Language Exchange User Posts

It is possible, and you can do it. You can master the Sanskrit courses if you are willing to put sufficient time, energy and perseverance into it. If you have decided that Sanskrit is the language for you, then you will have to acknowledge the dedication and commitment needed to learn a language, and if you feel satisfied with your position on the topic, then there is nothing standing in your way from learning the language.

As you embark on this journey you will find various Sanskrit courses and tutors available for you to use, and it can be difficult to figure out which of these paths is right for you. It is important to get involved with some sort of structured class, online course, or tutor in order to learn the language to its fullest extent, and working with a human being as opposed to a computer is beneficial. It is a good idea to utilize the help of a teacher to get you over those initial humps of comprehending a new language’s basic make up and patterns, and past the toughest part of the language learning process. It is also advisable to research your materials and purchase a Sanskrit courses that comes highly recommended and has a good success rate. You can often test out a course with a free trial, in which case you should try it out before committing to see if the learning style works well for you. Even if you choose an online course, try to devote some of your time to interacting with fluent speakers so that you get the most out of your language learning.

True, learning Sanskrit is no easy task! The fact that it is an ancient language and rarely used does not lend itself to ease of study or possibilities for emersion. But don’t despair; there are countless fluent Sanskrit speakers, many of whom are trained in teaching a second language, with numerous quality Sanskrit courses for you to choose from.

You can find some courses at American Sanskrit Institute , and find others through a simple online search, connect with a tutor using sites like Tuition India (keeping in mind that you can always ask about video chat options), and use the free site Learn Sanskrit as a tool to help you learn on your own. You could also connect with a language exchange partner through LRNGO and use your skills to teach in exchange for Sanskrit lessons.

It is important to work with the option that feels right to you. With the right guidance and some determination on your part, you will be on your way to knowing Sanskrit in no time.


Photo Credit: Romana Klee

Learning German, just like learning any other language, can be a big endeavor for any beginning student. Anyone can learn German, but it takes a certain amount of willpower and resolve to learn to speak fluently. Learning a new language is never easy, but by making a commitment, following through, and using a few tips on language learning, you can get a great start on your process to learn German and see it through to the end.

The best first step anyone can take to learn German is to find a high quality German tutor or language partner. A human being will give you much better input and feedback than any book, audio series, or online lesson will, and they can tailor their instruction to fill your exact needs so that the learning process much faster and more effective.

You can find German tutors on a variety of online websites or in the classifieds, but it is important to meet with the person face-to-face at least once before you make a commitment. It is important to ensure that your tutor is not only knowledgeable on the language, but also works well with you and your learning style.

You could also go the route of a learning exchange partner. Similar to a tutor with the personal support, a learning exchange partner is a free way to build your language skills. Instead of paying money, you exchange lesson for lesson so that you both grow in the skills that you wish to. Everyone has something to learn, and everyone has something to teach. Sites like LRNGO offers an easy platform for you to connect with a language exchange partner, or search for a hired tutor.

One of the first tips on learning any language is to not have your expectations set too high. A language can take a matter of years to learn fluently, and no one but a savant will learn German in less than a month. It takes time, determination, and a whole lot of mistakes before you get anywhere near fluency, so you can’t get discouraged and give up prematurely. Besides, mistakes help strengthen your understanding, so dive in, and don’t be afraid to mess up.

One detail to keep in mind that will help you as you learn vocabulary is that German words are very descriptive and that many Germans words are made up of smaller words; therefore, you can easily guess a word you have never heard before by breaking it down into its smaller parts. For instance, the German word for hospital is krankenhaus, which can be broken down into "sick person" and "house", so if you know the basics, learning the rest can prove relatively simple. However, descriptive words also mean that words that would be short in English might actually be long, and you can actually find German words that are made up of so many smaller words that they can be as long as 80 letters!

Remember that as soon as you start learning, you must start practicing. This is perhaps one of the most important tips you can follow in order to successfully learn German, because practice is what really makes the language stick. Seek out as many opportunities as you can to talk, read, listen, and even write in German, and try to find willing conversation partners who will help you with your grasp of the language. Don’t worry about sounding stupid or messing up, because those are all essential steps in your endeavors to learn German.

The web is full of online resources for you to practice German on your own, such as sites like Digital Dialects, BBC’s German Language, and Web German and podcasts like German-Podcaste.de or German Pod 101. You should also find a conversation partner (if you have a language exchange partner, they’re a perfect option) and pen pal so that you can practice your spoken and written German and get relevant, honest feedback from a native or fluent speaker.


Photo Credit: Bert Kaufmann

More organizations, institutes and video media outlets are recognizing that the deaf demographic needs to be included, and due to this, the need for professional signers is continually increasing. Whether you already know sign language or are intending to learn, you will find that this skill makes you a strengthened applicant and a valuable employee for a variety of positions.

If you’re comfortable with your current profession but are still interested in advancement opportunities that could come with sign language, keep in mind that those who are able to sign also find special niches within their existing profession. For example, if you are in nursing and have taken the time to learn sign language, guess who will be called on to help communicate with any hearing impaired persons in your workplace? That’s right, you will. This increases your value to the company, and can lead to being chosen for special assignments, etc. When looking for a job, an additional language is also beneficial to your résumé and makes you a more desirable hire. Sign language especially is an often underrepresented skill, so your expertise will surely make you stand out amongst other applicants. Talk to your current boss about how you sign language could be valuable in your workplace, and be sure to highlight this skill on your résumé if applying for a new position.

There are also opportunities to work as an interpreter working with seminar hosts, convention speakers, event planners, the government, and diplomatic services. These professions require communication with every sector of the public, and taking the time to learn sign language can give you a great career opportunity.

If you already know sign language, then you won’t have to worry about the learning process, but if you’re new to the skill and are looking for ways to learn before you think about a career, there are plenty of opportunities out there. The number of people making the effort to learn sign language is increasing every year, and you could be one of them. Learning sign language is easier than learning a second spoken language in many ways as much of the sentence structure and grammar is already familiar to you. Many find that with a good effort, they are able to proficiently learn sign language with the right amount of dedication.

If you think you are ready to learn sign language, either to create a new career path, or to build your resume, there are a few ways you can go about it. You can sign up for lessons at a college or institute or purchase a study course to work on at home; many of these courses are well developed and effective. You can also take advantage of your local library to borrow books, DVDs, and videos to help you in your pursuit. If you prefer face-to-face learning methods, consider hiring a tutor or connecting with a language exchange partner to help you get the most out of your learning. You can check out tutors in your local classifieds, Craigslist, or tutor-specific sites like WyzAnt, and you can connect with a language exchange partner at LRNGO.

For free individual practice, you can check out sites like LifePrint or HandSpeak, which both offer some great tutorials and other resources (including an ASL dictionary) that will help you in your learning and comprehension.


Photo Credit: Anathea Utley