Where Can You Take a Photography Course in London

Where Can You Take a Photography Course in London Where in London Can You Take Photography Lessons? ChaptersLearn Photography with a Professional PhotographerAttend a Photography Course in LondonGain Photographic Insights and Tips from a ClubLearn Photography OnlineI've never made any picture, good or bad, without paying for it in emotional turmoil â€" W. Eugene SmithWhether you've caved to technology entirely or are a steadfast holdout of film photography, this quote reflects the emotional, deeply personal aspect of photography.In London, where life moves so fast, where can one learn to marry his soul to the art of photography?Who are the best teachers to learn depth of field from? White balance? Focal points?Who will show us how to frame a scene, pose a subject, capture and immortalise the finest moments of our lives?For the beginner photographer and the intermediate shutterbug: where to learn lighting techniques and other tricks of the trade?You can take this as a guarantee: for everyone enamoured of the art of photography, there is a lesson. Whole courses, even!Let's go find th em, shall we?Learn photography in Edinburgh too, or join a photography class in Belfast.Nevertheless, our capital city sees more tourists every year than any other part of our country, and it is a safe bet that every one of them brings a camera.How can you distinguish tour groups who point DSLR cameras at anything remotely picture-worthy from those learning photography basics with their newly-purchased digital SLR?One way is to take  note  of their camera settings.The sad fact is that the cameras of today are so complicated, so feature-laden, that most amateur photographers content themselves with the auto setting, never venturing into manual set up.Mark Wilkinson is in the business to change auto-amateurs into photographers who capture amazing shots.With nearly 20 years  of experience as a photographer, he works with small groups  exclusively, the better to instruct them on fashion and portrait photography.London being one of the fashion centres of the world, your learning fashion photography could lead to a thriving and lucrative business!His weekly workshops focus on shooting models out of doors. Using natural light enhanced by reflectors, he teaches how to photograph the human form for maximum effect.Find out about photography classes in Leeds.Included in the teaching is how to give models instruction for posing and expression, metering natural light and capturing light effects.Speaking of light...Mark divides his workshops between day and evening: learning how to shoot in waning light or by streetlight.The cost for the daytime workshop is £195; evening lessons are £125.What we like about Mark Wilkinson is the size of his workshops: four people at most, so that he can divide all of his time equally between participants, answering all questions.What we don't favour as much is the fact that one must have basic knowledge of one's camera and principles of photography; otherwise instruction will be dispensed on the fly, with the hope that every workshop parti cipant can retain the information.Intermediate and advanced photographers would benefit the most from these workshops, but where are beginners to turn?Find a photography course in Cardiff!Amateur and professional photographers find much to snap at in Trafalgar Square Source: PixabayRon and Lou Smith maintain that London is an exciting place to live and work, and to photograph.Lou, originally from Edinburgh, has found her beat in the art galleries around town. Formally trained in Visual Arts â€" she holds a BA Honours degree, she has transitioned from painting into digital photography.Ron's love of black and white photography was nurtured at Art College, through capturing and processing  landscapes and abstract scenes.Although he built himself a darkroom and still uses a film SLR camera, he feels inspired by the possibilities inherent in digital photography.He has been a teacher of photography for eight years.Could there be a better pair of mentors to learn the basics of photography from?Together they form London Photo Tours Workshops, offering a host of seminars, courses and photo excursions in and around the city.Their beginner's class is limited to only six participants because they want to teach everyone how to use their own cameras instead of touting general features and applications of the most popular cameras brands and models.It would be sheer luck that everyone in a workshop has the same model camera, wouldn't it?Before snapping the first picture, you would be told  everything about using your camera: what all the buttons and dials do, what the menu represents â€" including histograms, and how to set your camera for optimal image capture, in any light or movement conditions.Participating in a scheduled workshop would cost £90; a private workshop, of three or more people, would run each participant £125.Learn about Manchester photography courses.What we love about London Photo Tours is the passion and experience that drive this pair of tutors, week a fter week, into city streets, to help people learn how to create photographic art.What we are less keen about is that there is no image editing, processing, post processing or retouching education.Those would be such great follow-up courses for these masters to offer!We will have to find another place to learn what to do after taking all of those pictures...Attend a Photography Course in LondonThe Photo Academy London offers an impressive array of courses aimed at the amateur photographer, all the way up to advanced photography and specialisation courses, in fashion,  photojournalism, or other areas.They even have courses on post production, image editing and using Adobe Lightroom!This school can take you from fundamental camera operation all the way to darkroom developing, with stops at niche interests along the way.Are you interested in learning more about studio photography or portraiture?There is a class for that within PAL's curriculum!Prices vary according to the instruction y ou seek. A basic course in camera operation starts at £40 for a two-hour session; a five-month course on basics of photography costs £680, with all lessons conducted during evening hours.You could then go on to select a masterclass, either in photojournalism or fashion photography, which will run you more than £1,800Photo Academy has some great programmes, but you could also  look into  DSLR Photography Courses, whose workshops include training in Photoshop as well as Lightroom.Before editing any images, you must first capture them.That is why these workshops are so great: they present a variety of themes, for photographers from beginner to intermediate, and even classes for aspiring videographers!Have you long believed that commercial photography would be among the most lucrative career fields?You can learn macro photography â€" imaging tiny subjects like jewellery and food, through their photography programs.If you are as yet undecided on what make and model of camera and kit t o invest in, no worries: they will lend you some for free!Are you a fan of Nikon or Canon? If so, you are in luck; those are the brands they work with the most!Their courses are generally kept small, seven participants at the most, so that everyone can benefit from the individualised attention that learning their art demands.Prices fluctuate between £75 and £125 for four to six hours of instruction.Niche fields, such as wedding photography and still life photography command slightly higher prices.What if you are looking for more formal training in photography? Perhaps a degree programme?If you live in the Midlands, reading about photography courses in Birmingham might help you.Many universities in London offer photography degree programmes Source: PIxabay Credit: Tero VesalainenEach of these universities offers a three year programme in photography training, to culminate in the award of a BA Honours degree upon successful completion:University of WestminsterLondon Metropolitan Uni versityLondon South Bank UniversityKingston UniversityLondon College of CommunicationMiddlesex UniversityUniversity of RoehamptonWhile the UK has no law or regulation demanding formal education and certification for professional photographers, having a degree in photography gives you more credibility, and more access to work   and photo shoot opportunities.Click here for information on photography courses in Glasgow.Perhaps you are just a keen amateur of photographic arts, and want to exchange knowledge with like-minded people?Gain Photographic Insights and Tips from a ClubIf your skill behind the lens has brought you a measure of fame, and you wish to share your knowledge about travel photography, wildlife photography or documentary photography with eager peers, a photographic society is a good place to find your audience.Conversely, if you have no time for photography courses  but have a burning desire to learn all about shutter speed, aperture and exposure, you would be likely to find a mentor or two at your local photo club.London Photographic welcomes people of all experience levels, whether they love the digital or are die-hard practicers of film photography.We're fairly certain that you will find at least one kindred spirit among their more than 7,000 members!Their calendar is jam-packed with activities, outings and lectures; everything from using flash to night photography is covered.Should want to enrol with a more established society...The Camera Club was founded  more than 130 years ago, at the dawn of photography's growing popularity.Today, members enjoy the use of the club's digital image processing  software and equipment, including their photo printer.If you are a fan of film, you would gain access to their darkroom after accreditation. You must pay for the use of chemicals.In fact, accreditation is necessary before using any of the club's extensive  facilities. It consists of a walk-through and acknowledgement of the rules, rather than any tuto rials on studio lighting or composition.Is your parents' coral anniversary just around the corner?You might consider booking one of the club's fully equipped studios to snap shots for the party announcements.Whether you are hoping for an introduction to photography or are already a seasoned professional, it is a sure bet that you could pick up photography tips from other members of this group.Membership is £120 per year; with seniors and students receiving a discounted rate.If you are not sure whether this is the right group for you, you could visit â€" attend a few events before making a decision.Advice on photography clubs in Liverpool.What a dilemma! You need photography lessons in order to use that new digital camera you got for Christmas, but have no time for photography class or club meetings...You can take photography online courses anywhere, as long as you have a strong connexion Source: Pixabay Credit: SasintLearn Photography OnlineLiving in one of the world's most interna tional and artistic cities matters not at all when it comes to online learning.From the Orkney Islands to the Isle of Man, all you need for online  photography courses learning is a sincere desire and a stable Internet connection.And a reliable source of quality education, of course.Digital Master Class can be counted as a quality provider of photographic learning.If you are contemplating moving beyond the selfie, plan on investing in good photographic equipment and perhaps even moonlight as an event photographer, DMC's accredited  photography courses could help you achieve your goals.Their Level 3 professional photography course covers everything from basic composition and exposure to RAW conversions and building a portfolio.If you are entranced with visual storytelling and want to take your talent behind the lens to the next level â€" even if you don't want to go pro, you could learn a lot from these masters of photography.Or...Superprof has a fine retinue of photography tutors re ady to offer their guidance.If you are looking for basic photography lessons in easy to understand, everyday language, Superprof's photography tutorials are sure to help you find your way.You could learn to photograph architecture from a master photographer in Paris or... what about street photography from a professional in colourful  Mexico?As an artist, the world is yours to define. As an online student, you define your world.London, our beautiful, international capital, has everything to offer the professional photographer.Learning what to photograph and how to capture your subject for maximum effect takes a bit of training.Now, you know where to find the level of guidance you need to expand your photography skills!If you're not a Londoner, read our blog on photography courses throughout the UK.

Online Probability Tutoring

Online Probability Tutoring Probability Tutors are Online Now. Get Probability Homework Help 24/7. Probability theory has found its way into almost every aspect of life, but that hasnt made it any easier to understand. The complex concepts that make up Probability can leave you scratching your head. Tutor Pace has the expert online tutors you need to solve your Probability dilemmas. Our online probability tutor are available 24/7 to guide you step-by-step through your challenges Personalized Online Probability Tutoring Unlike other online tutors, we dont lump you in with a bunch of other students during sessions. Each tutoring experience is a one-on-one interaction between you and a online Probability tutor, so you get all the attention you need to grasp important concepts. Probability Homework Help Everyone has had the experience of getting stumped on homework. Our online tutors are always ready to walk you through each problem and help you grasp the theories you need to solve even the most difficult problems. In addition to homework help, you can: Study for an upcoming test Go over a concept from earlier in the year Get help for a project or assignment Verify a homework answer you are unsure of Learn advanced Probability concepts Tutor Pace is committed to your success, and we guarantee our tutors will give you greater confidence toward your studies. Sign up now and earn the grades you deserve.

How to Better Your Relationship With Your Boss - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Better Your Relationship With Your Boss - Introvert Whisperer How to Better Your Relationship With Your Boss How to Better Your Relationship With Your Boss â€" Get along with your boss like a boss.   Many people are puzzled when it comes to this topic. How to have a good relationship with your boss? You want your boss to know you’re a good worker and to keep things professional, but you don’t want your relationship to be too official. How to make your boss notice you for all the right reasons, and appreciate  you because of them? People really care about the relationship that they have with their boss that sometimes they get too stressed about it and ruin it by overthinking. There are a few general rules that everyone should follow when it comes to their bosses if you want to better the relationship and get the appreciation and respect that they deserve. And who wouldn’t want that, right? 1. Don’t rely on emailing

The Guitarists Guide to Chromatic Scales

The Guitarists Guide to Chromatic Scales How Are Scales Useful for Guitarists? ChaptersWhat Is a Chromatic Scale?What’s the Difference Between a Chromatic Scale and a Diatonic Scale?How Do You Play the Chromatic Scale on the Guitar?Why Use the Chromatic Scale“Life seems to go on without effort when I am filled with music.” - George EliotAlmost everyone in the UK enjoys music in one way or another.  If you want to become a guitarist, it’s important that you stay up-to-date with the news.Learning to play guitar is a long process but it’s definitely worth it once you’ve learnt how to play.  You’ll soon know everything you need to know about pentatonic scales, riffs, the fretboard, strings, etc. You just need to explore every aspect of the guitar and music theory. There’s no way better than playing the chromatic scale.for when you're  working on your technique and doing various exercises.Scales are great for warming up your fingers. (Source: jameslee)It consists of every note, each separated by a semitone.  The notes are all separated by the same in terval and it’s impossible to work out the scale’s key. A chromatic scale is, therefore, atonal because it doesn’t matter which key it is in.A chromatic scale is basically every note until you reach the next octave.  The chromatic scale for C is C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C.Remember that between E and F and B and C there is no semitone. In fact, there is no such thing as E sharp or B sharp. There’s no need to alter any of the notes in this case. There are 12 different notes between each tonic.  In reality. You could alter certain notes. For example, instead of a C#, you could have a Db. However, the two are actually exactly the same note.Find out more about major scales!What’s the Difference Between a Chromatic Scale and a Diatonic Scale?The diatonic scale isn’t very often used on the guitar but it is useful for helping you understand music theory.Natural notes on a piano are usually white. (Source: b1-foto)Diatonic comes from the Greek and means “across the tonics”. The diatonic scale includes the 7 natural notes in music: C D E F G A B C.There is no tonality. You can only play it in one given way. C D E F G A B C. The diatonic scale is also known as C major, which can also be played in other keys.  While it’s useful for understanding harmonics, you may quickly forget its name.The diatonic scale is a part of the chromatic scale.  The latter is made of both chromatic and diatonic semitones all at once.A semitone interval between two notes is a chromatic semitone (between D and D#, for example).A semitone interval between two different notes is a diatonic semitone (between G# and A, for example).Don't forget that guitarists should also learn about minor scales!How Do You Play the Chromatic Scale on the Guitar?The chromatic scale has 12 possible positions. It can be played on an acoustic guitar, electric guitar, or even an electro-acoustic guitar.Play with a metronome and a pick when you practise your scales. (Source: Pexels)The f irst thing you should do is play four consecutive notes on the same string. The goal is to repeat this exercise all over the neck. For example:D string: index finger on the 5th fret, middle finger on the 6th fret, ring finger on the 7th fret, pinky on the 8th fret.G string: index finger on the 5th fret, middle finger on the 6th fret, ring finger on the 7th fret, pinky on the 8th fret.B string: index finger on the 5th fret, middle finger on the 6th fret, ring finger on the 7th fret, pinky on the 8th fret.B string: index finger on the 5th fret, middle finger on the 6th fret, ring finger on the 7th fret, pinky on the 8th fret.You can also do the same exercise on higher frets. Start on the low E string with your index finger on the 4th fret and then work your way up to the high E string. Shift your fingers to a new fret and do it again. Do this until you’re up to the eleventh or twelfth frets. Start off slowly at first and then get faster as you progress.You’ll soon see that by doin g this exercise every day, you’ll make steady progress. Make sure that you don’t start off too far up the fretboard. Practise doing a back and forth motion with the plectrum as well. Each note should last the same amount of time, even when you change strings. You can play with a metronome, too.Furthermore, each note needs to be played cleanly and correctly. Take your time! It’s better to start off slow rather than make a lot of mistakes by trying to go too quickly.This exercise allows you to work on your fingering on your left hand and loosening up your fingers as you do. You’ll work on your dexterity, coordination, flexibility, and precision.The Position of Your Left HandWhile your right-hand positions itself almost naturally by the strings, you need to work on how to position your left hand. You’ll need to bend your wrist and curl your fingers towards the neck.  Make sure you press cleanly onto the strings of the guitar with the tips of your finger and not with the entir e finger. You should make sure that your nails are cut short.Keep your fingers as close to the frets as possible, too. If you’re playing the seventh fret, your finger should be closer to the seventh than the sixth. This is the best place to put your finger without directly pressing on the fret itself. Furthermore, you need to make sure that you don’t move your hand back and forth but rather leave it in the same position. It’s your fingers that should move more than your hand. Your hand should stay in position.It’s a great way to improve your coordination and learn how to play more quickly.  Pay particular attention to your left hand.Finally, keep your fingers pressed down. When you’ve played a note with your index finger, don’t lift off until you’ve played a note with your middle finger. The goal is to improve the strength with which you press down on the frets, especially the pinky, and making the most of the strength in your hand and wrist.Starting to play the guitar takes a lot of time and effort. This is why it’s recommended that you take at least a few guitar lessons London or tutorials before you start teaching yourself. This can help you to avoid picking up bad habits.Why Use the Chromatic ScaleWhen you play the guitar, you have to apply all your knowledge and play a variety of different chords.  Whether you want to play blues, rock, jazz, or improvise solos, the chromatic scale will help you get to grips with your instrument.Take care of your hands and your guitar playing will take care of itself. (Source: MichaelGaida)Warming Up with the Chromatic ScaleYour hand is full of small precise muscles. When you play the guitar, you have to focus on your hands. Like a sportsman, an accomplished guitarist is in complete control of their gestures.  Thus, like with all training, you should warm up before you do anything.Start by stretching your fingers and your wrists:Hold your arm horizontally with your fingers pointing upwards. Gently stretch y our fingers back towards your wrist with the other hand for 5 seconds. Don’t force it and breathe softly while you do. Do this warmup three times for each hand.Do the same exercise as before but with your fingers pointing downwards. Do this three times for 5 seconds on each hand.Link your fingers with both hands held together and do around a dozen circles.Finally, stretch your fingers bu placing your thumb in the palm of your hand, close your fingers over your thumb, and stretch gently downwards. Do this exercises three times for five seconds on each hand.You can now start playing your chromatic scales in groups of three or four notes while paying particular attention to your fingers. The goal isn’t to go as quickly as possible but rather to do it correctly.The Chromatic Scale as a Technical ExerciseAs we saw before, working on chromatic scales is a good technique for learning to play the guitar.  Chromatic scales can help you to loosen up your fingers, strengthen them, improve their agility, dexterity, and timing.If you find the previous exercise too easy, you can always work on your chromatic scales on the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th frets.Using a Chromatic Scale for TransitionsSince the chromatic scale is atonal, you can use it for transitioning between two scales.  Two notes that don’t go together can be transitioned to by using the chromatic scale. This technique is particularly useful when improvising.Don't forget to study other scales, too!Adding More Nuance when ImprovisingBeginner guitarists will tend to stick to the scales they know when they’re improvising.  Adding a few chromatic and diatonic semitones could vary your playing. Make sure that you play the notes quickly enough to ensure that your improvising still feels harmonious and interesting.So are you ready to start working on the chromatic scale to enrich your guitar playing?If you want to learn how to play guitar, you should consider getting a private guitar teacher or tutor. On Superprof, a lot of the tutors offer a free guitar lesson for the first hour so you can see how you get along, discuss your goals as a guitar player, and talk about the various techniques that you'd like to learn.If you want to focus on fingerpicking, learning to read tablature, playing licks from your favourite songs, or go through the basics such as tuning your guitar, strumming a basic guitar chord, or working on your rhythm, you just need to tell them. Private tutors are there to tailor your lessons to you!

Travel English A Guide to the English Spoken in South Africa

Travel English A Guide to the English Spoken in South Africa There is no denying that the English spoken in South Africa is challenging to most students of English. Indeed, it is difficult even for native speakers to understand at times. Due to its many periods of colonization it has elements of Afrikaans, (a native language that is like Dutch), Portuguese, Malay as well as many tribal languages.However, don’t worry, there is help at hand. Here is a brief vocabulary guide to the English spoken in South Africa:Keyword: ApartheidApartheid was the system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. It was introduced and enforced by the ruling National Party during this time.  Non-whites were denied key civil rights like voting and there was a segregation (or division) of all public institutions which separate hospitals, schools, etc for the dominant whites and the oppressed non-whites.Food and DrinkAmasi is used to refer to a drink made from sour milk.Strips of dried and salted meat are called biltong.Bobotie is a meat dish with egg sauce.Mealie is maize.Dumpie is a well-known local beer.Spook and diesel is a spirit mixed with coke.Alcohol is called dop.If you drink too much you could suffer from a babbelas or hangover.If something is tasty you can say it is lekker.ClothesSwimming trunks are called baggies.Running shoes are called takkies.If you have a tendency towards designer clothes you could be called a larney.SocialTo graze means to eat.Dankie is thank you.Rock up means to arrive.A good friend is called a china.A party is called a jawl.If you hear Chips! it means Look out!If you are asked to a social engagement and agree to it, you can say Fixed up!If someone tells you they will be there in now now, it means they will arrive in a little while.If someone tells you they will do something  just now, they might do it in a week, a month or never.If someone wants to bliksem you, you might want to leave quickly as it means they want to hit you.RandomTownships are the  precarious shelters  where the poor people live in the suburbs of the big cities and where the  non-whites lived during the apartheid regime.Crash means to go to sleep.Boere means police.Bergie is the name given to homeless people on the streets.Grassland is called veld.Money is called tom.If something is great or cool it is called bakgat.If something is cool, it is kief.To flog means to sell.A fight is called a barnie.Traffic lights are called robots.Smokes refer to cigarettes.An old person might be referred to as toppie.As we learn vocabulary for a trip to South Africa, lets  watch an uplifting moment in the countrys history the election of Nelson Mandela as the countys first  non-white president in 1994. This event officially marked the end of Apartheid. Here is  Mandelas inaugural  address.Travel English Classes | Inglés para Viajes

Teen Resume Building

Teen Resume Building If your teen complained about being bored last summer, its time to reframe the thinking. Summer break is a perfect opportunity to gain experience and better oneself. Here are a few great uses of time that will benefit your teen and strengthen her resume: Get an internship. Internships are one of the best ways for teens to get practical experience and exposure to a real-world professional setting. Though more common in college, many organizations hire high school interns too. Have your teen talk with the guidance counselor to learn about what might be available in your area. In every community, there are all kinds of organizations in needand these organizations rely on volunteers. This is a perfect way for your teen to get experience and grow as a person. Look to the high school clubs for ideas, but the local nursing home, animal shelter, and community center are also likely to have options. Build skills. Subject-matter knowledge is essential in college, but there are other aptitudes your teen needs for success like communication, speaking, and writing. Contact Huntington about using summer to help your teen build skills like these. Try something totally new. Encourage your teen to get out of his comfort zone and learn something new. Explore academic camps on everything from marketing to programming. Check out a new hobby, instrument, sport or activity. Work on a personal project. If theres one thing teens have a lot of in summer, its time to explore passions. Formal experiences and jobs offer the chance to learn, but your teen can also create her own learning experiences. Create a blog. Do a photography project. Research something. There are many possibilities if your teen gets creative. Learn a language. Your teen might take a foreign language class during the school year, but summer is a good time to do some online learning. Check out Rosetta Stone or Babbel for starters. Take a college class. Your teen might not get excited about the idea of summer school, but college classes will challenge him in new ways. Check out local colleges for high school-specific programs and community colleges that welcome high school students. Prepare for the SAT or ACT. Strong scores on the SAT/ACT make teens more impressive applicants for their colleges of choiceand make them stand out as students. And theres no better time than summer to take a prep course at Huntington. Summer is a great chance to relax and recharge after the grind of a busy school year, but for college-bound teens, its also an opportunity to learn, grow and build the resume. Encourage your teen to use this break wisely. When the time comes to apply to college, she will be glad she did. Huntington Learning Center works with high school students every summer who are eager to become better students. We focus on all kinds of academic subjects as well as essential study skills like organization and time management. Contact us to learn more about our learning programs for high school students.

The Ultimate Guide to Learning Slavic Languages Tips, Tricks and Important Stats

The Ultimate Guide to Learning Slavic Languages Tips, Tricks and Important Stats The Ultimate Guide to Learning Slavic Languages: Tips, Tricks and Important Stats Countries across Central and Eastern Europe have a lot in common.And were not just talking about an overwhelming fondness for pickled and fermented foods.In fact, the Slavic language unites countries across the region under a banner of beautiful and unique sounds.There are many  languages spoken in Europe, but chances are that when you think about learning Slavic languages, you first consider  learning Russian  because its one of the most common languages.And thats great! Well talk more about Russian in this post. But  there are many more options than you might realizeâ€"including opportunities to double up on some interesting related languages.There are many  advantages of learning a foreign language, and its important  consider which language to learn. Well get you started in your Slavic studies.  Heres everything you need to know to find out which Slavic language interests you most and start learning your Slavic language of choice! History of the Slavic LanguagesSlavic languages are a group of related languages that emerged among the Slavs, an ethnic group whose origins are little known.According to Ancient History Encyclopedia, the first noted records of the Slavs appeared in the sixth century. However, the group itself likely had far older origins.The Slavic language is thought to stem from Proto-Slavic, which itself stems from Proto-Indo-European.According to The Origins of the Slavs: A Linguists View,  the initial split from Proto-Indo-European occurred around 3000 BC. From that point, Indo-European languages continued to evolve into separate distinct languages, including Proto-Slavic, the root language of all Slavic languages spoken today.The Indo-European family is huge, so Slavic languages have a lot of brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and even a few uncles whove been pushed to the edge of the family tree for their wild antics.Other branches of the Indo-European language family include Celtic, Germanic, Romance, Baltic and Indo-Iranian languages. T o give you a sense of how big this family is, those branches include everything from Bengali to Persian to Greek to English to Swedish.While the Slavic languages are quite different from their relatives in many ways, this interconnectedness does make for some convenient learning shortcuts, as well explore more specifically later in this post.Where Slavic Speakers AreEncyclopedia Britannica reports that there are an estimated 315 million speakers of Slavic languages.Slavic languages are spoken in Central Europe, the Balkans, most of Eastern Europe and large chunks of Northern Asia. There are also pockets of speakers of Slavic languages distributed in communities around the world.Resources for Learning Slavic LanguagesBefore we explore the ins and outs of some exciting and popular Slavic languages, lets get familiar with the diverse resources you can use for focused study.Transparent LanguageSlavic languages offered:  Belarusian, Bulgarian, Czech, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Slovak a nd Ukrainian. It also offers Serbo-Croatian as several separate languages: Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.Transparent Language offers language learning software to take your Slavic skills to the next level.Since Transparent Language offers a flexible learning path, its adaptable to beginning or experienced students. You can follow Transparent Languages designed learning path or start where you like.The wide array of activities offered in Transparent Languages programs helps you build speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Transparent Language even uses voice-enabled technology to help you perfect your pronunciation.FluentUSlavic languages offered: Russian.Later in this post youll notice a theme among Slavic languages: grammar pitfalls, unfamiliar alphabets, tricky pronunciationsOne of the fastest, most effective ways to minimize those difficulties is to dive head-first into the language. By surrounding yourself with the sounds of native speakers, youll naturally start to un derstand the mechanics of the language without painful memorization drills.FluentU is designed to make this type of immersive learning experience both entertaining and effective. Youll get real-world Russian videos (like movie trailers, music videos, inspiring talks and more).With FluentU, youll learn real Russianâ€"the same way that real people speak it. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps t rack of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.Since the videos are organized by level, youll always have something fun but productive to watch.MYLANGUAGESSlavic languages offered: Belarusian, Bulgarian, Czech, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Slovene and Ukrainian. It also offers Serbo-Croatian as Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin and Serbian.Since MYLANGUAGES is free, its a great choice for anyone looking to dabble in learning a new Slavic language.For a free resource, the options are remarkable. Lessons are available to teach you all the basics of the language, including the alphabet, grammar rules and key vocabulary. There are also additional resources, like reading excerpts, dictionaries and language learning games.Since MYLANGUAGES does not offer audio pronunciation of vocabulary, however, you might want to pair it with additional resources to optimize your learning.Learn101Slavic la nguages offered:  Belarusian, Bulgarian, Czech, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Slovene and Ukrainian. It also offers Serbo-Croatian as well as Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.Learn101 is another free option with everything a beginning student could hope for.Learn101 offers alphabet lessons, basic grammar lessons, common vocabulary/phrases and even a test to check your learning. Plus, vocabulary lists also feature audio to help you nail down your listening and pronunciation.ilanguagesSlavic languages offered:  Belarusian, Bulgarian, Czech, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Slovene and Ukrainian. It also offers Serbo-Croatian as Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.Since you can never have too many free learning resources, heres another one!If youre looking for basic grammar lessons, vocabulary and common phrases, ilanguages has your back. Plus, these lessons also contain audio.Flashcards are available to help reinforce your learning, and ilanguages offers a quiz to see how much youve learned. Another unique feature of ilanguages is that it has a special section that focuses on the most common words.Live LinguaSlavic languages offered:  Belarusian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Polish, Russian (four different categories based on region) and Ukrainian. It also offers Serbo-Croatian and Serbian.While Live Lingua might be most known for its Skype lessons, it also offers a ton of free learning materials.What precisely is available varies by language, but common offerings include structured language courses, often containing both an e-book and audio.Most of these courses target beginning-level students, teaching the alphabet, fundamental grammar rules and basic vocabulary.The Ultimate Guide to Learning Slavic Languages: Tips, Tricks and Important StatsThe following list contains the most common Slavic languages alive today. This list is broken down into increasingly narrow family groups.Its important to note that the narrower the family group, the more similar the languages will be. In many cases, languages that are closely related may even be mutually intelligible, meaning speakers of one language can understand the other to some degree.For instance, Macedonian and Bulgarian are both members of the Eastern group of the South Slavic branch, so theyre closely related. Since Serbo-Croatian and Slovene are in the Western group of the same South Slavic branch, theyre slightly more distantly related. Still more distantly related would be Russian, since its from a completely different branch of the Slavic language.So why does all this matter? For language learners, its important to consider because it can help you learn multiple languages simultaneously.  Pairing similar languages  is a convenient way to learn more than one at once, and the more similar the languages are, the easier itll be to learn them simultaneously.Here are some common Slavic languages you might consider learning.West Slavic LanguagesAs the name would suggest, the West Slavic language f amily contains some of the westernmost Slavic languages.Lechitic FamilyPolish:While Polish isnt the only member of the Lechitic group, its certainly the most well known. Ethnologue estimates that there are over 37 million speakers of Polish within Poland and over 3 million more speakers spread across the world.Language learners might be especially interested in Polish because its one of the most widely spoken Slavic languages, but it still uses the Latin alphabet. That means its  a little less daunting for English speakers than other popular Slavic languages like Russian and Ukrainian, which require learning a whole new alphabet.There are, however, still many tricky aspects of the Polish language, including challenging pronunciations and a case system. But if youre already looking to learn a Slavic language, these things probably do not intimidate you!Czech-Slovak FamilyCzech:According the Ethnologue, Czech is spoken by over 10 million people in the Czech Republic and nearly 3 milli on more around the world.Czech is a popular choice with language learners because it uses the Latin alphabet and the Czech Republic is particularly popular with tourists. But, like other Slavic languages, if youre not careful, you could fall victim to tricky pronunciations and the dreaded case system.While Czech and Slovak vary in a number of ways, they do have enough mutual intelligibility to allow you to understand a fair amount of one by learning the other. Learning the two languages simultaneously should also be convenient.Slovak:According to Ethnologue, Slovak is spoken by over 4.7 million people in Slovakia and more than 2 million more people around the world.While it does have a case system and some tricky pronunciations, language learners will appreciate that Slovak uses the Latin alphabet and is so closely related to Czech.South Slavic LanguagesSouth Slavic languages are grouped in the southeastern corner of Europe, primarily in the Balkans.Western FamilySlovene:According t o Ethnologue, Slovene is spoken by over 1.9 million people in Slovenia and nearly 200,000 more around the world.Also called Slovenian, Slovene is one of the newer Slavic languages, having been formed in the 1700s from a range of dialect groups. Its still one of the most diverse Slavic languages, with a wide array of different dialects.While theyre technically related, Slovene is not particularly mutually intelligible with Serbo-Croatian (covered below), except for a few dialects along the Slovenian border. Theres also some similarity between Slovene and West Slavic languages, though again, there isnt a lot of mutual intelligibility.Slovene uses the case system, has some difficult pronunciations and features some other tricky grammar rules.For instance, while most European languages have singular and plural nouns, Slovene also features dual grammatical number to express when there are two of something. Additionally, the Huffington Post notes that the huge array of dialects can make i t difficult for speakers of Slovene to understand one another.For language learners, though, Slovene still has its appeal. It uses the Latin alphabet and the languages uniqueness sets it apart.Serbo-Croatian:Serbo-Croatian (sometimes abbreviated BCS) is a macro-language made up of Serbian, Montenegrin, Croatian and Bosnian, though Serbian and Montenegrin are often grouped together. While there are a few minor differences, these similar languages are mutually intelligible and the division between them is largely political.According to Ethnologue, Serbo-Croatian is spoken by over 15 million people. Bosnian is spoken by over 1.1 million people in Bosnia and nearly 400,000 more around the world. Croatian is spoken by about 4.2 million people in Croatia and about 2.3 million more around the world. Serbian/Montenegrin is spoken by about 6.3 million people in Serbia and Montenegro and another 2.1 million around the world.Montenegro split from Serbia  in the 2000s, so this language is still developing standards.One of the most notable differences between these languages is alphabet use. Serbian uses both the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. Bosnian technically uses both alphabets, but it mostly uses the Latin alphabet. Croatian uses the Latin alphabet. As the Montenegrin language develops, theres a preference for the Latin alphabet.Language learners might face standard Slavic language challenges here, like the case system. However, language learners also benefit from being able to choose whether they prefer to use the Latin or Cyrillic alphabet. Its very rare to be able to have options like this when learning a language!Additionally, the region is popular with tourists, so some students might want to learn Serbo-Croatian to prepare for travels.Eastern FamilyMacedonian:According to Ethnologue, Macedonian is spoken by over 1.3 million people in Macedonia and over 2 million more around the world.Macedonian and Bulgarian (covered below) are mutually intelligible. In fact, Ma cedonian has so much in common with Bulgarian that some Bulgarians actually consider it a dialect rather than a distinct language.Macedonian has some of the same difficult pronunciations and uses Cyrillic; these aspects might challenge learners. However, unlike most other Slavic languages, Macedonian does not use a case system or infinitive forms of verbs, making it uniquely appealing to language learners.Bulgarian:According to Ethnologue, there are over 7 million Bulgarian speakers in Bulgaria and 1 million more around the world.Anyone wanting to learn Bulgarian will face some challenges, such as the use of the old Proto-Slavic verb system, in which verbs can also express whether theres evidence. For instance, certain conjugations can indicate if something is unlikely or being retold.While the verb conjugations are expressive, they can also be tricky. Additionally, Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet.But language learners rejoice! Like Macedonian, Bulgarian does not use a case sys tem or infinitive verbs.East Slavic LanguagesBelarusian:According to Ethnologue, Belarusian is spoken by over 2.2 million people in Belarus and another 300,000 around the world. However, this number may look confusing given that Belarus is home to over 9 million people. So why do so few Belarusians speak Belarusian?Thats because most Belarusians actually speak Russian. In fact, the CIA World Factbook estimates that about 70 percent of the population speaks Russian.Luckily, Belarusian is fairly mutually intelligible with Russian (and Ukrainian, for that matter), so the challenge of communicating in this country is less daunting than it may seem. Its also partially mutually intelligible with Polish.Belarusian uses Cyrillic and its grammar is quite similar to Russian. Due to the overlap between Belarusian, Russian and Ukrainian, language learners might like learning all three together.Ukrainian:Despite historic attempts to suppress the Ukrainian language, Ukrainian remains one of the m ost widely spoken Slavic languages.  Ethnologue estimates that Ukrainian is spoken by 32.6 million people in Ukraine and over 2 million more people around the world.Ukrainian is most mutually intelligible with Belarusian but also has some mutual intelligibility with Russian. Polish has also heavily influenced the Ukrainian language, so theres also some mutual intelligibility between these languages. At the very least, youll notice some overlapping vocabulary.The Ukrainian language uses Cyrillic. Ukrainian learners will face challenges similar to those posed by other Slavic languages: a case system, tricky grammar rules and some difficult pronunciations. However, language learners should still consider learning Ukrainian because its widely spoken and many people consider it exceptionally beautiful.Russian:According to Ethnologue, Russian is spoken by 138 million people in Russia and a total of nearly 268 million people worldwide. Russian is widely spoken throughout North Asia, Centra l Asia and Eastern Europe. In Europe, more people speak Russian as a native language than any other language.Learning Russian isnt without its challenges. After all, it uses the Cyrillic alphabet, employs a case system and features long and often tricky words.However, there are still plenty of reasons to learn Russian.Students flock to the Russian language because its the most widely spoken Slavic language by leaps and bounds. Additionally, anyone interested in literature should consider learning Russian, because Russian literature is some of the most acclaimed in the world.When it comes to Slavic languages, Russian is just the tip of the iceberg! Mix and match your favorite Slavic languages for a fun and well-rounded learning experience.

How to Learn a Language by Watching Movies 10 Tips and Tricks to Dodge Potential Pitfalls

How to Learn a Language by Watching Movies 10 Tips and Tricks to Dodge Potential Pitfalls How to Learn a Language by Watching Movies: 10 Tips and Tricks to Dodge Potential Pitfalls Everyone wants the picture-perfect movie ending.You know the oneâ€"the music swells, the main character smiles, the credits roll as you pick the razor-sharp popcorn hulls from your gums.But to get to that picture-perfect ending, the main character had to overcome some pretty big obstacles like cunning villains, a thwarted romance or an army of giant spiders.If you want to learn a language by watching movies, youll also face some obstacles on your route towards fluency. Sure, they wont have as many legs as some cinematic obstacles, but they can be just as intimidating and can keep you from your picture-perfect ending.Luckily, you can prepare yourself to navigate the pitfalls with ease and confidence.Watch out for these common pitfalls so you can find your way to picture-perfect language learning by watching movies! Why Learn a Language by Watching Movies?There arent many methods of learning a language more beloved than watching movies. After all, there are brilliant films in nearly any language you can think of, including  Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian  and  Spanish. Regardless of what language you want to learn, theres probably a movie in that language that youll love.First of all, watching movies familiarizes you with native speech. Since movies are intended for native speakers, the language used generally reflects authentic speech. Sometimes, historical or fantasy films might not be accurate reflections of current speech norms, but most contemporary movies use common language that people who watch the film also use. By listening to authentic, native speech, youre more likely to be able to understand actual speech in context.Additionally, watching movies puts vocabulary in context. You wont just have to rely exclusively on the words themselves to understand whats happening. If you dont understand a word, you can often guess based on whats happening and visual cues, like characters facial expressions. Plus, yo u can see how vocabulary might be used in different situations, helping you understand when different words are appropriate.Finally, watching movies is addictive and fun. Once you get on a roll, youll just want to keep watching them. And when youre watching in your target language, the addictive nature of movies can lead to massive improvements in your language skills.However, a lot of language learners dont know what theyre doing when it comes to learning a language with movies. It can be tempting to just watch a movie and hope to learn from it. But because so many learners are unprepared, they often fall victim to pitfalls and dont get as much out of the movies as they would have hoped.Not to worry, were here to help!How to Learn a Language by Watching Movies: 10 Tips and Tricks to Dodge Potential Pitfalls1. Watching Movies Without SupportThe mistake:When watching movies in your target language, it can be tempting to go at it alone. After all, you know how to watch movies, right?T he solutions:If you havent watched a lot of videos in your target language, you might not be ready to dive into a full-length movie just yet. Practicing with supportive resources will give you the skills you need to watch movies in your target language.Start with shorter videos on FluentU.FluentU is one tool that can help. Regardless of your skill level, FluentU can help you upgrade your skills through authentic video content, like movie trailers, music videos, news and more.  Each video is captioned and the captions are annotated, giving you easy access to any words definition, several example sentences and an associated image. Want to see how a word is used in other videos? Just click it.If youre looking for uniquely engaging activities, you might also try Quiz mode. This mode combines videos, pictures and example sentences in flashcards and exercises, giving you plenty of in-context practice. Plus, FluentU is personalized. Since the program uses an algorithm that takes into accou nt your user learning history, the questions you see will be based on what you already know to ensure they are the right level for you.Want to use FluentU from your computer? Use FluentU online. If you prefer your learning on the go, you can also download the FluentU app from iTunes or Google Play.Watch short videos on YouTube.Another resource you might use to brush up your skills before diving into full-length movies is YouTube. There are plenty of short videos in other languages, and many offer subtitles. For instance, Korean students might watch girl-group MAMAMOOs song Paint Me, complete with lyrics in Korean and English. Watching shorter videos like this is a good way to transition towards longer works, like movies.Use additional resources for support.If youre ready to dive into movies head on, though, that doesnt mean there isnt another support you can use. Using a translator app  with a voice translation option, like Google Translate (iOS | Android), is a quick and easy way t o look up any words or phrases you might be unfamiliar with as you watch.2. Choosing the Wrong MovieThe mistake:It can be tempting to watch the biggest blockbuster, but big doesnt always mean best, especially when it comes to language learning.Rather than selecting viewing material based on difficulty level and vocabulary, language students often select movies solely based on what they feel like watching. While you should definitely choose a movie that interests you, there are so many more factors to take into consideration.The solutions:Check the movies difficulty level.First, youll want to consider the difficulty level of the movie. You can often assume this based on the genre. For instance, most childrens movies are relatively easy. Some action movies are also approachable since they frequently lean more on visuals than dialogue. However, serious, deep movies (the type that get  the Oscars) are usually a little harder for language students to follow since they may lean more heavi ly on subtleties that can be hard to catch in a foreign language.Target specific vocabulary.Next, youll want to consider what type of vocabulary a movie is likely to use. For instance, a police procedural will probably include a lot of technical terms that you might not need to know in your target language. However, movies like romantic comedies usually feature more common vocabulary. Similarly, if you want to learn a specific set of vocabulary, you might consider finding a film that will use those terms. For instance, if you want to learn legal terms, look for a legal drama.Dont forget to enjoy!Finally, consider what movies youll actually enjoy. Enjoying a movie is a valuable motivator to keep watching and therefore learning. Plus, why bother learning a language with movies if it isnt going to be fun?3. Going in ColdThe mistake:All you need to do to prepare for watching a movie is pop some popcorn and press play, right? Well, you might want to do a little more than that (and were n ot just talking about adding butter to your popcorn).If you go in cold, youre making watching the movie more challenging than it needs to be. After all, if you dont know anything about the movie, it will be more difficult to follow. You may end up focusing less on the language itself and more on trying to figure out who characters are, what theyre doing and why that guys eyebrow is so nefariously arched.Worse still, if its difficult for you to follow the movie, you might lose interest and give up altogether, thereby missing out on your opportunity to improve your language skills in one of the most fun ways imaginable.The solutions:Do a little research.Do a little preparation ahead of time. Were not talking about an in-depth study of the themes or camera angles, but something far simplerâ€"look up the movie before you watch it. If you can find a summary, read it. Better still, read a few summaries. IMDB and Wikipedia  usually have English-language summaries of popular foreign-languag e films. Reading a summary ahead of time can give you context to fill in anything you miss.Know whos who.You might also look up the actors ahead of time. Pay attention to the characters names as you look at images of the actors faces. This way, when you start watching the movie, youre not wasting any time trying to remember whos who.4. Getting OverwhelmedThe mistake:Movies can seem long very long.Since most listening activities are relatively brief, a lot of language students havent listened to their target language for such long stretches. However, movie lovers often assume that because they can watch a movie in their native language, they can watch it in their target language.While you can totally watch a movie in your target language, learning from such a long work can be overwhelming because understanding your target language can take a lot of focus and thinking. With so much effort involved, watching movies can become overwhelming.The solution:Split it into chunks.One of the be st ways to avoid getting overwhelmed is segmenting the movie. Rather than trying to watch the whole thing at once, break it into smaller chunks. You might not be ready to watch two hours in your target language just yet, but you can probably handle watching one scene.Breaking the movie into chunks will ensure your listening practice doesnt get overwhelming. As an added bonus, a few minutes of viewing are much easier to work into your daily schedule than a full-length movie.5. Rushing ThroughThe mistake:When you watch a movie in your native language, you probably watch it straight through with only a few breaks to get more snacks. However, when youre trying to learn a language, watching straight through might be rushing the process too much.There are a couple reasons for this. First, you might miss something. It can be harder to pick up key details in your target language, so you might get lost. Additionally, repetition is valuable for language learning and watching a movie straight through just doesnt provide the sort of repetition you need to memorize vocabulary or grammar rules.The solutions:Take breaks to process information.Because of this, youll want to take frequent breaks. After every scene or two, you might take a break to think about what you just saw. What happened? What new vocabulary did you hear? Considering this will give you time to process what youre watching.Watch it again and again!Then, you might also consider rewatching key scenes, paying particular attention to interesting quotations, new vocabulary or challenging grammar rules. If you like a line, try memorizing it! Not only will this help you memorize the vocabulary, you can also use it as a model when constructing similar sentences in the future.6. Expecting to Understand ImmediatelyThe mistake:Youve studied the language. You do well in class or your independent studies. You should be able to understand the entire movie right off the bat, right?Not necessarily. Many resources for studen ts are slower and easier to understand than native speech, so even students whove studied extensively might not be able to understand authentic resources like movies right off the bat.Plus, expecting to understand immediately is doing yourself a disservice. If you expect listening to be easy, you might be disappointed and demotivated when it isnt as easy as you thought it would be. Worse still, you could start to question your own skill.The solution:Set reasonable expectations.To dodge this pitfall, dont set your expectations too high. Trust that youll understand part of the movie, but realize that not understanding everything is nothing to be ashamed of and doesnt reflect on your overall knowledge.Understanding native speech takes time, even if youve studied extensively. Keep watching, though, and at some point, you might be able to understand entire movies in your target language the first time you watch them.7. Watching PassivelyThe mistake:Most of the time, you probably dont int eract with movies. And if you do, chances are strong that the people you usually watch with arent so eager to watch more movies with you.Yes, most movie fans are passive viewers, quietly watching their favorite films. But when youre learning a language, you need to engage more. After all, watching a movie will give you listening practice, but if you want to really maximize the learning punch a movie can pack, youll need to do a little more than watch.Listening, speaking and writing are very different skills. While watching movies can improve your listening skills, it doesnt usually do much for your speaking or writing skills, which could lead to an imbalanced skill set. But if you put in the extra effort and engage, you can transform movies into well-rounded language practice.The solutions:Integrate speech into movie-watching.To get the most out of your movie viewing, you should try to speak in addition to listening. For instance, try interacting with a movie. During dialogue  scene s, pause and guess what the next character will say. When you hear a line you like, repeat it aloud. Hey, you could even shout advice to characters if thats what youre into. The key here is speaking your target language.Write it down.In addition, keep a notebook and pen handy. Make notes as youre watching: Write down words you dont know, phrases you like and anything else that catches your ear. For an added challenge, try summarizing a scene in your target language after you watch it.8. Looking Up Too Many WordsThe mistake:OMG! I dont know that word! I need to look it up! Those words might come out of your mouth a lot when youre watching movies in your target language. In fact, it can be tempting to look up the exact meaning of every single word youre not 100% familiar with.While this could be a good vocabulary-building activity, it doesnt provide great listening practice. After all, youll be focused too much on individual words to really understand the overall message.Plus, part of the reason why listening practice is so valuable is that it prepares you to fill in any words you dont know based on context. In conversation, you may hear a word you dont know. Having experience in determining meaning based on context will help prepare you for this situation.The solution:Get the gist of it.Instead of focusing on individual words, focus on overall meaning. If you miss a word or two, thats fine. Sometimes, it just isnt realistic to pause and look up every word you dont know, so learning how to fill in any vocabulary gaps with educated guesses is a valuable skill.9. Leaning Too Heavily on SubtitlesThe mistake:Subtitles are magical. If you cant understand a spoken language, you can still enjoy a movie by just reading it.However, for language learners, this can prove problematic. Subtitles can be a great tool to help you understand whats happening even if you miss a few words. However, if youre not careful, you might find yourself inadvertently reading a film and not l istening at all.The solution:Strategize your subtitle use.To avoid this, its good to develop a strategy. For instance, you might try alternating watching segments with the subtitles on and off. Listen to the scene in your target language and see how much you understand. Then, turn on the subtitles to check how much you caught. Turn the subtitles back off to see if you can understand more now.Skim the subtitles.If you dont want to repeat segments so often, you can also develop a strategy for how you read the subtitles. As soon as a subtitle pops up, you can skim it quickly and then focus on listening to the spoken dialogue. Otherwise, focus on the dialogue and if you realize you dont understand, quickly skim the subtitle after.Always remember that subtitles are just a tool to help prop you up until youre skills are refined enough that you dont need them. Your ultimate goal should be weaning yourself off from them.10. Learning AloneThe mistake:Watching movies is often a solitary pursu it. After all, only one hand can fit comfortably into a box of Junior Mints.Language learning, on the other hand, is an inherently interactive pursuit. Conversational skills are best developed with actual conversation.The solutions:Engage in communal movie-watching.To really upgrade your language skills, youll need to interact with others. However, that doesnt mean you need to give up your favorite movies! You might start a movie club in your target language.Gather a group of learners, native speakers or just some friends, then pick a movie in your target language. You can watch it as a group or independently and discuss it afterward.  Not only will you get the great listening practice that movies provide, youll also get conversational practice and a nearly endless stream of potential conversation topics.Connect with fellow fans online.You can also connect with other movie fans online through message boards or fan sites. There are many fan forums for specific regions and/or language s. For instance, Spanish film fans might enjoy posting in Foro de cine  (movie forum). To find a forum, just search the name of the language and movie forum in your target language.Dont let being unprepared ruin the end of your journey to learn a language by watching movies. Watch out for these pitfalls and be prepared to smile as the credits roll!