I was wondering if I could justify the purchase of an ipad for my business and browsing through articles, I came up with the information that apple and ACTFL developed a Spanish course called Hell0-Hello, which is an app, which features Hello-Hello’s complete Spanish course developed includes 30 conversational lessons and hundreds of flashcards with words and sentences to practice vocabulary. It follows ACTFL’s research-based approach to teaching languages; all lessons are based on realistic situations, rather than a collection of out-of-context words and phrases.  Users do not need to be connected to Wi-Fi or 3G networks to run the app.

The app is available in the iTunes Store for an introductory price of $4.99.

I also found out that it will allow you to record and use it as a sound lab, allowing you to listen to your pronunciation and keep track of your progress. The person interested in learning more about foreign languages can also read newspapers, magazines and books on the go with the 3G version in a much more comfortable screen than the phone version.

I tried the ipad at an apple store and I must confess that I loved it! Whether you use an ipad or not, use the Internet and technology available as an amazing resource to help you accomplish your goals. There are many free sites for example, Spanish. I will touch this subject on my next post.

Saludos,

Claudia Krusch

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Question of the week is How do we have access to international social networking without speaking the language? What are the options out there?

My first suggestion is that you find out why you would be joining them? Different social network sites offer different options. For example, Facebook has an international feature which allows members to see the info on their own language and has presence in many countries.

Brazil for example has its own social networking site which is orkut (by Google). Very hard to find people there, but the site allows foreigner to see the tools and info in English, but the posts remain in their original language.

Twitter and Skype also have presence in foreign countries and the language barrier is resolved depending on where you join them.

I think if joining social networking sites in other countries for business, you should try to learn your way around the site and try to use its tools to better serve you. If the need is personal, maybe make friends or a child looking for a penpal, be careful and explore the info on the people who add you as a friend, because scams are out there everywhere!

Language barrier is another question. The majority of sites offer US only search which will separate English speakers/US users from other users or it will allow you to search for friends who are in that category as well.

I have joined many sites to share my business and find relatives and friends in Brazil, but I must confess, I am still trying to use those sites on my best interest.

Saludos,

Claudia Krusch

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Dear Readers,

High rates of unemployment make us think about alternatives to start a new career or add value our to our current set of skills. Learn a second language is definitely a smart step toward making a difference in the market place. What should you do in other to take that step?

1) Find a program which you feel comfortable with. Online or live classes prove to be more effective than cds and software which don’t acess your knowledge or answer real life questions. There’s nothing better than learning with a teacher!
2)Cost: Classes range from $ 15.00 to $ 500.00 a month. Do your homework and make sure you are not getting in debt to learn a new language; there are many affordable programs such as ours which will give you the basic knowledge at an affordable rate.
3)Marketing your skills: you should market your new acquired skills at social networks and interviews, showing the prospective employers that you have acquired not only foreign language skills, but knowledge of foreign markets, possibility of taking the company to a new venture or basically offering an alternative to the company to rely on interpreters all the time!

So, use this blog as an inspiration to reach your “pot of gold”

Good luck!
Claudia Krusch
CK Translations LLC

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