Posts Tagged ‘Six Months’

How Long Does It Take To Learn Spanish?

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

I am often asked, “how long does it take to learn Spanish?” I’m afraid that this is essentially a million dollar question and one for which there is no single answer.

Sadly there are simply too many variables concerned, in that so much depends on how much effort a person is prepared to put into learning the language, and also which strategy or program they will be using. Add to that the indisputable fact that while some people may choose to use the services of a private tutor, others will select a classroom environment instead. In reality, some people will rather choose using one or other home study program which makes use of books, multimedia, software, and audio recordings. You also need to ask whether the scholar will be learning the language in a place where it’s spoken as the native language, or whether they’ll be learning it in their home country. Furthermore, the quality of a program or the experience of a teacher will also influence the result.

Since these variables will have such a direct result on how long does it take to learn Spanish, it is just not feasible to provide a simple response to this query. In reality, I have personally met people who after six months, managed to communicate confidently in conversational Spanish, but also , I’ve known individuals who have attempted to study the Spanish language for a few years, albeit on an on and off basis, and yet after many years they can barely get by.

Rather than attempting to offer a generic answer to this question, I’d prefer to offer what I feel to be the quickest way of learning Spanish. The most important step of all, is for a person to seize each possible opportunity regarding interacting in the language they would like to learn, regardless of what language that might be.

While you certainly do get those that are firm adherents of the classroom approach, I actually feel it takes too long unless it is done in association with another method. In my experience, a self study system of top quality is by far superior in that it allows a student to proceed at their own pace rather than being tied down to the average lecture room pace. This is especially true with regards to scholars who are genuinely serious about learning Spanish.

In this case, I’d suggest a person to opt for a credible program which includes a range of audio lessons, multimedia lessons, and of course, written Spanish. Additionally, they should choose a program which allows for lessons to be downloaded onto a mobile device so that the student can listen on their iPod for example. Remember, if you’re serious about learning a language, then you should shoot at being able to not only speak it and write it, but also to read it and understand it. Unless a program covers all four of these areas, it needs to be avoided or at least, you will require some extra material.

As you’ll have already heard, Rocket Spanish is an extremely well-liked program, and not without reason. Considering that it addresses all four of the area’s discussed, it has gained a name for providing scholars with a top foundation for basic Spanish which in turn will make sure that you are able to speak confidently in Spanish within a comparatively short space of time. Similarly, Rosetta Stone is known to be quite as good, in that it also addresses the four areas discussed above. Furthermore, it is available in two versions so that people can select between the “Spain” version and the South American Spanish version. Judging by testimonials, it seems that the Rosetta Stone program takes a touch longer to work thru, which of course means it’ll take you a little longer before you develop conversational Spanish but in general, it ranks right up there with Rocket Spanish. Also, Rosetta Stone is significantly more expensive.

As you can see, there are too many variables concerned for me or anyone else to be in a position to give a single answer regarding “how long does it takes to learn Spanish. However, you’ve probably also gathered by this point that there are many things you can do in order to speed up the process. Actually, many people go as far as using both the programs discussed with each other to develop conversational skills as fast as possible. However, unless you are steadily exposed to the Spanish language, no program will be capable of making you 100 percent smooth. On the other hand, providing you’re at an intermediate-to-advanced level, you might consider subscribing to Puerta del Sol Audio magazine which is a Spanish language talents Magazine. Additionally, you’d be surprised at just how much you can benefit from joining a Meetup group in your neighborhood that concentrates on learning the Spanish language.

5 Easy Weight Loss Tips

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Weight loss doesn’t have to be difficult and depressing. In fact, it should be motivational and rewarding. Here are five great tips to help ensure your experience when losing weight is a positive one.

1. Go ahead, indulge yourself! It’s just not reasonable to think you’ll be able to stick to a lifestyle of deprivation. Every now and again it’s fine to splurge and have something you really like. The trick is portion control: instead of having a three scoop monster ice cream cone, get a child’s size.

2. Eat breakfast. When your sleeping your body actually kicks into a kind of “fasting mode.” You “break the fast” when you eat breakfast (thus the name). In fact, if you can eat breakfast within an hour of getting out of bed, you may actually boost your metabolism and burn calories better throughout the day.

3. Try something new. When trying to lose weight, it’s easy to fall into a rut of eating the same foods all the time because you know they’re “safe.” But there are thousands of varieties out there that are healthy and tasty. Read the labels and try something new in the way of ethnic or exotic foods.

4. Talk to yourself. No, it doesn’t mean you’re crazy! Positive “self-talk” really does help lift your spirits and keep you motivated.

5. Take your vitamins. A good multi-vitamin will ensure your nutritional needs are being met. This is especially important if you’re on a diet plan that restricts certain kinds of foods.

The best way to lose weight is through exercise. I know because I lost 45 lbs in six months — and kept it off!

Amos Murray runs an internet shopping web site at frankenshopper.com.

Top 3 Reasons to Be Careful With Modern Diets

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Many modern diets promise great results, and some of them deliver quite well on those promises. However, there are three important things you need to be aware of before beginning any diet program in order to ensure healthy weight loss. They are:

1. If the diet omits certain foods, you may fall short of your nutritional requirements. An example of this is the Atkins diet, which is big on protein and veggies but low on carbs and fruit. If you’re active on a diet such as this, you need to be sure to take a good multivitamin to help make up where the diet is falling short. The best multivitamins are whole food vitamins, which can be found at your local health store.

2. Be careful not to cut back your calorie intake too fast. Cutting the amount of food you’re used to eating each day too quickly can leave you tired and lightheaded. It’s much better to scale back slowly. Besides, you won’t feel as hungry if you take it a little bit at a time.

3. Always consult your doctor before starting a diet plan. It may sound contradictory, but you need to be relatively healthy before starting a major weight loss program. Be sure to get a checkup from your physician first, and get his or her opinion on the diet program you’re planning on following.

Dieting doesn’t have to be difficult, but you want to make sure that you lose weight in a natural, healthy way. With many of today’s modern weight loss programs, the emphasis is on speed rather than health. Be careful and plan ahead if you want to lose weight the right way.

Amos Murray has been writing articles online for over 5 years now. He lost 45 lbs in six months and has kept it off, so he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to dieting, but he also runs a consumer shopping web site at SaleFoo.com.

Fear Of Public Speaking, the Best Way to Get Rid of It

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Do you have nightmares about public speaking? When you have to stand up in front of a group does your mouth go dry? Hands shake? Stomach turn flip-flops? Feel lightheaded? Think you may pass out?

Welcome to the club. If it’s any comfort, you are not alone!

According to a well-known survey, 65% of us would rather die than speak in public. Many have tried for years to overcome their fear and given it up as hopeless. But wait! There is hope.

We can now turn to one tested method to end the fear of public speaking that has been shown to yield amazing results. It is The Lefkoe Method (TLM).

Probably the least known, but possibly the fastest way of getting rid of the fear of speaking in public, is The Lefkoe Method (TLM). TLM is based on the knowledge that our behavior is governed by what we believe to be true. Therefore, it focuses on finding the 10 or so negative beliefs that make us fear public speaking. These can be such beliefs as, Mistakes and failure are bad; If I make a mistake, I’ll be rejected; or People aren’t interested in what I have to say; etc.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of this approach is how consistently it works. In a study published by the Journal of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, university researchers found that on a scale of 1-10, participants who used TLM lowered their fear of public speaking from an average of 7 down to 1.5 (1 was a lack of any fear at all). It took an average 3.5 hours for participants to reach this level. In follow-up six months later, the fear had not returned. Based on this evidence, the researchers concluded that, The Lefkoe Method is an effective, quick, and convenient procedure to eliminate the fear of speaking in public.

TLM was created over 20 years ago by Morty Lefkoe, founder of The Lefkoe Institute. He and several other certified facilitators have helped over 12,000 clients rid themselves of their fear of public speaking, along with many other emotional and behavioral problems. Their Speaking Without Fear Program is offered with a money-back guarantee: if your fear is not gone in four or less one-hour telephone sessions, you’ll get a full refund. For more information visit: Fear of Public Speaking.

The Lefkoe Institute (TLI) has a money back guarantee and a 97% success rate.

Keep in mind that most people who have benefited from TLM agree that the skill of the practitioner is of the utmost importance in determining the effectiveness of the program. If you really desire to overcome your fear of public speaking, be sure you are working with someone who is highly skilled, gives you confidence in his/her ability, and makes you want to succeed. And about that money-back guarantee? Couldn’t hurt.

In Business Some are the Hare, Some are the Tortoise

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Many conversations in the last couple of months lead to people asking me how they can create a full time income.

Something you must understand is that these people not only crave to make money right now, they want to earn full-time income instantly… they want $5000/month right now! A few even want $100,000 a year right now! They are discusted with systems that do not bring forth immediate results, they want it right now.

It is amazing because, the only way I know of to do this is to win the lottery! I suppose if you have a rich family member, that is another way. Now, for the rest of us, may we please return to the real world for just a few minutes?

I know times are tough right now. I know that people are scared, are worried about their jobs and their bills. This makes you troubled desiring results, big results, instantly. Please try to take a step back and look at a bigger picture for a few a little while.

When  starting a home business, a legitimate business, it is not going to give you an immediate full-time income. You need to begin by completing some work, follow a proven system. More importantly, follow a system to the end, through completion. You must be the tortoise.

Does that mean it will take a year or more for you to replace your income? NO! Six months? NO, not if you are doing your work! Three months? Depends on how much time you put into your business, how consistent you are!

Depending on how much effort you place on your business, following the system you have chosen to follow, you can have a full-time income rather fast if you like. But this is still the way of the tortoise. Slow and steady wins the race, but I’m gonna modify that and say…

Everyday consistency with your business, with your system, whether you do this fast or slow, will win the race for you every single time! Look at the bigger picture!

The people that have been asking me, “how do I create $5000/month right now, in the next week?” are Hares and they never seem to complete the race. Slow down, calm down and be the tortoise!

Choose a system to follow… more importantly, complete that system all the way through to the finish line and then rinse and repeat!  If you need a system, my Video Cash Explosion system is a great way to get started!

You will see success along the way to your big goal… don’t forget to rejoice these small successes along the way! These successes will keep you motivated to stay on your same course.

I am an turned Internet marketer that wasted many years chasing the dream of a successful business. Once I found it I was astounded at how simple it was…once I had a Video Cash Explosion system. Get free home business tips and tricks on my blog: Moms Home Business