Language Learning Blog:
What's New on the Walkabout Language Learning website?

Welcome to our What's New page, our language learning blog. Want to stay current on all the new content we are posting to our site? This section is filled with culture and language learning stories, ideas, and tips. All our new content is displayed here first, as soon as it's added. Come back often to see our new content.

Add us to your RSS feed, and you will receive new content directly to your computer as soon as it is posted. Click on the "Subscribe" button in the "Stay up to date" box on the left.

Read my lips: Speed up your language skills

I had an interesting conversation with a friend when I visited India. He explained that in India it is impolite to show your teeth too much when you speak. His mother had taught him this concept as a young child.

He commented that the people at work who spoke English the best were the ones who showed their teeth. If we can just get over our cultural training of keeping our lips covering our teeth, he explained, we can speak English so much better.

It was an interesting observation. I had never focused on watching the lips during a conversation.

Recent research suggests that the very best language learners -- infants -- do just that. Between six and twelve months, infants shift their gaze from the eyes to the lips to learn how their new language.

Isn't that interesting? Perhaps we as adult language learners can take a cue from the "experts" (the babies) and make sure that watching lips is a tool in our language learning arsenal. Check out the link below to read a summary of this research.

Click for more info

Because of my Grandfather

The language I would like to learn is Saulteaux, and I would love to learn Saulteaux because it's a part of my heritage. My grandpa could speak it fluently

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Because of my Grandfather"

Italian Culture

I spent a year and a half in Italy. I loved it. I loved learning Italian and enjoying all of the culinary delights that Italy offers. I frequently ate

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Italian Culture"

Is learning a second language just for fun?

When you decide to learn a second language you will probably have an idea of why you are doing it. Here are more reasons to learn a second language.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Is learning a second language just for fun?"

Language Lore: Culture and Language Stories

Welcome to our Language Lore page. This is the language and culture headquarters. Learn from on our expeditions; share your experiences.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Language Lore: Culture and Language Stories"

Love French Food? Love French Language? Now you can have it all

Researchers at Britain's Newcastle University have recently put a high-tech spin on practical language learning - they've created an interactive kitchen that keeps track of what its users are doing, as it uses the French language to guide them in preparing French cuisine.

Click for more info

This just in: Wheel "rediscovered"

One of my best experiences in a different culture was witnessing Solomon Islands villagers “rediscover” the wheel as they figured out how to import and

Permalink -- click for full blog post "This just in: Wheel "rediscovered""

Love this VW commercial

Ready for some language learning fun. Great gas mileage means lots of time for language learning.

Click for more info

Reading: the Bread of Life

I just read an interesting article from the Jakarta Post. It points out a significant cultural difference between Indonesia and developed countries around

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Reading: the Bread of Life"

Bit disappointed!

It wasn't the book I thought it was! For those having the specific focus of the book it might be of benefit but to me looking for somewhat broader principled

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Bit disappointed!"

A useful first guide to language learning

Despite its age (it was published in 1989), I found this book to be a useful addition to my collection on language learning. I like the fact that it's

Permalink -- click for full blog post "A useful first guide to language learning"

Free Courses: Talk like a local blueprint

Because you took the initiative to come here, I want to give you one of my free courses, a step-by-step blueprint to talking like a local in another language.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Free Courses: Talk like a local blueprint"

Education

If you educate poor people, then they can learn manners and skills that can get them jobs. In this way, the poor families can be fed by at least one member

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Education"

Funny Dictionary

Funny definitions and mispronunciations from my kids: Rubberbam = Rubber-band -- Eli, age 2 Nigrating (rhymes with migrating) = Nigrating means sleeping

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Funny Dictionary"

What do you want to be when you grow up

The kindergarteners of South East Iowa speak up. The newspaper published the aspirations of Creston children and surrounding communities. Here are the

Permalink -- click for full blog post "What do you want to be when you grow up"

A visit to the "meet" market

Just this morning Olivia, my eight-year-old, and I were at the grocery store. She noticed that a boy and his dad were following the same path through

Permalink -- click for full blog post "A visit to the "meet" market"

Kids Say the Darndest Things

In the late 1990’s, a TV show aired called Kids Say the darndest Things hosted by Bill Cosby. The premise of the show is that kids say funny things, and you can capture funny footage by asking children simple questions.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Kids Say the Darndest Things"

Renée Zellweger

Claim to fame: American actress. Native language: English. Other languages: German. How learned: Family(?) I heard a story that she overheard some

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Renée Zellweger"

Poverty in India: A little TV tonight? Your shelter or mine?

Although there is a sizeable middle class, and some very wealthy people, poverty in India is an enormous problem. Driving through Delhi streets at midnight gives a glimpse of this level of destitutio

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Poverty in India: A little TV tonight? Your shelter or mine?"

Bilingual Celebrities

What do Monica Bellucci, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kobe Bryant, Jennifer Connelly, and Will Smith have in common? They are all bilingual celebrities.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Bilingual Celebrities"

The Time the I Got Hit by a Bus

Before I went to India, I heard the tourists in India are most often killed by buses. Not that tourists die all that often in India, but that is the greatest

Permalink -- click for full blog post "The Time the I Got Hit by a Bus"

Havana, Cuba - Walking along the Prado

I was hooked the first time that I encountered a few Cubans in my native country of Canada. Their stories about life in Cuba attracted me and gave me

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Havana, Cuba - Walking along the Prado"

Define language needs: Self-Rating Scale

You’re learning a foreign language. How will you define language needs? Rate your progress? Use this scale to measure your progress.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Define language needs: Self-Rating Scale"

Motivational Public Speaker - Leslie Woodford

Leslie Woodford helps individuals meet their language learning needs. As a motivational public speaker, she instructs a program to guide individuals wanting to learn language and gain cultural understanding.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Motivational Public Speaker - Leslie Woodford"

Book Leslie Woodford as a Speaker

Book Leslie Woodford. She helps individuals meet their language learning needs. As a motivational public speaker, she instructs a program to guide individuals wanting to learn language and gain cultural understanding.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Book Leslie Woodford as a Speaker"

What Prisoners We Are to Our Past

Back in the 1960's, during the height of the cold war, I was in Kiev, the capitol of the Ukraine. At the time I was working for the United States government,

Permalink -- click for full blog post "What Prisoners We Are to Our Past"

Got a Hit of Air

Call them old wives tales urban legends, folklore, or superstitions, but every culture has some beliefs or stories passed from one generation to another.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Got a Hit of Air"

Medical Emergency in Ecuador

When a pregnant woman falls into a mud puddle, Molly who is particapting in a medical service project in Ecuador, becomes the woman's emergency responder.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Medical Emergency in Ecuador"

Travel Bulgaria Where Yes Means No and No Means Yes

Carrie expresses confusion in her travel Bulgaria where they nod their head when they mean yes, and shake it to mean no; its exactly the opposite from her American upbringing.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Travel Bulgaria Where Yes Means No and No Means Yes"

Solomon Islands Culture: Big Feast in the Kwaio

Travel with Leslie to a remote village in the Solomon Islands. Taste of their cultural traditions and enjoy their feast laid on palm fronds on the ground.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Solomon Islands Culture: Big Feast in the Kwaio"

Throw those (under)pants out the window

Sometimes, even when you speak the same language, certain words have different meaning in different countries. The two stories below illustrate how these

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Throw those (under)pants out the window"

Siete Maravillas del Mundo: Místico Machu Picchu

Recien, Machu Picchu era nombrado una de las siete maravillas del mundo. Cuando Ann no pudo subir a majestuoso Wayna Picchu, tenia sus propias experiencias misticas en esta ciudad sagrada...

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Siete Maravillas del Mundo: Místico Machu Picchu"

Meet Leslie Woodford

Leslie Woodford brings the perspective of a child learner. As a grade schooler in the Solomon Islands, she learned Pijin from playmates. She is now teaching her toddler English and Spanish.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Meet Leslie Woodford"

Whole World Guide Excerpts page 123

Look at excerpts from the Whole World Guide to Language Learning.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Excerpts page 123"

Whole World Guide Excerpts page 122

Look at excerpts from the Whole World Guide to Language Learning.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Excerpts page 122"

Whole World Guide Excerpts page 111

Look at excerpts from the Whole World Guide to Language Learning.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Excerpts page 111"

Whole World Guide Excerpts page 110

Look at excerpts from the Whole World Guide to Language Learning.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Excerpts page 110"

Whole World Guide Excerpts page 109

Look at excerpts from the Whole World Guide to Language Learning.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Excerpts page 109"

Whole World Guide Excerpts page 5

Look at excerpts from the Whole World Guide to Language Learning.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Excerpts page 5"

Whole World Guide Excerpts page 4

Look at excerpts from the Whole World Guide to Language Learning.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Excerpts page 4"

Whole World Guide Excerpts page 3

Look at excerpts from the Whole World Guide to Language Learning.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Excerpts page 3"

Whole World Guide Excerpts page 1

Look at excerpts from the Whole World Guide to Language Learning.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Excerpts page 1"

Whole World Guide Excerpts page 2

Look at excerpts from the Whole World Guide to Language Learning.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Excerpts page 2"

Whole World Guide Table of Contents page 3

See the Whole World Guide to Language Learning table of contents page ix.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Table of Contents page 3"

Whole World Guide Table of Contents page 2

See the Whole World Guide to Language Learning table of contents page viii.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Table of Contents page 2"

Whole World Guide Table of Contents page 1

See the Whole World Guide to Language Learning table of contents page vii.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Whole World Guide Table of Contents page 1"

Language Learning Reviews: Whole World Guide

Read the critics' language learning reviews of Terry Marshall’s

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Language Learning Reviews: Whole World Guide"