocal exchanges in “The French Minister,” it’sideal for advanced learners looking to up the stakes. Clocking in at almost two hours long with near-constant dialogue, it’s a whole lot of content.

3. “2 Autumns, 3 Winters” (2 automnes 3 hivers)

This isn’t your mom’s rom-com. Actually, it’s not a rom-com at all, despite having been described as such.

It’s more of a comic but sober meditation on life and love. It employs some artier film techniques in a playful manner, such as introducing the main characters by means of narration and having them speak directly to the camera. The movie is divided into chapitres (chapters), and includes one that announces to you from the get-go that it’s going to employ the passé simple.

The narrative follows not only Armand and Amélie (the featured couple, who get together at the middle rather than the end of the film), but also a close friend of Armand’s as they all deal with the unexpected surprises life has to offer. A smart, hip film that doesn’t talk down to you but appeals to your intelligence and wit, “2 Autumns, 3 Winters” not only teaches French but creates an ideal atmosphere for learning.

4. “With a Friend Like Harry” (Harry, un ami qui vous veut du bien)

A darkly comic take on a family vacation gone wrong, “With a Friend Like Harry” may conveniently haunt your dreams.

While on vacation with his family, Michel runs into an old classmate from lycée, Harry. Michel doesn’t even remember Harry at first, but invites him to have dinner at his family’s summer home. It turns out that Harry knows a lot about Michel, having even gone so far as to memorize a poem he wrote that appeared in a school publication years earlier. He becomes obsessed with Michel taking up writing again. Michel is both flattered and repelled, but can’t seem to rid himself of Harry’s presence.

Despite being thoroughly creepy, “With a Friend Like Harry” is not what you’d call a “scary” movie. As we watch Michel struggle with his past and present desires, both awakened by and obstructed by Harry, we find ourselves rooting for him up to a finale that could be considered weirdly inspirational.

The film maintains an even, relaxed pace throughout. The dialogue is well-paced, too, giving you time to process what’s being said. Bonus points if you can keep up with everything Michel’s kids yell in the background.

5. “Bicycling with Molière” (Alceste à bicyclette)

Back to Fabrice Luchini and natural dialogue interspersed with literature.

The plot of this film follows an actor trying to convince his retired former friend to take a part in a production of Molière’s “Le Misanthrope.“ His friend (Luchini) agrees to consider the offer, but only if they can rehearse together first. Tensions rise and egos suffer as they argue over who should play which part and revisit past resentments in the process.

This offering may come off a little precious at first, as it involves actors reciting dated verse at each other. But Luchini’s character’s comic disdain keeps the atmosphere of the film down-to-earth and thoroughly modern.

Despite what some reviews on Netflix say, you don’t have to have read the play to be able to follow this movie. It will, however, offer you a crash course in Molière, and leave it up to you where to take that knowledge next.

6. “The Painting” (Le tableau)

An animated film taking inspiration from artists such as Chagall, Matisse and Picasso, “The Painting” is meta eye-candy.

The main characters in the movie are figures in a painting, some of whom are considered inferior due to their apparent half-finished status. The questions of why some figures have visual attributes the others lack, who le peintre (the painter) is and why he chose to paint everyone the way he did sets up a space for social and philosophical commentary.

The ideas themselves are nothing new, but there’s an upside to that: You can focus more closely on the cool visuals and the dialogue, which tends to be clear but naturally spoken.

7. “Le Chef” (Comme un chef)

Brush up on your French food vocabulary and get ready for a light and highly watchable movie that will appeal to foodies and…oh, just about everyone else, too.

Alexandre LeGarde, played by Jean Reno, is a famous chef who has run into some problems. Money problems, boss problems, inspiration problems. Desperation leads him to accept help from Jacky, a self-taught chef and LeGarde admirer. Together, the two work to refashion old recipes for modern tastes.

“Le Chef” is primarily a comedy that works hard to entertain. It has great rewatch value, especially for a French learner. In addition to mouth-watering descriptions of dishes and the back-and-forth of casual kitchen banter, you’ll get a good mix of social scenarios between a wide cast of characters. This makes it a good practice film for all levels, and one that you’ll return to again and again.

8. “You Will Be My Son” (Tu seras mon fils)

By far the darkest movie on this list, “You Will Be My Son” is a captivating thriller.

Niles Arstrup gives a brilliant performance as a cruel, critical man obsessed with securing his winemaking legacy. Dissatisfied with his own son as a candidate to replace him, he becomes set on bequeathing his estate to the son of one of his employees, which sets off all the tensions and resentments you might imagine it would.

With notes of “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” a hint of “The Cask of Amontillado” and a finish all its own, “You Will Be My Son” contains that telltale je ne sais quoi that appeals to connoisseurs of creepy film. So pop open a bottle of Bordeaux and dive in (not literally, of course).

With its expressive acting, “You Will Be My Son” is a good opportunity for a French learner to observe the language being spoken with emotional emphasis and subtlety. The main difference between this film and some of the others on the list is that it deals with highly personal situations, opening up yet another angle of conversational possibilities. To be fair, most people will (hopefully) never experience the exact situations that take place in this movie, but expanding your range is always a good thing.

9. “Amélie” (Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain)

I know, I know! This is, like, the most obvious example of an internationally-known French film. Plus, we’ve already included one movie that features a chick named Amélie.

Even if you’ve already seen this one, when was the last time you watched it? With its fun and whimsical approach to colorful visuals and a narrative that builds on itself with confidence and charm, it’s a great movie for beginning and intermediate French learners. Its optional subtitles on Netflix make it worth revisiting for anyone learning French. So don’t scoff until you’ve squeezed out every last drop of cinematic goodness!

10. “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” (Le scaphandre et le papillon)

True story: In 1995, Elle magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby was paralyzed by a stroke, reduced to communicating by blinking his left eyelid. An assistant would read off the alphabet to him, and he would blink to select a letter as it came up. He managed to write an entire book using this system.

This is the movie based on that book. Starring Mathieu Amalric (a well-known figure inFrench cinema who you may recognize as the villain from the Bond film “Quantum of Solace”), the film takes us through Bauby’s entire experience from the time he wakes up in the hospital, unable to move or talk.

If you think this sounds depressing, it’s not.

While many movies about discouraging medical situations force us to watch the unfortunate victims suffer before our eyes, a large part of this film is shot from Bauby’s point of view. Characters speak to him, but we can also hear his unspoken thoughts in the background. This perspective leads to many entertaining and humorous situations, and is interspersed with colorful flashbacks and rich, creative depictions of Bauby’s inner world.

Seeing the world from a first-person point of view (no matter how limited that point of view may be) is always a great opportunity to put yourself in the place of experiencing a conversation with French speakers.

This article was originally published on FluentU by Elizabeth Cook.

For a schedule of classes, camps, and special one-day programs, please visit us at www.rolalang.com or email us at info@rolalanguages.com. RoLa Languages is proud to be its own unique brand and leader in the language acquisition process, serving not only locals in its Greater Boston office (Porter Square, Cambridge), but also students from all over the world through online classes for 10 years.

The term Third Culture Kid was first conceived in the 1950s by American social researchers Ruth and John Useem to define individuals who were raised in a culture different to that of their parents’ culture during their developmental years. As explained by Andrea M. Moore and Gina G. Barker in their work, “Confused or multicultural: Third culture individuals’ cultural identity,” Third Culture Kids, TCKs for short, are individuals who are immersed in a distinct culture from that of their birth country before their personal and cultural identity has been fully developed.

Although the term TCK was initially used to solely describe the children of American citizens working and living abroad; due to the advent of Globalization, the term has evolved to encompass anyone with similar experiences regardless of their country of origin. Moreover, the term TCK has also expanded to include immigrant and refugee children rather than solely the children of those who live abroad due to career choices (i.e., military, diplomats, missionaries).

So, you might ask what are some of the benefits of being a TCK, considering that a child’s developmental years already tend to be quite difficult, and even without moving from one place to another? Well… TCKs tend to be bilingual, and in some cases even multilingual, due to their first-hand experiences abroad at an early age. They also have an expanded and cross-cultural worldview, which leads them to be more sensitive to other cultures than, for instance, non-TCKs.

As Bryant elaborated in a previous post entitled Do Our Culture and Behavior Reflect the Way We Speak?, the relationship between language and culture is a very intricate one. So much so that he concludes his blog post with an interesting analogy, comparing us linguists to a bridge, which must then connect language and culture in order to provide completely accurate language services. Taking all this into consideration, if TCKs don’t sound like the perfect breed for a translator, I don’t know what does.

This article, reflecting the story of many our teachers and students at RoLa Languages, was originally published on Trusted Translations.

Learn a foreign language online or in-person TODAY with RoLa Languages: www.rolalang.com

Feminine or masculine, that is the question you often ask yourself as a French learner. After hours trying to figure out why “cheveux” (hair) is masculine and “chaise” (chair) feminine, you came to the inevitable conclusion: the gender of French nouns was randomly chosen by a bunch of sadistic linguists.

You may have heard that there is only one way to know the gender of a noun, to learn it by heart.

Luckily this is one of many myths about the French language, and you can actually know the gender of a French noun with more than 80% accuracy just by looking at its ending.

Why French genders matter

You can’t master French if you don’t master French genders. Luckily, the use of French genders is pretty straightforward, even if your language doesn’t use genders for nouns.

Before you discover how to easily know the gender of French nouns with 80% accuracy, you need to know that the gender has an influence on:

-The article you use before a noun -Pronouns -The ending of adjectives and verbs

How to know the gender of French nouns with 80% accuracy

Associate each gender with a vivid image

Your French teacher told you to do this, and this may be the only solution in some cases. But instead of simply learning each word and its gender by heart, it can be smart to associate each gender with an action in your brain.

You could imagine that masculine nouns fall into water while feminine nouns are eaten by a monster. Associating each noun with such a vivid image helps you remember its gender more easily.

The association needs to be personal, this must be something you will easily remember. For example, If you love to sing, you could sing each word with a different tone depending on its gender.

Guess the gender based on the word’s ending

According to a study by McGill University, a noun’s ending indicates its gender in 80% of cases . Based on this study, here is a list of typically masculine and typically feminine noun endings.

Nouns with these endings were found to be of the same gender in more than 90% of cases.

I don’t recommend you to learn these endings by heart since it would be extremely boring. Instead, bookmark this page and regularly look at this list.

After a while, you will see that you can intuitively guess the gender of a noun based on its ending...

here.