"Language
is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run
and out of which they
grow." - Oliver Wendell Holmes -
Dear Friend,
Welcome to the premier edition of The World
Linguist, The World Company's new bi-monthly newsletter. In this
and the following editions, we will share with you news of language and
culture as it affects us locally and around the world. We hope you
will be able to enhance your language assimilation with our
language learning tips, keep
yourself informed about upcoming local
international events
and find out about language in the
news. Please be sure to also check out our upcoming
group classes and consider giving the
gift of language to a loved one
this holiday season.
We hope that you will find this newsletter informative
and entertaining, and that it will be of use to you in your cross-cultural
communications!
Very best wishes to you and yours from all of us here
at The World Company. We look forward to seeing you this weekend at
the 22nd annual International Festival in Raleigh!
Sincerely,
Clodagh Bastian
Director
Language in the News
2008 International Year of Languages
The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2008 as the
International Year of Languages. Noting that "genuine
multilingualism promotes unity in diversity and international
understanding," the General Assembly also emphasized "the paramount
importance of the equality of the Organization´s six official
languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and
Spanish." In its proclamation, the General Assembly explained that
"the United Nations pursues multilingualism as a means of promoting,
protecting and preserving diversity of languages and cultures
globally."
Diversity, tolerance, unity, and global understanding
have never been more crucial than they are today. As the world grows
ever smaller and the importance of multi-culturalism expands, language
opens doors to learning about, respecting and accepting other people and
their way of life.
Internationally, the English language has long been
used as a fairly universal form of communication. But there's a
growing realization that the best way to learn about and truly understand
other cultures is to start by learning their language.
Nation to nation, person to person, for diplomatic,
economic, educational, cultural, and even religious perspectives, being
able to communicate in each other's language can only serve to lessen
misinformation and misinterpretation, and increase understanding and
benefit to all humankind.
Language Learning Tips
Beginners: Use post-it notes to label
objects around the house with their name in your target language and say
the name every time you see that object (remember to include the article
if you are learning a language that has different genders for
nouns.)
Intermediate Learners: Pick two new words
out of the dictionary each day and use them in as many sentences as you
can think of (say the sentences out loud.) Keep a journal of all
your new words and review them each day when you add your words for that
day.
Advanced Learners: Find a talk radio
station in your target language (Google "radio" and a country or city
where the language is spoken) and listen to it 10 minutes a day.
Don´t be discouraged if you don't understand everything at first.
The more you listen, the better you will get.
REMEMBER: smaller consistent efforts will get
you further than intense infrequent ones!
Group Classes
Join us for an upcoming beginner
group class! Group classes are a great way to socialize with
like-minded people in a fun and relaxed atmosphere while learning a new
language. We will be offering beginner classes in Spanish, French,
German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese and Chinese.
Contact us to
learn more.
Gift Certificates
This year, surprise your loved one with a gift that
truly keeps on giving. Gift certificates for all types of language
programs are available.
Contact us to purchase your gift certificate by December
15, 2007 and mention our newsletter to receive a 10% discount.
Upcoming International Events
Learn more about the international events being held
in the Triangle during November and December:
22nd International Festival - November 3 and 4, 2007
Dorton Arena, NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC
Tartan Ball and Kirkin' o' the Tartan - November 16, 2007
Downtown Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, Raleigh, NC
American Indian Heritage Celebration - November 17, 2007
North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, NC
Arbolito de la Esperanza Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration
- November 30, 2007
Cary Senior Center (Bond Park), Cary, NC
Scandanavian Christmas Fair - December 1, 2007
NC State Fairgrounds and Dorton Arena, Raleigh, NC
About The World Company
The World Company provides language learners with the
highest quality language training at affordable rates. We offer
individualized instruction, group instruction and tutoring for businesses,
institutions and private students in English, Spanish, German, French,
Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, and other
languages.
Our proficiency-based approach utilizes a variety of
learning styles and instructional techniques to achieve the most expedient
acquisition for each individual student, and each of our qualified and
experienced instructors brings to class not only in-depth knowledge of
their language, but also a keen understanding of the culture within which
it is spoken.
Call (919) 796-2876 or
write us and see how we can improve your international communication
skills!
