Archive for December, 2008

The Step by Step Method of Learning Hebrew

Monday, December 29th, 2008

Hebrew has 22 letters, all of which are considered consonants. In modern Israeli Hebrew, such as newspapers, vowels are not printed. The reader usually makes out each word without the vowels.

Biblical Hebrew in Torah scrolls is also written without vowels. The Massorites later added the vowels in printed texts to resolve and standardize any differences in pronunciation. An example of a Hebrew vowel is the “Patach”, which looks like a small dash written under a letter. It adds the “AH” sound to that letter.

In the software tutorial “At Home with Hebrew”, letters are taught in pairs. Each lesson teaches a pair of letters, and introduces a new vowels or two. In this way, the student is not overwhelmed with too much information too fast.

So for example, the exercises in the first lesson, if they were in English letters, would have your pronouncing practice syllables like this: BAHBAH BABEH BEHBAH, VAHBAH, BAHVAH, BEHVAH, VEHBAH, BAHB, BAHV.

The second lesson adds to more consonants (Dalet and Gimmel), then the exercises rehearse the two new letters with the vowels from the prior lesson. For example DAH, GAH, DEH, GEH, DAHDAH, GAHGAH, DAHGEH, GAHDEH, DAHD, GAHG, DAHG.

Then, slowly, two more vowels are introduced, for example the CHEEREK, which can be prounced like the “EE” sound. The same letter can then be practiced with the new vowels. For example: DEE, GEE, DAHDEE, DEED.

Finally, toward the end of a lesson, the letters learned previously return, and the exercises now mix up everything that the student knows. Example words might be: BAHBAH, BEED, GEEV, VEEBAH, GABAH, and so on.

When a new letter is introduced, such as the letter “Gimmel”, the program compares that letter to other letters that might be similarly shaped. For example, GIMMEL is similar to VAV, GIMMEL has a boot at the bottom (kind of like the country Italy). The student can see both letters side by side, and the program describes the differences so the student will not be confused.

By the end of the 13th lesson, the student will have learned all 22 letters and all the nikudot (vowels). Even though the student may not know the meaning of a word, he should be able to pronounce any printed Hebrew word. At this point, the student is ready to move on to vocabulary.

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Hebrew for Your New Year’s Resolution

Sunday, December 28th, 2008

Once again, Chanukah has arrived. Perhaps you give your children a gift each nightof the holiday. What are you giving this year? Something educational? Why not the gift of Hebrew?

Unfortunately, an amazing number of people studied Hebrew as a child, but over the years, they have let those Hebrew skills fall by the way side. Sometimes, as they become parents or enter their leisure years, the desire to learn Hebrew returns. In big cities, many of them take courses at the Jewish Community center, but in more remote places, many people turn to the computer to become their Hebrew teacher.

Several products from HebrewResources.com help children and adults to learn Hebrew, either for the first time, or to refresh their prior skills. The series of programs typically begins with “At Home with Hebrew”, their most beginner level program, that teaches a person how to read and write the Hebrew Alef-Bet (alphabet). After learning basic reading skills, the students go on to learn some basic grammar and vocabulary.

Hebrew Kindergarten is not just for kids. Its for anybody who wants to learn more advanced Hebrew grammar; this program assumes you know the basics, but it will make you comfortable reading Hebrew without vowel points and speaking and thinking in the language.

For those more interested in learning traditional liturgy and Hebrew prayers, the ideal gift would be “Songs of the Sabbath” (or in Hebrew “Shirei Ha-Shabbat”). This package includes both an audio-CD with modern tunes to the ancient liturgy, and a software program which teaches many of the more traditional synagogue tunes.

Selecting the right cantor for the job of recording was a challenge. One was finally found with an amazing, but easy-to-follow voice and pronunication. The software let’s you hear each word or line of the prayers, as you desire, at your own pace.

When we think of giving Hanukah gifts, we often think of children. Many adults want their children to learn the Jewish language, even if their skills aren’t so great. These products can be used by either children or adults, but how much better to do it together, and make it a family experience?

Today, it’s amazing how many Christians are also learning the basics of Hebrew. Many find the Bible coming more alive with a simple knowledge of Hebrew and Jewish practices. Many times, the King James Version or modern translations hide some of the simple truths found there.

Whether you celebrate Chanukah or Christmas, consider giving the “gift of Hebrew”. Any of the above tutorials can keep a student busy for months, so they are truly gifts that give all year round. Even if you miss the winter holidays, you can start Hebrew as a New Years resolution, or any time of the year.

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Eight Points to Consider when Starting Your Hebrew Adventures

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

The first goal for a beginning Hebrew student is to learn how to read and pronounce Hebrew words and sentences, even if the the student doesn’t understand the meaning. Hebrew does not use the Latin alphabet used by most of the western world. The student must learn how to recognoize and pronounce 22 Hebrew letters and several vowel points, which are written above or below the consonants.

The beginner student must examine his goals. While some students want to learn to read the Hebrew Bible, other students are preparing for a trip to Israel, and need to learn modern Hebrew. Other students might want to learn how to read the sidur (Hebrew prayerbook).

It makes since to learn the most popular words first, doesn’t it? If learning Biblical Hebrew, why not start with the most popular 400 words. We have put those words on audio-CDs, for learning at home or in your car, and we have also included the same words in our software program.

The Hebrew verb system of the Bible and modern Hebrew are not that different. Modern Hebrew tends to use much more of the present tense, and Biblical Hebrew tends to use more of the past tense. Many nouns overlap, but the subject matter is quite different.

Some students might get some words “mixed-up”, because there are several letters in Hebrew that are silent. For example, the word “ET” could be AYIN-TAV (meaning “time”), ALEPH-TAV (pronounced: “AT” meaing “you feminine singular” or “ET the pointer to the direct object , or even ALEPH-TET (pronounced “ET” meaning “pen’). A good tutorial will point out these similarities and differences.

Learning numbers is another challenge. Hebrew has both masculine and feminine numbers, so the student must learn to count to 10 two different ways! A good way to enforce numbers is telling time, or doing simple math problems in Hebrew.

Children enjoy learning Hebrew through playing games. One of our games is memory-match, where the student turns over two “cards” at a time. If the numbers match, the cards disappear. Even adults love these types of games.

Just like we have cursive and printed letters in English, Hebrew has both styles of letters. People learning modern Hebrew will eventually want to learn the cursive letters. Biblical students need not learn the letters, but it’s actually easier to write the cursive letters than to try to print-out the “book-style” letters. No one really “prints” in Hebrew, everybody uses cursive.

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Spanish Software: Master This Terrific Language

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

There are a number of ways for people to learn how to speak the Hispanic language today.

If you want to learn this language, you will find an enormous amount of learning tools, from vocabulary courses to CD study aides. There is a whole industry devoted to helping you learn Spanish.

You can study Spanish yourself by finding grammar and vocabulary lessons online or you can use a more structured approach. What is the best way to learn Spanish? Software, activities, online or offline courses - the choice is yours.

In the quest to learn Spanish, software has become a great and well-used aid. It is fast replacing tapes and CD formats as a learning tool.

If you want to learn Spanish, software can help. There is an enormous selection on the market, with more choices continually being developed.

Learn Spanish computer software in many ways has really taken the world by storm and many people have been able to use it in order to learn Spanish faster on a computer than they would have been able to from listening to a tape or an audio CD.

This begs the question as to why some people are able to learn Spanish online very easily when before they had so much difficulty learning from tapes and CDs.

Why is it that some people have become so successful in the use of learn Spanish software when before they had alot of difficulty when it came to being able to successfully learn the Spanish language?

What does learn Spanish software have that other formats do not? What can it offer you?

The main thing that learn Spanish software offers is a comprehensive multimedia approach to learning Spanish that is simply not possible with an audio tape or an audio CD.

In addition to hearing lessons, like you would with a CD or tape, you can see them. You can visualize, read, and even write using this type of software.

Should everyone learn Spanish with software? It is a great option for many people, but it may not be right for you. A big disadvantage is that it is not as portable as CDs and tapes.

This cuts down on the places in which you can study. You can’t easily do it on your morning commute or while you are hiking, as you could with a CD or tape.

As with any product, there are benefits and drawbacks. When choosing a method with which to learn Spanish, see if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. You need a program or format that will work for your individual needs.

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Spanish Software: Which Technique Works Best?

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

There are a number of ways for people to learn how to speak the Hispanic language today.

If you want to learn this language, you will find an enormous amount of learning tools, from vocabulary courses to CD study aides. There is a whole industry devoted to helping you learn Spanish.

Depending on how you learn best, you can find tools to help. You can pick up bits and pieces of the language by self-studying online, or you can take a more structured approach and use software to learn Spanish. Software is just one of the many choices available to guide you through your learning process.

However, while in the past most of the aids out there have been of a tape or a CD form, nowadays people are into the idea of using software in order to accomplish the same goals.

If you want to learn Spanish, software can help. There is an enormous selection on the market, with more choices continually being developed.

Many people find that it is easier and faster to learn Spanish using software on their computer than it is to by listening to an audio format, like a tape or CD.

If you have tried to learn Spanish using these formats and weren’t successful, could you learn Spanish using software?

Many people find that it is in fact easier to learn from software, even if they have failed to learn through other methods. Why is this?

Why is this? What can software do that is so different from audio methods?

If you want to learn Spanish, software can give you a more broad and dynamic experience. It is not possible to have this multimedia approach through audio CDs or tapes.

Software lets you learn everything a tape or CD does, but also offers much more. You can see images, you can read, and you can even write if your computer is equipped with a stylus.

Should everyone learn Spanish with software? It is a great option for many people, but it may not be right for you. A big disadvantage is that it is not as portable as CDs and tapes.

While it is true that laptop computers are commonplace, you certainly would not find yourself carrying your laptop with you while jogging or hiking to learn Spanish, something that is certainly an option with a cd or learn Spanish audio book download.

As with any product, there are benefits and drawbacks. When choosing a method with which to learn Spanish, see if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. You need a program or format that will work for your individual needs.

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Ideas for Fun Games to Learn Spanish By

Thursday, December 25th, 2008

Learning a new language, such as Spanish, certainly does not have to be hard, as long as you go about it in the right way of course. Have you heard about the learn Spanish computer games that are available? No doubt that you have, and they are basically the latest and greatest way to learn the language. These interactive games make learning fun and easy, and even allow children to learn the language.

When it comes to learning Spanish there are many fun ways for you to go about learning, and if none of the following grab you attention why not come up with your own fun games to learn Spanish? It is easy enough to do, and this way you can learn at your own level and not have to feel bad or embarrassed if you feel as though you are not learning fast enough.

Scrabble

Perhaps one of the easiest and fun games to learn Spanish by is Scrabble. And on the up side you don’t have to go out and by any expensive teaching aids all you need is a Scrabble bord. And instead of spelling out English words, the aim of the game is to use only use the Spanish vocabulary, and see how well you can do.

Of course you are going to need a competitor to play against, so find someone that you know who is already fluent in the Spanish language and they will be able to play against you. This is definitely one of the best fun games to learn Spanish and one that you will want to try out for yourself.

Try Writting a Story

If you are more of the creative writer type, why not try some story writing in Spanish? This is another of the most popular fun games to learn Spanish, and again very easy to do. All you need to do is come up with characters and a plot just as you would in English, but then make sure you are writing in Spanish.

Needless to say writing in Spanish is a lot more challenging than the Scrabble idea because instead of having to just come up with words you need to put phrases and sentences together. But don’t fret it can be a lot of fun though, and you can really learn a lot when you are writing stories. Let your imagination run wild, and learn the Spanish language as you go.

When it comes to fun games to learn Spanish these are great ideas but the ideas that you come up with yourself are the best games of all.

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Tips To Learn Spanish Quickly

Sunday, December 21st, 2008

Im sure you are aware that in todays market you would be sure to gain business if you could learn Spanish fast! Many people in all walks of life are Spanish speaking. If you want to attract a new clientele, you will surely do so if you can learn Spanish quickly. In this way you will be opening doors for a whole new group of customers who might never have thought of doing business with you before.

Of course, you know that to attract any customers to your business, you have to make sure your business is noticeable. It has to stand out and be unique so that people will choose it over other businesses. One way to do this is to communicate easily with your customers - all of them. Just think, you can communicate with twice the customers by turning your business into a Spanish speaking business.

To learn Spanish quickly, there are a lot of options. You could always take a class. But what if you dont have the time or the inclination to add a class to your busy schedule? Well, what about learning Spanish quickly from a CD course? Think about it. There are lots of places you can listen to a CD. In your car, on the bus, at the gym, while taking a walk, run, or jog. Really, anytime you could be listening to music, you could be listening to a Spanish lesson on CD.

Of course, getting the pronunciation just right might be a challenge with these methods. If there is no one to teach you, how will you know if your pronunciation is accurate? This is the perfect opportunity to begin reaching out to the Spanish speaking community. Get a native speaker to practice with you and help you with your pronunciation.

The fact that you are taking the time to learn a new language is a feather in your cap with your potential customers. To make that effort causes you to stand out. This will attract customers. In todays market, we do business and associate with people of many different cultures on different parts of the globe every day. As the world shrinks due to the influence of the internet, it becomes more and more important to be able to communicate well with people the world over.

Just think! If you can learn Spanish quickly, perhaps you can learn another language quickly, too!. If you do that, you will increase the circle of people with whom you can associate and learn even more.

Learning is a lifelong process and you should never feel as though you have learned everything there is to know. Continue to grow for yourself and for your business. It will make a difference in the way that you are able to live your life. You will also be able to have a wider circle of friends when you learn Spanish quickly. Take a look online to find some of the programs that are available. You will find that they are a worthwhile investment in your future.

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The Easiest Way To Learn Italian

Friday, December 19th, 2008

When you are trying to decide the best way to learn Italian, you will probably find that a self study course is the easiest way to learn Italian. With these programs you don’t have to leave your house and attend classes. These are the best choice for those with a busy life that doesnt leave them a lot of time for language learning.

If you do a touch of research on the Internet, you will discover that you have a wide variety of choices when it comes to learning Italian through home study courses. If you take a careful look at all the choices and options available, you will be sure to find a course that suits you. And this will be the easiest way for you to learn Italian.

Be sure to read all the reviews of the various home study language courses. These reviews are written by folks who have used the courses and got the t-shirt so to speak. When you are looking for a home study Italian course that is a perfect fit for you, you can really benefit from reading the opinions of other Italian students.

Most learn Italian program reviews will tell you what some people liked about a product and what they did not like about it. Don’t take all the reviews and opinions as gospel, as there could be many things that some people consider to be a disadvantage that don’t really concern you. Or they will give you insight on some problems that you didnt consider.

Try to find one that will offer you the best way to learn. Ones that offers the program on CD or Mp3 might be the best for most people. This will give you the ability to learn in your car on your way to work. You can also listen to your lessons when you are working out. Making the best use of your time is what makes these programs the easiest way to learn Italian.

Some of the self study home programs will provide lessons on the computer. This will keep you restricted to your home for your lessons, but for some it is a perfectly acceptable way to learn. In many ways it might be more suitable to you if you want visual media as part of your teaching method. Many people find that they are better able to work around their schedule when they use an at home program. And physically sitting down helps them to concentrate more on the lesson at hand rather than getting distracted by other gym patrons or commuters.

Whatever you choose, be sure it is the choice that will work best with your lifestyle. In the long run, the easiest way to learn Italian will be the way that merges seamlessly with you and your schedule. If your schedule is so tight that you dont have time to take an extra breath, much less go to a classroom, studying at home will probably be the best option for you. So consider carefully. Look at all the choices. Then pick the course that will be the easiest way to learn Italian.

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Top Reasons That Made English a Dominant Language

Friday, December 19th, 2008

If you can speak English, you will probably be able to communicate with someone in just about any major country you could visit. While not everyone speaks this language, Learn English is truly a dominant language spoken by millions across the globe. Experts state that around a third of the world’s population speaks English as their native language, and many more study it as a second language. What caused English to spread beyond the bounds of the British Isles and become such an important player in global communication? The answer begins with a look at the language’s original speakers, the English.

English Dominance in the 19th Century

In the 19th century the British Empire was truly a global empire. As some said at the time, “the sun never sets on the British Empire.” Great Britain held colonies on every continent, and the trade language in those areas was English. By the end of the 19th century, the British Empire’s reach was global, and the language was also becoming global. This influence continued into the 1900s, and by 1922 the British Empire had an influence over around 458 million people, close to a quarter of the world population of the time, which meant that knowing English was important.

The Rise of America as a Global Power

Even though it is a relatively young country in light of world history, the United States has become a global superpower, specifically after World War II. America has a hand in politics, economics, and culture around the world. As such, English is becoming more and more important as a global language. When you add the influence of America in today’s global economy to the historic and current influence of Great Britain, understanding English becomes almost essential to carrying out business in the current economic market.

English Is the Language of Technology and Science

As you browse the World Wide Web, you will find that most websites are in English or have an English translation available. This shows how influential English is in the world of technology. Since many of the technological devices created across the globe are marketed heavily in America, they are designed with English-speaking users in mind. You can see this in the design of the computer keyboard. Most standard keyboards contain the standard letters of the English alphabet, which is further proof that English is the language of technology.

In addition, English is the language of science. The Science Citation Index reports that over 95 percent of all of its documents are English documents, even though a majority of them are writing by non-native English speakers. The medical community also uses English as a unifying language, making it essential for doctors to learn if they wish to be able to read reports and journals about the latest medical breakthroughs.

English is the Language of International Organizations

When multiple countries come together, they must choose a language to speak. Often the language chosen is English. The official language of the United Nations, for instance, is English. The same is true for the International Olympic Committee. At the Olympics, announcements are made in the language of the host country and in English. English is also one of the official languages of the European Union.

Other Uses of English Cause It to Have Global Impact

English is the international language of many industries, including banking, computing, business, diplomacy, and even entertainment. An international treaty aimed at making communication easier made Learning English online the official language of aviation and maritime activities.

The list of industries or functions where English is one of the main languages spoken is truly never ending. The simple fact is that since the late 1800s, English has been spoken in more locations across the globe than any other language, and that fact, coupled with the economic and political power of the United States and Great Britain, means that English will continue to have massive impact on the global economy in the future.

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What Is The Best Way To Learn Spanish ?

Thursday, December 18th, 2008

The best way to learn Spanish is the one that works for you. That is to say that the program that fits in with your lifestyle and schedule and teaches you in the way that helps you the most is the one that is the best. For many people, they must learn Spanish in a classroom setting. For others it might be an at home program.

Of course, classroom learning does have its advantages. For one thing, you can always ask for help in the classroom if you are having problems with a particular aspect of the lesson. If you are the sort who likes a lot of feedback, a good instructor will always give you that. And having people around to practice with can be helpful. After all, it could be hard to know if you are pronouncing things correctly without a skilled teacher on hand to listen to your pronunciation.

You should bear in mind that a classroom schedule will demand specific blocks of time. There is always a class schedule to follow. It will be necessary for you to adjust your schedule accordingly if you want to learn to speak Spanish.

For some people the best way to learn Spanish is in their own home. These people are often very busy with unpredictable schedules and will not be able to devote the time to a classroom program. It is also a good way for those who dont necessarily have the time in their schedule at all for learning a language. Most home programs will consist of CDs for learning. Playing these in the car while you are on your way to work is a great efficient use of your time.

There are hidden times when you may be able to learn Spanish at home. For example, if you are awake at 4 a.m. with some time on your hands, you can always do a Spanish lesson if you are learning at home. If you are taking a class, it might prove difficult to get everyone together for a session at this time!

Whichever way that you decide to learn Spanish, you will be doing a great deal to improve yourself. The best way to learn Spanish will fit in with your schedule and offer you the most comprehensive study of the language.

Decide which way that you want to go with your language learning project and work on improving yourself. You have made a very wise decision in learning Spanish and deciding the best way to learn Spanish is only a matter of experimenting with the different programs that are available.

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