Also known as a Romance language Portuguese is one of the acknowledged languages originated from Latin. Spoken in Galicia and northern Portugal, Portuguese originated from Gallaeci, Lusitanians, Celtici, and Conii groups of people situated in the Iberian Peninsula some 2000 years ago. Presently, it is the official language in countries like Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Angola, East Timor, Macau, Brazil, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Even countries like Argentina, Bermuda, Japan, Luxembourg, Switzerland, South Africa, and United States are some of the countries with significant number of speakers. Astoundingly, Portuguese is the most spoken language in South America, with an anticipated number of 185 million speakers. This fact flabbergasted many people, especially to those who believed on Spanish holding the said title. Now, how easy is it to learn Portuguese? It is easy as learning Spanish. Why did I say so? Let’s find out.

Portuguese is closely related to Spanish, in general, since both Spanish and Portuguese came from one “source”—the Romance Language. Both languages have common similarities that learners will not find it complicated to acquire. Yet, the distinction of Portuguese makes it exceptional since much of its sounds retain the original Latin. Unlike French, Italian, and Spanish languages that took the liberty to somewhat change its diphthongs, Portuguese strongly preserved Latin’s familiarity. That is why in determining its characteristics, non-native speakers find Portuguese distinctive among other Romance Languages.

English speakers who decided to learn Portuguese will not find this language complicated to learn. With a present number of 205 to 230 million native speakers, Portuguese is ranked as the seventh among the world’s major languages. Categorized by UNESCO, Portuguese holds the title as the highest potential for growth as an international language in southern Africa and Southern America. Forty years from now, the estimated number of speakers will increase its population of 83 million, summed up to count as 335 million speakers on the same year. Isn’t it interesting?

So if you are hesitating to learn Portuguese beforehand, think again. Portuguese is relatively connected to English, since a large amount of English words came from Latin—the mother tongue of Portuguese itself. Its process of learning may perhaps take for longer time to acquire, yet this doesn’t take too much for a learner to get used to it. It is guaranteed to learners that learning Portuguese language is easy as it seemed to be.

English is the second most spoken language in the world and everyday, more people are learning it since it has become the world’s unofficial lingua franca.  Almost every corner of the globe, English is understood by many people but then not everyone speaks and understands the language.

English language learners from different parts of the world have engaged in various lessons and activities that could help them improve their English skills so that they can be at par with other people who want to speak English as a second or third language.  Learning English in language schools abroad (http://www.abroadlanguages.com/learn/english/test.asp), learning English at local language schools, learning English through online courses and more learning English methods and ways have sprung up like mushrooms just to feed the needs of the people who want to learn English and become fluent in it.

Technology has caught up with the buzz and now manufacturers of electronic devices have created gadgets that could help language learners become adept with English.  Fonix Speech, Inc., a company that specializes in embedded speech interfaces for mobile devices, processors, video games and handheld electronic products has announced that they will embed the Fonix VoiceIn voice recognition software on a new electronic dictionary device from Invetec Besta, the CD-875.

The Invetec Besta CD-875 is a highly efficient language learning electronic device sold to consumers who are learning English as a second language whether they are students or professionals.  The device has all the functions of a PDA matched with all the capabilities of an electronic dictionary.  The software by Fonix provides a highly accurate value added dynamic functionality to the device and allows the user to interact directly with the device to confirm correct pronunciation of English words, sentences and phrases in the language learning process.

By adding the Fonix VoiceIn technology to the CD-875, Invetec Besta was able to upgrade the functionality of the present electronic dictionary into a higher level of language learning.  The new feature of the device will allow users to directly and verbally compare and practice their pronunciation of phrases and words to a native pronunciation embedded in the dictionary software.  The user can select a word, phrase or sentence from the dictionary; listen to the example; and then say the word or phrase.  The Fonix VoiceIn software will analyze the user pronunciation and will report a performance core that confirms the pronunciation accuracy of the user.

The CD-875 is just the first of a series of new Invetec Besta language learning devices that could help English language learners to correctly learn English pronunciation of words, phrases and sentences.  With the release of this new device in the market, English language learners can enhance their speaking skills wherever they may go and whenever they feel like it.

What do you think about learning languages through electronic devices?  Share your insights with us!

In today’s times, learning another language is not just for extravagance purposes. Many learners endeavor to learn languages because this is a reckoned credential for employers. Companies from different progressing companies in Europe and America are seeking bilingual employees. So as an aspiring worker to work abroad, you would take these chances, wouldn’t you? And you will always prefer to take the best and most intensive way of learning foreign languages.

Now, If you want a certain method to learn your language without jeopardizing its curriculum, lessons, and the credibility of your learned language itself, then you are suggested to take the conventional but most effective method in learning languages enrolment to language schools.

According to Wisegeek, there are five details in helping learners to find the suitable language school. The lists below are the following:

• Credentials of the Staff

In choosing a language school, you must explore the teachers’ credibility in the language they are coaching in. Do they have international experiences in the language or languages they are teaching? Are they native speakers of your learned language or they have lived abroad? You must take note that teachers have the greatest factor in your learning process, it’s because normally they are the ones educating you. With this regard, you ought to take researches onto how credible they are. This is not being doubtful, but it’s better to be precautious than to waste your money for less.

• Class size

“The more, the merrier” may be fun for a language learning, but a small class is more comprehensive since the teacher can commune better to their students, compared to a large class which has the tendency to be limited with the teacher’s attention. As an aspiring learner, search the language school whose class is not larger than six to eight students.

• Teaching Resources

Aside from the books and modules the teachers prepare during the sessions, the school must provide students some technological resources like DVDs, tapes and CD-ROMs, high-tech computers, and many more. Most language schools have libraries where learners can get access to supplementary materials like books and magazines.

• Location

Of all the established language schools all around the world, choose the most accessible language school to you. If your option is a local language school just near your city, choose a language school to which you don’t need to travel back and forth for two hours or more. Mind you, you would definitely get discouraged with it and you would probably quit.

• Price

Today, you will rarely find quality language schools with very affordable rates. Since there are uncertified options some language schools contain, real schools are increasing their charges. Therefore, search for good language schools who offer discounts and promos on a certain time. Does the school offer packages? Do they include their learners’ board and lodging with an efficient fee?

Learning the English language will be a breeze if you have access to quality English language instruction and if you happen to choose a learning method which can assure you to learn the language quickly and effectively.  Learning languages abroad is one of the most trusted and reliable language learning methods since it allows you to be fully immersed in the language that you are learning and the culture of the place where it is spoken.  Learning the English language in the country of Malta is one of the quality languages we offer here at Abroad Languages and we can assure you that you will be enjoying your language learning experience!

Malta is a small and densely populated island republic composed of an archipelago of seven islands.  Three of its islands namely Malta Island, Gozo, and Comino are the ones which are populated.  It is located in Southern Europe in the eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea.  The country has a seven thousand year history and all throughout is has been considered an important strategic location due to its position in the Mediterranean Sea.  Many ancient cultures have had Malta under their rule and have influenced the cultural and physical make up of what the country is today.

Malta has become a tourist destination owing to its cultural and historical heritage as well as its beaches and beautiful spots.  In Malta open spaces and green areas are quite rare but the location of the islands provides extreme natural beauty as well as magnificent waters and endless coastlines.  Malta has many interesting villages with a church in each of its centers, the churches serving as evidence of the devotion of the Maltese to the Roman Catholic religion which was introduced to the inhabitants in 60 AD during St. Paul’s shipwreck in one of the islands on his way to Rome.

Even though the country is rich with historical sites and traditions, it is also keeping pace with the world since it is also modern in many ways.  It has shopping centers, restaurants, theaters, schools, and activities which are at par with the latest in the world.

Malta is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations and the European Union.  The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English.  The English language is a legacy of British rule when the country was a British colony for more than a century.  Learning English in Malta will be an interesting and enlightening experience since the natives speak the English language which is a significant element for your language immersion.  You will have the opportunity to learn the language as you discover the beauty and history of the country and as you enjoy the company of the locals.

Learn English in Malta and be enthralled by one of the gems of the Mediterranean!

June has always been a much-awaited month to all men, especially to all the fathers all over the world. Why? Because June is the month to which Father’s Day is acknowledged. Though some countries celebrate Father’s Day on May, July, August, September, October, and November, still Father’s Day is the day to which fathers are honored by celebrating their paternity and roles as fathers in the society.

As persons who want to acknowledge Father’s Day this June 20th, you can think of numerous ways to recognize it. You could treat your Dad in his favorite restaurant, go fishing with him in his favorite lake, or just simply hand a letter to him that greets his day in a simple but exceptional way. In this regard, you could think of saying “Happy Father’s Day” in different languages. Here are the lists of different translations as follows.

Albanian: Gëzuar ditën e babait
Armenian: Բարի հայրերու օր:
Arabic: كل عيد أب وأنت بخير
Belarusian: Шчаслівы Дзень бацькі
Bulgarian: Честит Ден на бащата
Catalan: Feliç Dia
Chinese: 父亲节快乐
Croatian: Sretan Očev dan
Czech: Happy Den otců
Danish: Happy Fars dag
Dutch: De gelukkige Dag van Vaders
Finland: Hyvää Isänpäivää
French: Jour de pères heureux
German: Gl¨¹cklicher Vatertag
Greek: χρόνια πολλά
Hebrew: האב המאושר של היום
Hindi:हैप्पी पिता का दिवस
Hungarian: Boldog apák napját
Icelandic: Hamingjusamur faðirinn’s Day
Indonesian: Selamat hari ayah
Italian: Giorno di padri felice
Japanese: 幸せな父の日
Korean: 해피 아버지의 �
Latvian: Tēva diena
Persian: روز پدر مبارک
Polish: Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji dnia ojca
Portuguese: Dia de pais feliz
Brazilian Portuguese: Feliz dia dos pais
European Portuguese: Feliz dia do pai
Romanian: Ziua Tatălui
Russian: Счастливый день отцов
Serbian: Срећан Очево дан
Slovak: Všetko najlepšie ku dňu otcov
Spanish: Feliz Dia del Padre
Swedish: Grattis på farsdagen
Tamil: Thanthaiyar Thina NalvaazhththukkaL
Turkish: Babalar günü kutlu olsun
Urdu: یوم والد مبارک

These variations are based on online translators, so if you find some of these words erroneous, feel free to comment or correct them. Likewise, if you know other languages prior to these mentioned, feel free to add up as well. We are aiming to reach the number of 50 languages, so just adjoin in your choice of language.