6 Different Calendars Around the World
The Gregorian calendar dates back to 1592 when Pope Gregory XIII instituted it as a revision of the Julien calendar. After its introduction, it slowly spread across Italy, then to Portugal, Spain, and the German Catholic states. In 1699, it was adopted by the Protestant German states; in 1752, by England and its colonies, including […]
New Year’s Traditions Around the World
We’re getting close to a new decade (on the Gregorian calendar, at least), and around the world, people are preparing to celebrate the start of the new ‘20s with New Year’s traditions that run donning colored underwear to setting cars on fire. While we’re drinking champagne, giving midnight kisses, and watching the ball drop in […]
International Claus: Santa Traditions from Around the World
The modern American portrayal of Santa Claus grew out of traditions surrounding three historical figures: Saint Nicholas of Myra, 16th century Britain’s Father Christmas, and the ancient Germanic god Woden. They hold differing levels of influence in modern Santa Claus-related festivities around the world, and knowing their stories should help clarify Santa’s country-by-country gift-delivery schedule, […]
4 Foreign-Language TV Shows to Binge
Settle in and get cozy: it’s time for a good old-fashioned guilt-free TV binge. Even a mega-marathon of these shows would be time well spent. After all, developing your listening comprehension skills is crucial to language learning. Just remember to stand up and stretch between episodes – getting the oxygen flowing will keep those language […]
Tokyo and Singapore Emerge as World’s Safest Cities for 2019
The Economist’s 2019 Safe Cities Index is the result of a multifaceted investigation that looks at fifty-seven indicators across these four major categories. The study ranks the top five cities in each category, and winners range from Chicago and Washington, DC in digital security to Osaka and Seoul in health security, Osaka and Barcelona in […]
The Incredible Mental Agility of Interpreters
If you’ve ever witnessed an interpreter in action, you know you’ve seen something amazing: how a skilled professional can rapidly process and express ideas in another language—in a flash. Watching such a scene of graceful and rapid interpretation might have left you in a state of awe. How could the human brain possibly manage such […]
7 Amazing International Radio Stations to Explore
The past decade has ushered in an abundance of live radio feeds from around the world. Now, with only a click or two, you can satisfy your cravings for music from faraway lands. International radio offers you a global experience of entertainment and the opportunity to practice your foreign language listening skills. Enjoy the best […]
7 Ways to Reduce Your Language Testing Anxiety
You have a big test coming up, and you want to perform well. But if your mind is clouded with anxiety about your performance, it can be difficult for you to focus on the task at hand. Anxiety doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of your language testing experience. With careful preparation and a […]
4 Harvest Season Festivals Around the World
Around the world, the harvest season is celebrated with unique fanfare. It’s common for this “season of plenty” to be hailed with nationwide festivals or smaller-scale, personal celebrations. To celebrate the abundance of the season, most festivals typically include seasonal treats, traditional music, and longstanding rituals. Chuseok – South Korea This longstanding celebration originated with […]
4 Ways That People Around the World Celebrate Summer
Cultures around the globe have rejoiced in the bounty of summer since ancient times. Although many of these celebrations have changed shape in our contemporary era, the original sense of appreciation for nature’s offerings continues. Festive days and action-packed evenings are the hallmark of these exciting international celebrations below: Latvia – Jāņi Festival This ancient […]