You’re in luck if you travel to Malta this year! Due to its nomination as the Cultural Capital of 2018, Valletta is preparing a truly extensive program of activities that will run for the entire year. This is an event that you’ll want to experience for yourself! Nowadays, the European Union elects two cities to hold the title of Cultural Capital for the year, but this was not always the case. Until 2004, the Union actually only elected one city to be the Cultural Capital in the entirety of Europe. In 2018, the Maltese Capital of Valletta and the Dutch city of Leeuwarden share this title. These two cities will be taking over this title from last year’s nominated cultural capitals of Aarhus in Denmark and Paphos in Cyprus. The nomination of cities as Cultural Capitals is meant to spread a greater understanding of the similarities and the diversity of the cultural heritage found in places all around Europe. Valletta is offering a Cultural Program in 2018 that is set up for this very occasion. In this festive program you’ll find anything from celebrations, concerts, performances art galleries and many more events. We have summarized the most interesting events of the year below. Taking a look through the official program for a more detailed overview of all available activities is definitely worth it.
 

Basic Creative Photography Ideas: You can create these pictures with almost any camera.

Opening Ceremony

The program began with the opening week which took place in the week of the 14th to the 12th of 2018. On the 20th of January the official opening ceremony took place in the three most important locations, which are the St. George’s Square, the St. John’s Square and the Castille Square. The cultural program began with music, dances and performances which were performed by many different groups, one of them being the Catalonian theatre group ‘Fura dels Baus’.

1. Get close

Sounds as easy as it is. Every camera, especially if you use different lenses, has different distances where you can still get sharp pictures. Just try it out. Begin by standing farther away from your subject and try going closer until you can't get the camera to focus anymore. If you have a zoom lens, try zooming in as much as possible and then try the same technique.

Carnival in Valletta

The carnival festivities will continue in February. These festivities take place in the week of the 9th until the 13th of February 2018 in Valletta. There will be several parades with colorful parade floats and decorated vehicles. If you love street-based carnival festivities, you should not miss these parades! Incidentally, carnival is celebrated very extensively on the Maltese islands, which means that you do not have to stay in Valletta if you want to participate in all kinds of celebrations. You may also want to pay Nadur and Gozo a visit where you will be able to join the exciting activities as well.

2. Unfocused/Blurry

Another easy method and very beautiful at night when you have colorful lights around you. On a DSLR you just have to set your lens to manual and unfocus. On your point and shoot camera you can focus on a subject near you and then, while still holding your finger on the release button, move to the scene you want and take the picture.

Valletta's Green Festival

The main attraction of the Green festival that goes on for three days, is the Carpet made of flowers ‘Infjorata’. This carpet is made of 80 thousand potted flowers and is spread out across the St. Georges Square in Valletta. Additionally, you will be able to get the rare opportunity to view the historic treasures of the city, such as the arch bishop’s 4-hundred-year old palace gardens and the gardens of the Saint Katharina cloister. The Green Festival will last from the 4th until the 6th of May 2018.

3. Different Angles

Move around your subject and try out different positions. Look up or down, get on your knees, lie down, sit down, climb up and so on.

Malta's Fashion Week

Between the 28th May and the 2nd of June 2018 Valletta transforms into a fashion metropolis. During the fashion week you will see a large gathering of catwalk models, stylists, make-up artists, photographers, bloggers and fashionistas. The fascinating fashion week ends with the Chamilia fashion awards, at which the greatest talents of the country are awarded for their works of the previous year. If you are interested in fashion, the end of May is the perfect time period for traveling to Valletta. You can get an impression of what it will be like in this video from 2017:

4. Black and White

One of the easiest ways to be creative. You can do black & white photography either by setting your camera to black and white or you can take your normal images and edit them later on your computer. You don't even need to download a software for that, you can generally edit pictures directly online and for free.

5. Selfie

Some love them, some hate them, but you have to admit that you have tried it at least once. An inexpensive way to improve your selfie skills would be to get a Selfie Stick. It is optional but could improve how much you can fit in your photographs.

Valletta Pageant of the Seas

On the 7th of June 2018, Valletta’s Grand Harbour will be the location of artistic performances on the water. There will be performances of water games that were especially planned for this occasion as well as boats race planned by the local communities who will be participating on their self-made boats. A swimmers race will also be held on this occasion. For the finale of the evening there will be fireworks and lightshows.

6. Photo Editing

You took a beautiful picture, but it's still missing that last spark that would make it amazing. You can do this by using effects. There are many ways to do this, either on your phone with apps like Snapseed or online on a website specialised in editing pictures. Here are 6 online image editors for your editing pleasure. Just upload your images and play around with the effects :

http://www.picmonkey.com/

https://pixlr.com/

http://pho.to/

http://www.fotor.com/

https://www.canva.com

http://www.befunky.com

Valletta Film Festival

Valletta's Film Festival will be organized by the Film Grain Foundation and is Malta's biggest Film event! There will be more than 40 Full length movies and 25 short movies that were filmed in different places in Valletta. This year the film festival will be divided into various theme and subject categories. Some examples of these are documentaries, 'teens only' and short movies. The category 'without borders' will also be returning to this year's film festival, which focuses on different regions of the world. In this film festival the region that will be focused on the most is East Asia. In order to turn the film festival into a lively and all-around community friendly event, there will also be masters courses, conferences and debates about various topics on offer.

7. Lens Flare

Use the sun to your advantage. Try to bring your subject in front of your camera and try to get the perfect shot. This method might be a little tricky, especially with smaller cameras or smartphones.

Malta's International Arts Festival

Malta’s international arts festival unites the most diverse art forms such as theatre, dance and music over a span of two weeks. Whilst there are of course local artists, performers from all around the world also come to present their arts at this festival. Some of the places they come from are Holland, Croatia, Spain and South Africa. The events will partly take place outdoors and partly in the open air in front of the historic scenery of the Fort S. Elmo. The festival will last from the 29th of June until the 14th of July 2018. If you want to get a taste of what it will be like you can check out this summary of the festival highlights from 2017:

Advanced Creative Photography Ideas: A DSLR is recommended for these methods, because you need to change camera settings that normally aren't accessible on smaller cameras or smartphones.

8. Long Exposure

Set your DSLR to manual mode (M) and set your shutter speed to about 10 to 15 seconds. Set the aperture between f/8 and f/16. You don't need to change ISO settings, just leave that on ISO 100. Make sure you put your camera down on a firm surface (floor, table, etc) or use a tripod. It will take a while to get the perfect picture, just keep changing the camera settings until you get the hang of it.

Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival

The Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival will be taking place in August. The focus of the festival is not only on the Literature of Maltese authors, but also on the work of authors from the entire Mediterranean and beyond. During the festival there will be readings, music, poetry slams, movies and many more events. The dates of this festival are the 23rd to the 25th of August 2018.

9. Short Exposure

This is a good method for photographing moving subjects while getting them to stay sharp. You will need a good amount of light, so it would be best to use this method at day time when the sun is shining. Set your DSLR to manual mode (M) and set your shutter speed to about 1/250 to 1/320 seconds or even higher depending on how fast your subject is moving. If you want your background to be blurry, set your aperture to the lowest setting your lens can go; but if you want your picture to be sharper (not only the subject), then set your aperture to a higher setting. It will take some time and practice to get the best results. Sometimes you will need to set your ISO to a higher setting, but try to avoid ISO over 1000, because then your pictures will get grainy.

Malta Jazz Festival

The Malta Jazz Festival is organized by Festivals Malta under the instruction of the Arts Council Malta, which collaborates with the judiciary and culture ministry, the local administration and the Valletta foundation 2018. This festival goes on for 3 days and will show its audiences international performers. There will be a lot of exciting events, like on-stage-collaborations, instrumental masters courses and workshops among others.

10. Zoom effect

This might be one of the trickiest methods. In order to take a picture with this effect you will need to change your shutter speed to a longer exposure. You should put your camera on a tripod and then, just as you hit the release button, zoom in or out with your DSLR. Steady hands are a must as you will notice.

Science in the City

In line with the European Night of Explorers, Malta’s science and cultural festival returns to Valletta with an unforgettable, free afternoon full of family activities on the 28th of September 2018.

Post your own pictures !

Now go out into the world and take some pictures! Post your creative pictures on Instagram with the #sprachcaffemoment hashtag and we just might feature your photograph on our own Sprachcaffe Instagram account.

Notte Bianca

On the 6th of October it will be that time again: Notte Bianca, the so called white night, illuminates the streets of Valletta. In this night all restaurants, museums and churches are open for visitors until very late at night. On top, small street performers will be celebrating in the streets of Valletta and there will be numerous food stands.

Malta's Book Festival

Malta’s book festival has over 30 thousand visitors per year and thereby counts as one of the most important festivals of the Mediterranean islands. In 1979, the festival was originally called Malta Book Fair, but its name was then changed to Malta Book Festival in 2013. This festival, which takes place in November, attracts lovers of literature from all over Malta and the rest of the world. The program activities are book presentations, lyric and literature readings, meetings with authors, conferences and seminars. Literature lovers will get the chance to interact with authors and various publishers.  

Closing Spectacle

The official ‘Closing Spectacle’ will take place on the 15th of December at the St. George’s Square in Valletta. There will be a lot of music and dancing at this event as well.

We hope that our list of Malta’s cultural activities in 2018 has helped you and that you now know which attractions and events you most want to see. Valletta will only be Europe’s Cultural Capital once and we strongly recommend that you take part in the festivities for this very special occasion while they last.
Next Year’s European Cultural Capitals have already been decided. In 2019 the chosen cities are Matera in Italy and Plowdiw in Bulgaria.

They say French is the language of love. However, why not express your love in multiple languages to add a little flair? 

Whether you met your partner in your homeland or while travelling abroad, whether your both speak the same language or not, what could be more romantic than expressing your love in another language? With our list, you will be not short of a romantic vocabulary this Valentine's Day.

Everyone has a different style of learning, so we've compiled a very diverse list of resources for you to take advantage of. Try out the different websites, blogs, podcasts, videos and much more. Whether you learn best by seeing, hearing, reading, writing or doing, you'll find enough activities in this list to keep you entertained and to stoke your interest in the French language.

Europe

Sunday

The day starts early on Sunday. New students arrive throughout the day and are taken care of by the team members and given a little tour. Meanwhile, the other team members go with the students who stay longer than one week on a day-trip. On Sunday is the Best of Malta Tour, a trip through the best destinations in Malta. A market in the fishing village Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto, Dingli Cliffs (the highest point of Malta) and then end the day on one of the most beautiful sandy beaches of Malta, Golden Bay. Tired, but full of new experiences, we return to campus around dinner time. We quickly jump into the pool to cool down, get dressed and go to the table. In the evening there is a quiz or a workshop so that the newer and older students get to know each other.

Ready for 2021!

Also, this year it will be possible to enjoy traveling to Malta! Thanks to our comprehensive safety concept, our language students will be able to enjoy a safe trip to Malta! The concept includes, for example, outdoor classes, distance and hygiene rules, as well as additional compliances in accordance to the certified measures catalog. Our legendary Sprachcaffe campus with spacious outdoor areas will make your Malta trip a great experience even with the new conditions! Learn more about our holiday concept »

How do you best learn pronunciation with Tongue Twisters?

With the help of International Tongue Twisters, you can improve your English pronunciation incredibly quickly and efficiently and learn new words at the same time. Tongue Twisters are especially good for learning pronunciation because tongue twisters usually combine sounds that are difficult to pronounce. However, if you practise these sounds regularly with the help of tongue twisters, you will quickly internalise the pronunciation of the language you are learning and eventually improve your pronunciation of normal sentences and words. The following three steps for learning with tongue twisters show you how you should proceed in order to effectively improve your pronunciation.

Learn the language

Learning the language of the host country is one of the most important factors to consider. While achieving fluency quickly might not always be possible, communication and integration can be greatly aided by having a basic understanding of the local language. Interactions with locals can be easier and more enjoyable if you can understand basic greetings and put simple sentences together. For instance, failing to say "Bonjour" when introducing someone in France is customary and could unintentionally offend someone. Additionally, acquiring the language can help students feel more a part of their community and more adaptable as they go about their daily lives.

This is how Spaced Repetition works for learning vocabulary

Spaced Repetition is a method for learning vocabulary of a foreign language, which aims to incorporate new vocabulary into everyday language use quickly, effectively and, above all, sustainably through targeted repetition of the vocabulary within a given time interval.

This learning method takes place over a longer period of time (for example, 1 month). You are free to choose the length of time, but it is divided into fixed learning phases. Within each phase you repeat the new vocabulary. The special thing about the Spaced Repetition learning method is that the period between each phase in which you do not repeat the vocabulary becomes longer. In this way, you build up your vocabulary in the long term. The following phases can be used as a basic building block for learning with Spaced Repetition.

Improve your Spanish with entertainment

Maybe watching a series or movie on Netflix or Amazon Prime can be considered free time, right? Even though you probably do it in your free time (no boss would want to catch you watching a series during your working hours), watching a series or a movie to practice a foreign language can be quite a challenge, even with subtitles. This way of practising a foreign language (in this case Spanish) is very effective, at least in terms of listening and reading comprehension, and you will notice a relatively quick improvement in relation to the time you are exposed to the language. To help you quickly find the right Spanish movie or series to learn Spanish, we have compiled a list of the 10 most watched films and series so that you can improve your Spanish with the series or film of your choice. Let's go!

Mdina Gate

The Mdina gate, which served as the location for the popular television show Game of Thrones, has a display of sculptured weapons, lions protecting the entrance, and Grandmaster de Vilhena's crest, which portrays Mdina at the time of autocracy. The ruins of the previous Arab drawbridge gate lie on the right side of Mdina's gate. This gate led to the old city's maze-like entrance.

Three gates that were separated by courtyards made up the city's entryway in the middle ages. However, the city was rebuilt in the 17th century, and the gates were taken down to create room for Palazzo Vilhena. At that time, the medieval defences were rebuilt, and Mdina Gate, a new Baroque gate, was created just only a few meters away from the old one.

Important Spanish words and phrases for beginners

Our list of important Spanish words and phrases for beginners includes phrases that you will be able to use after your first lesson in Spanish. In this list we have focused on presenting you with words for your first simple dialogues. It is important that you start speaking Spanish from the beginning and actively use important Spanish words as soon as possible. Once you have mastered these words, you can start learning topic-oriented Spanish words.

Saturday and Sunday: Arrival in Barcelona

On the weekend, we are always expecting new students at Camp Barcelona. Your transport from the airport to your accommodation is always taken care of thanks to our dedicated and helpful team. After your flight, you don't have to worry about finding your way around Barcelona, which is still unfamiliar to you. A friendly Sprachcaffe teacher will be waiting for you at the residence in Barcelona to help you check in. After check-in, you will be given a tour of the Barcelona residence. You will see the course rooms, be shown to your room and discover the residence's excellently equipped recreation room.

Requirements for difficult Spanish phrases and words

For the following advanced important Spanish phrases and expressions, you should already have studied Spanish grammar for a while. You should have understood the Presente de Indicativo, the Indefinido and the Imperfecto. You should also have dealt with the condicional simple, the futuro simple and the gerundio. But even if your Spanish is not that advanced, you can still try to understand the following important Spanish expressions and phrases. Some of the phrases you will find below are also used in combination with the Spanish subjuntivo. So you should already have a good understanding of when the presente de subjuntivo is used and how to form it in Spanish.

Our list below contains important Spanish phrases and expressions that will help you use more natural Spanish in conversations with native Spanish speakers. They will also help you to add variety to your Spanish. You will get a more varied style of speaking in Spanish with these important Spanish phrases that everyone will want to listen to. Maybe you already know a Spanish word or two from our list, find out!

Are you still a Spanish beginner? Then check out our list of Spanish words for beginners!

What language is spoken in Mexico?

The official language of Mexico is Spanish, but only de facto. This means that the Mexican Constitution does not recognise an official national language, even though the one most used by the population and the government is Spanish. However, with the 2003 Law on the Linguistic Rights of Indigenous Peoples, dozens of indigenous languages were recognised as national languages on a par with Spanish. Below are the main languages spoken in Mexico:

WARNING : Please use this pickup lines at your own risk. We at Sprachcaffe are not responsible for any forthcoming outcome. If you succeed in your quest do not forget to share this with your friends.

Numbers from 1 to 20

To learn numbers in German, as in most languages, you will need to memorise the numbers from 1 to 20. Once you know these, forming all the other numbers will be easier. Everything else is based on logic.

Comparison of costs: Modes of learning English

There are many different ways to learn English. Whether it's in a language course, with online resources, on a language trip or rather through self-study. Below is an overview of the costs associated with each method of learning English.

Canada, known for its stunning landscapes, welcoming communities, and thriving economy, has earned a reputation as one of the world's premier destinations for both work and quality of life. With a robust job market, inclusive culture, and breathtaking natural beauty, Canada offers an abundance of opportunities for professionals and entrepreneurs seeking a fulfilling career and a high standard of living.

The Common Roots

The historical connection between English and German begins with their shared roots in the Germanic language family. Both languages originated from a common Germanic ancestor spoken by tribes in what is now modern-day Germany and England.

Throughout history, various cultural exchanges and historical events have played a pivotal role in introducing English words into the German lexicon. The Middle Ages, for example, saw significant interaction between the Anglo-Saxons and Germanic tribes on the European continent. This exchange of people, ideas, and languages laid the foundation for future linguistic borrowings.

In recent decades, globalization and technology have accelerated the influx of English words into the German language. The global dominance of English in business, science, and the internet has made it a lingua franca, influencing the vocabulary of many languages worldwide. As international communication and commerce thrive, English words have seamlessly integrated into German, reflecting the interconnectedness of our modern world.

The historical context of English words in German provides valuable insights into the ongoing evolution of both languages, showcasing the intricate interplay of culture, history, and technology. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into how these borrowed words have become an integral part of everyday German vocabulary and explore their adaptation and cultural implications.

Why should one visit the castles in Munich?

There are several reasons to visit castles in Munich, the first is definitely their historical significance. Indeed, these buildings hold the past in an incredible way, including works of art, mysterious legends, and blast from the past furniture.

They also boast breathtaking architecture. Bavarian castles are often outstanding examples of historic architecture, ranging from Gothic to Baroque and Rococo. Exploring these buildings allows you to admire fascinating architectural details and gain insight into the lifestyle of the aristocratic classes of the past.

Many castles are then surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, or directly nestled in picturesque mountain or forest settings.

Visiting them is pure magic, especially if you happen to be at the time when they put on cultural events, concerts, art exhibitions and festivals.

What is a gap year?

If you haven't understood what we've been telling you, you're in exactly the right place!

In this paragraph, in fact, we want to explain what a gap year abroad is and why it might be exactly what you were looking for.

By Gap year, literal translation "gap year," we mean a period of break from study, work, and daily life, usually to be undertaken right after high school.

After all, that's the time when you feel you most need to get out into the world, to explore and figure out what you like most, what you dislike least, what you're excited about doing. In short, to find your place in this diverse world!

You probably still don't know what to do after high school, and you have a few months off before you start college, find your first job or start any other kind of business. Here, now is just the right time to consolidate your knowledge of the foreign languages you already know, or to learn an entirely new one.

What better way to do that, then, than with a gap year abroad? Sprachcaffe today is offering you just that: the chance to take advantage of these gap months to enrich your language skills, your resume and, most importantly, your mind with memories, experiences and reasons for personal growth.

What exactly are strong verbs in German?

First, let's learn to identify them. German strong verbs are all those verbs that form certain verb tenses starting from roots different from those of the infinitive, which are the ones from which they are regularly formed.

In more detail, all strong verbs modify the root to Past tense, while they exist:

• some strong verbs that also modify the root in the present tense (but only for the second and third person singular). They are the verbs that have the stem in -A/-AU in the infinitive and many of those that have the stem in -E;
• some strong verbs that modify the root also at Partzip II. In this case, these are verbs that have the root in -EI or -IE/-I and many of those that have the root in -E in the infinitive form

2. A pleasant way to learn

Motivation is very important while learning. At school, a lot of students tend to see classes more as a burden than fun, they might sometimes struggle to learn a new language and fail to see language learning as a chance.
A language trip on the other hand offers a great atmosphere for learning. Because it combines lessons with holidays, there will be time for you to relax! Having fun makes learning easier.

Three steps to learning a language with tongue twisters

Step 1: Familiarise yourself with the Tongue Twister by reading it silently before reading it aloud for the first time. If necessary, write out unknown words, understand them and learn them.

Step 2: Try saying the Tongue Twister out loud slowly for the first time. Don't despair if you can't pronounce it correctly at first. Difficult Tongue Twisters in particular have to be pronounced slowly several times before they can be spoken fluently.

Step 3: Now you can try pronouncing the Tongue Twister a little faster. As soon as you can say the Tongue Twister quickly several times in a row, you have mastered this Tongue Twister and can practise the next one.

Now that we have found your learning strategy, you can start with the tongue twisters. To get you started, we've put together some short and simple international Tongue Twisters. Next you can find some fun Tongue Twisters and finally you can put your pronunciation to the test with difficult Tongue Twisters.

Keep some cash on hand

Make sure you have enough cash on hand as a further useful tip. There are still some places in the world where cash is still the main form of payment, despite the fact that digital payments and transfers are becoming more common. Local stores and restaurants, for instance, frequently prefer cash payments in European cities. Furthermore, having physical cash on hand can save your life in case of unforeseen events like poor internet connectivity or issues with mobile payment services like Apple Pay or GPay. Carrying cash gives you a safety net, enabling you to overcome any unforeseen difficulties that may arise.

Object pronouns in the Spanish language

With the help of the Spanish object pronouns, you can refer to people or objects that are already known from previous sentences. This makes everyday language use easier and otherwise shortens longer Spanish sentences. To help you understand the Spanish object pronouns, we will give you the corresponding personal pronouns, which you have certainly already dealt with in the conjugation of Spanish verbs. The following overview contains all the object pronouns used in the Spanish language:

Monaco: The small country in the north of France

Monaco, the second smallest country in the world, has a lot to offer. From picturesque beaches to Michelin star restaurants, Monaco is close to the famous French Rivera. Monaco-Ville, Condamine, Monte-Carlo and Fontvieille are the four distinct neighborhoods that make up this very safe, welcoming and fascinating city. Although English, Monégasque and Italian are commonly spoken and understood, French is the official language, making it easy for many foreigners to travel and live abroad.

Because of its proximity to France, one might think that the small country of Monaco is a city of France. However, Monaco is actually a country in its own right. Monaco is located on the French Côte d'Azur and is one of the highlights of the French south coast, also known in German as the French Riviera, along with the paradisiacal French cities such as Saint-Tropez, Nice or Cannes. If you plan to travel to Monaco in the future, it is a good idea to take a trip to France.

Tips for learning Spanish numbers

When learning Spanish numbers, as with all other languages, you should first concentrate on the Spanish numbers from 0 to 20. You will find these in our first list. Once you have mastered these, you can move on to the Spanish numbers from 21 to 100. The numbers between 21 and 29 are written together. The number 20 is veinte in Spanish and for 21 you say "veintiuno" in Spanish. So you form the Spanish numbers between 21 and 29 with "veinti" and the respective number between 1 and 9.

From the number 30 onwards, you can easily learn a pattern. You use the tens (for example, 30, treinta) and connect the numbers between 1 and 9 with a "y". So, for example, for 32 you say "treinta y dos". You can then follow this pattern up to the number 99. The number 100 is "cien" in Spanish, but you have to use "ciento" to say 101. So the number 101 is pronounced "ciento uno" in Spanish. You can follow this pattern again. Finally, to be able to count to 1000, you only have to learn the hundreds (doscientos, trescientos, cuatrocientos, etc.) and combine them with the Spanish numbers you already know.

How to learn Italian numbers quickly and effectively

For an effective and quick way, it's best to use our clear list. In the lists you will find every Italian number from 0 to 200, and at the end you will find the Italian numbers in hundreds. It's best to start by learning the numbers from 0 to 20. They are very irregular and you have to learn them by heart. However, from the number 21 onwards, you can recognise patterns that you can easily learn by heart and then use. To be able to count to 100 in Italian, you can simply combine the tens with the numbers between 1 and 9 from the number 21 onwards. Note that in Italian, numbers from 21 onwards are always written together. For example, the tens trenta (30) and due (2) make the number trentadue (32).

About Tourism Industry

Tourism is a very stable industry, and it keeps on growing continuously. People will never stop travelling. As we experienced during the pandemic, travel regulations were altered just so that people keep travelling because no matter what happens people never stop travelling. That is why having a career in the tourism industry is a sign of a stable and safe future.

One can complete their Bachelor's in Tourism and start interning in DMO's which are Destination Management Offices. Every country has one, especially in their tourist destinations. Once one has a good hands-on experience in the field. It is recommended to start doing a Master's in Tourism for a better future and career prospect.

The theoretical experience helps in getting an ease when put into practice at work. You can also opt to do an MBA after getting good experience in the sector and this will improve your chance in Managerial positions.

There are various career options like:

What language is spoken in Amsterdam? Most widely spoken

Most widely spoken languages in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Have you finally planned that trip you've been longing to take, past canals and art museums? But now a question arises: what language is spoken in Amsterdam?

In this article, we're going to find out exactly what language is spoken in Amsterdam, delving into the subject and giving you useful hints on how to leave prepared.

Amsterdam official language: Dutch (and its dialects) clearly, as when we looked at what language is spoken in the Netherlands, the official language of Amsterdam is Dutch, which in its original version would be 'nederlands'.

It is a language that has been strongly influenced by history and the passage of powers such as Germany, France and Great Britain. And indeed Dutch, as we know it today, sounds like the perfect mix of German, French and English.

Dutch is also the third most spoken Germanic language in the world: almost 40 million people in the world speak Dutch correctly, compared to only 17.53 million inhabitants of the country. In fact, it is also found as an official language among the idioms spoken in Belgium.

Of course, not the whole country speaks 'clean' Dutch: just as in every city in Italy, there are also dialects abroad, i.e. variants of the same language that deviate a little or enough from the original version. And so also in the Netherlands, there are different dialects, depending on where you are. We can group them into three main categories:

• Low Dutch Franconian dialect
• Low Saxon Dutch dialect
• West Frisian

Each has its own characteristics and peculiarities, and in turn contains further variants, often with even older roots. What interests you most, however, is knowing that the Low Saxon dialect of Dutch is spoken in Amsterdam, which is also the most common dialect spoken throughout the Netherlands.

What is the official language in Austria ?

The official language in Austria is German. German is an Indo-European language that belongs to the family of Germanic languages, i.e. those spoken by the Germanic peoples of northern Europe. German grammar is particularly complex, with four cases (i.e. the nominative, genitive, dative, and accusative) and three genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter). The words are long because they are made up of the union of different words, and some of them do not have a direct equivalent in other languages. Furthermore, the verb is often placed at the end of sentences and the alphabet is made up of 26 letters, those of the English alphabet to which ä, ö and ü are added.

This language became official in the territory at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in 1867, and then reconfirmed in 1920 with the Austrian Constitution and in 1955, when the country gained independence. In some regions of the country, however, varieties of German are used, which differ slightly from standard German and are often influenced by the languages and cultures of the surrounding areas. For example, the Austro-Bavarian dialect with about seven million speakers is widespread throughout Austria, followed by the Alemannic dialect (similar to Swiss German) which is spoken in the west in parts of Vorarlberg. Then there are Carinthian and Viennese, used respectively in the southern region of Carinthia and in the capital. Finally, the Tyrolean dialect is typical of Tyrol, the region in the center of the country.

In general, Austrian German differs from the German spoken in Germany. To give some examples, the pronunciation of Austrian German is softer (with "ch" often pronounced as an aspirated h), while grammatically the pronoun "es" becomes "er" when indicating the time. There are also variations in the terminology, such as the word "bread" which in Germany is "Brötchen" while in Austria it becomes "Semmel".

What language is spoken in Egypt?

Are you wondering what language is spoken in Egypt and whether there is an actual Egyptian language? Well, most of the population of this country is made up of Arabic-speaking Egyptians, who according to some studies make up almost 95 per cent of the total population. But what are the other languages spoken in Egypt?

Greece: official language

The official language in Greece is Modern Standard Greek, which is a direct descendant of the Ancient Greek language. Modern Greek is the language used in official documents, politics, economy and daily life of the country. The Greek language had already been used as a language of culture and writing in the past, when Greece was divided into independent city-states, but modern Greek assumed the status of the nation's official language with the independence of Greece in 1829.

Greece was in fact under the rule of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th century to the early 19th, during which the language was replaced with Arabic and Turkish. Before that, it was the Byzantines who ruled Greece, until the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Under the Byzantine Empire, the Greek language became the official language of the Eastern Roman Empire and was used to write most of the literature and documentation officer of the time.

After achieving independence, Greece began to develop thanks to the help of other foreign powers. Over the centuries, the Greek language has taken on different characteristics but has remained the most spoken language within the country. However, Greece's linguistic diversity is a testament to its history and geographical location, as you can see in the next paragraph.

Luxembourg official language: what is it?

In Luxembourg, the official language is not just one, but three languages spoken correctly by the majority of the population: Luxembourgish, French and German.

Given the importance of the country, due to its strategic position in the center of Europe and on the borders with great powers such as Belgium, Germany and France, over time people have increasingly started to use all three languages. It is somewhat the same that happened in Holland, and the reason why the languages spoken in Amsterdam -besides the official one- are different.

What language is spoken in Morocco?

Different languages are spoken in Morocco, but the main one is Arabic. However, there are also other languages such as Berber, French and Spanish as well as English. Below we list each language spoken in Morocco by relatively large groups of people.

Pakistan official language: what is it?

Actually, Pakistan has two official languages: Urdu and English. So different from each other, they have both been recognised as official languages of the country also and above all with the aim of unifying the country's solidarity. Indeed, let us remember that Pakistan was only recognised as a state in 1947, and is therefore still searching for ways to enhance its identity.

Although these are the official languages of Pakistan, however, the population prefers to speak others, as we shall see in a moment.

Tips for learning irregular verbs

At the beginning, this seems to be quite a lot of vocabulary. Unfortunately, there is no way around learning them by heart. We'll give you 5 tips on how to manage to learn the irregular verbs:

Flashcards: Through apps like Quizlet you can create your own flashcards or search millions of learning sets from existing users. The advantage through such apps are that you can learn from anywhere. No matter if you are on the train or waiting for a friend. After all, you have your smartphone with you most of the time!
Listening: For example, you can record yourself reciting vocabulary using your smartphone. You can then listen to what you say at any time. This way you can easily learn the vocabulary without much effort!
Repeat regularly: You can read through the words once every night before you go to sleep. You can then repeat this in the morning and see how many words you still remember.
Use regularly and intensively: In order not to forget the vocabulary, you should also try to use it regularly. You can, for example, write a story in English or talk to other people in English and use these verbs. This way you will remember them longer.

Learn English with YouTube for beginners

Especially for those who have just started learning English, helpful explanatory videos on YouTube about English grammar or vocabulary training can be very valuable. The often so complex grammar rules are presented on YouTube in the visuals and presented by sympathetic English teachers. Check out the following YouTube channels for beginners and start learning English for free on YouTube.

Learn Italian with podcasts at Beginner Level

We advise beginners who are learning Italian for the first time to start with clear and simple podcasts so they can get a feel for the language. Keep in mind that you don't need to fully comprehend what is being said either because your brain will assimilate it over time.

Birthday wishes in English

You can use English birthday wishes for practically any international friend. Everyone probably knows Happy Birthday. However, there are many other ways to send birthday wishes in English to your friends in person or via WhatsApp. You can keep your English birthday wishes short or even write a long birthday card in English.

Below are some suggestions to help you give your English friends a happy birthday. You can use the short birthday wishes in English if you send English birthday wishes via Whatsapp or social media. The longer birthday wishes are more suitable for birthday cards or letters.

Language skills in the CV

A structured and precise presentation of your skills in your CV is very important for a successful application. Of course, this also applies to your language skills in your CV. As a multilingual applicant, you should make use of the unique selling point in your application and present your language skills in the best possible way.

Famous English nursery rhymes

Check out our top 5 most famous English children's songs. These 5 English children's songs are well known well-known worldwide. They have been used for a long time to teach children how to learn English in a fun way at a very early age. They are incorporated into English lessons, as early as elementary school or even kindergarten, to give children access to the English language through English nursery rhymes.

Cost of learning English in an online English course

The cost of an online English course depends mainly on the type of course you choose. Depending on how much time you want to invest in your online English course, you have the option to choose a standard course or an intensive course. Private lessons are also possible. Take a look at the table and use it to compare the cost of different types of online English courses:

Why learn languages?

The added value of language learning is truly impressive. Not only does it open up unimagined career prospects in a globalized world, but it also allows you to connect more deeply with people from different cultures. Mastering a new language opens the door to intercultural communication and creates a deeper understanding of other people's ways of thinking and living.

Where is the German language spoken?

We have looked around the world to find out in which countries the German language is spoken. Besides the obvious candidates Germany, Austria and Switzerland, there are so many other countries where German is spoken.

A distinction should be made between countries where German is spoken as a native language, or as an official language, and countries where only a large number of Germans have settled. Let's take a look at the countries where German is spoken as an official language.

English - the Global language

English has become the global language for various historical, political, economic as well as cultural reasons. First and foremost, this is due to its dominance in colonization. But also the status of the USA as a world power and influencer in culture, media, technology and much more has contributed to English being the world language today.

There are more than 373 million native English speakers in the world and up to two billion second language speakers. This makes English the most spoken language in the world. Not only the already mentioned reasons have led to the fact that English is the world language, English has to the comparatively easy to learn language no big hurdles. Especially the easy-to-understand English grammar helps learners to master English quickly.

As you can observe, in German, the article always precedes the month. This rule applies within a sentence as well, as shown in the example: "Endlich ist der Mai da" - May has finally arrived. For a more in-depth understanding of articles in German, you can explore a comprehensive lesson on this topic.

Another distinction worth noting when examining the list of months is that they should always be capitalized, regardless of their position within a sentence or after a period. This differs from Italian, where capitalizing months (common nouns) is considered an error. It does, however, resemble English, as we discussed in the lesson on months in English, where capitalization is consistently applied.

Canada's Thriving Job Market

One of Canada's most compelling features is its thriving job market. The country's diverse and resilient economy boasts numerous sectors, providing ample opportunities for professionals across various industries. Whether you're an IT specialist looking to work in Canada's burgeoning tech hubs or a healthcare professional seeking to contribute to its world-class healthcare system, Canada has a place for you.

The Canadian government's commitment to economic growth and innovation is evident in its business-friendly policies and support for entrepreneurship. This, coupled with a stable economy, makes Canada an attractive destination for those looking to advance their careers and make a lasting impact on their chosen industries.

The main ingredients of Italian dishes

Italian cuisine is characterized by its simplicity and the use of fresh, high quality ingredients. Two main ingredients are in the spotlight and give the dishes their distinctive flavor: olive oil and tomatoes.

Verbs to speak in French: How do you say it?

The verb to talk in French translates, very simply, to "parler". This incredible similarity with the Italian language is due to the fact that both are Romance languages, meaning that they derive directly from Latin.

It is not the first nor the last time that we will find similarities between dictionaries: just think of words coma amour, musique and livre, which remain practically identical even in Italian and which we can translate automatically, even without in-depth knowledge of the language .

This already simplifies our life a lot when it comes to learning the language: in short, we are already at an advantage.

Furthermore, another advantage that distinguishes the verb speak in French is that it belongs to the regular verbs of the first conjugation, which end in "-ER".

This means, therefore, that it follows the conjugation without any particular changes.

There is certainly no shortage of irregular verbs in French grammar, but fortunately for us, parler is not one of them: therefore, the endings that it will gradually acquire in its conjugation will be those typical of the conjugation itself, without complicating our life.

When and how to use the strong verbs?

As often happens in languages ​​-unfortunately for those who study them!-, the irregularities do not represent a small part of the words but, on the contrary, a more consolidated reality.

German strong verbs are also part of this equation, in fact: they are not as numerous as weak verbs, of course, but they represent a good 40-50% of the common verbs in the German language.

There are over 200 strong verbs in German, and while they may seem numerous, they make up a relatively small portion of the total verbs used in the language.

The fact is that many of the most commonly used verbs are actually strong verbs. For example, verbs like "gehen" (go), "sehen" (see), "sprechen" (speak), "kommen" (come) and many others are strong verbs that are widely used in everyday conversations. And, as you can see, they represent words that we use every day to communicate, even at a basic level.

For this reason, studying German strong verbs and remembering their characteristics is really very important right from the first approaches to the language: without them, otherwise, being able to communicate even simple concepts at A1 level is practically impossible.

How are German strong verbs used? Very simply, like regular verbs, but remembering the irregularities. Therefore they can be conjugated in all the main moods and verb tenses, following the guidelines we have learned today.

Let's see some example sentences using strong verbs to fully understand them even when placed in a context:

• Ich bin gestern spazieren gegangen. = I went for a walk yesterday.
• "Sie hat das Buch gelesen = You have read the book.
• Er ist mit dem Zug gefahren. = He went by train.
• Wir haben gestern viel gelacht. = Yesterday we laughed a lot.
• Du hast mir sehr geholfen. = You helped me a lot.
• Sie ist gestern geschwommen. = She swam yesterday.
• Er hat einen Apfel gegessen. = He ate an apple.
• Wir sind gestern in den Park gegangen. = We went to the park yesterday.
• Sie hat gut gesungen. = She sang well.
• Er hat das Fenster geöffnet. = He opened the window.

These examples show how irregular verbs in German are used in sentences to express past actions and how they change form in the past tense and past participle compared to regular or weak verbs.

What exactly are separable verbs in German?

Naming separable verbs in German can be frightening, especially for those who are approaching this language for the first time. But if we were to say compound verbs, it would sound simpler, wouldn't it, because we have to start from that basis: separable verbs in German are a type of compound verbs that are made up of two elements:

1. The base verb, also known as an inseparable verb since it is a single word that cannot be broken down;
2. The particle that modifies the meaning of the initial verb and is separated from the verb itself when conjugated.

* Remember that, if the verb is reflexive, the reflexive pronoun is also in its composition as an extra particle.

Let us move on to exemplify these verbs: Morgen fange ich meinen neuen Job an (tomorrow I will start my new job).

In this sentence, "anfangen" (to start) is conjugated in the present indicative (ich fange) and the separable prefix "an" has been moved to the end of the sentence.

So, how are separable verbs used in German? Let's get to know the rule:

• As for the affirmative form, we put the main verb in second position and the prefix at the end of the sentence: -Ich rufe Vera an. → I call Vera.
• In the interrogative sentence, the prefix always remains at the end of the sentence, while the verb is placed at the beginning, immediately after the subject. This is also the case with classical verbs: -Siehst du oft fern? → Do you watch television often?
• Finally, as for the imperative form, the verb is always placed at the beginning, while the prefix at the end: Ruf Vera an! → Call Vera!

First steps towards living in Germany

Before you begin your experience, it is important to note that if you are going to live in Germany for more than 3 months, you must obtain a visa if you are not a citizen of the European Union (EU). But don't worry, by studying German at our schools in Germany, you will have all the support you need to make the process as easy as possible.

In addition, knowing the local language is important, as it will facilitate your integration and communication with local people. With our German courses you will be able to improve your language skills and feel confident to live everyday life to the fullest.

1. Extraordinary cultural immersion

We have all asked ourselves why learn languages, and we immediately find a variety of reasons, from exploring and getting to know the world to boosting our professional careers, since languages are the key that opens the door to endless opportunities. But we rarely ask ourselves what is the quickest and most effective way to do this? This is where Europe, with its cultural and historical diversity and wide variety of languages, becomes the best place to immerse yourself in the fascinating experience of learning a new language. Explore with us the ten reasons why Europe should be your next language learning destination:

Europe is a mix of cultures, therefore, it offers a wide range of languages, from the romantic French to the melodic Italian, including the universal English language and the curious Germanic German. each country will provide you with a unique experience that will allow you not only to learn its official language, but also to soak up its culture, traditions and enriching way of life, which can be fully enjoyed through language learning.

3. See more of the world

A language trip is a great way to explore a bit of the world. You can travel to big metropoles like London, New York and Toronto or discover the island of Malta, relax on Malaga’s beaches or wander in the south of France. And if you really want to get out of your comfort zone and discover something completely different, you can also travel to exciting new places like Havana, Cuba to learn Spanish or visit Peking  and learn Chinese.

Monday

Monday is an exciting day for everyone looking forward to go to their classes. At 08:00 everyone has breakfast in the beer garden.  The team members take the new students to the square in front of the school to introduce ourselves to our new students so that they know who their teamer is. We next lead our students inside the school and tell them more about ourselves, explain the rules and distribute them among the classrooms. After a quick break, the students start their intensive courses.  Other groups of students go to the swimming pool and the volleyball court. Who will participate in the mini-tournament?

After the students are finished with lessons, we gather our bearings. We give them a tour of our site and then ease on to the pool.

After dinner the tables go to the side, the disco lights go on and the volume goes up. The welcome party has started! There are snacks and mocktails (cocktails without alcohol). Needless to say the mood is excellent.

International Tongue Twisters for beginners

If you are not yet very advanced in learning the language you are currently learning, you should first use shorter and easier tongue twisters to practise your pronunciation. You will soon be able to pronounce these fluently and then move on to slightly harder tongue twisters. However, don't give up immediately if you can't pronounce the tongue twisters quickly and fluently. Practice makes perfect!

The following tongue twisters are particularly suitable for beginners:

Know about public transport

When residing in a foreign city, it is essential to become familiar with the local public transportation system. In busy urban areas, public transportation is frequently the most economical and effective way to get around. Numerous cities provide services like student discounts and travel cards that not only make daily commuting more convenient but also enable students to save money. Students can get started quickly and experience less disorientation during their first few days in a new environment by taking the time to research and comprehend the transportation options available in their destination city.

Phase 1: Learn new vocabulary

In the first phase, you see the new vocabulary for the first time. You get to know the words you don't know yet. The aim of the first phase is to understand the meaning of the new words. You familiarise yourself with your new vocabulary, form sentences with it and build links between the new words and the vocabulary you already know. This will make it easier for you to recall the new vocabulary in the following phases.

St. Paul´s Cathedral

According to legend, the church was erected where Publius, a Roman governor, first encountered Paul the Apostle following his shipwreck in Malta. After an earthquake demolished the previous cathedral, the one we can see was rebuilt in the 17th century. Only a few authentic components from the old cathedral were used in the Baroque reconstruction of the new church. Bishops and members of Mdina's noble families who are interred there are remembered by marble tombstones that cover the cathedral's floor.

2. Wu 吳 語

It is also one of the most important dialects of Chinese. The name Wu corresponds to the name of one of the three kingdoms into which China was divided at the end of the Han Dynasty and whose territory roughly corresponded to today's Wu-speaking area. With 81.8 million speakers, Wu is the second most widely spoken dialect of Chinese after Mandarin. It is the variant of Chinese spoken in Shanghai, most of Zhejiang province, the southern part of Jiangsu province and parts of Anhui and Jiangxi.

Speakers of the Wu dialect sometimes inaccurately refer to their mother tongue as "Shanghainese" (上海话 / 上海話) when introducing themselves to foreigners. The northern Wu languages are mutually intelligible, but the southern Wu languages are not.

Language spoken in Amsterdam: English

Although it is not an official language, in Amsterdam - and in the Netherlands more generally - there are many Dutch people who speak English (90% of the population) at a level practically equal to that of a native speaker. The ranking of the English Language Proficiency Index, in fact, sees the Netherlands in first place out of 80 countries judged, for the level of knowledge, comprehension and fluency that the Dutch have when approaching English.

This is because the country has, over time, become a major force on the international market, and in order to improve more and more, has made learning English a real priority, reinforcing it not only in the school environment, but in every context. In fact, it is a well-known fact that there is no dubbing of foreign films and television programmes in Amsterdam. Anything in the original language that is not in Dutch remains as it is, and people enjoy it directly that way.

Even cartoons are left in the original language, and it is mainly for this reason that the Dutch are practically bilingual. Dutch children grow up hearing English on a daily basis: when they are still learning and assimilating everything they hear, they learn English and Dutch at the same time.

It must also be said that it is not so difficult for a Dutch person to learn English: Dutch is a Germanic language, just like English, and for this reason they really do have a lot in common. A few examples of this similarity:

• De | the
• Vriend |friend
• Maandag |Monday

We can say that the difference between the two languages corresponds more or less to that between Italian and Spanish. Of course, thanks to this enormous advantage, having a longer or shorter holiday in Amsterdam will be a piece of cake: you won't have to worry about not being understood at the hotel check-in, at the restaurant or at any site of interest, because everyone will communicate with you in English.

Other languages in Austria

Although the language spoken in Austria by the majority of inhabitants is German, some regional linguistic minorities have been recognised. Below you will find the main ones, together with the other languages spoken in the various parts of the country.

What language is spoken in Canada?

In Canada the main language, and therefore the one spoken by the majority of people, is English. It is an English that has assumed characteristics similar to both British English and American English, therefore the one spoken in England and the United States. The 2021 census revealed that the English language is predominant, and that the percentage of people who consider it their first language is growing more and more in recent years.

However, the official language of Canada is not just English. In this vast territory, two languages coexist, English and French, for reasons related to the events that we will see in the following paragraph. The French language is used in the province of Quebec and in some areas of Ontario, i.e. those in the east that border precisely with Quebec, but also in part of New Brunswick.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy which provides for the King of England as head of state, and has adopted a federal system with the subdivision into provinces and territories. Both languages, English and French, are required to hold public office and are both regarded as official languages of the country. According to the 2021 census, the first language of 75% of Canadians is English while for 21% it is French, and over 98% of people are able to have a conversation in English while almost 93% in French.

Cuba's official language: What is it?

The official language of the Republic of Cuba is Spanish, as everyone knows. This idiom is spoken on the island by 11 million Cuban inhabitants, who represent practically 100% of the country's population. It is not surprising that the official language of Cuba is Spanish, since it is what most of the states in South and Central America have in common: 20 countries in these areas use it as their official language. It is among the languages spoken in Mexico, Costa Rica and Bolivia, for example. Exceptions, however, are some of the large American countries: the language of Brazil, in fact, is Portuguese.

Although the Republic of Cuba was for many years in a situation of isolation from other countries, the country was able to maintain a multicultural population, and for this reason other languages also spread throughout the territory, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries, when the country was under Spanish colonial rule. The most widely spoken, however, are Cuban Spanish and Haitian Creole.

Official language in Dubai

Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates located on the coast of the Persian Gulf. The city was born in the eighteenth century as a fishing settlement and has seen exponential growth in recent decades thanks to the discovery of oil and natural gas. Starting in the 1960s, Dubai became an important point of reference for trade, and in the 1990s also for international tourism. Today this city is known for its modern and technological infrastructure, luxury hotels and restaurants, and its enchanting beaches.

The official language of Dubai has been Arabic since the founding of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. Arabic is an important language in the Middle East and North Africa region and one of the most widely spoken in the world, and is the mother of a large part of the population of the United Arab Emirates. It is a Semitic language with a long history behind it and with numerous regional variations, even within the city of Dubai where in fact there are Egyptian Arabic, Syrian Arabic, Moroccan Arabic, Lebanese Arabic, and various other less common. Therefore, if you are planning to visit Dubai, it is always helpful to know at least a few Arabic words and phrases to communicate with the local people.

Brief History of Mexico

As with any country, it is good to know a few key passages in its history to better understand its culture and language. For example, Mexico was once inhabited by various civilisations, such as the Olmecs on the Gulf coast, the Teotihuacans in the central part of the country, the Toltecs, and the better known Mayas and Aztecs. These indigenous populations, which followed one another from several centuries B.C. until the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, had developed their own political system, religions, art, and the study of science and technology. This period, called pre-Columbian, ended when Europeans arrived in the country.

In the first half of the 1500s, Mexico was conquered by the Spaniard Hernán Cortés, who founded New Spain. The country thus remained a Spanish colony for three centuries, until it achieved independence in 1821. In 1917, following the Mexican Revolution, the Constitution was born and Mexico began an important path of economic growth.

What is the official language in the Netherlands?

The official language in the Netherlands is Dutch, or Netherlandish, which is also spoken in the Flanders region and the Brussels-Capital region in neighbouring Belgium. It is a language with Germanic origins, which is currently also used in other parts of the world such as former colonies or islands still belonging to the country, such as Suriname, Aruba, Saba, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, Curaçao, Indonesia, as well as in parts of France and Germany, with a total of around 25 million speakers. The first documents in the Dutch language appeared at the end of the 12th century, although some terms and names date back some time earlier.

Dutch is therefore the language spoken in the Netherlands by most people, more than 16 million according to a statistic dating back to 2017. But the term 'Dutch' also indicates a variety of the language, spoken mainly in the northern part of the Netherlands, while in the south, the so-called Flemish dialect is generally spoken. Dutch-speaking dialects are numerous, such as Limburgish and Zeelandic, which are contrasted with Standard Dutch. The latter is considered the pure form of the language and is mainly used in the Netherlands, as opposed to Belgium where other varieties are preferred. It should also be noted that the dialects of the Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague regions are closer to the standard dialect than those of other areas.

Why is it important to know my own learning type?

Knowing your learning type will help you learn more efficiently and effectively. If you design your learning strategy according to your learning type, you will be able to absorb the information and the learning material better. You will also enjoy learning more. If you adapt your learning environment to your learning type, you will make faster progress. It's motivating, fun, and ultimately gets you to your goal faster.

Here are a few more benefits of learning according to your learning type:

More effective learning: You will learn most effectively if you have a strategy and develop it based on your learning type. So test which learning type you are and choose your learning materials according to your learning type.

Time saving: If you understand your learning material better, you will save a lot of time. To understand the learning material better, you have to test your learning type. This is the only way to find your learning strategy.

Reduction of learning stress: If you do not learn according to your learning type, frustration, impatience and stress can arise. You make little progress and may give up. But if you know your learning type, the opposite is true.

Self-confidence increases: Faster learning successes lead to higher self-confidence. So if you know your preferred learning type, you will have increased self-confidence when learning. This will help you achieve your learning goals.

As you can see, testing your learning type can only be beneficial. In the next step, we will show you how you can easily test your learning type yourself. The test doesn't take long and only requires a little preparation.

Idiom Definition: What is an Idiom?

An idiom is a fixed expression or phrase in a language that has a figurative or metaphorical meaning that is different from the literal meaning of its individual words.

Idioms are used to express ideas, emotions, or concepts in a special and frequently colorful way. They are an essential component of a language's culture. These expressions are frequently used and understood by native speakers, and because they frequently defy literal interpretation, it can be difficult for non-native speakers to comprehend what they mean.

Idioms are a form of linguistic creativity and their meanings are often deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of the language. They can be used to add vividness, humor or emphasis to communication. They play a significant role in making languages more expressive and dynamic. "Break a leg," "kick the bucket," and "raining cats and dogs" are some examples of idioms.

Learn English with Sprachcaffe 

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1. Golden Bay Beach

Golden Bay Beach, located in the picturesque northwest of Malta near Mgarr, is undoubtedly a jewel of the island. This gorgeous beach is a magnet for sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts alike. Here's what makes this beach so special:

Golden, Fine Sand Beach

The name says it all - Golden Bay Beach is famous for its golden, fine sand that gently feels like silk between your toes. The beach stretches far and wide along the coastline, providing ample space for sun lovers and families alike.

Clear water

The deep blue, crystal-clear waters of Golden Bay Beach are not only a feast for the eyes, but are also great for swimming and snorkeling. The gentle waves make swimming here a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.

High tourism occupancy

Especially during the summer months, tourists and locals alike flock here to enjoy the beauty of the beach. The lively atmosphere gives the place a vibrant energy, while at the same time, relaxed sun worshippers can find their peace.

Water Sports Activities

Golden Bay Beach is not just for swimming. Visitors can try a variety of water sports activities, including jet skiing, parasailing and kayaking. The more adventurous can also take scuba diving excursions to explore the underwater world.

Restaurants & Amenities

The beach is well-stocked with restaurants that offer a wide range of culinary delights. From freshly grilled fish to refreshing cocktails, there's something here for everyone. Showers and changing rooms are available for visitors to make their day at the beach comfortable.

Accessibility of St. Julians

Despite its picturesque seclusion, Golden Bay Beach is easily accessible from St. Julians. A short 45-minute drive takes you through picturesque landscapes and offers a taste of Malta's natural beauty.

Golden Bay Beach is not just a place to sunbathe, but an experience for the senses. From the soft touch of the golden sand to the sound of the waves, visitors here can enjoy the beauty of nature to the fullest. Whether you want to relax or have an adventure, this beach has everything for a perfect day on the Mediterranean.

Sightseeing in Comino

This section of ours is all about the sights of this small island in the heart of the Malta archipelago. We will show you that Comino has not only the Blue Lagoon to offer, but many more unique sights to find and marvel at.

Anglicisms in Everyday German

Common Categories of English Loanwords

The influence of English on the German language is most prominently observed in specific categories, reflecting the domains where English-speaking cultures have had the most significant impact. Three common categories are technology, business, and pop culture.

• Technology: English words like "Computer," "Software," and "Internet" have seamlessly integrated into the German tech lexicon, reflecting the dominance of English-speaking countries in the digital world.

• Business: Terms such as "Marketing," "Management," and "Sales" have been adopted into German business discourse, often used interchangeably with their German equivalents.

• Pop Culture: The entertainment industry heavily contributes to the influx of English words. Words like "Weekend," "Fashion," and "Party" are widely used in everyday German, especially among the younger generation.

Examples of Anglicisms

To illustrate the extent of English influence, here are some examples of English words that have become an integral part of everyday German vocabulary:

• Handy: Derived from "handheld," this word is used in German to refer to mobile phones.

• Job: Replacing the German "Arbeit," "Job" is commonly used to describe employment or work opportunities.

• Team: Often used in a German context to refer to a group of individuals working together.

• Email: A straightforward borrowing from "electronic mail," used universally for email communication.

• Laptop: While German has its term "Notebook," "Laptop" is widely used to describe portable computers.

Pronunciation

One interesting aspect of Anglicisms in German is how they are adapted to fit the German phonological system. German speakers often modify the pronunciation to match German phonetics, leading to variations in how these words are spoken. For instance:

• "Computer" becomes "Kuhm-pew-ter" in German pronunciation.
• "Marketing" may be pronounced as "Mah-ket-ing" in a German context.
• "Party" is pronounced as "Par-tee" with a German accent.

These adaptations help these loanwords blend seamlessly into the rhythm and sounds of the German language while retaining their English origins.

Anglicisms in everyday German exemplify the linguistic fusion between the two languages, showcasing the dynamic nature of language and the influence of global communication. In the following sections, we will explore how English words are adapted to fit the German grammatical structure and the cultural implications of this linguistic exchange.

Bavarian Castles: Their history and legacy

Bavaria's landscape is dotted with magnificent castles that serve as a bridge between the past and the present, embodying the region's rich history and cultural heritage. These architectural marvels, often commissioned by the kings or noble families of the era, stand as the greatest testament to Bavaria's storied past. Their grandeur and majesty reflect the aspirations and achievements of those who ruled and lived in this evocative land.

Guardians of History and Inspiration for the Future

Nestled amidst lush landscapes and rugged terrains, Bavarian castles are enveloped in extraordinary myths and legends that have been passed down through generations. These tales, rich with heroes, battles, and romance, add a mystical allure to these stone sentinels. The castles do not merely guard the history within their walls; they also pave the way for future generations to connect with their heritage. By exploring these historic edifices, visitors gain invaluable insights into the architectural styles, societal structures, and cultural norms of times gone by.

A Source of Creative Inspiration

The beauty of Bavaria's castles transcends mere aesthetics, sparking the imaginations of countless individuals across the globe. Some of these castles boast such fairy-tale-like appearances that they have inspired the visions of creative geniuses, including Walt Disney. The iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, for instance, is said to have been the inspiration behind the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. This direct influence of Bavarian architecture on pop culture illustrates the universal appeal and enduring fascination with these historical landmarks.

A Journey Through Time

As we delve deeper into the history and significance of Bavaria's castles throughout this article, we uncover the layers of stories embedded within their walls. Each castle has its own unique narrative, shaped by the historical events and personal tales of those who inhabited them. From the strategic fortifications built for defense to the opulent palaces designed for extravagance and display, Bavaria's castles are a testament to the region's diverse historical landscape.

In conclusion, Bavaria's castles are much more than mere structures; they are symbols of the region's rich history and cultural legacy. They continue to inspire awe and wonder in all who visit them, bridging the gap between the past and the present and inspiring future generations to explore and appreciate the beauty of history.

Plan your gap year with Sprachcaffe

Now you know all the features that make gap year abroad a truly must-do experience, especially if you choose to go with Sprachcaffe. After all, we have made this our main mission, and we do what we can-and the impossible!-to ensure that our students have the most complete, effective, and enjoyable experience possible.

Included in our trips is everything you need to learn in a welcoming environment that makes you feel at home away from home. We know how hard it can be to spend so much time somewhere else in the world, in a place where everyone speaks in another language. Therefore, we try to ensure any services and amenities that can make it lighter and more enjoyable.

Don't wait for the right time to come, or you will never leave. That time is now, it's already here: it's time for you to give yourself something for yourself, for your future, and to better understand who you are and where you want to go. Traveling is the key to self-awareness, and doing so by learning a language allows you at the same time to acquire valuable language skills that will come in handy in your future.

Remember that with Sprachcaffe you can customize the trip according to your personal needs by choosing:
● Length of the trip, from a minimum of 8 weeks;
● Frequency of the study course, choosing between standard (4 lessons per day) and intensive (6 lessons per day);
● Accommodation (in cases where there are multiple options, such as homestay, hotel or residence);
● Free time, which you can spend as you like, joining us or exploring independently

Sprachcaffe schools are always well connected to the city center, major attractions and accommodations, so you can get around comfortably on foot or by public transportation.

Full board is also usually included in the package, so that you don't even have to worry about getting lunch or dinner. In some cases, other services are also included, such as housekeeping and linen, but these are specifics you will learn more about by reading the page of the destination you are interested in.

In any case, we're talking about an opportunity to seize, a trip that will be able to change your life and make you see the world from a different perspective. After all, every country has its own customs, its own ways, its own nuances, and it is difficult to understand them until you immerse yourself in them. Once you do, however, the awareness you gain you carry with you into so many other aspects of life.

So what are you waiting for?

Fill out the gap year form and choose whether to book directly or have a fee sent to your e-mail address so you can get a more complete idea about cost and information. Every trip has a price, being so customizable, but remember that this is the best investment you can make for your future.

And that Sprachcaffe will know how to give you the most life-changing experience you can imagine in return.

We are waiting for you!

Conjugation of the verb to speak in French

Having said that, we just have to delve deeper into the conjugation of the verb to speak in French and discover how it behaves in all the moods and verb tenses of the language, which are quite a few.

Since it is a regular conjugation, there is no need for you to learn it by heart: you just need to know the corresponding endings of the first conjugation to be able to form the various tenses in the various persons, singular or plural.

Let us therefore begin to explore the conjugation of the verb parler, starting from the manner

Securing single or shared accommodation

There are various housing options in Germany, including single flats (studios), shared flats (WG) and temporary rentals (Zwischenmiete). To find your ideal home, you can use online platforms such as ImmobilienScout24, WG-Gesucht or eBay Kleinanzeigen. Within these platforms you will be able to contact landlords and they will give you the possibility to schedule interviews and viewings of the flats or rooms you are interested in. Although it may surprise you, it is quite common, but it is quite common that landlords conduct personal interviews to meet potential tenants so we recommend that you prepare a file with personal, financial information and if possible references.

However, we know that this new process can be overwhelming and stressful, so within our services we offer accommodation that will make you feel at home, such as shared flats, our well-known residence in the heart of Frankfurt or a homestay in Munich.

1. "Studying in Europe is very expensive".

I'm sure you've heard this at least once. It is true that some European cities, such as London, Paris or Zurich, have a high cost of living. However, Europe also offers in many cities and countries an affordable cost of living for students, for example: Spain, Portugal, Poland and Hungary offer high quality education at reasonable prices and a much lower cost of living compared to other Western countries; in addition, some European countries offer free higher education or scholarships and financial aid for international students. Countries such as Germany, Norway and Finland stand out for their low tuition fees, even for foreigners.

Blogs & Websites

Comme une française - Géraldine's tremendous knowledge of the French and English languages means anyone who finds her blog will find it hard to leave!

Français Immersion - Thomas' blog and French classes are perfect for beginner and intermediate learners looking for clearly structured and fun grammatical lessons taught 100% in French.

French Crazy - This blog not only has great tips for improving your French, but also a number of guides to help you orientate yourself with different aspects of everyday life and culture in France.

Love Learning Languages - Articles and French language videos to help you learn French in a simple way.

Talk in French - Fun and easy lessons on French language and culture.

I Learn French - Tons of interesting and useful content to keep you fascinated in the French language and culture. Regular features include 'Wordsmith Wednesday' and 'French Food Fight Friday'.

Oui, c'est ça - Eclectic posts on culture, vocabulary, songs, news and grammar for French learners of all levels

French Today - A broad array of posts covering everything to do with the French language and life in France.

Speak French Fluently - As the title suggests, this blog is not only about being good at French, but learning to speak fluently. Great tips andunique content.

French Together - Fun and funny posts to keep you entertained while focussing on essential lessons in the French language.

Nathalie FLE - A great blog for learning French. But be careful, everything is in French so you'll only benefit from this if you have at least lower intermediate level French.

Réseaux FLE Éducation Langues - Another blog written in French. This one suggests entertaining ways to improve your French.

Spain - Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife  Carnival is celebrated everywhere on the island of Tenerife, but the largest celebration is in Santa Cruz. The traditional procession takes place there every year on Shrove Tuesday (aka Mardi Gras). This year's carnival experience is under the theme "Caribbean". In 1987, a concert during the Santa Cruz Carnival by the singer Celia Cruz even made it into the Guinness Book of Records for the largest gathering of people in an outdoor plaza. More than 200,000 people attended the concert. The festivities end with "The funeral of the sardine", representing the end of the carnival and the beginning of the fasting season. Traditionally, a large, decorated fish figurine (usually made of cardboard or fabric) is lit and driven burning out to sea. This is accompanied by tongue-in-cheek mourning process consisting of lamenting widows and funeral guests. But no reason to mope around: the funeral procession is followed by musicians and dance groups who put everyone in a good mood.

Tuesday

In the morning there are lessons, followed in the afternoon by a half-day excursion. This is to Valletta, the beautiful capital of Malta. Our route starts at the city gates, where we make a group photo for the big fountain. Then we walk past the old buildings to the Upper Barrakka gardens. Here we get a beautiful view of the harbor with a chance to see a cannon which fires a volley every afternoon. Then we walk through narrow streets to the next highlight, the cathedral ta 'San Gwann. The students get a chance to explore and buy a few souvenirs at the market. The next stop is one of the largest squares. The students get about an hour and a half of free time to eat ice cream and buy souvenirs. This gives the team members a well-deserved break. Often this means sitting on a terrace and enjoying the beautiful weather, bonding with students and discussing ideas for the upcoming evening.

This evening is very much loved by students over 17 years old, we go to Paceville! This is the party street of Malta. Although the students can decide where they are going, they are happy to come with us to one of our favorite places: Hugo's Bar. It is a big party until 02.00.

Download the local apps

Downloading local apps can be incredibly useful in this era of technological advancement. For food delivery, taxi services, and a variety of other services, many cities have their own well-known apps. Students can easily integrate into the local way of life by doing their research and locating these apps beforehand. For instance, Wolt and Lieferando are more widely used than Uber Eats in Germany, while Bolt and Free Now are preferred options for transportation services in London. Additionally, examining Google Maps alternatives like City Mapper can offer more precise and regional directions for navigating European cities.

Phase 2: The first repetition

In the first phase, you have already got to know your new vocabulary and can understand it fairly accurately. The second phase begins after only one day. You will repeat the vocabulary you learned the day before for the first time. You will quickly notice that you can already repeat some of the vocabulary rather easily, but that you still have problems with some of it. On this day, as on the first day, continue to learn the translation and meaning of the words.

Helpful information about Spanish object pronouns

As already mentioned, the object pronoun replaces an object or person that has already been mentioned. To use the correct Spanish object pronoun, you should therefore pay attention to the pronoun that is replaced by the object pronoun. As a rule, object pronouns in Spanish come in front of the conjugated verb. To make the sentence structure with object pronouns understandable, take a look at the sentence structure of a Spanish sentence with and without object pronouns below. For a better comprehension, there is an example sentence below the general structure.

Banca Giuratale

Between 1726 and 1728, the Banca Giuratale also referred to as the Municipal Palace, was specifically constructed to house the city's administration, council, and courts. As he wanted to construct his palace, which we now refer to as Vilhena Palace, the Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena had taken over their original property.

As time went on, the Municipal Palace saw a variety of uses. It served as the Maltese National Assembly's meeting location in 1798 when France was still occupying Malta. It now holds the court records from 1530 to 1899 that is a part of the Maltese National Archives.

Elfenbeinküste: Das Land im Westen von Afrika mit französischer Kolonialgeschichte

In Côte d'Ivoire, French is the official language, although several indigenous languages are commonly used. These include Cebaara Senufo, Baoulé, Dioula, Dan, and Anyin. Côte d'Ivoire is also known as Côte d'Ivoire and thus bears a French name. An estimated 78 different languages are spoken in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. French is taught in schools and is widely spoken in the region. As a result of the colonial past, about 30% of the population of Côte d'Ivoire speaks French. In 1960, Côte d'Ivoire gained independence.

A French language study trip to the French-speaking Côte d'Ivoire is worthwhile simply because of the unique and varied nature. From beautiful sandy beaches to rainforests and vast savannahs, in the north of Côte d'Ivoire you will find everything you want to experience on a trip to nature.

The 30 most important Spanish verbs to start with

Spanish verbs are one of the most important categories of words in the Spanish language and are an important part of any Spanish sentence. Also for learning Spanish grammar you should quickly look at the most important Spanish verbs. You will need them especially when learning Spanish conjugation. When learning Spanish verbs, don't get confused by the fact that different words in Spanish have the same German translation. This would be the case with the Spanish verbs ser and estar or oír and escuchar. They share the same German translation, but have a different meaning in Spanish.

Spanish dialogues for advanced learners to practise Spanish phrases

The best way to learn new Spanish phrases and words is by example. That's why we've put some of the Spanish words you saw in the list above into Spanish dialogues for you. Take a look at the dialogues and use them to learn the new words.

Tourism destination Manager

The job of a Tourism destination manager is to basically look after a tourism destination. As a manager, it is important to look after the day to day of the destination. Implementation of tasks is very important. As a manager, one should monitor and designate tasks to fellow and below associates. It is usually in collaboration with the government, so one must be very diplomatic and should master public relations.

Can you live in Amsterdam knowing only English?

The question arises: is it possible to live in Amsterdam without knowing Dutch, relying only on English?

It depends on what your intentions are. If you want to live in Amsterdam for a limited time in your life, then yes. You will have no difficulty communicating with shopkeepers, going to the accountant or the doctor, let alone finding work and dealing with colleagues. You can go shopping without problems, because even in the supermarket you will most likely find English-speaking cashiers.

Even if you go for study purposes you can manage without problems, but maybe try to gain some experience abroad first to learn English to perfection in order to succeed better, and also to understand better what it means to live far from home speaking only a foreign language.

But in Amsterdam the official language is Dutch, as you well know, and if you want to live there for a long period of your life, you can't not know it. Yes, because announcements at the train station are only made in Dutch, and if you want to live just a little bit outside the city, there are fewer and fewer people who know English. Small shops, modest villages, typical restaurants: these are all places where you will need to know Dutch.

And not only because of this: the Dutch are known to be a bit shy towards Italians, or maybe we perceive them that way because in Italy you are warmer. In any case, you will hardly make inroads into their hearts if you don't learn the language, and they will thus be 'forced' to speak English to adapt to you. You will feel left out if you don't speak Dutch and you will never feel at home in Amsterdam.

Why is French spoken in Canada?

If you're wondering why the presence of French is so rooted in this country, the reasons can be found in the history of Canada. It is a story of domination by the European peoples, who have almost completely swept away the customs and traditions of the populations

The Europeans came to Canada via the Bering Strait thousands and thousands of years earlier. In particular, the Vikings were the first to arrive around the year 870 and settled on the island of Newfoundland and the surrounding territories. They began to transport useful products such as timber to their homelands and continued until about 1400. Later, it was the turn of the English and French expeditions, under John Cabot and Jacques Cartier, during which New France was created and the Hudson's Bay Company in the 17th century.

From that point on, the United Kingdom and France began to clash over the possession of Canadian territories and only ended in 1763, with the end of the Seven Years' War. The United Kingdom prevailed and France had to sign the surrender; therefore, the part of the French-speaking population that was in Canada found itself under English rule. Despite the provisions that over the years gave the French cultural freedoms with the Quebec Act and the territory of Canada Inferior (present-day Quebec), Canadians had to wait until 1931 for full independence from the United Kingdom.

Cuban Spanish

Cuban Spanish is the Spanish language variant spoken in Cuba, belonging to the Western Iberian language group. It is a sub-dialect of Caribbean Spanish, enriched and modified with close influence from the language of the Taino Indians, who lived on the island even before it came under Spanish rule. We can still find words today that can be traced back to the Taino language, such as 'canoa', 'hamaca', 'tabaco' and 'carey'.

Because of its origins, Cuban Spanish sounds much more similar in pronunciation and vocabulary to the variant of Spanish spoken in the region of Andalusia, and even more so to that used in the Canary Islands. This is because during the 19th and 20th centuries there was a large influx of Canarian immigrants to the island, who brought new accents and words: even today, in both Tenerife and Cuba, a 'guagua' is a bus, for example.

Even within the island itself, you can notice differences in intonation and vocabulary, depending on whether you are in the east or the west.

The biggest difference between Castilian and Cuban, however, lies in pronunciation. practice seseo: all the c's that in Spanish should sound like an English th, simply become an s.

Another peculiarity peculiar to Cuban Spanish is the formation of the diminutive, which is done by adding the desinences -ico and -ica, whereas in standard Spanish one has to add -ito and -ita. There are also many expressions and words peculiar to the island, as we will see in a moment, called 'Cubanisms'.

So, to say that the language spoken in Cuba is Spanish is correct, but not entirely complete. A Madrilenian Spaniard can communicate with and understand a Cuban inhabitant, yes, but he or she will certainly notice numerous differences and may even encounter difficulties. Nevertheless, knowing peninsular Spanish is more than enough to live, work or simply communicate in Cuba during a holiday. And with us at Sprachcaffe, you can acquire and strengthen this language competence directly with a study holiday in Havana, Cuba's extraordinary capital city! In this way, you can see for yourself the differences between Spanish and Cuban Spanish, and put them into practice on the spot.

Dubai: the main languages

The most important language spoken in Dubai, as well as the official language of the UAE, is Arabic. But what other languages are spoken in this multicultural and cosmopolitan city? Let's see together the major languages brought to Dubai by immigrant communities, which together with the language have enriched the city with different cultures, cuisines, customs and traditions.

Other languages

There are linguistic minorities in some parts of the country, such as the Beja ethnic group that speaks Tigrinya or a branch of Cushite, groups that speak Berber languages or languages belonging to the Nilo-Saharan family. In addition, there are also some Greek, Italian, and Armenian minorities.

Luxembourgish

In particular, the Luxembourgish language is spoken by 90% of the population of Luxembourg, and the percentage is divided into:

● 77% of people who speak Luxembourgish as their mother tongue;

● 13% who speak it as a second language

Considered the national language, it was recognized by law as the country's official language in 1984, and around 390,000 people around the world speak it, including inhabitants of areas bordering Belgium, Germany and France. As we have seen, in fact, when we talked about what language is spoken in Belgium, it is common among these "passage" countries that there is no proper language, but that different languages taken from border countries are used.

Even more updated data than the previous ones report a slight decrease (82% total in 2012), a sign that the Luxembourgish language is slowly giving more and more space to French and German.

The language of Luxembourg belongs to West Central German, and is therefore a Germanic language, although it has been heavily influenced by French. To give a small example, the French word "Chaffeur", which in German translates as "Busfahrer", even becomes "Buschaffeur" in Luxembourgish.

This language is used in kindergarten and primary school, but there are no Luxembourgish textbooks, only German or at least French. It is also used in television for daily programs, and is considered the most "colloquial". For everything else, however, the other languages of the country are preferred.

In practice, we can say that the Luxembourgish language is the language most "heartfelt", and knowing it is also essential in order to be able to apply for naturalization and acquire citizenship in Luxembourg.

The characteristics of the Dutch language

Dutch is, as we have seen above, the official language of the Netherlands. It is a Germanic language, thus created by the Germanic peoples who lived in northern Europe, and thus belongs to the Indo-European language family. The language of the Netherlands is similar to the Scandinavian languages, particularly Swedish, Danish and Norwegian, and to the Afrikaans of South Africa. In addition, this language has similarities with other better known and spoken languages, such as English, German, and even French; therefore, learning Dutch is easier for those who already speak these languages.

The alphabet used is Latin, like almost all other Germanic languages. As in Italian, nouns in Dutch are sometimes indicated with capital letters, but this is not a rule as it is the case with German. In addition, consonants at the end of words are not pronounced and cases have disappeared. As far as articles are concerned, the determinative article is 'de' in both the masculine and feminine singular and plural. The article 'het', on the other hand, is used for the singular of nouns of the neuter gender. The indeterminative article, which only exists in the singular form, is 'een'. Finally, verbs in the Dutch language can be strong, weak, and irregular.

The pronunciation of Dutch words can be a bit tricky at first, but once you learn the rules, it will gradually become easier and more intuitive. For example, you need to know that 'c' is read 's' in front of the vowels 'e' and 'i', and that 's' is like our hard s while 'z' is like our soft s. In addition, 'sg' reads like 'j' in French, 'h' is aspirated, and 'j' reads 'i'.

Urdu

Urdu is a lingua franca of Indo-European origin, understood by 80% of the Pakistani population. Beware, however: understood, not spoken, in fact, it is only used as a mother tongue by 7% of the population. Considering that Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world with its 231.4 million inhabitants, this means that only 16,198, 000 people in Pakistan speak Urdu. Few, considering the fact that it has been defined as the country's national language, and that Pakistan has widely pushed for its use, promoting the language to encourage national solidarity. In fact, it is a 'neutral' language for the country's internal political issues, and seemed to all intents and purposes the best choice in order not to sour relations between the different minorities here.

Moreover, in Pakistan, the Urdu language was preferred over the others because it was the language of the elite Muslim emigrants from India, including M.A.Jinnah, the first head of the government that founded the Pakistani state.

Nevertheless, today the Urdu language has not yet been as successful as hoped, and the 7% of Pakistani speakers are mainly to be found in the urban centres of the large metropolises, such as Islamabad, Hyderabad and Karachi.

It is mostly applied and used on particularly formal occasions, in government administration and is also taught in educational institutions.

In fact, it is even more widely used in India, where there are more speakers than in Pakistan, and is also included among the 22 official languages recognised by India.

On a grammatical level, in fact, it hardly differs from Hindi, India's main language. The only differences concern a choice of more words of Persian origin in Urdu and the use of different alphabets: Hindi applies the Devanagari alphabet, while Urdu has its own -Urdu alphabet, to be precise-, of Persian-Arabic origin. In fact, it has also been modified to produce sounds that do not exist in the Arabic language.

However, its extreme similarity to Hindi has opened up a lot of controversy over time, as many refused to consider them as two separate languages. In reality, however, the Urdu language in Pakistan has a very ancient history, and has undergone great influences from Arabic, Persian and Chagatai, a Turkish language that is now extinct.

A small curiosity about the word Urdu: it means 'imperial camp', and it is precisely from this term of Turkish origin that the Italian has inherited the word 'horde'.