Category: <span>Blog</span>

You are holding a large ring of keys. Some are big and clunky—ancient-looking, or at least antique. Others are rusty or turning green, but clearly a bit more modern. Then there are sparkling new keys, fob passes, and several devices that are extremely futuristic.   Perhaps this keyring sounds like a lot to carry. Who...

International travel has felt like a pipe dream for quite some time. But all of that is beginning to change. Despite some significant hurdles, it is becoming more realistic to start thinking about that next trip. In that spirit, let’s take a look at one destination at the crossroads of three of the languages available...

Last time we looked at how language skills can help us understand the past by giving us access to German-language philosophers, sports stars and figures from music history. This time, we’ll use our linguistic keyring to open up the German world of today. But before we get going, it is worth looking at one difference...

When we think about other languages, the way they sound is one of the first things that comes to mind. How do you sound when you speak English? How do you sound when you speak a foreign language? What actually controls the way we sound? We’ll come to these questions soon. When we start learning...

So far we’ve looked at how German language skills can unlock the past and present. Using our linguistic keyring, we’ve opened all sorts of doors and portals. But now it’s time to turn our attention away from those ancient-looking brass keys, along with the shiny, modern ones, and take out those strange electronic devices that...

If you’ve been inside the East Melbourne Language Centre, you’ll know it’s a grand old building with many nooks and crannies. Everyone knows the front room full of language books, the classrooms and the cosy kitchenette. However, there is a special room out the back that no one ever sees. A room with strange and...

The benefits of music for language learning are well established. Listening to foreign language songs helps with vocabulary and syntax, while singing along improves pronunciation. However, it might not be obvious which artists you should listen to in another language. Fortunately, the internet is full of advice on which artists or which songs to listen...

In these strange times, it can be difficult to keep ourselves entertained – rocketing sales of baking ingredients, trampolines, and craft supplies are proof of that. Language learning apps have also seen a huge surge of interest since restrictions began – mastering the Konjunktiv may turn out to be the surprise silver lining of our...

Learning Languages with Virtual Travel Many of us learn languages because we love travelling overseas, or travel to other countries so that we can practice our hard-won skills that we have honed in our language classes! With international travel off the cards for the foreseeable future, it can be depressing to think how long it...

Learning Languages Online through Film: What’s on at MIFF 68½ For Melbourne cinephiles and many of our fellow students at the East Melbourne Language Centre, MIFF is the film festival event of the year: people plan their August around those must-see movies, some even taking leave from work to ensure that they can get into...