What Are the Best Japanese Magazines

What Are the Best Japanese Magazines What Is the Most Read Japanese Literature? ChaptersManga Publication MagazinesPopular Japanese Literature and MagazinesFind Japanese Anthologies, Postwar Novels and More in the UK!While Japanese authors and Japanese literature are all great ways to start learning about Japanese culture and history - magazine sales have been steadily declining. While great ways to learn about everything from Heian history facts or the Heian period to the latest in Kabuki fashion - magazine sales represent only 1% of media sales.The great thing about magazines, and not just those geared for Japanese people, is that everyone can appreciate and get taken in by their content: form the sober novelist to the busy 5th grader. Whether you’ll be moving to Japan, dream to visit one day or simply want to build up to reading your first novel in Japanese - picking from the dozens of genres of magazines can be an overwhelming venture. From comedy and sports magazines to those focusing on news or culture, the options are endless.If you're looking for some of the best literature written in Japan, here are some of the most popular magazines in Japan, as well as autobiographical novels, prolific authors and books that have won the Nobel Prize for literature.Stuck in a rut and don't know what to read? Try picking up some of Japan's most popular selections! 1 to 13 years of age. If you’re looking for great books by Japanese comics and graphic designers for children, start with Kodomo.Monthly Coro Coro Comic is a monthly magazine without specific numbered editions. This magazine is notorious for launching the now ubiquitous manga Pokémon.Shojo MangaIn Japanese, Shojo means little girl or young girl. Shojo manga is, naturally, a comic book aimed at young adults. These Japanese writers and illustrators usually touch upon themes on romance, especially those that happen in school.While mangas are typically distorted when they enter into the context of Western culture, Shojo mangas don’t feature any sort of drugs, sex or violence. The topi cs are light-hearted and suitable for children of all backgrounds. Here are the different types of magazines where you can find shojo manga:AriaBessatsu FriendBessatsu MargaretBetsucomiCheese!CobaltCookieHana to YumeEach of these comics come out either monthly or bi-monthly.Josei MangaWhether it be an import from classical Chinese literature, a female playwright Hasegawa Shigure or narratives about the Korean or Japanese government, there are plenty of adult themes that are typically dealt with in literature aimed at the young adult audience in Japan.Form Shikoku to Tokyo and Osaka, female authors, stories with Chinese characters, or historical accounts of the Edo period are consumed on everything from eBook  readers like Kobo to newspapers. Josei manga are graphic novels and comics aimed at young adult females aged 15 to 30 years old. The subject matters in Josei manga tend to cover more mature themes, including violence, sex, drugs, infidelity, rape, the mafia and more.The charact ers are less one-dimensional, with fully fleshed out story lines and more sombre personalities. These Kafka-esque mangas include:CocohanaCookieFeel GoodKissMonthly FlowersWritten under a pseudonym, about the Meiji era, dealing with patriotism or exploring the living conditions or pressures of Japanese women from Japanese society - these comics offer young adults a lot to learn and can be a great way to discovering the culture alongside seeing some of the best Japanese TV series!If you want to expand your reading selection, try checking out Japanese cultural centres for new books!Shonen MangaShonen manga is aimed at boys from 8 to 18 years old. The themes that this type of manga covers are generally friendship, team or group work, and self-expression. These stories are usually set in middle school or high school. You definitely won’t see topics such as Seppuku or stories about a pilgrimage in these mangas.Here are some of the most popular shonen manga:Comic Earth StarJump SquareMon thly Comic GardenMonthly Comic RushSeinen MantaLast but not least are seinen manga, targeted to men aged 15 to 30 years old. The style of writing in Seinen is definitely more in the style of realism then shonen with the utilization of motifs like defined grids, well-worked out layouts and more. While the artistic style is distinct form shonen, the two do borrow a lot from each other. The types of topics covered in these mangas are: sport, science fiction, historical fiction and comedy.There are tons of pre-publication magazines for seinen manga; here are some of the most popular ones:Weekly Young MagazineWeekly Young JumpBig Comic OriginalBig ComicWeekly MorningBig Comic SpiritsIf you’re interested in learning more about any of the previous mangas, make sure to check out Kodansha. This manga publisher is one of the biggest in the world and actually jump-started the now infamous Sailor Moon and many other forms of Japanese entertainment.Popular Japanese Literature and MagazinesFrom famous directors and films like Kurosawa’s Rashomon to various authors that have won the Nobel Prize in literature like Kazuo Ishiguro - Nihons, or Japan’s, entertainment capitals of Kyoto, Tokyo and more have put Japanese entertainment and media on the world map.However, mangas and Nobel Prize novels aren’t the only thing on the market these days. Here are some of the other Japanese language magazines you should check out if you’re interested in learning more.Beauty MagazinesThe advantage of picking up a beauty-oriented magazine is that you don’t necessarily even have to read Japanese fluently in order to follow the style tips and beauty tutorials available within these magazines.Japanese style is, of course, infamous for fixating itself on the kawaii, or cute - however, the reality of the country’s fashion is much more diverse. Japanese magazines in general are around 150 pages long and tend to have very little advertisement - apart from the products already being use d in the editorials. Here are some of the most popular beauty magazines on in Japan:MamagirlUpJellyViviPopteenElle JapanMusic MagazinesYou don’t have to live in Japan to get a peek up the latest trends in Japanese society. If you’re interested in discovering Japanese music, there are plenty of magazines available to get you started. Most notably, Music Magazine is full of interesting music selections and information.One of the most popular magazines on the subject in Japan, Music Magazine is comprised of articles that place Japan’s contemporary musical works in a political and social context. Records Collectors’ Magazine, or Recocole, is also a great place to start.Society and Culture MagazinesIf you’re curious about Japanese society and culture, not just in the capital but in the whole of the country, starting with Japanese entertainment is one of the best ways to start learning. With topics covering sports, news and politics - Japanese magazines offer a glimpse at what l iving in Japan is like.Bungeishunju is a great example of a society and culture magazine. Created by Japanese writer Kan Kikuchi in 1923, it covered topics from a more conservative angle and its tone greatly supported the emperor. Dozens of articles written by journalists, writers, researchers and essayists have made the magazine not only popular but also subject to a number of literary prizes.Shukan Shincho and Shukan Gendai are also great magazines to start reading about sports, politics or celebrity drama!Reading Japanese classics can give you insight into the language, culture and more!Find Japanese Anthologies, Postwar Novels and More in the UK!If you want to start reading more Japanese series or novels in the UK, here are some of the books you should pick up at your local bookstore.Tale of Genji, or Genji, is a classic work written by the noblewoman  Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th centuryMonogatari is a Japanese series written by Nisio Isin and illustrated by Taiwanese VofanMish ima, the pen name of actor, author and model Kimitake HiraokaConfessions, written by Kanae Minato, is a contemporary bestsellerWind Up Bird Chronicle, or Wind Up, is a novel written by Haruki Murakami and set in TokyoSpring Snow, written by Yukio Mishima, is another classic Japanese novel and the first in the Sea of Fertility tetralogySnow Country was written through 1937 and is one of those Post-war, regional classics

3 step strategy to mastering your emotions - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 3 step strategy to mastering your emotions - Introvert Whisperer 3 step strategy to mastering your emotions We all get emotional sometimes. That’s the way we are built. Some people would like to turn off their emotions. They think that if they could just do that, then they will be superhuman. The thing is, that probably won’t work. You see, emotions were there before logic and the brain relies on them to make even the most basic decisions. For that reason, when emotions are turned off, for example by brain damage, we don’t become superhuman at all. Instead, we can’t even make the most basic decisions. So, you’d be better off saying we end up being sub-human. So, if you can’t turn them off, then the only real choice is to learn how to ‘master’ them. Why I put ‘master’ in quotation marks Since the ancients Greeks, people have compared emotions to animals and our logical systems to their riders. The more we understand about our emotions, the bigger the animal has seemed to become. Jonathan Haidt, in his book the Happiness Hypothesis, goes to the extreme of saying that our emotions are actually an elephant. What he means with that is that our emotions are much, much bigger than our logical systems and if they want to go in one way and your logic would prefer to go in another, well then you’re going the way of your emotions. That sounds depressing. It shouldn’t be. Because people do ride elephants. They even get them to do a whole lot of stuff, like push down trees and lug lots of weight around. The trick? Don’t try to dominate them, but work with them instead. Once you start to do that you can nudge them in the direction you actually want to go. Step one: Recognize your emotions You know that saying ‘deal with the elephant in the room’? Well, when you’re feeling emotions that are what you need to. Since you can’t suppress them and you can’t ignore them, you should instead recognize them for what they are. Because only once you know what the elephant is called will you know what you need to do to lessen their impact or at least steer it towards less self-destructive impulses. At the same time, realize that you aren’t your emotions. Emotions can be overwhelming and all-consuming. None the less, they come and they go, while you’re always there. You might be angry right now, but that too will fade. And then you’re left dealing with the fallout. Step two: Consider your emotions What you need to understand is that you can’t understand why you do things when you feel an emotion when you’re not feeling that emotion. This is called the empathy gap and it’s why people that aren’t depressed can’t understand why depressed people don’t try harder. Similarly, it is why people who aren’t upset think other people are overreacting. What this means is that you can make a lot of promises when you’re not feeling a certain way, only to break all of them the moment you feel another. The way around them is to learn to take a step back when you’re feeling an emotion. Take a breath and consider how you’re feeling. Talk about it with somebody or write it down. Describe the emotion and what it wants to make you do. Discuss the consequences and then decide if that’s actually the right path for you. You can even start a dialogue. Write about what you’re feeling when you’re feeling it. Then respond to that emotional state when you’re no longer feeling that way. Remember that empathy gap. It means you’ll struggle to understand yourself and might even think that what you said while in the throes of an emotion is stupid or embarrassing. Try not to be judgmental. Focus on getting what you’re trying to say on paper. Even if you are one of the professional college paper writers, there is no need to sweat the grammar and the spelling when you’re caught in the throes of your emotions. Use stick figures, your own private language, or finger painting. Step three: Nudge your way towards better behavior The more you consider your emotions you’ll come to understand them better. You’ll figure out what is really triggering your emotions. You might even realize that what you’re feeling is actually a mask for deeper emotions. In those cases, they are far more symptomatic than anything else. From there you can then start to change your behavior. For example, you can start to avoid triggers. Or you can become aware of what they are and take steps to calm yourself down when they do occur. Then, over time and with effort, you can change the flow of your emotions to different, more constructive, channels. You should be aware, though, that this will take time. Often, our emotional reactions are learned early and often learned without our conscious awareness. That means that you’ll have to undo a lifetime of behavior. That’s a long-term process. So don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead, celebrate the little successes and when you backslide, simply try again. Otherwise, all you’ll end up feeling is angry and disappointed. And those aren’t very nice emotions. Remember the elephant Our lives are lived on the back of an elephant which is our subconscious and our emotional reactivity. If you ignore that, then you won’t understand who you are. If you fight that you’ll end up being carried off into the jungle without any real control. If, on the other hand, you understand that and accept it, then you can yoke your emotions and your logic together into a masterful team that can overcome any problem â€" be it office politics or how to network. For the truth is that nobody ever succeeds despite their emotions. Instead, they do so because of them. Bio: Luisa Brenton is a brand developer in the past; mom, educational blogger in the present. She writes in a variety of venues â€" academic, business, and psychology. Find more on Facebook and Twitter. Image credit: pixabay.com Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

When, and When Not, to Hire a Private Tutor

When, and When Not, to Hire a Private Tutor Improving Academic Performance Much as an athlete benefits from a good coach, a student can reap incredible benefits from a supportive tutor. Tutoring, in many ways, is similar to coaching: it requires relationship building, positive reinforcement, support, and a true, unwavering interest in a student’s success. The right tutor can be the difference between struggle and success. With a willing and coachable student, a tutor can identify weaknesses, build confidence, and act as a constant support. There are many instances when hiring a tutor can be beneficial, including: When you need a nudge Let’s face it: something like standardized test prep can be monotonous. A dynamic tutor can not only bring some levity to a dull task, but can also install a sense of determination in the student. Creative, committed tutors take their work seriously and are truly invested in the success of the student. Having this kind of “teammate” and motivator can help push the student through a challenging and often tedious time. When school is overwhelming No matter the grade level, school can be daunting. Particularly in this age of constant projects and assignments even over breaks (thanks, technology), having a support system and an advocate to help you manage the stress is vital. A private tutor can provide help with all subjects and any assignment, no matter the size. When you need to get organized Tutors do much more than just show you tricks or shortcuts. From study skills to effective school habits, the breadth of a tutor’s capacity to help is wider than we often think. Tutors can help you do everything from take more effective notes to annotating literature to teaching you how to keep your materials in order and use academic calendars. Much like a mentor, a tutor invests in all aspects of a student’s academic workload, ensuring a smooth, organized experience. When you’ve tried the usual suspects If you’ve gone to teachers for extra help, been in study groups, and spent time in the library studying but you’re still struggling, a tutor might be just what you need. No man is an island; asking for help is often seen as a weakness in our society, but consider this famous proverb: “he who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.” A good tutor may just be the answer you’ve been looking for. When you’re almost there Let’s say you are a junior in high school; it’s the second half of the year and you’ve taken the ACT twice, done well, but feel that you haven’t quite hit your goal. You’re close, but recruiting a professional to your team might be the missing link. Adding a tutor’s expertise to your already strong performance and knowledge base could push you over the top and signal the end of your standardized test journey and the beginning of more exciting things, like college. When you’re ready to ask for help Tutors have seen it all: don’t think your struggle is too great to bring to a good tutor. Know that tutors are invested in helping you. They are not there to judge or to point out your weakness, but rather to help you see your strengths and work from a positive perspective. Tutors are accessible and truly want to help, so don’t be afraid or feel embarrassed to seek them out. The only stigma that should be attached to having a tutor is a positive one: the fact that you’ve got a staunch supporter in your corner. When you need personalization You can do every online practice test under the sun yet still feel that you’re lacking that ever-important sense of rapport and human interaction. Tutors are skilled at building relationships and forming bonds. Bonding with your practice book is a little harder, not to mention it can feel far too clinical. Bringing some humanity to the process can really inject some much-needed feeling into an all-too-often impersonal experience. Just as there are times when hiring a tutor can provide marked benefits, there are also those in which a tutor might not be the answer, such as: When it’s more than academics There are times when school problems might involve more than just grades and studying. If you are, for instance, struggling with situations at home or emotional challenges, it might not be the best time to bring a tutor on board. It is important to deal with any outlying issues first, using resources at your school and in your community. Then you can turn your focus to academic concerns. When you’re logistically uncertain Often we have the best of intentions in hiring a tutor. However, being realistic about your investment and your ability to stick to it is also important. If, for example, you cannot commit to a consistent program of tutoring due to sports or other obligations, you might want to rethink making that investment or wait until it is more doable. This article is written by Phil Lane who is a blog writer for iAchieve Learning. Phil holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a concentration in Writing, and has also done post-grad work in Secondary Education and Adolescent Psychology. iAchieve Learning specializes in one-on-one tutoring for all ages and subjects, test prep for the ACT and SAT, music lessons for a wide variety of instruments, and academic coaching for students who struggle with executive functioning skills.

How to Succeed in any Math Class

How to Succeed in any Math Class A challenging math class is a veritable rite of passage for students across the world. Working on problem sets late into the night can be frustrating, but most of us who have been through the gauntlet can recall moments of triumph when a particularly tricky concept is understood at last. Here at AJ, it is the mission of our mathematics departments to make our students’ first engagements with math as enjoyable and rewarding as they can be. In this article, I’ll discuss some wisdom gleaned from working with hundreds of Bay Area math students.First off, the most critical advice I can give to students is to engage actively with their homework assignments as a means of deepening conceptual understanding and preparing for successful test-taking. Students, parents, and tutors understand that assignments should be completed regularly in order to learn the material effectively. Doing so is essential, but for many students it is ultimately too shallow a level of engagement. You can read mo re about our math tutoring approach here.Students and parents often share that they feel that tests and quizzes do not reflect the difficulty or style of homework problems. Students complete the homework, feel comfortable with the problems, study diligently, yet they walk away from tests feeling blindsided. How can we address this? Here are some tips:Complete assignments regularly and on time. There is no substitute for consistent practice, though I will discuss ways to build upon it.Be aware of what topics you are responsible for knowing. This might sound obvious, but this information creates a list of goals and objectives that can guide learning and test preparation.Think actively about assignments. Teachers assign problems carefullyâ€"consider what concepts or skills were tested for each question. Create outlines to address critical thinking questions and word problems, especially harder questions. For example, you might categorize the question based on learning objectives or tec hniques that were required. Take special note of questions that combine multiple concepts.Students frequently feel that test questions are not representative of homework assignments. There are certainly times where students are tested on their problem solving ability and their improvisational skills. However, more often than not it is that the problems have been disguised or modified so that students need to think while working problems rather than relying on rote memorization. Points #3 and #4 above encourage students to apply metacognition to their learning and preparation.It can be difficult to implement points #3 and #4 in practice (especially #4). Generally, students should not attempt these tasks until they are capable of solving the associated problems without assistance.A technique that can help with point #3 is for a student to ask herself, “Why did my teacher assign these questions?” Ideally, a student can look at a homework problem and say, “This question is relevan t because. . .” This level of familiarity with questions will improve recall and allow students to work more quickly and efficiently in test scenarios.Point #4 is trickier, but ultimately once a student can comfortably solve a word problem she can begin to consider which parts of the solution are most important in the context of their current chapter or unit. Be careful not to be overly specific. The goal is not to plan solutions entirely in advance but rather to deconstruct hard problems into easier problems and to look for patterns in our solutions. This task should provide students with a foundation of problems that they can solve while allowing the flexibility to adapt to problems that look different.The student’s teacher is a great resource because teachers, knowing the exams, can indicate which topics to prioritize. The textbook is also an excellent resource as it will often have categorized questions by topic. Additionally, our tutoring team is an excellent resource becau se 1-on-1 tutoring is highly effective in demonstrating, in a customized way, how students can categorize questions or how they can develop plans of attack for tougher questions.AJ can support students and families by modeling the above behaviors in sessions. Our tutors are very experienced and can generally match problems to previously defined categories on the fly. Walking our students through this process will help improve their confidence and their conceptual understanding. We can also help by reminding students that thoughtful engagement with practice material is a long term strategy and will take time to develop.A final piece of advice for math students new and experienced alike: learn to be comfortable even in the face of uncertainty. It’s easier said than done, of course, but it is an invaluable skill. The strategies listed previously can go a long way.

Language Challenge Dont Give Up!

Language Challenge Dont Give Up! Language Challengers Youre ALMOST DONE! Language Challengers Youre ALMOST DONE! For those of you who are taking the challenge, youre halfway through the language challenge and we know its tough, but dont give up! Learning a language can be hard, and the number one thing preventing learners from finishing what they start is a drop in motivation. So to help you succeed, here are some tips for staying motivated. 1. Why? The one-worded question where all of this began. Why are you taking this challenge?  You wanted to learn a new language! 2. Stop focusing so much on the negatives. Bring out the positives and be proud of every achievement made, whether it be you finished another session, learned a new way of saying something or finally mastered some new vocabulary. 3. Understand that this isn’t meant to be easy. In fact it will be incredibly frustrating, but believe in yourself and you will go far. Doing 2-3 language lessons a week is tough but achievable. 4. You are not alone.  Talk with other challengers, post your achievements on our discussion pages to get encouragement from others.  Its always best when you share your achievements with others! 5. Focus on your goal Have fun. Look at what you’re doing and enjoy it.  The feeling of accomplishment (and the prize of 300ITC) that you will get when you complete the challenge is  something you should focus on.

No Internet No Problem! 7 Great Apps with Offline Language Learning Options

No Internet No Problem! 7 Great Apps with Offline Language Learning Options No Internet? No Problem! Great Apps with Offline Language Learning Options Hey, you.That’s rightâ€"you, the one who’s staring at that phone  like its the last chance youll  have to use it this decade.Do you have that frightened gleam in your eyes because you’ll soon be traveling to one of the few places without internet access?Or is it something else? Maybe youre just trying to unplug, get back to basics, smell the rosesWhatever your reason for disconnecting, you should know that language learning doesn’t have to stop just because you’re offline.You dont even have to say goodbye to that bit of technology youre holding!I sense it: you’re skeptical. But I wouldn’t kid youâ€"there really are lots of super ways to keep your language program rolling without Wi-Fi.Let’s check out the apps (plus some old school bonus ideas) thatll help you get fluent anytime, anywhere, no internet necessary!How Serious Learning Can Happen OfflineIt wouldn’t be a bad idea for us all to try going offline once in a while. Studies actually show that some offline time is a healthy thing for everyone.The good news continues because offline time is perfect to power up language learning. With no distractionsâ€"Facebook, Twitter or any of the other internet time-sucking spotsâ€"it’s easy to stick to your language learning program.First, you should prepare by scheduling offline language study time into your day. Many of us already follow a language learning schedule  so this might be a simple tweak for youâ€"stick to your schedule, even if your learning resources will change without Wi-Fi.Then, get excited for this new adventure and the opportunity to explore some different language materials.No Internet? No Problem! Great Apps with Offline Language Learning OptionsSo now the big question: exactly what options are out there?FluentUFluentU is one of the most innovative options on this list, bringing you authentic language practice wherever you go. FluentU provides real-world videos and audio clips in your target language, like movie trailers, music videos, dialogues, inspiring talks and more, thatve been transformed into language learning experiences.Each video and audio clip comes with interactive subtitles. Click any word you dont recognize for an instant definition and native pronunciation. FluentU also creates flashcards and exercises based on what youve watched so you dont forget all those new words! Its a fun way to actively build your vocabulary while naturally absorbing the language as native speakers really use it.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive Transcr iptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.The videos and audio are organized by genre and learning level, so its easy to find something that works for you. Plus, FluentU personalizes the experience by suggesting new content based on what youve already learned. Its flexible but customized learningâ€"everyone has a different experience!For offline learning, you can download the audio clips, quizzes and PDF transcripts to keep your practice going anywhere!FluentU is available for the following languages:ChineseJapaneseKoreanRussianFrenchSpanishGermanItalianEnglish50LANGUAGES50LANGUAGES is a free app  for iOS and Android  that offers both online and offline resources. It’s geared to ward beginnersâ€"even those with absolutely no experienceâ€"as well as anyone who wants to polish up their language skills. As the name suggests, they cover more than 50 languages.If basic communication skills are what you’re going for, this is certainly a good choice. Youll follow audio lessons, which are available to download for offline listening. Other learning materials include language tests and flashcards.If you want to take your studies pre-internet, print books are available to purchase to supplement the programs.There are 100 lessons to exploreâ€"try listening to a lesson a day!Google TranslateGoogle Translate is a workhorse for language learners. Its available for iOS and Android users.Personally, I use it all the time. It provides a quick text translation, customizable phrasebook and even translates conversations in an instant.One of its best features is the ability to get the meaning of a sign, menu or even billboard with the camera translation. Never get lost again†"just point at a street sign and wait for the translation. This app is great for travelers!What you may not realize is Google Translate delivers for  offline learning, too. It’s possible to download languages onto your device so they’re available for use even when the device is not connected to the internet. Google Translates language packs are available in more than 50 languages.Some even offer offline camera translation!Plus, when you’re not actively looking for a translation, this app is perfect for offline vocabulary building.Naver Papago TranslateNaver Papago Translate is a text, voice, conversation and image translation app for iOS and Android users.  Its available for 11 languages, including French, Japanese, Russian, Vietnamese and more.For offline learning, theres a phrasebook containing basic expressions. Its a fun, fast way to boost your communication abilities whenever youve got some down time.When you get back on the grid, Naver Papago offers a full dictionary as well as real-time translations. You can even  enable location services and Naver Papago will suggest languages for translation depending on where you are!In case you’re wondering, papago means parrot in Esperanto. Its a bird with language abilities, so it does seem to be a fitting name for such a useful app!MemriseMemrise is designed to make language education catchy and fun, while comprehensive. Both iOS and Android users will benefit from this download. It provides an offline mode so you can easily continue your practice anywhere.With Memrise, you follow themed courses (e.g. foundational vocabulary, common expressions, conjugation rules etc.) to learn your language in a logical way. It’s a unique approach to language study but it still packs all of the components we expect from a language program.As you study youll get games, videos featuring native speakers, chatbots and more. You can even record your own pronunciation for comparison with native speech.DuolingoDuolingo is a f amiliar language-learning program. You may already recognize their fun, green owl mascot Duo, who accompanies learners on their journey from beginner to advanced levels. Available for about 30 languages, this app teaches in small, manageable lessons on both iOS and Android devices.There’s the voice recognition segment that pulls no punchesâ€"when you’ve mispronounced a word or phrase, you’ll be prompted to try again. Have practice conversations with chatbots or join a club with other learners.When lessons are completed Duo will commend you and tell you how many days in a row you’ve been working on a particular language. This is a fun way to learn a language!Duolingos offline mode includes an abridged number of its lessons. When youre offline, the progress tracking features will be turned off.BusuuThe Busuu app is an excellent choice, since  all its lessons are available offline!It teaches 12 languages at all levels on iOS  and Android platforms.  If you’re not sure where y ou fall on the learning scale, don’t worry! Busuu will give you a placement test to determine the perfect starting point for your language-learning journey.Busuus program is designed to teach you a language through brief but consistent studyâ€"just 10 minutes a day. It covers key vocabulary,  conversational phrases, grammar skills and even allows for real practice with native speakers.Looking for a Bonus Offline Option? Go Old School with Flashcards!Flashcards? They’re not just for kids! In fact, they’re a key component in nearly every language program. They’re a customizable method for  building a strong vocabulary.Most die-hard language students wouldn’t leave home without our language flashcards. Mine are always with me!Instead of making them yourself, try these fun options.TravelflipsTravelflips  are flashcards that provide basic phrases suitable for everyday use. They come in Spanish, Italian, German  and French and are packed in a neat little box that’s perfect for traveling.I have both the Italian and French cards and love them. I’m hoping they follow up with more languages!BerlitzBerlitz also offers a ready-made flashcard option. Their flashcard sets include  German, Spanish, French and Chinese.These are designed with children in mind, but beginning learners of any age would get a vocabulary boost from using them.Going offline doesn’t have to mean a language program is also turned off.Put today’s technology to good use to continue your language journeyâ€"and keep up  the habit of daily language practice! Add an old school option and you’re all set to learn anytime, anywhere!Good luck! And enjoy your disconnect!

YouTube Rules 4 Ways to Learn a Language Online with Fun Videos

YouTube Rules 4 Ways to Learn a Language Online with Fun Videos Media-based  language learning rules.Its an exciting new option that was nearly impossible before the age of the Internet.Before, unless you were willing to shell out cash for a foreign cable or satellite channel (assuming one was even available in the language you wanted), you couldnt watch everyday TV and movies in your target language.Sure, if you were lucky, your local library may have had a foreign movie section, but it was probably crowded with esoteric classics with complicated plots and dialogue.Now, the Internetâ€"and namely YouTubeâ€"has changed all of this. Its easy to watch sitcoms or reality TV in your target language. You can find movie recommendations and hunt down target language media that fits your tastes.Maybe youve already used YouTube for these things. You can take advantage of  TV episodes, movie trailers and music,  all in your target language.YouTube even has a number of good channels that produce language lessons, and you might already be using some.But wait. We havent even gotten to the good part yet.Thats right.YouTube can do even more to help your language learning! Using Original YouTube Content to Learn a Language  YouTube content creators are the unique ingredient that makes YouTube different from other sources of media. They represent a gold mine of different ways to bring your target language into your life, with enough variety to keep you entertained for ages.Original YouTube content covers all previously-known genres of entertainment and then some, from makeup and video game tutorials, to comedy, to people just sitting down and talking to their camera.These videos are created in a different style than mainstream media. The creators speak differently, script differently and, conveniently, the videos are usually around just 5-to-10 minutes long, making them easy to fit into your day.And, luckily, there are numerous content creators creating in languages other than English!Because these videos are created by native speakers and for native speakers, the content is most accessible to those who have intermediate to advanced skill levels. But dont stop reading if youre a beginner in a language, or havent even started learning yet. Anyone can benefit from listening to native speakers speaking at normal speed as early as they want. The sooner you listen to native speakers, the sooner you get used to the new sounds, and the sooner you understand!Furthermore, learners of any and all levels can easily access this type of content with FluentU, as well as other content you might find on YouTube. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.Below, well look at some different types of content you can easily incorporate into your language learning.First, just one thing to keep in mind: Sometimes countries tend to prefer other video websites over YouTube (for example, Youku and Tudou are two Chinese video website s, and NicoNico is popular in Japan). Additionally, original vlog content is not equally popular in every country in the world.Without further ado, here are 4 ways to incorporate original YouTube content into your language learning diet!YouTube Rules: 4 Ways to Learn a Language Online with Fun Videos1. Watch Daily VloggersDaily vloggers, by their very name, vlog about everyday topics. They often bring their cameras along with them and film themselves simply talking through their daily lives. Daily vloggers range from young-ish single people to parents vlogging about their families and children.These types of videos do wonders for getting used to your target language.Because the vloggers talk about daily life, youll acquire everyday vocabulary that you can use when youre going about your own errands, obligations, etc. The vlogs are rarely scripted, so if you dont have conversation partners or native speaker friends, you still get a chance to hear the language as its really spoken, by real people (this is different from quick-witted TV scripts!). Oftentimes, vloggers will be filming while theyre with a friend or two, so you get to eavesdrop on real conversations instead of monologues or scripted dialogue.How do I find daily vlogs?Ive had a lot of luck simply searching Daily vlog [target language] in English (with the name of the target language in the language itself). Daily vlogs are not often included in YouTube channel directories or compilation blog postsâ€"while they tend to have a lot of views, they dont seem to reach that level of mainstream popularity. Once you find one vlog in your target language, the YouTube suggestions sidebar is a great help in finding more!Here are some daily vlogs to start off with:MeloMore (Spanish) â€" This is the daily vlog of a Spanish musician. She talks to her camera as she goes about her day rehearsing, meeting up for jam sessions and just generally hanging out. She has a more polished comedy channel at YellowMellowMG.Jenes uispasbavarde (French) â€" This is the daily life of a French lifestyle and beauty vlogger. She talks about her pets, life in general and sometimes things having to do with her main channel. Like most vloggers, she  has a main channel (at Jenesuispasjolie), where she posts videos about lifestyle and beauty.Magixthing (German) â€" Here, a German woman vlogs with her two daughters, ages 11 and 6. Again, its just daily life, but this one is fun because of the family dynamic.Mingjai14 (Cantonese) â€" I dont know Cantonese, so Ill just quote the vlogger on this: Just an ordinary guy who talks about everyday life. Daily vlogs are pretty similar in terms of theme!How do I use daily vlogs to improve my language skills?Find a channel you like, and make it a habit to watch one video every day as part of your study routine. The videos are often short enough to make this very easy to do! If you hear new words, look them up and add them to an  SRS deck.You can listen to the lengthier vlogs while you work or study to get used to the way real people talk. These videos, I think, are best for mass consumptionâ€"they give your listening skills a huge boost once you get used to everyday mumbling!You can even leave comments on the videos themselves and start conversations with native speakers. Respond to a comment thats already there to have a better  chance that someone will actually answer you. You can also take the comments people leave and enter them into your SRS so that you can remember the vocabulary and grammar later!2. Watch Lets Play VideosIf youre a gamer, youre probably familiar with the Lets Play genre of YouTube videos. Basically, YouTubers play video games, film them over numerous episodes, and narrate them as they go!And of course, there are people making Lets Play videos in a number of languages.But Lets Play videos arent only useful to gamersâ€"theyre fun and easy to get into no matter your experience with video games. These videos, besides adding valuable liste ning practice, help your language skills in a number of ways.Like daily vlogs, Lets Play videos are not scripted, so youre hearing one person monologue in everyday language. Lets Play videos tend to have more jokes in them than daily vlogs, so youll get an idea of unscripted senses of humor in your target language. Because the YouTuber is narrating whats going on in the game at the time, theres plenty of context for you to piece together new words with the action occurring on the screen, without having to look things up in a dictionary.Additionally, it can sometimes be difficult to find a foreign translation of a beloved game when you dont live in the country, especially if its an older gameâ€"Lets Play videos give you access to these translations! And finally, most video games are pretty lengthy, so if you find one gamer/narrator that you like, youll probably have several hours of free content to exhaust!How do I find Lets Play videos?Ive had the best luck searching Lets Play [game title] [target language]. This will get you a lot of content, especially in the more popular languages.Here are some examples:RanguGamer (Spanish) â€" This is a gamer from Spain who plays fun, more family-oriented games. In other words, these arent intense shooters, if youre not into that sort of thing.StiM  (French) â€" This French gamer plays a  wide  variety of games, including everything from the most mainstream to independent games he digs up.????????????????!! (Japanese) â€" This gamer doesnt have the lengthy playlists of the other two, but also plays a pretty wide variety of games.How do I use Lets Play videos  to improve my language skills?Again, with new vocabulary, SRS is your friend. If you hear something over and over, try looking it up, and enter it so you don’t forget it. Take special note of slang, because Lets Play videos are generally chock full of it. Because Lets Play narrators have a habit of dramatic yelling, you can even try parroting certain exaggerated phr ases.If youre super ambitious, you can take a leaf from the book of Dr. Alexander Argüelles and try shadowing, a specific language technique that involves the learner simultaneously pronouncing target language audio.3. Watch Comedy SketchesI personally think that the comedy on YouTube is some of the best out there. Its creative, its high-quality and the videos are often only 5 minutes long!Here, were getting into scripted videos, so these have slightly different benefits for your language skills. The scripted jokes will give you insight into the shared sense of humor of the culture, and the slang will make your language skills seem modern and less stilted. And for less-skilled listeners, the scripted nature of these videos tends to make them easier to understand. Less mumbling and fewer context-less phrases! Win!How do I find comedic YouTubers?Comedy YouTube channels are pretty easy to find. There are plenty of blog posts compiling the best YouTubers from any particular country or language, and these will mostly be comedic sketch YouTubers (possibly with some make-up tutorial and Lets Play channels thrown in).  To find these, Google best/funniest YouTubers [language or country] in either English or your target language.Heres an example of such a blog post in French, and  heres one in Spanish. And once you find a channel you like, the YouTube suggestions sidebar will be your best friend! The YouTubers channel page will also show you which channels  theyre subscribed to, so you can check those out for more ideas.Here are some great comedy channels:Cyprien (French) â€" One of my favorites! Just a lot of great observational comedy and cynical jokes.HolaSoyGerman (Spanish) â€" Germán is a Spanish name equivalent to the French Germain, in case you were confused. Very wacky comedy and very fast Chilean  speech.Hajime (Japanese) â€" Seems to do a lot of taste tests. He also made himself a slime bathtub here.How  do I use comedy sketches  to improve my language skill s?Comedy channels are especially addictive, so this is a really easy one to incorporate into your daily lifeâ€"like with any of the other video genres, make it a point to watch one short video every day. Like Lets Play videos, comedy sketches incorporate plenty of slang and relaxed grammarâ€"take note of these and try to incorporate some of the words when you practice with a conversation partner.For extra practice, write reviews of your favorite sketches  on Lang-8, an online journaling site where native speakers correct your entries.4. Watch BookTubersBookTubers are a growing YouTube genre centered on reading, collecting and reviewing books. These videos are often scripted and can get lengthy (up to around 20 minutes!), but the content and reviews themselves arent where the main value lies. The videos are great for book recommendations and to supplement your readingâ€"you can watch a review before or after you read a novel  to make sure youve understood it!BookTubers tend to be on the young side, usually in their late teens or so. Thus, they mostly talk about young adult fiction, both in translation and in their native languages. Dont let that turn you offâ€"this is great for language learners! Young adult books are more relevant to adults than childrens books, while still maintaining simpler language and fast-moving plots. So youre more likely to get engaged and actually finish one of these books, even if its in a second language.How  do I find BookTubers?Simply search favorite books in your target language. Most BookTubers routinely review favorite books, so its easy to find channels this way!Here are some of my favorites:Clau Reads Books (Spanish) â€" A Mexican BookTuber covers your usual BookTube material here, like book hauls, book reviews, best-of-the-month lists and best-of-year lists. Mostly young adult fiction.Le Souffle des Mots (French) â€" A French YouTuber who covers the same kind of vlog tags as above. However, she tends to include more mainstre am and literary material.Winkybooks (German) â€" Similar content to that above! A lot of young adult recommendations and a lot of high quality book reviews.Reacizu (Japanese) â€" This YouTubers videos mostly cover tours through her extensive manga collection.How  do I use BookTubers  to improve my language skills?Again, the  strength  of BookTuber videos lies in  their book recommendations. Ive bought so many books because of watching Spanish-speaking Booktubers, and its helped with my Spanish language skills immensely. You can find target language books through Amazon third party sellers, the Kindle store (if youre learning a popular language) or other online foreign language bookstores like Multilingual Books.Additionally, you can get value out of these videos by reading a recommended book and then going back to the review to make sure youve understood the book. Of course, this can go either wayâ€"reading the book will help you understand the videos, as well. All of this serves to give you more context for your vocabulary and grammar, which makes speaking and understanding the language easier!Sometimes, the hardest part of learning a new language is finding new content to keep you entertained while you’re learning.Anyone can get bored of the same old TV show, a small library of movies or textbooks. With YouTube, though, theres plenty of free content right at your fingertips, so you can switch it up whenever you want.Happy watching!