In this video, I explain why language learning is often made harder than it needs to be and how to stop overcomplicating it.


DON'T overcomplicate language learning

Hi a charaid,
Dè tha dol? Tha sinne a’ dèanamh fiughair ris a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail gu mòr, chan eil càil coltach ris! ’S ann a tha e a’ tachairt ann an Loch Abar am-bliadhna, oisean àlainn den t-saoghal. Eadar tràighean is beanntan, lochan is eileanan, chan eil mòran àiteachain nas fheàrr airson a bhith a-muigh is a-mach. Seo dhut sùil air cuid de na rudan a tha a’ dèanamh na sgìre seo sònraichte:
Tha Loch Abar na dhachaigh don bheinn as àirde san Rìoghachd Aonaichte - Beinn Nibheis. Faodaidh tu a dhol suas le do dhà chois fhèin, no air gondola!
Ardnamurchan, ros a tha loma làn de thràighean eireachdail. Bho na bàigh seo, gheibh thu seallaidhean àlainn de na h-eileanan beaga - Rùm, Eige, Muc agus Canaigh.
Tha sinn cinnteach gu bheil fios aig a’ mhòr-chuid agaibh air seo mu thràth! Nochd Drochaid-rèile Ghleann Fhionghain anns na filmichean Harry Potter. An e ‘Potterhead’ a th’ annad fhèin? 
Tha e freagarrach gu bheil am Mòd air a chumail an seo, leis gun deach mòran luchd-ciùil traidiseanta air an togail ann. Bho Fergie Dòmhnallach gu Raibeart Robasdan, tha fuaim a’ chosta an iar air buaidh a thoirt air iomadh ginealach.
An robh fios agad gu bheil taigh-dhealbh sgoinneil anns a’ Ghearasdan? ’S e ‘Highland Cinema’ a th’ air, agus a bharrachd air deagh fhilm, gheibh thu greim-bìdh cuideachd. Mar sin, cha leig thu leas a bhith steigte air na làithean fliucha!
Gus sgeulachd a leughadh a tha ceangailte ri Loch Abar, thèid gu LearnGaelic.scot > Coimhead & Èist > An Litir Bheag agus tagh An Dèirceach Abrach.
An robh thu fhèin riamh san sgìre seo? Am bi thu ann airson a’ Mhòid? Ma tha sgeulachdan sam bith agad fhèin mun àite, cur fios thugainn le post-d no air na meadhanan sòisealta againn! 
Sin e airson seachdain eile. Bho do charaidean aig LearnGaelic, mar sin leat! 

Beurla 
Hi there pal,
How’s it going? We’re really looking forward to the Royal National Mòd, there’s nothing like it! It’s taking place in Lochaber this year, a beautiful corner of the world. Between beaches and hills, lochs and islands, there aren’t many better places for being out and about. Here’s a look at some of the things that make this area special:
Lochaber is home to the highest mountain in the United Kingdom – Ben Nevis. You can go up with your own two legs, or on a gondola! 
Ardnamurchan, a peninsula that’s full to the brim with spectacular beaches. From these bays, you can get beautiful views of the small islands – Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna.
We’re sure that most of you know this one already! The Glenfinnan Viaduct appeared in the Harry Potter films. Are you a ‘Potterhead’ yourself? 
It’s fitting that the Mòd is being held here, as this is where many traditional musicians have been brought up. From Fergie MacDonald to Robert Robertson, the west coast sound has influenced many generations. 
Did you know that there’s a great cinema in Fort William? It’s called ‘Highland Cinema’, and as well as a good film, you’ll get something to eat too. So, there’s no need to be stuck on the rainy days!
To read a story that’s connected to Lochaber, go to Learngaelic.scot > Look & Listen > The Little Letter and choose The Beggar from Lochaber.
Have you ever been to this area? Will you be there for the Mòd? If you’ve got any stories of your own about the place, let us know by email or on our social media!
That’s it for another week. From your friends at LearnGaelic, bye for now!


lochabar

Today we’ll tackle a grammatical form used very frequently in Amharic, known as the Relative Clause. In English we use the relative clause to modify a noun or noun phrase by using a relative pronoun like “which”, “that”, “who”, “whom”, “whose”, etc. With the help of such pronouns, we are able to specify and give greater detail in one sentence and connect two ideas or two separate clauses into one sentence. Follow along as we run through relative clause conjugations and how to apply them in a sentence.

S4.E8 - The Relative Clause

In this video, I talk with Jon Hamilton, a former Green Beret, about language learning and how physical training relates to mastering new languages.

Ex–Green Beret explains how U.S. military learns languages

In this video I explain why it's never been easier to learn another language.

Why it’s never been EASIER to learn a language

Dans cette vidéo, j’explique pourquoi l’apprentissage des langues est souvent rendu plus difficile qu’il ne devrait l’être, et comment arrêter de le compliquer inutilement.

Apprendre une langue, c’est s’y habituer

In this video, I discuss the cognitive load theory and how it can be applied to language learning to make it easier and more enjoyable. 

Want to learn faster? Reduce cognitive load

Welcome to the second set of grammar lessons of Dholuo with Yalaney! You'll get to learn Dholuo from scratch, and as you progress, you will build your confidence in the language. Our lessons are perfect for absolute beginners, so let’s dive into our lesson on singular and plural nouns. 
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1. Ng’ato - Person 
2. Ji - People 
3. Wuoyi – Boy 
4. Yawuoyi – Boys  
5. Nyako – Girl
6. Nyiri – Girls 
7. Dichuo – Man
8. Chuo – Men  
9. Dhako – Woman 
10. Mon – Women 
11. Nyathi – Child 
12. Nyithindo – Children 
13. Buk – Book
14. Buge – Books 
15. Dala – Home
16. Mier – Homes
17. Wendo – Guest
18. Welo – Guests 
19. Guok – Dog
20. Guogi – Dogs 
21. Diel – Goat  
22. Diek – Goats 
23. Gweno – Chicken
24. Gwen – Chickens
25. Ot – House 
26. Udi – Houses
27. Jomadongo – Adult
28. Jomadongo – Adults
29. Dhano – Human being
30. Dhano - Human beings 
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Yalaney is a non-profit organization on a mission to preserve, promote, and celebrate Kenya’s linguistic and cultural diversity. We offer simple, fun, and engaging ways to learn Kenyan languages and the cultures they represent. Our mission is to empower Kenyans to reconnect with their roots, celebrate their diversity, and find unity through language. 
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To learn more, follow us on social media:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Yalaneylanguages
Instagram: www.instagram.com/yalaneylanguages/
Twitter: x.com/YalaneyLProject


Dholuo lessons: Nouns and Plurals (common nouns) - Part 1

Join me for a conversation with Geneviève Breton, a passionate French teacher from Quebec, recorded during my trip to the province in October. We talked about language, culture, and what makes learning French in Quebec so unique.

Le français au Québec, mythes et realité

In this video, I talk about why curiosity is the biggest driver in my own language learning — and what the research says about it.

The thing that helped me learn 20 languages (it’s not discipline)

Welcome to Bereka Buna, a podcast series designed to support Amharic Language Learning. Episodes in the series range from a focus on vocabulary and grammar to dialogue and more conversational Amharic to get you started on learning the language and move you beyond the basics. Follow along with full transcripts (transliterated and in Amharic Fidel) to hone your reading and writing skills as you listen. The course is meant as support for learning you may already be embarking on. Join host, Luana DeBorst, and guest speakers on this journey of language learning and exploration! For more visit berekabuna.org. Accompanying videos can be found on YouTube @BerekaBuna.

Learn Dholuo with the Yalaney Language Project. We have created bite-sized lessons that teach vocabulary, grammar, and the cultures represented by the language. 

You'll get to learn Dholuo from scratch, and as you progress, you will build your confidence in the language.

I speak 20 languages. I've been learning languages for over 50 years and I've tried all kinds of approaches. I talk about my experiences, my approach to language learning, what I enjoy about learning languages and all manner of other topics related to language. 

If you love languages, or think you would if you hadn't been discouraged by past experiences, this is the podcast for you. Anyone can learn a language. You just need the right attitude and the right approach!

LearnGaelic is your constant companion on your learning journey. Visit LearnGaelic.scot for online courses, an online dictionary, course finder, and more. These files provide audio support to the weekly newsletter.

New tracks tagged #languagelearning