Author: Alasdair Hutchinson

“I wish I’d paid more attention at school!”

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 20/10/2019

Our advice for adult language learners

The popular assumption about learning a new skill is that when you are younger, is that it comes very naturally. This is attributed to the still developing, curious, creative and dynamic human brain – something neuroscientists refer to as ‘neuroplasticity’. However, this suggests that when you reach maturity you begin to lose the ability to learn new things, whether it is a new sport, a musical instrument. Yet, both contemporary sciences, and our own experience with over 30 years teaching foreign languages prove this to be largely false. Indeed, there is no better time to learn a language, than right now!

Tags foreign languages, language learning, motivation

Language learning Tips and Advice

‘Phoning it in’ – pros and cons of language learning apps

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 09/07/2019

There is such a proliferation of language learning applications for your tablet, PC and phone in 2019 that it is often quite difficult to define what they actually can and can’t do. Indeed, when ads claim you can ‘learn a language in a month’ or ’spend 10 minutes a day to achieve fluency’, is this actually the case? As we know, language learning is a multifaceted exercise, so can we take advantage of technology to help make the process as enjoyable and efficient as possible? Today we will be taking a look at the pros and cons of different language learning apps in comparison to other learning methods.

Tags apps, foreign languages, language learning, motivation

Translation

‘The human touch’ – why we cannot rely on machine translation

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 24/05/2019

With the rise of sophisticated artificial intelligence, the prevalence of personal computers and smartphones, we have seen the birth and development of a whole host of online translation engines. Services such as ‘Google Translate’ and ‘Bing Translate’ are designed to supersede the traditional methods of translating one language to another, by use of a specially designed program. The supposed benefits of these ‘machine translation’ tools include accessibility, speed and cost effectiveness, with many of these being free to use at any time online. However, are these translation engines as useful as they initially appear? Today we will be comparing the advantages and disadvantages of these tools, and where human translators stand in the modern day.

Tags translation

Language learning Tips and Advice

Top five foreign language movies for language learners

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 07/04/2019

We all know immersion is the best thing for language learning. But outside of the classroom, going on holiday, and meeting people, how can we really engage with languages in an exciting and stimulating way? Movies! There are a huge variety of foreign language films available through a variety of sources, and watching with or without subtitles can make it less or more of a challenge! Movies are also fantastic for vocabulary building, by allowing you to associate language and words with a visual stimulus, helping your brain make the connection and remember it with greater ease. With this in mind, today we have decided to run through a few of our favourite foreign language movies for different languages!

Tags foreign languages, immersion, motivation

Internal Language learning

Italian at the MLC – interview with Paola

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 24/02/2019

Today I have the chance to speak to one of our wonderful Italian teaching team, Paola, to discuss the Italian language and what it’s like to teach it here at the Marlow Language Centre!

Tags foreign languages, interview, Italian

Internal Language learning Tips and Advice

Comparing courses: 1-1 vs group tuition

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 31/01/2019

One of the best parts of learning a language at The Marlow Language Centre is the variety of course options we have to suit every kind of language learner. We have recently been asked some questions about the differences between our two main kinds of course; 1-1 (private) classes, and group classes. Read on to find out more!

Tags FAQs, foreign languages, groups, one to one

Internal Language learning Tips and Advice

Our primer on learning a language!

Learning a foreign language at the Marlow Language Centre is a fantastic opportunity. However, people often have many questions about the process, and it’s safe to say in our 30 years providing bespoke tuition, we have heard them all! Read on for our top 10 frequently asked questions about learning a language.

Tags FAQs, foreign languages

Internal Language learning Tips and Advice

Top five tips for immersion – the secret key to language learning

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 22/11/2018

One of the most valuable, but often most ephemeral, aids to language learning is immersion. A New York Times article in 2017 revealed how 27-year-old Philadelphia ‘Phillies’ baseball shortstop Freddy Galvis from Venezuela, learned English entirely through back-to-back binging the American sitcom ‘Friends’. He would watch in English with Spanish subtitles for hours every day after practice, and within a few years, was semi-fluent in English. While we are not recommending that strategy exactly (we wouldn’t wish that amount of Ross Geller on anyone!), it is proof that immersion is a fantastic way to aid language learning. Here are our top tips for immersion.

Tags foreign languages, motivation

Internal Language learning

Setting priorities – the British Council

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 27/10/2018

Politics, culture and languages

In late 2017 the British Council, a globally connected charity dedicated to strengthening cultural relationships and fostering international opportunities, released an extensive study describing what it considers the ‘most important’ languages for British people to be learning. This comes at an incredibly tumultuous time; rising political and economic tensions, including the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union, as well as changing relationships between the UK and nations such as China, Russia and the Arab League. This study analyses and ranks the most, and conversely the least key languages for Brits to get a hold on, and today we will be looking at and breaking down a few of their findings.

Tags British Council, foreign languages, motivation

Internal Language learning Tips and Advice

Healthiness and language learning – the facts

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 20/09/2018

Is language learning beneficial to your health?

One of the most significant but often overlooked aspects of learning a foreign language are the health benefits. In recent years, more and more studies are showing far reaching cognitive, emotional rewards to language learning. In this article we are going to try to separate the fact from the fiction.

Tags foreign language learning, health, motivation

Internal Language learning Tips and Advice

Group tuition at The Marlow Language Centre

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 17/08/2018

Five reasons why you should choose our group classes

In addition to our wide variety of bespoke private courses here at the Marlow Language Centre we also operate regular mini-group classes. Some students prefer to take tuition in a group format rather than one-to-one; there are many benefits to both kinds of tuition, and learning with other people presents a different style of language learning to private tuition. Here are our top five reasons why our group classes are so popular:

Tags foreign languages, groups

Internal Language learning Videos

30th anniversary celebration

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 15/08/2018

30 years of teaching, translating and interpreting for the local community

Since 1988, the Marlow Language Centre has been providing high quality foreign language tuition, as well as translation and interpreting services in over 50 foreign languages. To celebrate our 30th anniversary, we hosted a summer party at Clayton’s Marlow for students, staff and teachers past and present.

Tags events, foreign languages

Internal Language learning Tips and Advice

Top ten reasons to love learning a language

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 16/05/2017

Our insights after 28 years of teaching

They say the first step is always the hardest and that’s especially true for something like learning a language. It’s always so rewarding to see our students take their (usually trepidatious) first steps in language learning, before falling in love with the whole process of discovering a foreign tongue.

From what we’ve learned in 28 years of teaching, these are the top ten reasons to love learning a language:

Tags foreign languages, motivation

Internal Language learning Tips and Advice

How to converse with locals abroad

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 15/05/2017

Ten things to bear in mind when you’re thinking of striking up a conversation

Chatting to locals can be one of the most rewarding and enriching parts of travelling, giving you the chance to learn about a new culture and lifestyle and really get a feel for a different country. It can provide a wonderful mixture of practical advice and cultural insight and an experience you’ll remember for years to come.

Research shows that the majority of us (60%) would like to speak to locals when we travel abroad, but with only a quarter of us managing to do it, how do you strike up and hold a conversation when you’re travelling?

Tags conversation, foreign languages, holidays

Internal Language learning Tips and Advice

More than words

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 14/01/2017

How introducing children to languages enriches more than just vocabulary

The ability to order a cup of coffee when travelling abroad is undoubtedly a useful one, but supporting your child in learning a language will give them far greater benefits than just being able to get themselves a hot drink or even pass a particular exam.

Tags children, foreign languages, motivation

Internal Language learning Tips and Advice

Why face-to-face learning is better for your bottom line

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 23/11/2016

All businesses have one thing in common – the bottom line.

The need to consider how everything the business spends will impact that bottom line is what makes the idea of training your staff to improve their language skills through distance or online training programmes so enticing.

Tags business, corporate, foreign languages

Internal Language learning Tips and Advice

The biggest secret to learning a language

Post author By Alasdair Hutchinson
Post date 16/11/2016

Why face-to-face interaction matters

A funny thing happens when you meet somebody face to face – your brain starts creating sensory-rich memories attached to the information you’re receiving consciously.

A large proportion of the information we absorb from direct interaction isn’t from the words we hear, but nuances from vocal tone, pacing, facial expressions and body language which is why, no matter how far or fast technology moves, the need for human interaction is fundamental.

Tags foreign languages, motivation