Classes on the Big Screen

Will the classrooms of the future be the screen in front of you? Will you attend class from your laptop or tablet? How will this effect student interaction and participation?

Some aspects of technology are helping us to grow and develop, however, does that mean some of the old methods still are not just as valid?

Check out the BBC's view of the future of classrooms. Where will the future classroom find you?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15722194

Teaching of the Future

The tools for learning are changing and teachers are changing with them. Now learning does not just come from lectures and books. Now we can connect and visually be in other parts of the world. What will the classrooms of the future look like? How will tablets, laptops, cellphones, podcasts and all the other new innovations change how we learn?

Check out this article about the shift in teaching methods of the future. Which ones do you think will happen soonest?

http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/11/five-big-changes-to-the-future-of-teacher-education/

No matter how we learn, languages can use practice. Practice a language with one of Praxis's qualified language instructors!

Willpower

Willpower is the power to say yes or no. The power to keep going when others quit or give up. What makes some people have more willpower than others? Think your willpower is what it is?

Well some scientists think that you can exercise willpower just like any other muscle in the body. Read their opinion on willpower. Do you agree?

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2011/11/07/how-willpower-works/XlOvEG4FipvZ8vM8VUNBpK/story.html

How will you strengthen your willpower? Let Praxis International help!

Does Any of it Make Any Sense?

Science Daily has an interesting article addressing how we make sense of things we encounter. Why are some things easy to understand? And other things you continue to struggle with? What makes some people able to understand languages or numbers easier than others?

Well this article talks a bit about some people looking to address these questions.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111120134821.htm

Do you think things makes sense just because of our nerve cells? If so how can we take care of them better?

Constructive Criticism

Sure it sounds like it should be helpful. However, often times constructive criticism can cause defensiveness and rifts in relationships.

The problem is that it can also be essential for helping us to grow and develop as professionals.

Therefore when giving and receiving constructive criticism it's important to keep some important rules in mind.

This article from the Harvard Business Review addresses some of these important aspects.

http://blogs.hbr.org/schwartz/2011/11/theres-no-such-thing-as-constr.html

Someone criticize something your office could do better. Need consultants to help? Contact Praxis International we can connect you with the right people!

Need a Fun Writing Prompt Excerise?

This website has just the task for you. Spice up your short story writing skills with this fun and creative task. All you need is your writing utensils and a dictionary! Sit down with a friend and see the different stories you both come up with!

http://www.my-creativeteam.com/blog/creativity-boost-3-dictionary-excursion/

Need to improve your writing skills or want some help with business translations>? Contact Praxis International we have the people you need!

Encyclopedia of Philosophy

There have been hundreds of philosophers over time. However, how do you keep track of them all? Now you can check them out on the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Look up a philosophy or philosopher and refresh your memory on some of the greatest ideas of all time. From Nihilism to Nietzsche you can get the answers you need regarding the philosophies on your mind.

www.iep.utm.edu/

Liven up your next party and start a philosophical debate! See where it leads you, maybe you'll be the next entry in the encyclopedia.

Exams

We have all had to take exams. Sometimes during an exam we don't always know the answer. In many of these cases we guess.

This website shows a list of creative answers to questions where people didn't know the answer.

Have a good laugh and check out some of these responses.

http://funnyexam.com/answers/popular/36398-complete-exam-like-a-boss

Don't want to have to guess?

No worries, contact Praxis International we can help you with all your language needs.

Sentence Length

How many words do you need in a sentence? Are short sentences better than long sentences?

Here is a fun article that shows you the importance of diversifying your sentence length in order to engage the reader.

www.robmacdougall.org/blog/2010/09/this-sentence-has-five-words/

What do you learn from this paragraph of sentence length? Do you know how to write effective sentences?

Let Praxis help you improve your writing skills!

Anagrams

What is an anagram?

It is a word or phrase formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase. Many famous names and expressions come from Anagrams.

You may just be surprised the anagrams that can be produced!

Check out this website that allows you to play with and create your own Anagrams.
 www.wordsmith.org/anagram/
 What will you create next?

Telephone Greetings

Now we answer with Hello, Hi, Hey, What's up?, or the more formal: "This is so and so speaking"

However, what about the original telephone greetings?

Ever wonder what people used to say back in those days?

This article addresses the original preferred way to answer the phone. What do you think of it?

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/10/saying-ahoy-hoy-was-at-one-time-the-preferred-way-to-answer-the-phone/

Interested in improving your telephone skills in a language? Contact Praxis International, we can help you reach your goals!

Color Idioms In Different Languages - A project by Alan Kennedy

Idioms, can be tricky and they are there in any language.

Most languages have some kind of idiom dealing with a color.
Alan Kennedy did some research to collect some of these idioms in different langauges.
See how different languages use color to express a thought and idea.
Are the colors used the same in your langauge as in other languages?

http://www.starchamber.com/colors/color-idioms.html

Let Praxis International help you sort out the language colors in your life. Contact us today!

11 Things the Wealthiest Americans Can Buy for the U.S.

It's all over the news. The gap between the rich and the poor is widening. Maybe you didn't know how much. Look at the difference some of the funding of the world's richest could make in the US for those with less. Imagine how it is around the world.

 

http://faireconomy.org/node/1765

Writer's Block Got You Down?

There are many reasons for writer's block, but no matter what the reason it leaves the writer frustrated. However, here are some helpful assessments of the ten most common forms of writer's blocks. 

 

These are followed by some superhero style forms of overcoming them. 

http://io9.com/5844988/

 

 

 

Writer's block or translation problems?  Let Praxis International help you!

50 Problem Words and Phrases

Not just non-native speakers have problems with English. There are confusing words for native speakers as well. What's the difference between forgo and forego? Why do you sometimes use a while and other times awhile?

Here is a close up look at how to use some of these tricky words and phrases. Maybe in the future you will know the answer for these tricky questions in the English language.

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/50-problem-words-and-phrases/

Need help gaining fluency? No problem talk to Praxis International!

Typography

Typography is art made from text. Check out some of this amazing typography. Think of how important not just how you say words are, but how you display them. 


Ways of communication are developing and changing daily. Are you keeping up with the times? 

http://blog.reflexstock.com/2010/08/50-extremely-awesome-examples-of-typography/

Want to develop your language skills or business communication skills? Contact Praxis International for information on courses!

Improve Your Writing Skills

Everyone can always strive to improve their writing skills, whether it's in their own language or another language. 


This article on Becoming a Better Writer lists 25 tips from famous writers on writing. See if any of them are helpful in improving your writing skills.

the99percent.com/tips/7082/25-Insights-on-Becoming-a-Better-Writer


Need help on translations, or learning to write better in a second language? Contact Praxis today and we can arrange the writing support you need. 

Fifteen Thousand Useful Phrases

Now we find everything on the internet, even full books at times. Take advantage of these resources on the internet. For example, Greenville Kleiser has a book Fifteen Thousand Useful Phrases, and sure you probably won't sit down to read the whole book. However, why not flip forward to use Impressive Phrases in your next job interview or presentation?




http://www.globusz.com/ebooks/UsefulPhrases/

Need more resources? Praxis International has a wealth of resources. Contact us today to see how we can help you. 

Just One Word Gets you Started

Need a writing stimulus?

Check out one word, whether your just looking for a topic for some creative writing or a fun way to practice your language skills, oneword can be a great resource. 

It will offer you a random word to write on. See where your writing takes you! Write with a friend to see how you both develop different thought processes from the same idea. http://oneword.com/