1/12/2018

Graphic Tees & Such + Sale!

I got some graphic tees made for myself and it seemed like there was a lot of interest in the pictures I posted of them on Instagram. So, I decided to create an online storefront! If you'd like to take a look at all Black Girls Learn Languages branded products, check out my storefront here. New items will be added weekly!

Also, there is currently a promotion going on the Customized Girl website where my storefront is located. If you use code: HOLSAL, you could receive a discount of up to 60% off on selected items. Not sure how long this promotion is for, so see the main site for details. 

EDIT: The holiday sale is no longer going on but the site is currently having another up to 30% off sale for a limited time. The site frequently has items on sale so check back often!

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1/12/2018

#PlusGirlsBeWinning-Meet Brenda, The Curvy Linguista

You ever meet someone and they just have that “je ne sais quoi”? That’s what I thought about Brenda when we first connected on social media. For some reason, when I looked at her pics, I was mesmerized and found her to be gorgeous! I later found out she lives in Europe (my dream!) AND is multilingual. Seemed like a kindred spirit, so I decided I reach out and express my desire to showcase her on the site. 

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1/12/2018

How To Master German-Simulating German Immersion for Fluency

I decided to make another video with details for creating an immersion simulation specific for learning German, complete with techniques and resources. Click here for the full video on how to simulate German immersion. I mentioned a lot of resources in the video so, here is a complete list of what was mentioned:
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1/12/2018

How This Multilingual Plus Model Came To Be

This multilingual plus model speaks English, French and Kreyol. What's her number one tip to learning languages? Find out more behind the jump!

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1/12/2018

How To Simulate Immersion

First of all, what is immersion? Immersion is the deep mental involvement of something, for example in a culture or language. Language immersion is praised as the best way of learning a language. The two most common ways of learning a language by immersion is by either moving to a country where your target language is the native language (simultaneously being immersed in the culture) OR by taking a foreign language course that is taught exclusively in the target language. Some people do both.

Let’s say you can’t afford to pick up and go to Spain for several months. Maybe you’ve checked around and courses to learn Romanian are just not in your budget. Don’t fret! There is STILL a way for you to benefit from immersion. Click on the pic above to view my latest YouTube video on how to reap the benefits of simulating immersion.

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1/12/2018

My Top 10 Learning Tips

Gleaned from a plethora of language learning tips I've shared on my Instagram account, here is a video of me sharing my top 10 language learning tips. I have used these help me refresh my German when it was starting to wane. I am fluent and am currently using these same principles to refresh my French & Spanish an get back up to speed. Click on the picture above to watch the video.

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1/12/2018

How Learning a Language Gets You More Earning Potential

Picture this: six months from now you’re proficient in another language that allows you to earn more as an employee, a freelancer or an entrepreneur by taking on more projects and adding more contacts to your network. Think this isn’t possible? Think again! According to the Foreign Service Institute, there are 10 languages that native English speakers can master in as little as six months of study, which makes this attainable. In case you’re wondering which 10 languages they are, read the rest of my article on Bauce Magazine here.

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1/11/2018

My First YouTube Video!

I had been receiving suggestions to make an introduction video speaking in the languages I know. So, here is a brief introduction in English, German, Spanglish (yes, Spanish + English), and a really poor attempt in French. Join me in my journey to refresh my Spanish and French as well as help women of the African diaspora improve their lives by gaining access to language oriented opportunities.

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1/11/2018

Practically Free Tuition?

Did you hear about the free tuition for New York residents? I bet you thought to yourself, I sure wish I could get a degree for free? I mean, who doesn’t want to be awarded a degree without a hefty student loan to pay in the end?​

What if I told you that it was possible to complete undergraduate, graduate and even doctoral studies without racking up thousands in student loan debt? Practically for free? Would you be willing to sign up? If so, read the rest of my article on Bauce Magazine here.

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1/11/2018

Teaching English In China

How This Linguista Teaches English in China

BGLL: Thanks so much Myrna for agreeing to share your story and tips for those who wish to teach English abroad. 

Myrna: Thank you for asking to feature me. I'm so honored!

BGLL: So, tell us more about yourself. What languages do you currently speak?

Myrna: My name is Myrna Joseph and I am from NYC. I am Haitian and Dominican. I speak English and understand Haitian-Creole. I have a BA in the Arts from Queens College. Currently working as an ESL teacher in China but hoping to go to other countries.
 

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1/11/2018

3 Things You Should Have Learned (But Probably Didn't) in A Foreign Language

Whenever anyone decides to start learning a language, there are always certain topics that most people take specific interest in: learning curse words, how to flirt and or use slang to sound cool (am I lying?). That’s all well and good, but how far will those get you when you are trying to haggle or tell a doctor that something hurts? They won’t take you very far, but knowing how to do these 3 things will:

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1/11/2018

How To Create A Study Plan For Language Exams

I have always been a great test taker and usually pass all the tests that I prepare for. Even a lot of the ones I don’t prepare for. As a Virgo, I’m a natural perfectionist, an analytical organizer and a planner by nature. So I thought I would share how I create a study plan that has always worked for me. This study plan is specifically for language exams that don’t require completed coursework as a prerequisite for taking the test. If you use this process to establish a study plan and stick to it, you should be successful in your test taking endeavors.
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1/11/2018

Young, Gifted & Black: Meet Gabrielle

Meet Gabrielle, an Afro-Boricua that’s making a difference in the world. She is originally from New York City, but has recently relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Her native languages are English and Spanish. She also studied French in college and still understands it. She knows some Bengali as a result of the time she spent in West Bengal, India.

This Cum Laude BA recipient uses her English degree to teach English as foreign language, giving her students the tools they need to achieve their professional, academic or personal goals. She also fought for a more diverse work environment at one of her previous employers by speaking up to the founder of the organization

After months of racist microagressions, she finally stood up for herself against her coworkers and informed them that their discriminatory and racist comments were creating hostile work environment.

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1/11/2018

The Young, Gifted & Black Series

Oh, to be young, gifted AND black. In the words of Nina Simone, “In the whole world you know, there are a billion boys and girls who are young, gifted and black, and that’s a fact!”.

Nina didn’t lie. Now, while “youth” is relative (I don’t care what anyone says, I’m still YOUNG), there are so many of us who are gifted and black AND killing it. The fact that we aren’t bombarded with these images disturb me. How can we stay motivated, inspired and encouraged, if we don’t see images of ourselves being successful?

This is why I’ve started this Young, Gifted & Black Series, where weekly I will share with you real life she-roes who are young, gifted and black. #BlackGirlMagic at its finest!

Meet Rayna Edwards, a linguist in every sense of the word. She speaks English, Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, Arabic and intermediate French.

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1/11/2018

How This Digital Strategist Learned Spanish

Q: What do you call someone who only speaks one language? 
A: An American!

I remember hearing this joke when I was a teenager and thinking, “I’ll show them.” At the time, English was the only language that I knew (it is my native language). Hearing this joke combined with my desire to effectively communicate with my Latino friends, put me on the path to wanting to learn Spanish.

However, having the desire to learn Spanish and actually learning Spanish are two different things. Learning a language can be difficult. Spanish has been on my bucket list for years. I took it in high school. I even made it all the way up to the Honors class level, which is the highest level you can attain in an American high school, but I don’t consider this achievement to be a success. Why? I could barely speak the language!

Read more about her language learning journey here.

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1/11/2018

How I Got Started

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Everyone has a language learning story full of trials and tribulations...and even some funny stuff. Here's mine:

I was exposed to languages from an early age. Being from New York City, languages are everywhere. From the Spanish I heard in the Bodegas to the Kreyol I heard from the parents of some of the kids I played with, to the multilingual advertisements on the trains. I somehow felt an affinity for learning Spanish really early and seemed to grasp the accent very well. I was taught basic Spanish in elementary school and it stuck with me. I continued to pick up more Spanish even though I wasn't formally studying it. I was even able to use Spanish at one of my previous jobs to talk to customers. I resumed Spanish studies in university and am currently practicing and preparing for the DELE Spanish language exam. I plan on documenting my journey to B2/C1 and having you all join me! 

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