How Learning a Language Supercharges Your Brain
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 […]
Does Learning a Language Require Talent?
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 […]
Best Language Schools in New York City–Thanks Vidalingua
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 […]
Virtual or In-Person Learning?
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 […]
Go Forth and Conjugate!
[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 […]
Language Learning: Choosing “The One”
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 […]
Let’s talk about learning Spanish!
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 […]
ABC’s Guide to Summer “Revenge Travel”
‘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 […]
Summer Learnin’ (Have You a Blast)
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: […]
Not-So-Scary Dos and Don’ts
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, […]
Gobble, gobble, gobbledygook?
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 […]
What is the difference between ser and estar?
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 […]
April – The Month of Opening
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. […]
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
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 […]
Happy Lunar New Year!
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 […]
Grammar – How to Learn It, Use It and Maybe Even Love It!
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 […]