New York City is home to countless opportunities for learning, and language schools are no exception. But with so many options, how do you choose the best language school for your needs? At ABC Languages, we’ve been helping students embark on their language-learning journeys since 1998. With over 25 years of experience, we’ve seen firsthand […]

How long does it take to become fluent in another language? A question I get often that I both love and dread. I love it because the real answer is interesting to me and I enjoy sharing the challenges and adventures that come with language learning. I dread it because the real answer is not […]

I was so excited to read a recent NYT article “Do We Need Language to Think?” by @Carl Zimmer because not only does it explain how our thoughts and words connect, it also verifies how I experience “thinking” in a second language. So, what is the connection between thoughts and words exactly? Let’s take our […]

When learning French, one of the most fascinating—and occasionally frustrating—challenges is dealing with false friends. False friends are words that look similar in two languages but have different meanings. While they can sometimes make learning French easier by providing familiar-looking vocabulary, they can also lead to amusing and sometimes awkward misunderstandings. In this blog post, […]

Learning a new language is often seen as a key to unlocking new cultures, expanding career opportunities, and broadening your world view. But did you know that it also has profound effects on your brain? From improving cognitive function to delaying the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, the process of acquiring a new language rewires your […]

When learning Spanish, one of the most intriguing and often perplexing aspects is the subjunctive mood. Unlike in English, where the subjunctive is rarely used, Spanish thrives on it to express emotions, doubts, desires, hypothetical situations, and more. But what exactly is the subjunctive mood, why is it so important, and how can you master […]

As the crisp air of autumn begins to sweep across the Northern Hemisphere, the world enters a season of change. For many, fall is a time of new beginnings—students returning to school, professionals refocusing after summer vacations, and nature transitioning into a palette of vibrant hues. But what if this season of renewal could be […]

This week, we read an interesting Substack article by Laura Fraser, a friend and former student of ABC Languages. In her article, she delightfully explored the question: Does learning languages require talent? It’s a simple but fair question. And her answer and our answer might give you some relief. First, we want to encourage you […]

Learning a new language is a fascinating journey filled with milestones, one of which is the moment you catch yourself dreaming in that language. But how long does it take to reach this intriguing stage? Let’s explore the factors that influence this phenomenon and what it signifies in your language learning adventure. The Science Behind […]

Learning Spanish has been on your to-do list for a while now, hasn’t it? Whether it’s for travel, work, or just for fun, the idea of finally being able to hold a conversation in Spanish is super exciting. But where do you start? And how do you stay motivated? Don’t worry— we’ve  got you covered! […]

Are you ready to turn your language learning dreams into reality? Setting and tracking your goals is a crucial part of the journey. With clear goals, you’ll stay motivated and make consistent progress. Let’s dive into how to set, track, and absolutely smash your language learning goals. Setting Achievable Goals The first step is to […]

Hey language lovers! ???? So, you’re ready to dive into the world of language learning, but there’s one big question looming over your head: which language should you choose? With so many languages out there, it can be tough to pick just one. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you make this fun decision! […]

Have you ever felt nervous about meeting your new in-laws because of a language barrier? Imagine the warmth of family gatherings, the clinking of glasses, and the laughter around the dinner table. In this article, we explore how learning their language can help you build a strong relationship with them. Learning a new language can […]

We’re blushing because our friends over at Vidalingua published a blog article titled “The Best Language Schools in NYC”– which trust us, is chock full of incredible learning institutions to choose from. We’re honored to be at the top of their list. In addition to New York’s incredible selection of world class language teachers– it’s […]

Have you ever wanted to immerse yourself fully in a new culture while traveling? Imagine wandering through ancient streets, the aroma of local cuisine filling the air, and engaging in lively conversations with locals. In this article, we explore how learning a new language can transform your travel experiences. Learning a new language is the […]

With all of the chatter about how AI is going to make learning a second language obsolete, while watching Anatomy of a Fall, a fantastic film BTW, one of the things that struck me was the fluidness of language in the relationships between the characters. She is German. He is French. They met in England. […]

You might wonder what a book about restaurant hospitality has to do with a language school. As it turns out, we have a lot in common! I had an unforgetable dinner at 11 Madison several years ago (on someone else’s corporate account thank you very much!) and was blown away by the hospitality experience. It […]

Does Duolingo work? This question comes up a lot in my world so here’s my take: Duolingo is a great study tool but not where you learn to speak. What you will get out of Duolingo: 1. It’s an easy and free way to start your language practice. 2. You will get familiar with vocabulary […]

The world of language learning has evolved significantly in recent years, with the rise of virtual learning. Traditionally, language learning has been done in person, either through classroom settings or one-on-one tutoring sessions. However, with the advent of technology, virtual language learning has become more prevalent. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between virtual […]

[CW] When some people think of verb conjugations, they get a little nervous. All of those endings, the spelling changes, the irregulars… English, if it’s your native language, seems so much simpler. All you do is stick an -s or –es on the he/she/it forms, and Bob’s your uncle. That’s still a conjugation, of course, even if it’s a simplified […]

While fun, educational, and exciting, learning a language is no easy feat. It takes time and commitment to really master a new language – and even then, there’s always something new to discover! Choosing a new language to study can sometimes feel like going on a million dates in search of “The One.” Which language […]

With over 500 million speakers worldwide, Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the world. In this blog, we’ll explore some tips and resources for learning Spanish: Immerse yourself in the language: One of the best ways to learn Spanish is by immersing yourself in the language. This means listening to Spanish music, watching Spanish […]

‘Tis the season to finally make good on those long-delayed plans! Call it “revenge travel” or just plain old “summer vacation,” there’s never been a better time to throw up that out-of-office message and dip your toes in the surf. With that in mind, we’ve compiled our well-traveled team’s best tips and tricks for making […]

We’re officially in the Dog Days of August – and we don’t know about you, but we’re more than ready to close the laptop and hit the beach. With that in mind, we’ve put together a few little tips and tricks to keep your language practice going during the last flash of summer. Don’t worry: […]

It’s officially spooky season, and we’re very very afraid…of these common language-learning mistakes! Here are some pitfalls and perils to look out for this October. Stay safe, language lovers. DO: Find people to practice with! DON’T: Restrict your learning to books and worksheets. Language is all about communication! While memorization and grammar are very important, […]

How do you say “turkey” in Turkish? The answer? Hindi. What?! Now I’m confused. So what does a turkey have to do with Turkey and why do Turks think my Thanksgiving dinner is from Bollywood? The bird is, in fact, native to North America but looks suspiciously like the African guinea hen. Back in the […]

Ser? Estar? ¡Ay caramba! One of the first challenges you bump into when studying Spanish is how to tackle ser versus estar. The bad news is they both translate as “to be” in English so that makes things a little spicy. The good news? Knowing nothing, you’ve got a 50/50 chance of getting it right. Could be worse! To […]

“My classes have been a life saver” “I feel a sense of community” “It is something I look forward to every week” I feel like I am really doing something for myself “I can see see the progress I am making” These are just a few comments we have received from our students during these […]

Struggling to learn a new language with popular apps? If you are frustrated by your progress thus far, you are not alone, and it’s not your fault. Apps are not meant to be an exclusive teaching tool. They don’t work that way. They are meant to supplement in-person or virtual instruction so you can strengthen […]

One thing that can be a bit of a curve ball for the beginning Spanish learner is that certain expressions use the verb tener (to have), in places where English would use the verb “to be”. For example, to say things like “I am 25 years old” or “I am hungry”, in Spanish you actually say “I […]

A major motivator for many Russian students is the desire to experience Russian culture more fully. However, sometimes we can lose sight of that. Russian is for sure a difficult language to master. The grammar is completely different and there’s so much vocabulary to remember. Because of that, many beginner Russian students spend the bulk […]

While fall may be fast approaching, summer is not over yet! If you have an upcoming trip abroad, here are some tips to show your hosts that you have put in some time to learn about the country, culture, language and customs. While most folks understand that we are newbies to the country and will give us slack, […]

Meet Koko. Koko was a real Gorilla (July 4, 1971- June 19, 2018). Koko was taught sign language by her instructor and caregiver, Francine Patterson. By the end of her life, she is said to have had a vocabulary of 1000 ASL signs and was able to understand 2000 words of spoken English. Were her […]

LANGUAGE? DIALECT? REGIONALISM? ACCENT? PIDGIN? PATOIS? CREOLE? WHAT’S THE DIFF? This is a question that came up during one of our daily staff lunches and we had a good ol’ time geeking out on getting to the bottom of this question. So what is the difference exactly? Dialect/Accent /Patois/Regionalism: We all have a dialect. Our […]

Today it’s a matter of regional usage (e.g. North America vs Great Britain) but how did we get here? Pre-16th century, the season was known as “hærf-est”, basically “harvest”. Interesting to note that this root is still in play in modern Germanic languages (Dutch herfst, German Herbst and Scottish hairst). The word “autumn” is thought to have come from the […]

Finding your second language: An invitation to compare yourself to…yourself There is a wonderful article in the New Yorker about hyperpolyglots (those who speak at least 6 languages) that is worth a look-see. Hyperpolyglots are basically the Olympic-level champions of language acquisition. A fascinating world to say the least! And just like their athletic counterparts, they have […]

The World Cup is upon us and the eyes of the world will be glued to their TVs over the coming months to watch the games taking place in Russia. That said, here’s a little linguistic trivia on where the word Russia likely comes from: While much of the ancestry of modern Russians can be […]

Like so many words in our native language, we generally don’t think about where they come from and what their meaning and, perhaps, true spirit is. Take a look at the words for “to open” and “April” in a couple of romance languages: aprire/aprile (Italian), abrir/abril (Spanish/Portuguese). Notice that the letters p and b are a similar mouth movement.  […]

As we celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, we thought we’d reflect not just on the “luck of the Irish” but how they and other cultures celebrate the idea of luck. China: Is it lucky number 7 or number 8?  Depends on who you ask! In western cultures, we like number 7. Probably because the ancient […]

Lunar New Year is just around the corner and you will start to see signs around the city wishing people a “Happy Chinese New Year”. What many people don’t realize, but what our Korean or Vietnamese language teachers could tell you: Lunar new year is not just celebrated in Chinese communities. In Vietnam the lunar new […]

If you are one of the many people who have tried out language programs that promise “no pesky verb conjugations or noun declensions” but find yourself wanting to figure out the patterns, you’re not alone! Poor grammar has gotten such a bad rap that a no-grammar approach has become a marketing catchphrase. How did that […]

Sardinia is best known for its beautiful, pristine beaches, its stunning landscape, and the Italian glitterati who descend in high season. But the island also offers a fascinating history that dates back dozens of millennia. The earliest settlers are estimated to have arrived as long as 50,000 years ago, and from 1500 to 500 BC […]

July is a month of filled with independence celebrations. Rather than going for the usual suspects (Bastille Day! 4th of July!), in honor of Nelson Mandela’s birthday on July 18 (he would have been 99), we thought we would take a moment to shine a spotlight on the linguistic richness of Mr. Mandela’s home country, South Africa. First […]

[CW] When some people think of verb conjugations, they get a little nervous. All of those endings, the spelling changes, the irregulars… English, if it’s your native language, seems so much simpler. All you do is stick an -s or –es on the he/she/it forms, and Bob’s your uncle. That’s still a conjugation, of course, even if it’s a simplified […]

(Image Source: pixabay.com) [EZ] Let’s just get this out of the way right now, learning a language takes, well, a while.  If you put yourself into the proverbial language learning car and after 5 minutes ask, “are we fluent yet?” I can tell you right now, this is going to be a long and arduous […]

[EZ] If you’re like many of us, you have a foreign language story. More often than not, it’s an unsuccessful experience in high school or college that left you with a few words of French or Spanish, and the depressing feeling that you were the problem. You just didn’t seem to “get” a foreign language. […]

(Image source: pixabay.com) [CW] Learning vocabulary is obviously an important part of learning a language. In some ways, it’s also the most boring part, because it really just comes down to memorization. And memorization can be tedious. But memorization is really the first part of the process; to move new vocabulary from your short term […]