Today's phrase is:
"to be head over heels in love"
What does it mean?
When someone says he's head over heels in love with a woman, he loves her truly and deeply. In most cases, it is used in the context that someone falls deeply in love with someone quite suddenly.
What are its origins?
The expression "head over heels" was first mentioned in writing in the late 18th century. It originated in Great Britain and meant something along the lines of "upside down", thus referring to something which was not in its usual state.
About 160 years later, the expression was first used as "head over heels in love" by an American writer.
My two cents:
You might wonder why I picked this expression. Let me ask you a question: How long does it take to fall into love with a person? A second? An hour? An evening? Maybe a week? Or rather a month? Longer?
It's different for every person, even for every new relationship. It might happen that you already have strong bonds, like a close friendship, with a person and then, boom, one moment changes everything. Or you meet someone for the first time in your life and know that this person is someone special, someone with whom you could become happy. "Head over heels" was used for a situation which isn't normal any longer. It is the right expression for both situations I described. You find yourself not knowing what happened to your world and wonder what has turned it upside down. Love can grow gradually, or it can happen suddenly, head over heels.
Language ... the bridge of communication, the magic creator of worlds, the brush and paint of authors. Language is magic. It gives us power. It is something you just have to love.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Language Courses: How to Find the Right One for You
There's a whole jungle of language courses out there. If you want to learn a new language, you have to know which kind of course suits you so that you don't end up spending money on courses which don't help you. And believe me, language learning resources can be quite expensive.
On Monday, I posted about how to find out which type of language learner you are. The right language course for you strongly depends on your type of learning, so if you haven't already found out about it, I recommend you should.
Advice for Written Focus Learners
Language learners with a written focus (like myself, btw) like to figure out things on their own. They need a good course book, excercises and grammar explanations, and a dictionary, but not necessarily a teacher.
How to find a good course book and grammar book?
When you look for a good course book, look inside. Have a look at the first chapter to make sure you understand the explanations and the general set-up of the book. Then have a look at a chapter farther into the book to find out if the book is in-depth enough for you, and whether it advances too fast or too slow. Make sure it contains the solutions for any excercises as well.
As for a grammar book, you definitely have to look inside as well. Read the content page to find out if all the topics you need are included. Then have a look at certain topics like verb tenses and prepositions to see how well and comprehensive they are explained. Does the grammar book contain examples? Does it even contain excercises?
Advice for Oral Focus Learners
Language learners with an oral focus often learn best in groups. They need to listen to and to speak the new language. Therefore, a language course at a public school or with a private teacher generally suits those learners best.
How to find a good course or a good teacher?
One rule says: The more students per course, the less teacher time per student. An ideal language course shouldn't have more than five or six students so that the teacher has enough time to focus on each student's problems. Furthermore, the teacher should have experience in teaching. It isn't enough to have a degree in teaching (and some great teachers have no degree at all). Ask for his references concerning his teaching and language skills.
Most language teachers work with a certain course book. Ask in advance which one is used and have a look at it. Does it have group excercises and role plays? Are the texts spoken on a CD? Does it seem interesting and are the chapters well structured?
No matter which learner type you are and which course you choose in the end, you have to feel comfortable with it. Otherwise, you will always associate the language with negative feelings like boredom or frustration.
On Monday, I posted about how to find out which type of language learner you are. The right language course for you strongly depends on your type of learning, so if you haven't already found out about it, I recommend you should.
Advice for Written Focus Learners
Language learners with a written focus (like myself, btw) like to figure out things on their own. They need a good course book, excercises and grammar explanations, and a dictionary, but not necessarily a teacher.
How to find a good course book and grammar book?
When you look for a good course book, look inside. Have a look at the first chapter to make sure you understand the explanations and the general set-up of the book. Then have a look at a chapter farther into the book to find out if the book is in-depth enough for you, and whether it advances too fast or too slow. Make sure it contains the solutions for any excercises as well.
As for a grammar book, you definitely have to look inside as well. Read the content page to find out if all the topics you need are included. Then have a look at certain topics like verb tenses and prepositions to see how well and comprehensive they are explained. Does the grammar book contain examples? Does it even contain excercises?
Advice for Oral Focus Learners
Language learners with an oral focus often learn best in groups. They need to listen to and to speak the new language. Therefore, a language course at a public school or with a private teacher generally suits those learners best.
How to find a good course or a good teacher?
One rule says: The more students per course, the less teacher time per student. An ideal language course shouldn't have more than five or six students so that the teacher has enough time to focus on each student's problems. Furthermore, the teacher should have experience in teaching. It isn't enough to have a degree in teaching (and some great teachers have no degree at all). Ask for his references concerning his teaching and language skills.
Most language teachers work with a certain course book. Ask in advance which one is used and have a look at it. Does it have group excercises and role plays? Are the texts spoken on a CD? Does it seem interesting and are the chapters well structured?
No matter which learner type you are and which course you choose in the end, you have to feel comfortable with it. Otherwise, you will always associate the language with negative feelings like boredom or frustration.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Language Courses: Which Type of Learner are you?
Before you can choose the right language course for you, you have to know how you learn best. Here are some questions for you to find out what type of learner you are:
If you have answered questions 1 and 3 with yes, then you seem to be an orally focused learner. If you have answered questions 2 and 4 with yes, then you're probably a learner focused on the written word. Should your positive answers belong to both categories, you are a mixed type.
Oral Focus
Now what does it mean to have an oral focus? Your strengths are listening comprehension and the courage to just talk away even though you know you will most likely make mistakes. You are rather extrovert and like doing group exercises and little role plays when learning a language. You need someone to guide you through language acquisition, someone you can turn to for explanations.
Written Focus
Learners with a focus on the written word tend to be introvert. They are usually well at logical thinking and are able to figure out highly complicated problems if they are interested. If your focus is on the written word, then you don't like role plays very much, and you feel uncomfortable talking in your second language with others because you are afraid of making mistakes.
Of course, there are many people out there who are a mixture of both types. A true written or oral type is rare, yet if you know which one is stronger within you, you can plan your language learning accordingly.
Watch out for Wednesday's post about how to find the right language course for you!
- Do you like being the center of attention?
- Do you like figuring out difficult problems on your own?
- Do you rather watch TV than read a book?
- Do you have problems understanding others when they talk in your second language?
If you have answered questions 1 and 3 with yes, then you seem to be an orally focused learner. If you have answered questions 2 and 4 with yes, then you're probably a learner focused on the written word. Should your positive answers belong to both categories, you are a mixed type.
Oral Focus
Now what does it mean to have an oral focus? Your strengths are listening comprehension and the courage to just talk away even though you know you will most likely make mistakes. You are rather extrovert and like doing group exercises and little role plays when learning a language. You need someone to guide you through language acquisition, someone you can turn to for explanations.
Written Focus
Learners with a focus on the written word tend to be introvert. They are usually well at logical thinking and are able to figure out highly complicated problems if they are interested. If your focus is on the written word, then you don't like role plays very much, and you feel uncomfortable talking in your second language with others because you are afraid of making mistakes.
Of course, there are many people out there who are a mixture of both types. A true written or oral type is rare, yet if you know which one is stronger within you, you can plan your language learning accordingly.
Watch out for Wednesday's post about how to find the right language course for you!
Saturday, 8 January 2011
My Two Cents ... VI
As my last one isn't so long ago (New Year's Day to be precise), I wondered where the phrase
"to have a hangover"
might come from ...
What does it mean?
A hangover describes the headache and stomach sickness on the morning after drinking alcohol.
Where does it come from?
The phrase seems to be relatively new. Its first mentioning seems to be dated from 1904 in the above sense. It was coined with the thought in mind that something stays from the evening before, thus "hangs over" to the next morning.
My Two Cents:
Either people knew far better tricks against drinking then we do, or the effects were much worse than a simple headache and stomach queasiness. It seems strange that this phrase is so young, and as far as I have found out, there haven't been many similar expressions before this.
However, here are my personal hangover tricks (as we are already at this topic ...): Drink water in between or at least before going to bed that night. The next morning, my hangover breakfast consists of scrumbled eggs spiced with salt, pepper and paprika, and baked rolls. Normally, my hangover will disappear after that breakfast.
"to have a hangover"
might come from ...
What does it mean?
A hangover describes the headache and stomach sickness on the morning after drinking alcohol.
Where does it come from?
The phrase seems to be relatively new. Its first mentioning seems to be dated from 1904 in the above sense. It was coined with the thought in mind that something stays from the evening before, thus "hangs over" to the next morning.
My Two Cents:
Either people knew far better tricks against drinking then we do, or the effects were much worse than a simple headache and stomach queasiness. It seems strange that this phrase is so young, and as far as I have found out, there haven't been many similar expressions before this.
However, here are my personal hangover tricks (as we are already at this topic ...): Drink water in between or at least before going to bed that night. The next morning, my hangover breakfast consists of scrumbled eggs spiced with salt, pepper and paprika, and baked rolls. Normally, my hangover will disappear after that breakfast.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Miros große Stunde - Miro's Big Moment
Ok, today I want to present you (proudly, that is) my first bilingual ebook which has been recently released.
Miros große Stunde - Miro's Big Moment is all about courage and friendship and a tiny little dragon who is afraid of everything. When he meets seven year old Lizzy, she decides that she is going to teach Miro how to fly. Not really what Miro wants, though ...
Read about Lizzy's efforts and Miro's struggles and find out what Kitty, the neighbours' cat, has to do with it all ...
The original story is in German. I have included questions about the content every few paragraphs to help you understand what is going on, thus making the reading and learning experience more fun and less frustration. If you don't feel like starting with the original story, you can as well read the English translation first (which is also included), or read the English version to your kids or grandkids.
Whoever wants to win a copy of this great children's story, read on:
I will give away five copies for free.
How can you qualify?
Now that's easy: Help me promote my ebook. Share on Facebook, Twitter it, write a blog post about it, whatever comes to your mind. Then comment on this article with a link to your promotion.
On 31st January, I will draw five winners and announce them here on Language Love. You have to send me an email then in order to receive your coupon code.
Everyone else who helps me promote my ebook until 31st January will receive a coupon code for a 50% discount!
Miros große Stunde - Miro's Big Moment is all about courage and friendship and a tiny little dragon who is afraid of everything. When he meets seven year old Lizzy, she decides that she is going to teach Miro how to fly. Not really what Miro wants, though ...
Read about Lizzy's efforts and Miro's struggles and find out what Kitty, the neighbours' cat, has to do with it all ...
The original story is in German. I have included questions about the content every few paragraphs to help you understand what is going on, thus making the reading and learning experience more fun and less frustration. If you don't feel like starting with the original story, you can as well read the English translation first (which is also included), or read the English version to your kids or grandkids.
Whoever wants to win a copy of this great children's story, read on:
I will give away five copies for free.
How can you qualify?
Now that's easy: Help me promote my ebook. Share on Facebook, Twitter it, write a blog post about it, whatever comes to your mind. Then comment on this article with a link to your promotion.
On 31st January, I will draw five winners and announce them here on Language Love. You have to send me an email then in order to receive your coupon code.
Everyone else who helps me promote my ebook until 31st January will receive a coupon code for a 50% discount!
Monday, 3 January 2011
Reading - Only a Hobby or More?
Your child is sitting in his room, totally absorbed by the book he's reading, while chaos reigns all around him? He is reading although you told him to tidy up his room? He knows more excuses for reading on than for anything else?
Congratulations! You are blessed with a book-loving child. Nowadays, this becomes ever rarer. Many children love their computers, Xboxes, Nintendos and the like. If you give them a book, they might even look for the switch to turn it on.
You might wonder why I congratulate you if your child forgets his duties while reading. Well, that’s simple. Reading is the most precious gift. A child that loves reading will most probably be more creative than other children. He has a great imagination. He can concentrate for hours on one and the same task. Furthermore, his ability for language, for grammar and spelling, and his vocabulary will increase considerably through reading.
Now, do you still wish your child wouldn’t read that much?
The greater problem is how to wake up the love for books in a child that doesn’t have it naturally. There are so many children nowadays who have never read a single book in their whole life. The best way to get your children to read is so easy: Read to them when they are young. Buy them books with topics that interest them and fit their age. Read a lot yourself. Children tend to copy what their parents do.
And then, when you have a book-loving child, don’t lose patience when he forgets his duties over his books. Just think of all the benefits of reading and get yourself a nice book too.
Saturday, 1 January 2011
My Two Cents ... V
Today's phrase is
"to kill two birds with one stone"
What does it mean?
This phrase refers to the idea that someone can achieve two goals in one try. Thus single effort, double value.
Where does it come from?
I found sources saying that this phrase was first used in English and French literature at around 1600. Another source said that it originates in a Chinese idiom which literally translates to "one stone two birds". If that is true, the idiom itself may well be much older, although its use in the English language began at the beginning of the 17th century.
My two cents on this:
I can well imagine that the original idiom comes from the Chinese. Chinese philosophers often have used images like this to convey a greater meaning. It just fits that the original meaning was rather negative as it was mainly used to show how unlikely the effort of someone was to prove two arguments with one solution. Over the time, its pejorative connotation has vanished. Nowadays, someone who can kill two birds with one stone is likely to be successful. This attempt to achieve two goals at once can save time and money so it is a skill which is sought after in businesses.
It is interesting how the meaning of such an idiom can change over time.
"to kill two birds with one stone"
What does it mean?
This phrase refers to the idea that someone can achieve two goals in one try. Thus single effort, double value.
Where does it come from?
I found sources saying that this phrase was first used in English and French literature at around 1600. Another source said that it originates in a Chinese idiom which literally translates to "one stone two birds". If that is true, the idiom itself may well be much older, although its use in the English language began at the beginning of the 17th century.
My two cents on this:
I can well imagine that the original idiom comes from the Chinese. Chinese philosophers often have used images like this to convey a greater meaning. It just fits that the original meaning was rather negative as it was mainly used to show how unlikely the effort of someone was to prove two arguments with one solution. Over the time, its pejorative connotation has vanished. Nowadays, someone who can kill two birds with one stone is likely to be successful. This attempt to achieve two goals at once can save time and money so it is a skill which is sought after in businesses.
It is interesting how the meaning of such an idiom can change over time.
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