Watch our new video which highlights just how long it takes to learn a new language. Don’t let if put you off! It actually depends on a whole variety of factors and, most importantly, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience!
For adults, learning a new language isn’t easy. Often students get lost in their their textbooks and can become frustrated about wanting to be able to speak more fluently and have a conversation. At The Language Machine we always encourage students to try and immerse themselves in Spanish as much as possible which really helps them to make quicker progress.
If you’re lucky enough to live in Spain or another Spanish speaking country then you’ve got a distinct advantage as you’re surrounded by the language and you’ll hear it everyday and you’ll have to use it as well! Most of our students live in the UK so to immerse yourself in the language they need to be a little more creative.
One great way to help you learn Spanish is to watch movies or TV shows in Spanish. If’you’re a beginner or intermediate then you can watch with subtitles in your own language so you can follow what’s being said on screen. More advanced speakers can turn off the subtitles for total immersion. Watching films you know well in your own language is also helpful as you’ll know the plot and be able to follow more clearly.
If you’re a beginner you won’t understand a huge amount, but try to pick out some of words and phrases you know. Your brain will take it all in and it will really help your understanding as you improve your Spanish skills.
Now on to the best Spanish movies we love to help you learn Spanish!
The 1999 film that catapulted Pedro Almodovar onto the world stage and won the best foreign film Oscar as well as the Best Director award at the Cannes film festival. An emotional character driven film that deals with the pain of loss and love Pedro Almodóvar directed this story of a woman and her circle of friends who find themselves suffering a variety of emotional crises. Manuela (Cecilia Roth) is a single mother who has raised her son, Esteban (Eloy Azorín), to adulthood on her own and has come to emotionally depend on him. One night, Manuela and Esteban take in a production of; after the show, Esteban is struck and killed by a passing motorist as he dashes into the street to get an autograph from Huma Rojo (Marisa Paredes), who played Blanche. Emotionally devastated, Manuela relocates to Barcelona in hopes of finding her ex-husband (and Esteban's father), who is now working as a female impersonator. Manuela becomes reacquainted with old friend La Agrado (Antonio San Juan), a transsexual, and is introduced to Sister Rosa (Penélope Cruz), a good-hearted nun who has to contend with her considerably more cynical mother (Rosa María Sardà). While looking for work, Manuela becomes acquainted with Huma Rojo. Huma, on the other hand, has troubles of her own, most involving her drug-addicted significant other, Nina (Candela Peña).
Reality and fantasy become blurred in this complex and often puzzling 1999 film by Alejandro Amenábar. It stars Eduardo Noriega and Penelope Cruz. It's a stylish, intellectual film that certainly challenges the viewer. If you're looking for something light hearted then this is not for you. It's the story of a handsome playboy from Madrid who has a successful career, expensive cars and a string of beautiful women. His high flying life comes to an abrupt end as his womanising past catches up with him.
The film was later made as Vanilla Sky starring Tom Cruise. After watching Abre Los Ojos Cruise has said he was on the phone trying to but the rights to the movie before the credits had ended!
Learn some names of Spanish foods with our popular food song for children. Over 3000 views on YouTube woo hoo! PS. Adults might like it too!
New Year is just around the corner! New Year is not just a change in the numbers on your calendar, but it is an opportunity to begin everything afresh and change your way of life for the better. It is a time when you can bid farewell to any bad memories or lost opportunities from the previous year and move ahead in life.
If you believe in the notion of new beginnings and fresh starts, then New Year is the right time to embrace a change that will add more positivity and value in your life. For those who wish to improve their knowledge and world view then an ideal New Year resolution would be to learn Portuguese. This western romance language developed over 2,000 years ago — in the 3rd century BC and is the native language or Portugal and Brazil and is spoken in many other parts of the world. It is loved globally for its mellifluous accent, rich range of vowel sounds and honey-smooth tone. Here are our top three practical reasons for learning Portuguese in the New Year.
Portuguese is the sixth most natively spoken language in the world and the world’s second most spoken romantic languages (after Spanish). It is widely spoken in 11 countries on 4 continents (Europe, South America, Asia and Africa) by over 230 million people. If you are about to travel or stay in a Portuguese-speaking land, then you should certainly think to get in touch with an expert Portugese tutor in London who will help you comprehend and learn the vital Portuguese grammar, vocabulary, dictionary, useful phrases and sentence structures.
Brazil has faced a lot of economic problems in recent years but it is a wonderful country to visit. Whether you want to bathe on Copacabana under the gaze of Christ the Redeemer or see one of the great wonders of the world – the Iguaçu Falls – Brazil has so much to offer. While many people in the tourist areas speak English, when you get off the beaten track you’ll find that you’ll need some basic Portuguese to get by.
Compared with many other languages Portuguese is relatively easy to learn. No language is easy but native English speakers tend to take to Portuguese quite well. Whether you are learning for pleasure or business learning Portuguese will equip you with a fantastic skill which will not only help you communicate but will look great on your CV. If you are a complete beginner, simply connect with an experienced Portuguese tutor in London and start-off a journey that will bear fruits in long run.
Convinced much to learn Portuguese?
We at The Language Machine can connect you with a qualified and dedicated private Portuguese tutor in London and the UK. Get in touch with our professional team and let us help you groom your personality even more!
With over 10 million holidaymakers heading to Spain in August we’ve put together a guide on how to sound like a native when ordering food and drinks in the thousands of wonderful Spanish bars and restaurants. And if you’re heading off to one of the Spanish speaking countries in Latin America then while there are some differences you’ll be understood as well!
Drinks:
Snacks/Tapas/Pinchos
Before you sit down
Once seated
Typical Restaurant Dishes
You will be well-aware about the incredible advantages that are gained from learning foreign language. These include; increased creativity; significant improvement in analytical skills; easy international travel and business; a competitive edge in career choices and the pleasure of being able to speak another tongue. There is no better time to embark on the journey as a language learner. But have you ever pondered why students are currently more eager to learn Spanish over other foreign languages?
You will be well-aware about the incredible advantages that are gained from learning foreign language. These include; increased creativity; significant improvement in analytical skills; easy international travel and business; a competitive edge in career choices and the pleasure of being able to speak another tongue. There is no better time to embark on the journey as a language learner. But have you ever pondered why students are currently more eager to learn Spanish over other foreign languages? Spanish is the third most spoken language in the globe, and of late, all economically-minded language learners are keen to grasp the knowledge of this beautiful romance language. Here we list for you the top 3 reasons why individuals are considering taking Spanish lessons in London and why you might consider doing the same.
• Spanish is a Global Language
Spanish is the official (or co-official) language of Spain and 21 countries; it stands third after Mandarin and English in terms of the total number of speakers. It is spoken internationally and its knowledge can open up new doors for people wanting to shape a professional career. In this era of globalisation, more than 20 million students study Spanish as a second language, which is a clear sign of the impact of the Spanish language and influence as a global language.
• It’s Easy to Learn
Spanish is loved and appreciated a lot for the fact that it is relatively easy to learn for a native English speaker. With well-structured, simple and consistent grammar rules, developing an understanding of Spanish takes significantly less time than many other languages. Furthermore, you may be surprised to know, but approximately 30% of English vocabulary is acquired from Latin, hence it makes it easier to recognise and comprehend several Spanish words that share the same roots.
• Spanish Has a Lot to Do With International Business
Spanish is spoken in over 20 countries today and knowledge of Spanish is a great additional skill to excel in different fields. If you are in business then learning the language will help you build productive relations across clients of different countries and expand in your niche in an exemplary fashion. By taking Spanish lessons in London, it will help you to easily communicate in Spanish with prospects in numerous countries that speak Spanish and therefore help you engage in worldwide commerce.
Considering the aforesaid advantages, it is clear that Spanish is a language worth your time and monetary investment. Not only will learning the language help you clinch your next business deal, but it will also give you an intriguing view of Spanish culture. To start your language learning sessions, you can find and book a qualified Spanish tutor from our website. The Language Machine has been helping students connect with the best tutors that will get you speaking in a short span of time. All Spanish lessons in London are tailor-made to match the learning requirements of students. Get in touch with our team today to find a Spanish tutor!
For all those heading off to Italy this summer we’ve put together a useful guide to Italian food terms and how to order in cafes and restaurants.
And we’re talking about a coffee bar here not a bar like in the UK! You’ll find bars all over Italian towns and cities typically on corners.
Drinks:
Snacks:
3 Golden Rules of Ordering and Drinking Coffee!
Before you sit down
And a few ways you might like to respond to the waiter:
Before you leave:
Acciughe: Anchovies
Agnello: Lamb
Anitra: Duck
Antipasto misto: Mixed appetizers
Aragosta: Lobster
Arancia: Orange
Asparagi: Asparagus
Bistecca: Steak
Brodo: Broth
Burro: Butter
Calamari: Squid
Carciofi: Artichokes
Caroti: Carrots
Carne: Meat
Cavolfiori: Cauliflower
Ceci: Chick peas
Cervo: Venison
Ciliege: Cherries
Coniglio: Rabbit
Crema inglese: Custard
Fagiano: Pheasant
Fichi: Figs
Finocchio: Fennel
Fragole: Strawberries
Frittata: Omelette
Frutti di mare: Shellfish
Fungi: Mushrooms
Grancho: Crab
Grasso: Fat
Lattuga: Lettuce
Lenticchi: Lentles
Lumache: Snails
Macedonia (di frutta): Fresh fruit salad
Mandorla: Almonds
Manzo: Beef
Mela: Apple
Melanzana: Eggplant
Olio di olive: Olive oil
Ostriche: Oysters
Pancetta: Bacon
Patate: Potatoes
Pepe nero: Black pepper
Pepe rosso: Hot red peppers
Peperoni: Peppers
Pesche: Fish
Piselli: Peas
Polipo: Octopus
Pollo: Chicken
Prociutto cotto: Cooked ham
Prociutto crudo: Cured ham
Quaglia: Quail
Riso: Rice
Sale: Salt
Salsiccia: Sausage
Salsa/Sugo: Sauce
Sformato: Pie
Tacchino: Turkey
Tartufi: Truffles
Tonno: Tuna
Uova: Egg
Verdura: Vegetable
Vitello: Veal
Vongole: Clams
Zuppa: Soup
Spanish is the official language of 21 countries and is spoken by around 600 million people throughout the world and by 400 milliion as their first language.
People in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Spain, Guatemala, Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Venezuela all speak Spanish! The Language Machine has Spanish tutors in London and other areas of the UK with teachers from just about all the countries on that list!
Since the language is spoken by so many people in so many countries it is not surprising that it has developed in different ways. The classic division is usually made between Spanish from Spain — Castilian Spanish — and Spanish from South America. There are, however, variations of Spanish between regions and countries.
Variations are not so extreme that speakers from different countries or regions cannot understand among themselves. On the contrary, nowadays, due to the increased use of the internet and other media, Spanish speakers are more used than ever to the different accents and dialects from all around the Spanish speaking world.
Speakers from different countries can communicate as easily as diverse English speakers can and the main difference lies in spoken rather than written Spanish. Accents differ and areas have developed their own slang or colloquialisms. These differences are not huge and can be learned as you need them and are comparable to the type of English spoken in Britain, the United States or New Zealand for example.
The most noticeable difference between varieties of Spanish is in the pronunciation of the letters ‘c’ and ‘z’. They can be proncounced in two different ways — like the “th” in English words such as ‘thing’ or like an ‘s’. The fomer is used in Castilian Spanish while the latter tends to be used in the south of Spain including the Canary islands and all countries in Latin America. So words like ‘gracias’ or ‘zapato’ can be pronounced in two different ways, although both are correct.
Slang words and colloquial Spanish can differ a lot between regions. For example, the word for ‘mate’ in Spanish is ‘colega’ wheras in Argentina it is ‘pata’, in chile it is ‘socio’, in Mexico and Uruguay it is ‘compadre’, while in Panama it is ‘monchi’!
A common misconception that arises from having different varieties of Spanish is that one is better than the rest. All varieties are correct! From a practical point of view, a student may choose to learn with a tutor from the country they are planning to visit for example, to help get used to the accent of the area. This is more important potentially when learning Spanish for business where making the right impression from the start is of the utmost importance. Research into particular words related to your business and arming yourself with local knowledge may well swing that big business deal. At The Language Machine we have Spanish tutors in London and throughout the UK who can teach business spanish lessons and cultural awareness training.
Students often worry too much about the nationality of their tutor with many worried that they may pick-up an accent they don’t really want. If you’re a beginner, however, the accent you’ll have will be that of your mother tongue! That is you’ll speak Spanish with an English accent, French accent etc. If you’re lucky enough to live or visit a Spanish speaking country for an extended period then you’ll gradually acquire the accent spoken there.
At The Language Machine, our London Spanish tutors and those throughout the UK are from all over the Spanish speaking world. They are trained to teach standard educated Spanish which is understood wherever you go. If you do need to learn a specific variety of Spanish then we can make sure you are allocated a tutor from that area.
If your pronunciation and grammar are good, you will be understood no matter where you are.
The Language Machine has been teaching languages to the UK since 2000 and can provide Spanish lessons in London or any other part of the country.
Typically we are always on the look out for excellent tutors in Spanish, French or Mandarin. We’re now looking for our first tutors in Dothraki and High Valyrian!
In the book and series of Game of Thrones, Dothraki is spoken by the Dothraki who are a nomadic inhabitants of the Dothraki Sea. High Valyrian is the language of the old Valyrian Freehold located in Essos. When the Valyrians dominated the territory they forced all inhabitants to speak their language. Since their demise, however, High Valyrian ceased to be a living language, only used in lore by scholars. It is, however, spoken by Daenerys Targaryen who is from Westeros.
The Language Machine is the UK’s leading language tuition agency and is currently looking for tutors in Dothraki and High Valyrian.
We look for excellent tutors who are passionate about the language they teach and who can instill that passion in their students.
Typically we look for the following in our tutors:
• A proven track record as a professional teacher or private tutor
• Degree educated
• A passion for teaching and an ability to get the best out of students
• Ability to travel to students’ homes or places of work. The vast majority of lessons take place at students’ homes or their business and you’ll need to be able to get their on time for each lesson.
Working with The Language Machine:
• We aim to offer you a steady stream of suitable students to tutor, with regular lessons typically lasting 1 or 1.5 hours and sometimes up to 2 hours.
• We handle the collection of payments from clients and pay tutors weekly for lessons taught. This leaves you free to teach and you don’t need to worry about chasing parents for payment.
• As a self-employed tutor you’re free to pick and choose who you want to teach. Our online system allows you to view details of possible new students we think are suitable for you and where they are located.
• Log lessons and provide feedback to parents through your dedicated Tutor Zone.
If you believe you have the above qualities and would like to work with us then please fill in our application form at: http://www.thelanguagemachine.co.uk/tutor-application-new.php
At The Language Machine we like to encourage pupils to learn languages for love. Cold hard economics, though, can never be ignored so we we’re also quite interested to see which languages would end up earning you the most.
While most schools typically focus on French, German and Spanish research by job search portal Adzuna shows that it’s the more exotic languages that will rake in the cash when it comes to jobs. Job adverts for Japanese and Chinese language speakers had the highest advertised salaries at £32,355 and £31,119 respectively. Moreover demand for Japanese speakers has increased by 15.8% over the past year, while for Chinese speakers the equivalent figure is 22.5%.
It’s quite possible that the vote to leave the EU had an impact on the results with German, which topped the poll last year, dropping to fourth place. Still with 8,154 vacancies German speakers still had the largest number of job opportunities — up 7.9% on a year ago. Russia also made it into the top 10 this time around.
With Brexit looming it seems that many companies are looking further afield to countries like China and Japan for new business opportunities.
While Arabic speakers are relatively well paid, demand fell by a sharp 31.5% over the past year with just 856 role currently advertised across the UK.
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