The International Mother Language Day emphasizes "the significance of the native language, promotes linguistic diversity and the awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions," says the UNESCO. Already since 2000 the Organization of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrates on February 21^st, the "Mother Language Day". Around the World many events take place. The date goes back to 1952 when students in Pakistan were shot and killed because of demonstrating for the recognition of Bangla language.

There is even the Society for Endangered Languages, which however does not save languages, but at least documents the endangered languages, which may be useful for future revival of the language. Particularly suitable for the documentation of languages are also videos. Because videos show not only the pronunciation, but also the important features associated with facial expressions and gestures as well as other cultural properties. Figuratively speaking, it is possible with video, "to look at the mouth of" the native speaker. This is one of several reasons why LinguaTV relies within its language courses on videos, showing how native speakers speak their language and apply it in practical situations.

On the occasion of the "Mother Language Day" you´ll save EUR 10 with discount code "motherlanguage" (written as one single word) at LinguaTV.com. Or just try it with a free demo lesson at www.LinguaTV.com.

Author: LinguaTV / pg
Image source: Gerd Altmann / pixelio.de
Source: German Commission for UNESCO e.V.

Did you know that a language dies out every two weeks? Of the 6,000 languages ​​spoken today in the world, around 2500 are threatened according to UNESCO. Since 1950, this was already the case with approximately 230 languages. In the UNESCO atlas of endangered languages endangered languages are listed ​​by name, level of threat and the region. Even in Germany there are endangered languages: for example Frisian, Sorbian and Yiddish are at a heavy risk. In addition, there are a number of other languages ​​in Germany that are considered threatened in the medium term, such as The Bavarian and Franconian different dialects.

There are many reasons why a language disappears. War, displacement and migration play a role, but also pushed aside by globalization and new media like the Internet, which benefits the "big" languages, like English.

There is even the Society for Endangered Languages, which however does not save languages, but least documents the endangered languages , which may be very useful for future revival of the language. Particularly suitable for the documentation of languages ​​are also videos. Because videos show not only the pronunciation, but also to communicate the important features associated with facial expressions and gestures as well as other cultural properties. Figuratively speaking, it is possible with video, "to look at the mouth of" the native speaker. This is one of several reasons why LinguaTV relies on videos as an central part of its language courses, showing how native speakers speak their language and apply it in practical situations.

Try it yourself with a free demo lesson at www.linguatv.com. On the occasion of the "Mother Language Day" you´ll save EUR 10 with discount code "motherlanguage".

_{Source: German Commission for UNESCO e.V.
Image source: Gerd Altmann / pixelio.de}

Dear LinguaTV members, the LinguaTV team says

Thank you, Danke, Gracias, Merci, Grazie

for an exciting and successful year 2011.

In 2011, we’ve greatly expanded our course offerings, were honored to win some awards, and what makes us especially happy is that we’ve received positive feedback from numerous customers from all over the world. Your comments have touched us and spur us on to ensure that LinguaTV will continue to be a language-learning experience for you in 2012.

We’d like to share the five most interesting and amusing comments we’ve received from you:

“Your videos have brought smiles to the faces of me and my students.”
“I’ve fallen in love with your leading lady. Can I have her autograph?”
“You’re better than my community college and cheaper.”
“You weren’t exaggerating – this really is the best way to learn a language.”
“I like this story! What happens next? Will Alejandro and Patricia get together in the next course?”

We’d love to hear from you as well!

Now we’d like to give you a little joy and our most heartfelt thanks for your loyalty.

Our Christmas gift for you: a 30% discount!

Until January 15, 2012, when you buy a LinguaTV language course of your choosing, you’ll receive a 30% discount.*

We wish you a Merry Christmas with health and happiness for the year 2012, and of course, much success in your language learning!

Your LinguaTV team

*To receive your 30% discount: When making your order online with LinguaTV, in the field “Coupon Code”, enter the following discount code: weihnachten2011
Your discount will be automatically deducted from the regular price.

You can find all the LinguaTV language courses here

Numerous research studies on information processing in the brain show that learning a foreign language happens quickly and effectively when we watch a foreign film with subtitles in the same foreign language. This is so because the use of subtitles improves the perception of individuals who, almost without realizing it, are able to associate sounds (words) with texts. This makes it possible to multiply the effects of learning. On the one hand, individuals can improve their pronunciation of words they knew and, on the other hand, can learn new words by context simply by associating sounds and images with captions.

Viewing subtitled TV series such as "Friends", "Scrubs" or “Dallas” and blockbuster movies such as “Avatar” are some good examples for using this academic know how for practically learning English or any other language. In the movies, the subtitles have the role of matching a vocabulary (more or less complicated depending on the level) with the actual sound of these words thus achieving better performance in learning concepts. So you learn much faster and you even are able to distinguish between different accents of a foreign language such as American, British, or Australian English.

At LinguaTV they use all this valuable research on linguistics and apply it to their language teaching methodology. To implement this, the educational staff of LinguaTV selects many professionally produced videos with authentic dialogues for each online course. Each video gets subtitled. In order to accommodate to the different levels of each learner, each user can either show or hide the subtitles and this varies the level of difficulty (even during the videos play). This gives each user much more flexibility and ensures a much faster learning progress.

Now you know how you can boost your language learning efforts: by simply watching movies with subtitles. It is this easy!

In order to be in the first place in the race for good jobs, one has to offer some extra skills. In Germany, Business English courses are very popular. And in the U.S. "Business German" attracts more and more students.

Susi Lax for example occupied a Business German course at her university, a course far more specialized than usual language courses: "This is a course where you learn more than German grammar or some basic words," she says. "This course is really useful and helpful for my future."

German courses are very popular in America. At the foreground of "Wirtschaftsdeutsch" or "Deutsch im Beruf" (how Germans would call this course) are negotiations and the formulation of business letters. Instead basic vocabulary students learn relevant phrases and about the economic role of Germany.

Tim Baston teaches Business German at a famous US college and tells us, that his German courses are always full. The reason for the attractiveness of learning German is obvious: "German is the most spoken language in Europe. Germany also plays an important role in the global economy."

The motivation for his students: to differentiate themselves with additional communications skills in an increasingly tough and international race for the best jobs. "There are many German companies based in America," said Susi Lax "and they offer interesting jobs and great carreer opportunities. Why should I miss out on these opportunities?" Most Human Ressource Manager of US-based subsidiaries of German companies would agree. Although the official company language at most U.S. sites is English. But: "If I see through the applications, the most important for me, are German language skills. It´s not only helpful, it´s strategically important for your carreer."

But only about ten percent of the candidates can prove that they are fluent in the German langauge. "It would be nice of course if many more applicants could speak at least a bit German." Not only the headquarter in Germany but also some of the entire corporate network function in German.

Since it helps the company, many offer German language courses to their employees. That it is worth the trouble, confirms Wayne Sibbs. A few times a year the engineer is traveling to visit partners and customers based in Berlin, Cologne, and Stuttgart. Then about a few months ago he began to study German. "Even if I do not know very much German yet, I have the impression that the German colleagues appreciate that I am trying to learn German," he says.

Although negotiations were conducted in English anyway, but especially for short conversations with colleagues, it was quite an advantage to speak German, as this improves the working atmosphere and communication between colleagues. He confirmed: "German is becoming increasingly attractive to many Americans." This might be true for all nationalities all over the world.

Find out more about the German courses of LinguaTV.

Image: 485666_R_K_B_by_Jim-Pfeffer_pixelio.de

2010 was another exciting and successful year for us. Therefore we would like to thank you, our customers and partners.

We are overwhelmed by the many positive comments from customers, partners and the press about our successful relaunch of our video training platform at www.linguatv.com. In addition we are very proud about being honoured by reknown awards such as the Comenius EduMedia Seal for an “exceptional educational and high quality multimedia product”. Just this week we have been informed by the British Council that LinguaTV was nominated as a finalist of the ELTons 2011, one of the most prestigious awards for English Teaching.

Together with new productions such as „Englisch für Hotel & Tourismus“, five special „Business English“ courses and „Business German“, we are able to offer you a broad range of multimedia language training in English including Business English, German, French, Spanish and Italian. In 2011 we will work even harder to offer you the best online video learning experience – not only in the web but also on your mobile devices. Stay tuned! And check out www.linguatv.com!

As a “Thank You” LinguaTV is pleased to offer you a special year-end discount of 20% off all language courses.* Just enter the code “xmas2010” with your next order.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

Your LinguaTV team

_{*Offer valid until Dec 31rst 2010. Offer can not be combined with other promotions.}