Emergency Drives Thousands to Learn Haitian Creole

Emergency Drives Thousands to Learn Haitian Creole

http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/b111319/emergency-drives-thousands-to-learn-haitian-creole


Transparent Language Inc. announced today the release of free versions of their Haitian Creole language software based on the British Red Cross Emergency phrase list. The language learning company has added the 62 common medical questions and statements from the British Red Cross to its Haitian Creole Byki software. In the hope that these software programs will enable thousands of people to better mobilize and respond to the emergency, Transparent Language has made them all available for Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Web Browser, all at no charge.

“Relief workers need to be able to communicate with locals” says Michael Quinlan, CEO of Transparent Language. “Byki, combined with the British Red Cross Emergency language list, serves a pressing need among relief workers and illustrates how ordinary people can quickly gain the skills to make an impact.”

This is the most recent step in Transparent Language’s effort to help bridge the language barriers in Haiti. Last week marked their release of a free iPhone app which has been featured in the iTunes App Store’s “What’s Hot” section. Over 21,000 users have already downloaded this FREE app.

Haitian Creole Learning Resources Now Available

Byki Express for Windows & Mac Computers

The entire Byki collection of over 1,500 critical Haitian Creole words and phrases, normally available only in the paid Byki Deluxe Edition, is now available in the Byki Express Edition, which is available at no charge in Windows and Macintosh versions. To download the free enhanced Byki Express software for Haitian Creole, visit Byki.com, choose Haitian Creole from the list of available languages and follow the onscreen instructions. Since the disaster struck, hundreds of people have downloaded the Haitian Creole Byki Express.

Byki Haitian Creole for iPhone

Byki Haitian Creole for iPhone is now available for download at no charge from the iTunes App Store to any iPhone or iPod touch owner. Byki Haitian Creole for iPhone offers users a fast and effective way to learn over 1,500 Haitian Creole words and phrases, including the British Red Cross lists, which are essential for everyday communication. Byki for iPhone’s searchable Phrasebook feature should be of particular value to any iPhone or iPod touch users deploying in the relief effort. It allows users to search in English or in Haitian Creole to quickly find meanings for words and phrases.

Feedback from relief workers supports the real need for language capabilities. As iTunes App Store users have commented:
“I work at a hospital where Haitian quake victims are being flown in for medical attention…this is a huge help.”

“First I want to thank you for making this app free. I downloaded it right before I left for Haiti. I used the app to study while I circled the airport for 3 hours waiting to land and while I was on the ground I used it as a quick reference many times while providing care to earthquake victims. This app is simple and to the point…this app truly made a difference.”

“This app is awesome. I’ve just started using it and I can’t believe how well I’m picking it up! Genius language application!”

Byki Online for Haitian Creole

For online learning, relief workers can access Byki Online for Haitian Creole. Users can learn anytime, anywhere there is an internet connection without installing anything on the computer.

Expanded Haitian Creole Materials for US Military personnel

In a related initiative, Transparent Language has provided Haitian Creole software and learning materials to its Department of Defense customer organizations, and has provided open access for certain resources to all other U.S. Government personnel for the duration of the emergency. DoD personnel can access the Haitian Creole learning materials through Navy Knowledge Online and a number of similar military resource portals.

About the Byki System

Byki, formerly “Before You Know It,” is a 3-Step, rapid language-learning system employing spaced interval repetition. Experts agree that the key to language learning, especially at a beginning level, is to first build a strong lexical foundation – a ready supply of words and phrases locked into one’s working memory. Byki is the fastest, most direct path to that goal. Byki takes users through three simple learning steps to memorize words and phrases in a new language, including their meanings, representation, and proper pronunciation, in the shortest possible time. Millions of people around the world already use Byki, which currently comes in more than 70 languages. Download a free version of Byki.

About Transparent Language, Inc.

Transparent Language is a leading provider of best-practice language-learning software for consumers, educational institutions, government agencies, and businesses. Since 1991, Transparent Language has helped millions of individuals learn new languages quickly, easily, and effectively. Transparent Language’s products are also used in more than 12,000 civilian and government educational institutions, including major universities and government facilities, such as the Defense Language Institute and Foreign Service Institute. Call 800-567-9619 or visit www.transparent.com for more information.

Transparent Language Inc.
Chuck McGonagle, 603-262-6335
CMcGonagle at transparent.com



Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Learning language the Karadi way

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Learning-language-the-Karadi-way/articleshow/5301832.cms

BANGALORE: A new look and thought have been given to Indian education in recent times. And Karadi Tales is seeing major implications in pedagogy here.

On Friday, C P Viswanath, director of Karadi Tales, held a workshop in Bangalore with English-language teachers from various schools on `Science of Language Learning and Karadi Path'.

Viswanath said: "There is an increasing demand for change in education. We haven't worked out a pedagogy, but contextualised everything which can make the current system more beneficial for learners. The Karadi Path is just one way to make learning language entertaining, rather than following a strict curriculum."

If India's approach to Western education had been effective, he replied: "Western education has failed; the approach to learning language is completely wrong. This tragedy has been passed on to schools in India. You never need to learn a language for the purpose of expressing your thoughts for nine years __ one year is enough. Karadi Path involves only one year and that too for children of Classes one to five."

Karadi Path has three modules -- action path, music path and story path. These approaches use the intuitive processes of the brain and there is no assessment or test, which is why children learn the language with ease as if it were their mother tongue.

He also added: "A child picks up his mother tongue easily, and children who grow up in a multilingual environment pick up all local languages, yet schools take pains to teach language for years together. In a majority of English medium schools in Karnataka, students learn all their subjects in English without achieving proficiency in it, which is why even when they know the answer to a science question, they can't give the answer in English."

Viswanath said as a first step to enter schools in Karnataka, they will take up not more than 100 schools.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

9 Ways to Use Recipes for Foreign Language Learning

Ways to Use Recipes for Foreign Language Learning

“What to do?” “What to do?”

English as a foreign language and foreign language teachers are often in a quandary for simple but effective class room activities. You and your foreign language learners have to eat don’t you? Well, to help get you started, briefly here are some useful ways to use recipes for foreign language learning you might want to consider and a brief look at each:

• Making a recipe preparation video

If there was ever a great way to incorporate multiple intelligences and application of multi-media into foreign language learning, then this is it. You guide your foreign language learners in preparing a short step-by-step video of preparing a simple recipe.

• Creating a recipe poster with images

For a much more low-tech approach, why not consider having your foreign language learners make a poster showing how a simple recipe is prepared. They can include pictures of the preparation process and the finished recipe too.

• Narrating a recipe preparation

This is yet another particularly simple-to-apply method for using recipes for foreign language learning. Foreign language learners just narrate the process into a microphone, recording the recipe preparation process as a sound file into a cassette recorder, PC or laptop computer.

• Writing out a new recipe in different ways

The foreign language teacher can dictate a simple recipe for the foreign language learners to write down. The finished, corrected version can then be posted in the class room or online. Dictation addresses the foreign language learners’ writing ability as well as their listening comprehension skills.

• Shooting digital images of a recipe in preparation

To get a good series of images for preparing a recipe, foreign language learners absolutely must understand the preparation steps and how ingredients are combined. Photographing the recipe preparation process will help organize the steps and process in their minds as well as provide them with picture image “manipulatives” or realia they can physically handle or manipulate during the organization process.

• Focusing on the use of a particular ingredient in the preparation of different recipes

Take a commonly used ingredient like onions or tomatoes and ask your foreign language learners about other recipes which use that particular ingredient. Can you make juice, pastries or desserts with it? How about soup or salad?

• Preparation of simple, basic recipes in class

Foreign language learners just love this one. You have them select and prepare a very simple, basic recipe in class while explaining the process aloud. The recipe need not be anything fancy or special – just edible.

• Having English language learners bring prepared dishes to class and explain their ingredients and preparation

This is yet another variation on simple recipe preparation. Foreign language learners being basic ingredients to class, then prepare their offering for all to sample. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich, hot dogs or a cookie sandwich hors d’oeuvres will do the trick nicely.

• Posting videos, narrations and written recipes online

Another concept which might be considered or included is to post the foreign language learners’ recipes online. It could be on the school blog, in the school newspaper or as an article posting online at any of the hundreds of free article banks online. You choose, but choose wisely, grasshopper.

Ways to Use Recipes for Foreign Language Learning

So there you have it, nine ways to use recipes and their ingredients for English as a foreign language or other foreign language learning. Why not choose one or two and put them to the best use in your foreign language learning class room soon?


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

An Unusual Recipe from Colombia: Cow’s Eye Soup

Teach English as a Foreign Language Abroad

One of the benefits of teaching English as a foreign language abroad or living abroad in general, is the ability to prepare or at least try out some unusual recipes and foreign dishes you might never experience at home. Why else would one venture thousands of miles from home, brave storms, earthquakes, the elements and lord-only-knows-what else to teach English as a foreign language abroad? Okay, maybe for love (more than one English language teacher has married a foreign national or a stent), money or experience in one way or another. Nonetheless, you’ll still need to eat though, right?

Not in Colombia? How to Get Cow’s Eyes

First, truck your bunnies over to your local butcher and request from two to four cow’s eyes. I seriously doubt your supermarket ever carries them but a good butcher can get them for you if they are not readily available at a farmer’s market.

From these Colombian cooks can whip up a savory stew or soup dish for an unforgettable lunch.

Here’s a recipe on how you might go about it yourself:

Colombian Recipe for Cow’s Eye Soup

First, rinse the fresh cow’s eyes under running cold water

Then, place them in a pot or pressure cooker with lightly salted water

Next, add chopped onion, oregano and spices or your preferred spice bundle to taste as desired

After that, pressure cook for about 30 minutes or until the eyes are well softened

Finally, take out the cooked cow’s eyes when done

Colombia: Cow’s Eye Soup Stock Recipe

Add two or three diced yellow potatoes, two large white potatoes, one grated or chopped carrot and fined minced or grated arracacha to the cow’s eye liquid stock
Add in a coarsely diced Yucca as well, if available
Simmer the stock for about twenty more minutes or until vegetables are cooked and soft.

In a Separate Pan

In a separate pan, sautee together a small chopped onion, a whole scallion, 2 cloves of crushed garlic and a large chopped or grated tomato in a little oil until softened

Now dice the cooked cow’s eyes and add these to the sautéed mixture
Sautee for an additional few minutes until flavors are melded together
Everything should now be ready to serve

The final dish is often served with white rice, freshly made fruit juice and the enriched cow’s eye stock in a bowl on the side.

Teach English Vocabulary

Why a Colombian food recipe on this blog? Well, food and drink recipes are an excellent way to teach vocabulary in English as a foreign language. There are the action verbs, words used to express a sequence of events, and of course, vocabulary of food, seasoning and drink ingredients which may or may not be familiar to your English language learners – or you at first, for that matter. So, go ahead and pull out or request some favorite food or drink recipes from your co-workers, English as a foreign language learners, friends, neighbors or staff and get busy.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Getting English Language Learners to Speak

Using Substitution Dialogues for Interactive Speaking Practice


English Speaking Practice Dialogues

Whether you are using a course book-based English as a foreign language curriculum or not, preparing speaking dialogues can be a highly effective means of generating speech in class. Although most English language teaching course books contain grammar-based practice dialogues, preparing more authentic dialogues for integrated vocabulary and grammar practice has numerous benefits. If you want to reinforce social introduction skills, for example, incorporating colloquial elements into a prepared dialogue can prove to be very useful for your foreign language learners.
In the early weeks of a semester, I frequently have lower and intermediate English language learners use substation dialogues for integrated speaking practice. That is to say, important information is included in a prepared dialogue, which although not quite authentic, incorporates key information and linguistic skills as in the following dialogue example.

A: Hi, my name is Larry. What’s your name?
B: Hi, my name is Sandra.
A: Nice to meet you Sandra.
(learners shake hanks at this point)
B: Nice to meet you too Larry. What’s your last name?
A: My last name is Lynch. What’s your last name?
B: My last name is Perez. How do you spell your last name?
A: It’s L-Y-N-C-H. How do you spell your last name?
B: It’s P-E-R-E-Z. Where are you from Larry?
A: I’m from Pennsylvania in the United States. Where are you from Sandra?
B: I’m from Cali, Colombia. What’s your telephone number?
A: It’s 324 – 4525 What’s your telephone number?
B: It’s 446 – 3870
A: Okay, got it. See you later, Sandra.
B: Okay, see you later.

In this dialogue, the English language learners will need to substitute their own name, telephone and hometown information as they address and practice with others. You can have one learner take role A and the other role B, then have the role B learner take role A when the next learner comes up to practice speaking. This can continue with each learner doing both roles during two practice turns. Alternatively, learners can practice in individual pairs if the class is a large one.

This dialogue allows the English language learners to practice saying:

• numbers and telephone and cellular phone numbers
• where they are from
• the alphabet as they spell their last name
• names of other people as a memory aid

English Speaking Practice and Social Skills

Learners also practice introducing themselves, shaking hands as a greeting (which is not typically done in some countries and regions). I’ve found this to be an effective, well-received means for my English as a foreign language learners to begin developing speaking and listening comprehension skills from their very first class.

If you’re using a course book based series such as Interchange (Jack C. Richards, CUP), you may have the added benefit of video conversation examples as well to aid even further in rounding out and deepening English as a foreign language communicative skills. So whether you are using a course book-based English as a foreign language curriculum or not, preparing speaking dialogues can be a highly effective means of generating speech in class.





Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Foreign Language Speaking Fluency in Twi and English

Developing Fluency in Foreign Language Speech

One of the most sought-after foreign language skills is that of fluency in speaking. A number of effective methods are currently in practical use but this one as illustrated in the following video offer a unique twist on common practice. That is, the phrase is first presented in English by a native English speaker. Then the phrase in the target foreign language, Twi from Ghana, is pronounced by three native speakers of Twi (also known as Akan). Each foreign language native speaker pronounces the phrase is a different manner and speed expanding the foreign language learner and listener's listening comprehension skills.

Regional English Varieties of the USA

Think about this: A commonly spoken American English phrase like "Hi, how are you?" will sound somewhat different when spoken by native English speakers from different regions and backgrounds of the USA. Distinctive regional speech is quite noticeable by even limited proficiency English language learners from areas such as North eastern or "Bostonian" English. Mid-Atlantic regional English (which is what I speak), the Southern regional English of states from Virginia to Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas; the "Texas Drawl" of Texas and parts of Louisiana or the flat-vowelled English pronunciation of the mid-western USA, among other distinctive regional English varieties of the USA.

Providing Foreign Language Learning Examples

Providing English as a foreign language learners with concurrent examples of common usage speech could actually go a long ways towards accelerating development of listening comprehension and colloquial speech pronunciation. Samples as needed can be gleaned from the internet, YouTube and other video repository sites, movies and music, depending on what you need and to what extent. Historical footage of speeches, oratory and documentary clips of famous people can also expand the repertoire of the enterprising foreign language learner or aspiring English language teaching professional.

Check out this sample video to see how this is accomplished in actual practice. Remember, if you have access to native English or other foreign language speakers, you can also film your own pronunciation videos and post them online for others to appreciate, enjoy and use.

Watch this foreign language pronunciation Video:




Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Danville Man Can Help You Talk the Talk in Many Lands

Danville Man Can Help You Talk the Talk in Many Lands

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2009/11/15/danville_man_can_help_you_talk_the_talk_in_many_lands

By Pat Phillips


DANVILLE – Mark Frobose isn't afraid to describe himself as a "rags to riches" story.

"To show you what is possible, I started with an idea more than 25 years ago, then I failed my way to success over the years," he said. "It wasn't until I moved back to Danville that I became successful."

The story actually began even longer ago, when Frobose, now 55, was attending North Ridge Middle School. He wanted to take a French class but was denied access because his math scores weren't high enough. He brought his math grades up, only to come away from his French class with a D.

"I basically didn't do well because I didn't understand grammar," Frobose admitted.

On a trip to Europe with other Explorer Scouts, the group was staying at a hostel and heard guitar music. Those in the room spoke only French, so Frobose used his D-level French ... and opened the door to a wonderful experience.

"I came home so motivated and got straight A's after that," he said.

Mark Frobose started his own audio language-learning business in his Danville home. By Rick Danzl

He went on to get a master's degree in foreign language at the University of Illinois.

"In 1981, in an Albuquerque studio apartment, I wanted to start a language school, but wasn't happy with any of the textbooks," he said. "So I decided to write my own when someone told me, 'You can't do that.' You can ask my wife: If you tell me I can't, I'm going to prove you wrong."

After some success, Frobose's own insecurities got in the way.
"I held several jobs, but in 1993, I started recording cassettes teaching languages while my day job was putting in fence posts," he said of finally finding some direction with his idea.

"Through every setback, I learned something," Frobose said. "I had this idea that rich people were evil and unhappy."

It was then that Frobose had a frank conversation with his father, who explained that there are just as many poor people who are evil and unhappy. The difference is what you do with your money, his father told him, and that what he was doing was something that could help people.

When the opportunity arose to market his Language Dynamics series on Amazon.com, the business really took off.

"I could sell there and compete with the largest publishers from my garage," Frobose said. "The drawback was I only got 45 percent of each sale, but I sold everything in the garage in a month. I told my wife, 'We're not in Kansas anymore.'"

She was glad to hear it, since her question throughout the process was, "When are you going to stop spending $3 for every $1 we're taking in?"

By 2006, his language series was the No. 2 best-seller in its category on www.amazon.com.

"It was raining success," Frobose said. "We had been working like demons, first reproducing the cassettes and later the CDs. I felt like I was living David and Goliath. I kicked the devil and they didn't like it. Those big companies consider this the flyover part of the country – the part you fly over between New York and L.A. How could someone from here possibly compete?"

Frobose felt he had now reached the point to sell the business.
He attended a meeting of publishing agents where, like speed dating, he got three minutes with a representative to pitch his product before moving on to the next agent.

"I figured my business was about in the middle of the spectrum of the people there," he said. "I had sold $42,000 gross for that December. The next thing I know, Macmillan Audio made me an offer for the concept, repackaged and remastered what I did on my computer at home and renamed it 'Behind the Wheel.'"
Two things definitely stood out to Macmillan Audio.

"First, what made Frobose's learning series so attractive was the success it enjoyed. It had healthy sales numbers and particularly that the user comments were positive and there were many of them," said Mary Beth Roche, vice president and publisher at Macmillan Audio. "What makes it popular is the elements of his program give people what they really want."

People don't get bogged down in grammar. They learn intuitive sentence building, she said.

"The second part was Mark himself," Roche said. "He's an English-speaking guide who uses English as a tool for people learning other languages."

Frobose now defines himself as financially independent, since he inked the deal with Macmillan on July 7, 2007, but he is not resting. He is doing presentations on Internet business, motivational speaking and consulting as well as being involved in real estate in Arizona.

"He serves as a consultant for us as the editorial director for 'Behind the Wheel,'" Roche said. "He has done radio tours promoting the series, and his passion comes through."

Macmillan Audio has aligned itself with Internet travel sites so that when someone books a trip to Italy, an advertisement will pop up for a free download of a 'Behind the Wheel' Italian lesson.

"We are delighted with the product," Roche said. "Now, Mark has the time to focus on the stuff that he loves – getting people to learn new languages."

High school students benefit from relationship with Frobose
DANVILLE – Schlarman High School Principal Bob Rice was impressed when he first met Mark Frobose, "The Language Guy."

When Rice found out Frobose had developed language-learning series, he invited him to speak to a school assembly.

"As a presenter, he's quite a motivational speaker," Rice said. "We had him talking with some teachers and foreign exchange students, and he was carrying on conversations in five languages."

When Frobose was ready to dispose of the first evolution of some of his "Language Dynamics" books, which preceded the "Behind the Wheel" CDs, he gave Rice a call to see if the school could put them to use.

Economics instructor Jason Woodworth is now using the textbooks with his students. They are building a marketing strategy, figuring how to set a price that can net the most profit and how to get others to buy and sell the books.
Follett Bookstore took some on consignment, Rice said.

"The class is learning about supply and demand right now, so that may lead to some additional ideas," Woodworth said. "Hopefully, we can take this opportunity and turn it into a good fundraiser for the school."

Getting to know Mark Frobose

Home: Danville.
Claim to fame: "The Language Guy," author of "Language Dynamics" and "Behind the Wheel," a language-teaching tool.
Age: 55.
Occupations: Consultant, motivational speaker, real estate.
Interests: Playing the guitar and singing, languages, travel and hanging out with his family.
Languages: Fluent in French, Italian and Portuguese and conversational in several others.
What's he reading: "Speak & Grow Rich," "Getting Started in Consulting," "Gone Fishing Portfolio," "Get Slightly Famous."
Advice: Keep it simple.

How 'Behind the Wheel' works

— Uses a flexible structure that makes even a 10-minute lesson effective.

— Teaches sentence-building techniques that allow listeners to create their own original sentences, rather than reciting phrases.

— Focuses on frequently used vocabulary that will be used right away to create sentences.

— Offers immediate English translations throughout every lesson, rather than forcing listeners to guess what they are saying.

— Features both an English speaker to instruct and guide the user and a native speaker to demonstrate authentic use and pronunciation.

— Offers a companion text with a transcript of the audio program plus additional practice exercises.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.