It's only a number...
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Gossip by any other name
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Photographic evidence
Hands up everyone who has a computer full of great photos that are becoming resigned to their digital destiny... we have the solution!
Mum's the word
A gift to all mums for Mother's Day... with no calories!
Wake up in style
If you could invent the perfect way to wake up, this may just be it...
Mischief Making
Want to throw a custard pie at your least favourite MP or celebrity? Be my guest...
Zzzzzzzzz...
Join me and indulge yourself in the best National Something Day ever!
You will remember that we covered 'my fifty things to do' a few weeks ago. Well, nestled amongst the bungee jumping, flying an aeroplane, seeing the Northern Lights and zorbing was the little matter of learning a second language.
This is something I keep promising myself I will do but after the purchase of several Jean Michael CDs, a couple of linguaphone courses and a few private lessons in Italian, I have to confess that I am not much further forward!
In my defence, I am not guilty of refusing to have a go when I find myself on far off shores. I welcome the opportunity of embarrassing myself with the occasional "Pardonnez-moi. Je ne parle pas francais." whilst furiously scanning my French-English, English-French dictionary.
If this sounds familiar to you, this week sees the opportunity to do something about your mono-linguistic skills. The 26th September presents us with the opportunity to celebrate European Language Day.
The European Day of Languages (EDL), a Council of Europe initiative, is held annually on the 26 September to celebrate language and cultural diversity. The Day was first celebrated in 2001, the European Year of Languages and involves more people every year and its not just European countries joining in the fun, the USA got involved last year and there are more countries becoming new members this year.
EDL aims to:
To alert the public to the importance of language learning
To increase awareness and appreciation of all languages
To encourage lifelong language learning
Amongst other things, this web site lists a huge amount of resources for both learners and teachers of languages. There is information on the different methods of learning a language as well as a huge range of suggestions including: classes, cds, books, online learning, and, in my humble opinion, the best way (if you have the time) spending time in the country without the aid of a dictionary. It's a tad radical and likely to be uncomfortable at times, but unless you can survive on the universally recognised beer, bread and bed, you have to learn quickly!
The EDL site also leads you to http://www.dialang.org/ where you can test your language skills in many different languages including: Dutch, German, English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese and Greek.
You need to download the software but this site, supported by the European Commission, allows you to discover just how much you know and get an assessment of your command of the language.
I think I will start with English. After all, there's little point in learning how to talk rubbish in five languages - one is quite enough!
