Famous French Things Manners and Etiquette in France

Famous French Things Manners and Etiquette in France French Manners and Etiquette for Foreigners ChaptersFrench Salutations: Greeting and CourtesyCorrespondance: French Email Etiquette, Writing Letters and Answering the PhoneFrench Business EtiquetteFrench Rules and Dining EtiquetteWhen travelling abroad, it’s easy to find yourself clueless in the face of different customs, living in fear of maiking one faux pas after another.While some of them are in the guidebooks, there are also a lot of unwritten rules when interacting with strangers. So you don’t look the philistine or stumble over cultural differences, here are some of the social norms you will encounter in France - a little “Emily Post” of modern interaction. only use it for teens or women you know prefer this designation.When meeting a stranger, ALWAYS use the formal form of address. Even most French ads don’t dare to use “tu” when speaking to their customers. In other Romance languages that have a formal pronoun, it has gone out of vogue in advertising and among the younger generation, but in France you sh ould call everyone “vous” unless you get told otherwise. Or you can try listening to how others address you.The younger generation might immediately start with “tutoyer” (using “tu”) - if others address you with “tu”, you can address them with “tu” (unless it’s your boss). In a formal context such as work or when you interact with the older generation, continue to “vouvoyer” until they tell you it’s all right to use “tu”.Correspondance: French Email Etiquette, Writing Letters and Answering the PhoneFrench is fairly formal in its correspondance, and this has survived the digital age. The terms of address for formal letters may appear very stilted to English speakers; however, telephone etiquette is very lax.Addressing letters in FrenchWhen writing letters, it is better to be too formal than not enough. Use “vous” with anyone who is not family or an intimate friend.Your letter should include the address of the person you are writing to, your own add ress, the date and place you are writing from.All letters should start with:“cher Monsieur” or “chère Madame” and their last nameUnless the person has a title, then use the title rather than their name: “Monsieur le directeur”, “Madame la Consul”.The equivalent to the English “To Whom It May Concern” is “Cher Monsieur, chère Madame” or “chers Messieurs, chères Mesdames” if you think several people with be viewing the letter (for a job application, for example.)Ending a letter is more problematic. There are many variations on the formules de politesse (you will find a mix-and-match table here), but you will probably be safe with “Veuillez agréer, Monsieur/Madame [insert title or name here] à l’expression de mes sentiments distingués”, though if you are a man writing to a woman, you might want to replace “sentiments” with “salutations”.French email etiquetteIn France, email etiquette is a little bit less formal than letters, but it is st ill better to follow the formalities. You can then take the tone from the answer you receive.Of course, social networking is as informal in France as anywhere else - just make sure your tone remains polite when tweeting or posting on social media in a discussion about your favourite French writers. Nobody likes a troll.French phone etiquetteMost French people simply answer the phone with “Allô?”. There is no fixed etiquette for answering a business phone. You should start with “bonjour” instead of “allô”; then you might go on with “ici [your name] chez [name of business]”.If you are the caller, start with “bonjour, [your name] à l’appareil”.French Business EtiquetteWorkplace etiquette is quite similar all over the the world. However, it is a tad more formal in France compared to some other countries.Everyday rules of conduct at the workplaceThere is no such thing as casual Friday, so be sure you wear the appropriate business dress - though younger startups m ight not be as formal as older, established firms or an international business. Make sure you shake hands when meeting someone, firmly but not squeezing, while maintaing eye contact; use “vous” unless instructed otherwise and call your colleagues “monsieur” and “madame” until they allow the use of their names. First names in the workplace are not common in the French business world.Be careful with certain gestures - our gesture for “ok” means “zero” in French. Observe your colleagues and how they use their hands.It's easy to feel lost trying to figure out French business etiquette. Here is a short guide of some of the most important points of business manners. Photo on VisualhuntMeeting etiquetteExpect meetings to be scheduled ahead of time - up to two weeks. Spontaneous meetings are frowned upon, unless the matter is very urgent.Be certain to arrive on time (especially for a job interview). French business culture’s views on punctuality fluctuate from firm to firm. Officially, you should always come on time to a business meeting for fear of appearing unprofessional. However, your colleagues may have a more lax approach to punctuality. Be on time to make a good first impression; as you spend more time in the firm, you will learn the in-company dos and don’ts of punctuality.When doing business, any over-aggressive tactics, such as gifts with the name of your firm or forceful selling tactics, are considered inappropriate. Everyone knows you want to sell them something. They expect the pitch to be presented politely and professionally; they want to be convinced by the product, not the show. Remember, the French are philosophers and will see through the glitter.The exchange of business cards is acceptable, but not until the end of the interview.However, don’t be surprised if others interrupt you to ask questions or clarify a point. It’s not considered rude, but a sign of interest in what you have to say.Also, giving gifts to your busine ss colleague is not usual, even books by your favourite French writer - promoting a collegial attitude in the workplace is better done with dinner invitations.French Rules and Dining EtiquetteDo you know how invitations to a wedding have a request to “RSVP” to the bride’s family? This stands for “répondez s’il vous plaît” - please respond (to let the host know you are coming) - and if you see it on a French invitation to someone’s house you should definitely phone or write to tell them you will be there.Navigate French table manners with this Superprof post. Photo on VisualHuntWhen you are invited to someone’s house is the only situation where you should not arrive on time. It is considered respectful to arrive a quarter of an hour after the time stated on the invitation - this gives the host or hostess time for some last-minute touches. If you are running more than fifteen minutes late, however, you should phone in to let them know.Informal wear simply means you d on’t need a tuxedo. You should still dress elegantly.A small gift for the host or hostess is appreciated. If you want to gift flowers, have them sent in the morning so they can be arranged for the evening. If you are bringing wine, don’t expect the host to decant it immediately - they will already have chosen the perfect wine to complement the meal.If you are the host, know when setting the table that the cutlery is put down with the tangs and spoon curving up - if you look carefully at French silver, you will see that the decoration on the fork and spoon is invisible unless you put them down properly.Table manners include politely waiting to be seated (depending on the formality of the setting, there might be assigned seating); gentlemen might still hold out the ladies’s chairs for them. Keep your hands on the table at all times. In Europe it is uncommon to switch hands when using knife and fork; if you are an American who somehow stumbled onto this blog, try to get used to e ating with the left hand, using the right only to cut.The knife will often rest on a little knife-holder to keep the tablecloth clean; if none is visible, simply set the knife down next your plate rather than on it when not in use.Be sure to dab your mouth with your napkin before drinking from a glass. When getting up after dinner, don’t fold your napkin, as that suggests you want to come back for more later on.The dinner will be set down at the centre of the table; everyone can take as they like. Consider taking a small portion as it’s considered rude to leave food on your plate. Asking for seconds is considered rude, but you can accept them if they are offered. Don’t worry - there will be enough to eat! There will be cheese after the main course - and don’t forget that pudding is yet to come.Also: don’t plan anything else that evening. French meals are leisurely and generally have several courses, with ample time for discussion and the latest gossip about French celebrit ies (and, of course, networking).After a dinner invitation, a gracious thank-you note is considered good manners, especially between colleagues.Of course, the norms are not as formal between friends - attend one or two social gatherings among your acquaintances before sending out your own invitations to see what the unwritten rules of your circle might be, and don’t hesitate to ask other invitees about gifts and notes.Anything not covered in this article, such as wedding etiquette or the rules of etiquette pertaining to the office cubicle, can be gleaned from the many etiquette books out there - or ask one of our native French Superprof tutors to help you navigate social etiquette! Look out for 'french classes london' when you're next online and discover what more you could learn.

Online Algebra Tutoring How to Get Online Algebra Tutoring

Online Algebra Tutoring How to Get Online Algebra Tutoring 0SHARESShare No more frustrating math problems for you! Tutor Pace is at your service. Online algebra tutoring is your ultimate friend. You will be happy and alarmed to notice your improved performance. Algebra 1 Online Tutor: How to get an Algebra 1 Online Tutor instantly? Getting an algebra 1 online tutor was never so easy. Tutor pace finds you excellent algebra experts. You state your needs and we’ll match you the best algebra tutor 24/7. Whether a college graduate or a preschool student, you get online access to our experts at your comfort. Connect with us to get instant algebra help. Be your algebraic equations or inequalities, we have you covered in one-on-one personalized sessions. You get other benefits of homework help, assignment help, and test-prep help once you get connect with us. Algebra 2 Tutor: Raise your GPA with the help of Algebra 2 Tutor Finding a good algebra 2 tutor surely takes your efforts; But not with Tutor Pace. With us, you don’t even need to worry about your low GPA. You will get answers to all your algebra 2 problems from our certified tutors. We help students of all skill levels. So, if algebra 2 is your soft spot, we are more than happy to help you. You will get help in all topics, such as sequence series, real numbers, linear equations, and many more. This will ensure your increased overall GPA in algebra. College Algebra Tutor: Find the Best College Algebra Tutor online Higher level algebra demands a lot of work and proper guidance. Tutor Pace pacifies that by giving you best college algebra tutor online 24/7. Whether in college premises or on-the-go, you can learn algebra anytime you want. You will learn high-end concepts in an interactive classroom of experts. Furthermore, you will get homework and assignment help along with test-prep assistance. Get  online algebra tutoring  from Tutor Pace right now! [starbox id=admin]

Understanding Your Unmotivated Student

Understanding Your Unmotivated Student You have a smart child who seemingly does not care about school. His or her grades are suffering, but he or she seems indifferent about making a changedespite the fact that your child knows that school is important. Not only does he or she not put forth an effort, your child consistently shuns responsibility, procrastinates and seems incapable of working independently. If any of this sounds like your student, you may be at a loss as to what to do. How can you help, and more importantly, how can you correct this behavior moving forward? According to Bright Minds, Poor Grades, by Dr. Michael Whitleya clinical psychologist specializing in motivational difficulties of children, adolescents and adultsunderachieving students are unlikely to change on their own. The first step for parents to help their children overcome underachievement is to identify the personality characteristics that they lackself-discipline, independence and a sense of responsibility, for exampleas well as their patterns of underachieving behavior. How can you help your child become a motivated, independent studentwhether he or she is a chronic procrastinator and or a social butterfly who considers school merely an opportunity to be with friends? Consider these tips, as derived from Dr. Whitleys 10-step program to conquer underachievement: Establish trust. Let your child know that starting immediately, you expect the truth when it comes to school and grades. In return, you must avoid nagging and long lectures. Let your child know that your motivation is to help him or her become independent at school and capable of overcoming any issues that arise. Set goals. Have your child define specific goals for each of his or her classeswhat grades does he or she want to receive? Accept your childs goals, even if the bar is set low. Have your child lay out his or her game plan. Talk with your child honestly about how he or she plans to earn the goal grades. Get a clear picture of the study schedule he or she plans to adhere to, the steps your child thinks he or she must take, and more. Persevere even if your child seems apathetic about the discussion. Note any problems. What is standing in the way of your child achieving his or her goals? Talk about your childs perspective on and attitude about those roadblocks. Ask for specific examples, but do not judgesimply gather the information. Make the connection between problems identified and goals set. Help your child see the patterns that result from certain behaviors and the relationship between problems and consequences. Develop a plan to solve the problems identified. Put your child in the drivers seat. What ideas does he or she have to fix the problems that have led him or her in the past to experience school problems? What issues might arise to steer him or her off course? Have your child set the plan of action, including detailed steps. Review the plan thus far, including decisions, successes and failures. Ask your child to reiterate the steps of the plan, the setbacks that arise when he or she does not follow through or do his or her part, and the resulting consequences. Reiterating the plan helps your child recognize how his or her own decision making leads to success or failure. Talk about it. Have your child talk through his or her feelings about the plan forward. Remind him or her to feel proud each time he or she follows through on the plan developed. It is also okay for your child to feel conflicted or even annoyed about giving up the thing he or she wants (an activity or hanging out with a friend, for example) to meet the goals of his or her plan. Ask for a final recap. Have your child restate his or her commitment to doing what he or she has agreed to do. Take the time for follow-up. Did your child do what he or she is supposed to do to avoid the problems that have ailed him or her in the past? If not, what happened? Have your child walk you through the situation step by step. If the goal is to start homework before dinner, check-in each day. What happened in between coming home from school and dinner? By following up, your child will begin to notice how his or her decisions affect his or her goal achievement. Slowly but surely, your child will learn to recognize his or her tendencies and take responsibility for them. If you suspect that your child may lack some of the skills necessary to succeed in school, it is important to address the issue right away. Your child may need targeted help to address problem areas so that he or she is capable of performing at grade level. If you need help, call Huntington to discuss our academic evaluation and one-to-one programs for students of all ages.

An Overview of the ACT Reading Test

An Overview of the ACT Reading Test ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog The ACT Reading test requires you to read four short passages and answer ten multiple choice questions about each one. The time limit for this section of the ACT is 35 minutes, a little over a question a minute. Of course the 35 minutes includes the time required to read the passages, so in practice you'll need to answer around 2 questions a minute, depending on how fast you read and how thoroughly you understand the passage. Obviously, time management is of the essence. While you do not have time to dawdle, do not rush through the reading. You'll waste time re-reading the passage searching for the answers. Do lots of practice tests and be sure to time yourself. If you give yourself four minutes to read each passage, you'll be left with 19 minutes to answer questions. Perhaps you'll find while doing your practice tests that you're better off allocating 3 minutes to read each passage, leaving you with more time to answer questions. Figure out what the best time management strategy is for you, and stick to it. Bear in mind that cell phones must be turned off during the exam, so make sure you have a watch or other permitted timing device for the day of the test. Since no points are subtracted for incorrect answers, you must put down an answer to every question, even if you're only guessing. Make sure you leave yourself a minute or so at the end to guess at all the answers you were unable to fill in earlier. The test is intended to evaluate your ability to understand texts in various fields: prose fiction, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. The passages are always arranged in the order listed. If you have a strong preference for one of these topics over the others, begin with that one. Try to pick up the easy points first, leaving for the end any question that you cannot answer within the time you have allotted for it. The reading section of the ACT is not intended to be a vocabulary test per se; however, it does attempt to test your ability to understand vocabulary “in context,” meaning that you should be able to figure out the meaning of the words based on how they are used. Obviously, the larger your functional vocabulary, the less thinking you will have to do to figure out the meanings of words from their context. The best thing you can do to improve your vocabulary and general reading comprehension ability is read a lot. Unfortunately, not all reading materials are created equal. You're best off reading classic prose fiction, which is most likely to use unfamiliar vocabulary and style correctly. The da Vinci Code, unfortunately, doesn't qualify. Try Mark Twain or John Steinbeck. If you're looking for something more modern, perhaps you'll like Chinua Achebe, Kazuo Ishiguro, Joseph Heller or Tom Sharpe. The New Yorker magazine is another excellent source of interesting and well-written articles that are easier to digest that whole novels. The important thing is that you enjoy your reading â€" as long as you do, you will want to read more and will absorb more of what you read. Mo is an experienced SAT, ACT, and GRE tutor in Chicago who also tutors a wide variety of college level math and science course. He completed his BS in chemical engineering at Berkeley and his MS and PhD at Northwestern University, after which he worked in mathematical research at a trading firm. He scored 1560 on the SAT and a 1580 on the GRE (both out of 1600 â€" 99th percentile test scores). hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, '6baac2ae-05a3-4610-9d1f-265c8cbd809f', {});

Eating Your Worries Away How to Stress Eat at College

Eating Your Worries Away How to Stress Eat at College pexels.com These simple sugars are a popular answer to the stress question. For some reason, no matter how many veggies you may eat in a day, when you get stressed out, your body yells BREAD BREAD BREAD! After surveying a variety of students from a variety of schools, here are the most popular bread-related answers to the stress eating question: PIZZA With so much variety made on a dough base, whats not to love? Sabrina Marell, a senior at Gettysburg College, said, I get chicken bacon ranch from Tommys because it is a good size for just one person and their chicken is really good! Meanwhile, in the same apartment, senior Sara Freed will order from another place. I get pizza delivered from Antica Napoli because it reminds me of the pizza I have at home (Long Island, NY), she said. At the University of Vermont, senior Katie Lukes chooses pizza as well, saying she eat(s) the whole thing every time. CHEESE STICKS Similar to the pizza idea but in a different shape with more focus on the cheese is the beloved cheesy bread or sticks. Gettysburg senior Sara Young said, I love the cheesy breadsticks from Dominos; they are wonderful and portable. At the same campus, senior Claire Healey chooses the strict mozzarella stick option. Kimberly Hilfrank, a Franklin Marshall College graduate, said that if she wasnt eating nachos, she was eating cheese sticks. CORNBREAD True to her southern roots, Gettysburg alum Amelia Smith said that fried cornbread was her go-to. Bread and deep-fry. Sounds good to me. SANDWICHES If you really need just straight bread, then buy a hoagie. Many places will deliver subs to your door, whether it be a local pizza joint, a Jimmy Johns, Potbelly or elsewhere. FRENCH FRIES As easily delivered as pizza, these salty sticks are easy to eat without end. Just like your night. COOKIES If you need a little sweet in addition to the salty, then cookies are the answer. Ellie Lutes of James Madison University swears by Campus Cookies. Like Insomnia Cookies, this company delivers fresh, warm cookies to your door until the wee hours of the morning. Just like Mom would do. PANCAKES Because we all know breakfast is the perfect late night food. (And yes, they can be delivered. Just do some research for late-night breakfast places in your area!) DONUTS So sugary, so doughy, so delicious. Also another late night breakfast option. CHEESE pixabay.com Filling and gooey, melted cheese proved to be a top selection in students stress food choices. Besides cheese sticks, the other contenders included: MAC CHEESE Maybe because it reminds us of simpler childhood times, we crave this basic yet delicious food? Lily Talerman of Ursinus College admits that she will eat a serving for four people in one sitting around 11 p.m. on rough nights. CHEEZ-ITS So poppable, so cheesy, so good. PIECES pixabay.com For some reason, we all seem to like the food that can be broken down into parts and eaten individually. The apparently never ending supply somehow persuades us to keep going. CHIPS Potato chips, popcorn, pretzels, Doritos, you name it. Munch, munch, munch those worries away. CARROTS For when you still want to be kinda-sorta healthy, a carrot is a great option. Victoria Crabtree of the University of Massachusetts Amherst uses them as her football-watching snack. When I get nervous during Patriots games I eat a lot of carrots. Gettysburg College junior Madison Fox adds a fun flare of hummus to make her late night snack a little more exciting. While maybe not what you think of when you think of deliverable food, many grocery stores or even local farms will do deliveries to college campuses. You may just want to think ahead a bit because they probably wont come after normal business hours. CANDY Candy ranks in the top third of answers for stress food. Most people argued for a variety of chocolate (MMs especially) or something with peanut butter (a little more filling), but fruit roll-ups also made an appearance on the list. If you want to know why your body gets so anxious for sugar during stressful times, click here.  COLD pixabay.com ICE CREAM Finally, many many people said that ice cream was the food for them. Whether it be a bad breakup, a hard test, or stressful extracurriculars, this food is always there for you. Despite it being a frozen treat, ice cream is surprisingly easy to get delivered. Its best to always have some around, just in case. Best of luck with all your work, but never forget that food will always be there for you.

Interpretive Learning 3 In-ear Translator Study Buds

Interpretive Learning 3 In-ear Translator Study Buds Interpretive Learning: 3 In-ear Translator Study Buds Imagine a gathering of the United Nations in New York.All the different countries are representedâ€"Russia, Japan, South Korea, the United States, etc.Chinas representative is giving an important speech in Chinese.So how can Russias representative understand what his colleague is saying?Well, they have interpreters stationed in one of the back rooms, listening to the speech in Chinese and translating it.Thats why, in footage of UN assemblies, we often see old people donning earphones, acting like cool millennials who are  listening to Spotify. Theyre actually following the speech being translated into their language.Thats what an in-ear translator does.But instead of actual human beings listening to the communication and translating it into another language, you can have an app do it for you. What Are In-ear Translators?Make no mistake, this technological marvel is not really in the headphones, but in the apps that you download on your smartphone. The miracle that happens in your e ar is actually just magic piping the translation from your phone.So what happens in the field is, you express something in English to somebody who only speaks, say, Japanese. Theyll hear your English in their Japanese. And, when they talk back to you, you get to hear what they said in English. You dont need to type anything on your phone or open up a dictionary. You simply hear what was said in your own language. Its that seamless.Language barrier, boom! Gone.We have arrived at a point in human history where AI is practically able to break down language walls. Voice recognition technology is at levels where it can understand some of the nuances of human communication.Your phones mic can serve as an ear so your app can listen to what youve said. And hey, it actually understands what you mean. And, knowing what you mean, it can now translate the communication into the languages that you want.And the voice that you hear? It can be so human its like having a personal UN interpreter doin g the job for you.The speed and accuracy with which the whole thing works, compared to what we had just a few years ago, is mind-boggling.I mean, its still not at a point where translations come in real time, but theyre pretty fast and some companies are claiming real time. (There are still delays.)Now, I dont want you to think that in-ear translators are the solution to all your language learning nightmares. The technology, though already amazing, is still in its nascent stage. It doesnt come cheap and it has a long way to go. Theres still a lot of room for improvement.But speaking of improvement, these things are great for use by serious language learnersâ€"people who, instead of totally relying on technology, want to use it to learn a second (or a third) language.How Language Learners Can Use an In-ear Translator to StudyNow, in-ear translators are a godsend for travelers or tourists who need translations fast. They can just walk up to some random stranger in Barcelona and not be deathly afraid that, due to some pressing situation, theyll forget the Dónde está el baño  (Where is the bathroom?) theyve been rehearsing since they got off the plane.The utility of the technology seems obvious enough. But for those who genuinely want to learn the language and not just ride on the coattails of machine translation, how might this magic be used?Remember, its not just an in-ear translator.As mentioned before, the real miracle happens in the app. And many of them can do more than just serve the translating needs of the occasional traveler, though that is the most celebrated functionality.Many in-ear translators are actually multi-modal and can translate text, audio and even images. Language learners can make the most of other featuresâ€"like dictionaries, text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionalities. Dont know the translation of a word? Simply type it in a search box and the app will fetch the translation for you in Spanish, German, Italian, French, etc.In add ition to the translated audio provided, your phone will probably be displaying a written record of the conversation (in two languages) so you can actually track the whole thing.You can deconstruct interactions, learning not only vocabulary but a healthy dose of grammar as well. Smart language learners can milk these apps for all their linguistic worth because the in-ear bells and whistles are actually built on top of some really solid machine translation technology.The main thing that youre missing out on from machine translation is context, but that can easily be solved with a FluentU Plus plan. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons. With a Plus plan, you can take words from your translation learning and put them in a customized flashcard set that will quiz you and show you accurate definitions, video clips and usage examples.So dont just treat this thing solely as an in-ear translator. Because its so much more!Use your in-ear translator for personal practice.Language learners, in the privacy of their own homes, can put in-ear translators through their pacesâ€"playing both sides of the conversation.They can say something in English or their native language and hear it translated in their target language. This is a cool way of memorizing how phrases and sentences sound in your target language. Its a neat vocabulary exercise as well as ear-training.(For further ear-training, you can find some speech online in your native language, and hear it translated one sentence at a time.)But more importantly, you can go the other way and speak in your target language, and check to see if the app hears you and translates you properly. This is really valuable practice, probably the most productive personal practice you can have. Youre not just learning translations, youre actually speaking in a different tongue. Youre getting your lips, tongue and mouth moving explici tly to the intonations and nuances of the target language. Youre playing the part of a native speaker.You can even look for text in, say, Spanish, German, Italian, etc. and read it aloud. A few minutes of this every day will get your vocal instrument tuned up in no time.Make those earbuds your buddy in the field.Studying up on a new language is one thing when youre in the privacy of your own room, with your milk and cookies. Its a helluva different thing when youre in the field, interacting with strangers.In-ear translators can be a great help in decreasing initial language learning anxiety. They can be an early psychological or emotional support that lets you step up to the interaction knowing youve got a wingman. Youll know somebodys got your back and wont be at a loss for words.Over time, though, as you realize that talking to native speakers is not a life-or-death proposition, that making language mistakes is okay, and, as youre able to build genuine friendships with people who speak the language, youll become more confident in the process of learning the language. This is what in-ear translators really bring to the table for language learners who are in it for the long haul. They give you a kind of confidence to get through the sticking points.Interpretive Learning: 3 In-ear Translator Study BudsThe Dash ProiTranslate  and Munich-based  Bragi team up to bring you The Dash Proâ€"billed as the worlds first translating earphones. (Bragi produces the earphones, and iTranslate provides the translation software.)Using Dash is really easy. You just need to download both the iTranslate app and Bragi app. Open iTranslate and connect it to your earphones. Pick your target language, and youre good to go.Lets say you want to ask a complete stranger where the supermarket is. You simply ask your question in English, or whatever your native language is, and your phone will give out a translation in the appropriate language. Your Good Samaritan can hear the query through your phone and answer it in their own language. Their answer will then be piped to your earbuds (in English/your native language), and before you know it, youre jogging to the nearest supermarket.About 40 languages are supported by The Dash Proâ€"which, in addition to being an in-ear translator, is also a waterproof exercise/activities tracker and claims to have a 30-hour battery life. So, good news for all language learners who want to take The Dash Pro through its paces. Literally.PilotThe Pilot is an Indiegogo crowdfunding project by Waverly Labs.The Pilot is more suitable for sit-down conversations, like in a coffee shop. Its really not for those ask-and-dash-to-the-supermarket scenarios we just mentioned. Maybe youre in a relationship with someone whose first language is not English or your native language, and you want more opportunities to learn their language. Or you have a language buddy or a language exchange partner. In these cases, the Pilot would be perfect for you.For the set-up to work, two phones are required. Both phones need to download the Waverly Labs app. Each of you will have an earbud (left or right) and what comes out of each earbud will depend on the languages that you choose.The Pilot lets you have seamless, sit-down conversations in 15 languages.Pixel BudsThese are  from Google.By pressing and holding on Pixel Buds, you can ask them anythingâ€"from todays weather, to who won the Superbowl. Youll be untethered from your phone, and instead of tinkering around with it, you can talk to it like an assistant.Now, I know Pixel Buds got a bad rap from tech reviewersâ€"from the price, to the design, to the fact that they dont do noise cancellation, etc. But I include them here as a nod to Google Translate.Like I said before, the magic isnt really in the buds, its on the app, and Google Translate does what it does really well. Just considering the sheer number of languages it supports (over 100), the app is really a buddy for todays language learners. There are written translations, voice translations. You can even take a picture of a word and the app will translate it for you. You can do so many things with it. If you want to genuinely learn a language, then this app is a must for you. (Its free!)For sure, the translations provided by these three in-ear gadgets are not perfect. To close this post, let me just say that fluent, technologically facilitated conversations  still look to be some years away. But thats technology for people who dont want to learn the language.For genuine language learners, those who cant wait to actually speak in German, Spanish, Russian for themselvesâ€"the technology is here. You dont have to wait a few more years. Its already a reality. You can, at this very instant, employ available tools to help you learn the language of your dreams.So what are you waiting for? Get started!Good luck.

Kia Motors America and Advertising Age Announce Competition for Creative Minds

Kia Motors America and Advertising Age Announce Competition for Creative Minds via Pexels.com Entries will be accepted at  www.kiasdrivingcreativity.com  through September 30, 2018, after which six finalists will be chosen. These finalists will have their work featured on AdAge.com, where the grand prize winner will then be chosen by Ad Ages online audience. Voting will take place between October 15th and December 3rd. The grand prize winner will be announced on December 10th. At Kia, we are fueled by youth and design influences every aspect of the vehicles we produce. Styled and engineered by legends in the automotive industry, the Stinger brims with power, passion and performance and proves that Kia is different by design,” said Saad Chehab, vice president, marketing communications, Kia Motors America. “We are thrilled to share our passion for design and cultivate the innovators and stars of tomorrow.” Partnering with Advertising Age was a smart move by Kia. With their growing audience, Advertising Age is the perfect outlet for Kias competition to reach creative minds. Ad Age is a global media brand, where award-winning journalists publish stories focusing on creativity, innovation, people, and culture. As a trusted news source, Ad Ages online audience continues to grow, giving Kia Motors America the perfect platform for their creativity competition. “Our business celebrates youthful challengers, and we are proud to partner with Kia to help showcase the talents of the next generation of creative disruptors who can change the way we find meaning in marketing,” said Josh Golden, president and publisher, Ad Age. Kia Motors America has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brans by Interbrand, and is also the official partner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). With over 800 dealers in the United States, Kia Motors is proud to produce their cars in West Point, Georgia.