Resources for learning a new language for little to no money

Hello all! Just wanted to do a quick post about some resources and clever ways for learning a new language.

Image credit: Salvatore Vuono via FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

1. Watch movies in that language. You can do this by changing the audio or turning on the subtitles for certain movies as well as finding foreign films.
2. Podcasts and radio shows in that language. If you're just starting your journey in learning a new language, this method can help you get used to the sounds and tones of the language.
3. Duolingo - You can use the mobile app or online site. I love it! The only thing about it is there's no explanation of what some words/phrases mean and where they came from. This is crucial if you're working on verb usage.
4. Check out foreign language books for kids from the library.
5. Mangolanguages.com - Normally, an individual or family would have to pay but, if your school, college/university or library has an account with them, you can use it for free. Just talk to your library, school or college/university.
6. Foreign language blogs and vlogs. All it takes is a Google or YouTube search.
7. You can also use find language partners via dedicated Facebook groups.
8. Change the language that you view Facebook... if you dare. (They have Upside-down english and pirate speak, jsyk.)
9. If you use the Google Chrome browser, try downloading a language immersion extension from the Web Store. With a language immersion extension you can learn new words and phrases in a different language of your choosing on almost any page you normally visit. The extensions allows you to choose a language then choose a level. (For some it's scale is novice to fluent, for others it may be by percentage of fluency.)
10. Listen to music and watch music videos in different languages.
11. Foreign language groups or classes at the library. For this you should definitely check with the librarians in your local library. Even if they don't have any classes, they may be able to point you to some other helpful sources.

Hope this helps and happy learning!

Language Learning

Many of us have a bucket list and "learn a new language" is usually on there. In the US, grade school students take at least 2 years of an offered foreign language in order to graduate. Even in college, many majors require that you take X semesters/credits of a foreign language. With that being said, we should be a nation that's full of bilingual (at the least) people... right?

Maybe yes, maybe no. I personally believe that there should be more people making an effort to know and understand a second language. An article from the US Census states that out of a population of ages 5 and older, 80.3% of people only speak English at home while 19.7% of people speak a language other than English at home. This doesn't necessarily mean that only 20% of the population are bilingual. In fact, I've learned that the US doesn't keep track of bilingualism among it's citizens like some other countries do. Perhaps it has something to do with the US technically not having an official language? (Just speculation.) From Ethnologue, the statistics show that there are about 215 living languages in the US, 61 of which are "in trouble" and 141 of which are "dying". 65% of languages in the US are dying! I don't know about you but that saddens and inspires me to learn more about different languages and their cultures.

Statistics aside, why should you learn a new language? There are a ton of other reasons why, but I list 5 reasons for you.

1. It's fun! When you find a learning method that works for you, it no longer seems like a task but an activity that you enjoy. And who doesn't like to have fun?
2. It's a great way to make new friends. You can always go the classroom route or join a community of people (online or in-person) of people who want and need language partners. It's completely up to you.
3. When you start learning how to communicate in a different language, you start learning new things about that group's culture. Gaining an understanding about a different culture is a big step in overcoming negative stereotypes, bigotry and racism.
4. It can increase your chances for securing a great job opportunity. (Seriously, an entire blog can be dedicated to this topic alone.) From what I've read and heard, there are business and companies here in the US that want to hire people who can fluently speak more than one language such as Spanish.
5. Last but not least, you get to cross something off that bucket list of yours. Trust me, it's a great feeling. 

So, as you can tell learning languages and expanding your brain's capacity to communicate in different ways is something that I greatly enjoy. My languages, other than English, include: American Sign Language, I'm learning Chinese (Mandarin) and Italian now. However, I have some to little experience with French, Spanish and German. And I don't intend on stopping with those. I say this not to brag, but with the hopes of inspiring someone else. So go out to your nearest library, nearest community college, App store or computer. There are a ton of options on how to learn a language. You can even start your exposure by watching a movie or TV show in the language you want to learn. I wish you all well in your findings!

Stick shift anyone?

So we have a car that has a manual transmission. (It's used car from someone else.) No biggie. I'm grateful that the Lord has blessed us with a car so we can go to work and do what we have to do. Thankfully, my dad knows how to drive a stick. However my mom, sister and I do not. I'm learning and my sister was learning but she's a couple states away now. I never really had a great wanting or urge to own and drive a stick. Sure, I thought it may be kinda helpful if in the future there were and emergency and I had drive for someone but never, "I HAVE TO LEARN TO DRIVE A STICK SHIFT!!!! GAAAAHHHHH!!!" *insert any rage meme here*

Anyways, I'm learning and my dad is patient and more confident in me than I am in myself. To be quite honest, I really don't like having to do, what feels to be, 5-6 things at once just to stop, start, and cruise (as much as you can "cruise" in the city). I've never realized how many stop and start situations there are. My fear is that (don't laugh...) the car is going to start going and then stall at some kind of intersection where a semi (or at least a very large truck) is going to come barreling at me refusing to stop! (Okay, so I may have a slightly overactive imagination.) Ohhh, and don't get me started on hills! Let's just say this, I pray that the people behind me have any kind of inkling to not stop so close behind me.

I know this is all probably part of the learning process but I do know for a fact that when the time comes for me to get my own car, I will not actively seek out one that has a manual transmission. Putting me behind the wheel of a car that is, is a good way to send my blood pressure up. (Pretty sure that's fight-or-flight kicking in.)

Sooooo... Is there anyone out there, particularly a college age person, learning or knows how to drive a stick shift? Please share.