YouTube is a great resource for language-learning—you can learn new vocabulary, ways to use grammar structures, and hear different accents. If you’re just starting out your expedition into French YouTube, I’ve made a list of channels that can help you get started! These are more suitable for intermediate and advanced learners, as these videos only have auto-generated captions, and creators tend to speak quickly and use slang. (Sidenote – I found out the word in French is “youtubeur.euse” and I love it.)
Continue reading “YouTube en français”Íslensku!
I went to Iceland for spring break and I was fascinated with the language. It’s sad that so few people speak it – only 314K, which is less than the total population of Iceland! – so I want more people to learn it. Here are some awesome facts about the language that might get you to learn it!
Continue reading “Íslensku!”Language Lab study session … with tutors and hot chocolate!
Spring has sprung in the Language Lab, and we’re hosting a study session to get you through the final stretch of your language classes! Stop by the Language Lab for study snacks, cozy vibes, and the opportunity to work with our language tutors! Bring your friends, classmates, and study group!
When: Monday, April 7 from 5-8 pm
Where: Language Lab
Leilani’s tips for keeping a language journal!
I have a terrible habit of hoarding blank notebooks, fancy pens, and cute stickers. So instead of letting them continue to sit in my desk drawers forever, I decided to start a language journal! The concept is simple yet effective: try to use only your target language to fill up a journal! I’ve been writing entirely in Chinese, but this method works for any target language. Honestly, I find journaling to be challenging, but here are some tips (and prompts!) for you to begin and stay motivated to write your very own language journal!
Continue reading “Leilani’s tips for keeping a language journal!”Patricio’s recommendation of the week: Listen to more Spanish music!
Listening to music in the language you’re learning helps you improve your pronunciation, listening skills, and even grasp some grammar patterns. It’s fun, you can do it anywhere, and it’ll expand your Spotify playlist. Here’s some of my favorite artists broken down by genre.
Continue reading “Patricio’s recommendation of the week: Listen to more Spanish music!”This is your sign to learn Icelandic! Do it with Drops!
This week’s recommendation is to learn Icelandic. It is believed to be the hardest Germanic language to learn for English speakers. It has some intense grammar and complex pronunciation. But you should learn it anyway! Icelandic is the closest living relative to Old Norse, which was spoken by Vikings. I’ve been trying to learn it and Drops is so far the best app to do it. One of the best features it has is lessons to teach you how to pronounce the extensive alphabet, which is tricky as there’s a mix of rolling r’s similar to Spanish, the eu sounds similar to French, and the gargling r’s from German. Some fun words I’ve learned are Hjàlp! (Hee-owl-fff-p, i.e. help!), tuttugu (impossibe to describe how it’s pronounced, i.e. twenty), and sveppur (sveh-prrr, i.e. mushroom). Some not so fun words I’ve learned are matvöruverslun (…, i.e. grocery store) and sjúkrahús (shoe-crah-whose, i.e. hospital).
Language Lab x IPO Trivia Night!
We’re going around the world in just 2 hours at the Language Lab x IPO (International Programs Office) Trivia Night! We’re serving up tricky questions, information about studying abroad, and also pizza!
When: Wednesday, March 12 from 6-8 pm
Where: Vollum Lounge
Language Lab tabling in the GCC!
Stop by our table in the GCC Foyer on Tuesday, March 11 between 11:30 and 1:00 to learn more about what the Language Lab is, what LangLabbies do, and what fun language-themed events are on the agenda this semester!
Language Plaza Open House!
Come tour the Language Houses as part of the Housing Application process for the 2025-2026 school year! House Advisors and Language Scholars for each house will be available to give tours of each house and answer questions about the selection process. Food and drinks will be available!
When: Sunday, March 9 from 12-2 pm
Where: Language Plaza
