Posted on by Ulrike and Peter Rettig

Swiss German Dialects: A Real Challenge for German Learners

Swiss Language MapUnderstanding Swiss German dialects is a real challenge for German learners. But they are not alone: Even German natives often have great difficulties with some Swiss German dialects.

When traveling in Switzerland, hearing different languages spoken is just part of the experience. Sitting in a café, riding on a tram, going by train, standing in a chairlift line, walking in the countryside - you're bound to hear people speak Swiss German with each other.

Swiss German

As you can also see on the map above, the (Swiss) German Cantons occupy the largest region of Switzerland.

But why are Swiss German dialects such a big challenge for German  learners? There are a few reasons.

When we say “Swiss German”, we are not referring to a unified language. As they grow up, Swiss Germans learn to speak different versions of the Alemannic German dialect, depending on the region in Switzerland they live in. Only when they start kindergarten or school are they exposed to "standard" and written German. One could therefore argue that all Swiss Germans grow up bilingually.

Any of the Swiss German dialects differ from standard High German in sound (phonology), grammar and vocabulary. Because of the different sound systems, people from northern Germany do not easily understand Swiss German.

Swiss German for "Enjoy your meal"There is also no standard written Swiss German. In writing, Swiss Germans use their dialect mostly just for some informal communication, sometimes in emails, text messages, on social media, occasionally in personal letters etc. The words are then written phonetically, just the way they are said.
The sign left we saw at a restaurant wishes "Guten Appetit" (Enjoy your meal). People also say it to each other before a meal.
In all official and business communication, standard German ("Schriftdeutsch" i.e. written German) is used.

But Swiss Germans from different regions in Switzerland (and some Austrians, e.g. from Vorarlberg, who also speak an Alemannic dialect) do mostly understand each other, maybe with the exception of some remote mountain dialects.

Four Swiss German Dialects

We've chosen 4 Swiss German dialects to look at: Baseldytsch (Basel German), Züritüütsch (Zurich German), Bärndütsch (Bern German), Wallisertiitsch (Valais German).

To simplify: Swiss German dialects range from Low Alemannic, to High Alemannic, and to Highest Alemannic, with Low, High, and Highest referring to the geography of Switzerland.

Low Alemannic is spoken in the northernmost parts of Switzerland, which include the city of Basel.

High Alemannic is spoken spoken on the Central Plateau, an often hilly stretch of land that extends between the Jura mountains (south of Basel) and the Alps. Both cities of Bern and Zurich are located on the Swiss Plateau.

Highest Alemannic is spoken in the alpine regions of Switzerland, which include the Canton of Valais.

A Sample

Remember, there is no standardized spelling of Swiss dialects. In the examples below, you'll hear how this typical conversational exchange sounds in the four different regions. There are some differences in the sounds, but listen especially to the music (intonation) of each phrase. 
(See the German translation in parenthesis. Please note: The spelling of the dialect reflects what we as German speakers hear. If you have other suggestions, please write us.)

"How are you?" (Wie geht es Ihnen?)
"I am fine, thanks. And how are you?" (Gut, danke. Und wie geht es Ihnen?)

Basel(Stadt) dytsch - Basel German

Wie gahts ihne?
Danke guet. En wie gahts ihne?

Züritüütsch - Zurich German

Wie gahts inne?
Tancke guat. En wie gahts inne?

Bärndütsch - Bern German

Wie geits aich?
Danke gut. An wie geits aich?

Wallisertiitsch - Valais German

Wie gaits eiwe?
Danke güet. En wie gaits eiwe?

Worried about getting the sound right? If you're greeted when you enter a shop, for example with the universal Swiss ”Grüezi“, it may be best for you to just echo the greeting back.

Swiss German Sign in Fribourg, SwitzerlandOur visits to Switzerland have been mostly to the bilingual city Fribourg, which straddles a language border between French and the Swiss German. To find out more about bilingualism in Fribourg, click on the  article by Antilia Wyss HERE.

Can you decipher this sign in the "Hochzeitergasse" (Bridal Couple Lane) in Fribourg? (A hint: It is not politically correct...!)

We've also gone many times to the Berner Oberland to ski. Read about our Bärndütsch language lessons in Gstaad.

How Many Swiss German Dialects Are There Really?

Hard to count. One YouTube video presents 23 different Swiss German dialects. There is also an iOS app that's called Diäläkt App, where Swiss Germans can record local words and find out what region(s) they come from. You can listen to various examples. One could also say that each village has its own dialect that people continue to use.

Why Are There So Many Swiss German Dialects?

A brief summary helps to understand why: "The need for a standardized German written language came up in early 15th century at the time of the Reformation. There were practical reasons behind it: The Bible, later also newspapers, works of literature, political declarations, etc. should be read and understood by all. It would have been impossible to translate these into the various dialects.

Most Germans accepted the written language also as the basis of its spoken form. However, Swiss people did not. To this day, they have continued to use their dialects in private and business conversations, even in schools and universities."
(The above is a translation of a paragraph from this Switzerlandical blog post.)

To listen to four different dialects: Basel, Zurich, St. Gallen (a city in the east of Switzerland) and Bern, click HERE.
If you're a tennis lover, you'll recognize Roger Federer in the interview on the video clip: He speaks the Basel city dialect.

German in Switzerland by Numbers

German is the sole official language in 17 (out of 26) Swiss cantons; French and German are co-official in 3 cantons. In 2020, 62.3% of the population of Switzerland were native speakers of German (either Swiss German or Standard German at home), 22.8% French (mostly Swiss French); 8% Italian; and 0.5% Romansh. From Wikipedia: Languages of Switzerland.  

Lessons and Courses

If you're moving to the Swiss German part of Switzerland, you may want to take lessons and learn a particular dialect. You can search for YouTube lessons. There are also a couple of iOS apps:
- "Grüezi Switzerland" - a travel app with many practical phrases and sentences in 19 different Swiss German dialects;
- "Swiss German: with Kathrin Erni" - with live lessons videos and flash cards;
- "Swiss Words by Philipp Egli" - a vocabulary app with audio.

All others might enjoy finding out a little more about the dialects, and try out a few of the expressions.

Disclosure: The audio for the dialect versions of of the phrases "Wie geht es Ihnen?" and "Gut, danke. Und wie geht es Ihnen?" are taken from the iOS travel app "Grüezi Switzerland". On the app you can find the audio of a large number of sentences and phrases in 19 different Swiss dialects. We have no relationship with the "Grüezi Switzerland" app, or any of the other apps mentioned above.

Bio: Ulrike & Peter Rettig are co-founders of Gamesforlanguage.com. They are lifelong language learners, growing up in several European countries before moving to Canada and the United States. You can follow them on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

Posted on by Ulrike Rettig

8 Quick Language Games popular with Schools

Gamesforlanguage Screenshot - Spanish NumbersOur Quick Language Games have become popular with schools. Why? Our games are for beginning and elementary learners (Levels A1 and A2).
Each game takes about 3 to 5 minutes to play, teaches easy vocabulary, and, like the Spanish language game in the image, includes fun exercises such as Word Invaders.
Also, our site is completely free, doesn't bother you with ads, and you can play without registering.
Sometimes we're surprised which games are played the most.

But before we dive into the Quick Language Games that have been most popular recently, you might wonder:

WHY GAMESFORLANGUAGE?

Gamesforlanguage Home screenshotWhy are we doing this? As lifelong language learners, we started GamesforLanguage - Language Games, Travel Story Courses, Blog - as a way of staying in touch with the languages we speak, and of course to learn new ones.

Peter had learned French and English by living abroad after finishing high school. He was now eager to add Italian and Spanish. Currently he is working on his Dutch.

I had grown up in Austria, the Netherlands, and Canada. My work background was language teaching to college students. I taught German to English speakers, and English to German speakers.

During my teaching career, I was trained to use various methods, which included the traditional Grammar-Translation method (learning rules and vocabulary to translate); the Audio-Lingual method (pattern drills, with focus on speaking and listening); and the Direct method (using only the target language for conversations, reading aloud, and writing). I also worked freelance for Pimsleur International as author and editor.

For my own language learning, I've always liked audio and direct immersion the most. I was thrilled when audio courses became easily available, first on CDs, then directly on the Internet.

For both of us, GamesforLanguage became a perfect interactive-learning project. It's been a great way to try things out and we've enjoyed becoming part of an international language learning/teaching community.

We've been lucky to find great collaborators: native speakers to write our courses and record the audio. All of the Quick Language Games we add ourselves, using the vocabulary and audio recordings of our courses. The increasing interest in our Quick Games motivates us to keep adding more of them.

TOP GAMES IN RECENT MONTHS

Note: Most of our games are a sequence of "Memory" "Word Shoot" "Flash Cards" and "Word Invaders".

Quick French Games

Gamesforlanguage Screenshot - The CityThe City

Level A1. Learn and practice 8 city-related nouns and put together 6 easy phrases that require agreement or the correct preposition. For example: "sur le pont d'Avignon" (on the Avignon bridge); "la vieille ville" (the old town).

Gamesforlanguage Screenshot: Passé Composé with AvoirPassé Composé with "avoir"

Level A2. Learn and practice the forms of the Passé Composé with the auxiliary, or helping verb, "avoir". [The Passé Composé is used for an action or event that was completed in the past.] You're then challenged to put together a few simple sentences using basic vocabulary. For example: "Ils ont fait une promenade" (They took a walk); "Nous avons acheté une maison" (We bought a house).

You'll find more about French Quick Games in 5 Easy French Language Games or find all of them on our French Quick Games Page.

Quick Spanish Games

Gamesforlanguage Screenshot - Spanish "ir""Ir" Present Tense

Level A1. Learn and practice the individual present tense verb forms of the irregular Spanish verb "ir" (to go). Then put them into the context of short and easy sentences, such as "¿Ustedes van al concierto mañana?" (Are you going to the concert tomorrow?); "Ellos van a la estación" (They're going to the station).

Gamesforlanguage Screenshot - Spanish "tener""Tener", Present Tense

Level A2. Practice the present tense verb forms of the irregular Spanish verb for "to have". Then, using basic vocabulary - such as "el libro", el tiempo", "la pregunta", los "euros" - you'll put together easy sentences. For example: "Él tiene todos mis libros" (He has all my books); "Tenemos mucho tiempo" (We have a lot of time).

More about Spanish Quick games in 7 Easy Spanish Languages Games or all of them on our Spanish Quick Games Page.

Quick German Games

Gamesforlanguage Screenshot - German "müssen""Müssen", Present Tense

Level A1. Practice the present tense forms of the modal, or helping verb, "müssen" (must, to have to). Then put together simple sentences, which will help you figure out German word order. In German, a modal verb goes in second position in a statement, and in first position in a question.  Examples: "Sie müssen warten" (They have to wait); "Muss ich umsteigen?" (Do I have to transfer/change trains?). If there's  a "dependent infinitive", it then goes to the end: "Sie muss das Buch finden". (English: She must find the book").

Gamesforlanguage Screenshot - German modal verb "können"Modal Verb "können"

Level A2. With he modal verb "können" (can/to be able), you can express an ability or a possibility. Learn and practice the present, past, and conditional forms of "können" (can/to be able) and form simple sentences. They'll also help you practice German word order: "Ich könnte dich morgen treffen" (I could meet you tomorrow); "Ich konnte dich gestern nicht anrufen" (I couldn't call you yesterday).

More about German Language Games you'll find on 6 Easy German Language Games for Fun Learning or all of them on our German Quick Games Page.

Quick Italian Games

Gamesforlanguage Screenshot - Italian Question Words8 Question Words

Level A1. Question words are basic tools for communicating, and picking the right one helps you to get your message across. You'll practice distinguishing between the Italian for where?, when?, how much?, which?, who?, how?, why?, and three forms for what? Finally, you'll hear and then put together simple sentences, such as: "Come è andato il viaggio?" (How did the trip to?); "Quando parte il prossimo treno?" (When does the next train leave?)

Gamesforlanguage Screenshot - Italian numbersNumbers 1 to 20.

Level A1. With this interactive Italian numbers game you can learn the numbers 1-20 in Italian.  Part of the practice are a few simple additions, such as: "Uno più quattro fa ... " (1+4= ...); "Sette più otto fa ..." (7+8 = ...).

Another post may interest you: 5 Easy Italian Language Games, and you'll find all of our Italian Games on our Italian Quick Language Games page.

LEARNING WITH OUR GAMES

FOCUS: We learn best when we really focus all of our attention on what we're doing. The games are short, only 2 to 5 minutes. The audio you'll hear is in the target language only. And so, paying full attention is not difficult.

LIMITED VOCABULARY: As a beginner, it's hard to keep too many new vocabulary items in your memory at the same time. If you just focus on a few, they'll stick better.

PRONUNCIATION: By repeating words and phrases right after the native speaker, you practice producing sounds that may not exist in your native language. It takes focused practice to get those right.

LISTENING: The skill of "listening comprehension" in a new language may be the hardest to learn, especially if native speakers rattle on as they normally do. The best way to build listening comprehension is from the ground up: become familiar with the sounds of frequently-used words so that you can start picking them out of easy conversations.

GRAMMAR: Our brains intuitively look for patterns, and that's what grammar is. Learning abstract rules can be a chore. A better way is to make sound combinations and grammar patterns intuitive, something that a language game can help you with.

FLUENCY? No program alone can make you fluent. For that you need direct and frequent interaction with other speakers. But basic listening and speaking practice - as with language games - can help you build a good foundation.

Our games make a fun resource for beginning and elementary learners and can act as a springboard to new language adventures. A journey to language fluency takes time, persistence, and patience. And it should be fun too.

Posted on by Peter Rettig

Inflation Worries - German Hyperinflation and 50 Milliarden Mark Stamps

1-5 Millions stamps during German HyperinflationSince 2021, the word "inflation" has become a topic of conversations, opinions and forecasts in the US, Europe and other countries.
And so, questions by my sons and grandchildren about the German hyperinflation made me look for our German stamp collection from that time.
My grandfather, and my father as a young boy, had put it together in the early 1920s. Some of the numbers on those stamps truly boggle your mind.

The US Experience

Let's first look at what's happening here. For the younger generation in the US, “inflation” is a term that they know. But they have started only recently to experience its effects themselves.

We've all now noticed that many goods have become more expensive over a short time. Indeed, only after 2020 did the US annual inflation rate move above the 5%, something we had seen in the seventies and eighties and then again, briefly, in 2008.
The chart below shows the spike around 1980, which was close to 14%, and then the more recent jump in 2020.

US Inflation rate  and Annual change 1960-2020

Source:https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/USA/united-states/inflation-rate-cpi

The Chart below shows the 12 month Change of the Consumer Price index for selected categories for the last 20 years by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Note also the spike and decline after the “Great Recession” 2007/8)

Consumer Price Index Chnage by US Bureau of Labor Statistics

(After spiking to 9.1% in June 2022, the annual inflation rate for the United States has leveled off to 6.5% for the 12 months ended December 2022, according to U.S. Labor Department data published Jan. 12, 2023.)

The fear of inflation had some worried last year that the US might follow other countries with double-digit inflation rates. Or that the US might even head towards a so-called “hyperinflation”, which Germany experienced during the early 1920s.

These fears were and still are clearly unwarranted, especially when one understands the specific reasons that caused the German hyperinflation.

German Hyperinflation

Germany's currency had already started to lose its value at the beginning of the war in 1914: In order to pay for its costs, the Reichsbank suspended the paper Mark's convertibility to gold.  After having lost the war in 1918, Germany was obligated to make substantial reparation payments in "Goldmark" or hard currency.

Therefore the Reichsbank attempted to buy foreign currency on the international market with German paper money. When the first reparation installment was due on June 1 1921, the value of the German Mark had fallen from 48 paper Marks per 1 US Dollar (late 2019) to 330 paper Marks per 1 US Dollar.

Germany failed to make another agreed-upon installment payment by the end of 1922. To ensure reparation payments, French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr Valley, an area that was heavily industrialized, in January 1923.

A weak German government, more afraid of Communists and unemployment, but also cognizant of the public outrage about the occupation, encouraged its own workers to engage in “passive resistance” and, through the labor unions, called a general strike.

The only way for the Treasury to make good on the government's promise and pay the wages for the +/- 2 million workers and civil servants on the Ruhr Valley was to turn on the money printing presses.

As aValue of one gold Mark in paper Marks result, Germany was soon swamped with paper money, chasing a limited supply of goods.
Moreover, as money started to lose its value, people started to buy anything they could, especially, if they could barter with it. Speculation as well as hoarding of food and goods became rampant, initiating a vicious cycle: Germany's  economy slid from inflation to hyperinflation.
(Not coincidentally, Hitler's failed "Beer Hall Putsch" in Munich occurred November 8/9, 1923 at the peak of the inflation and national misery.)

The Wiki chart left shows how German's paper currency inflation started slowly after 1918, accelerated during 1921/22, then really took off after the occupation of the Ruhr Valley in January 1923.

(You can read more about the German Hyperinflation in this Wiki entry, and in this PBS essay, or specifically about the Ruhr Occupation.)

The US Inflation Experience since 2002

Back to the US: While much has been written about the Federal Reserve also turning on “the printing presses” especially after the 2008 Great Recession, the Bureau of Labor Statistics chart above shows that inflation in the US did not really become an issue again until the Covid Pandemic in 2020.

The stock market (even more than real estate prices) clearly benefited from the “easy money” after 2008. The chart below shows the changes in both the S&P 500 and the Case-Shiller Home Price Index over the last 50 years.
50 year changes of S&P 500 vs Case-Shiller Home Price index

Courtesy of Longtermtrends.net (https://www.longtermtrends.net/stocks-to-real-estate-ratio/)

There are many explanations why the US did not experience more of a currency inflation that many had predicted. But this would be the topic of another post.

Our Hyperinflation Stamp collection

Here are some images of our family “heirloom”, a stamp album titled:

“Eine Sammlung von Viererblocks aus der Zeit der Deutschen Inflation”
(A collection of blocks of four from the time of the German inflation)

Block of 4 stamps for 50 Milliard marksThe stamp album starts off with what is likely the highest denomination of any stamp in history:

A block of four (4) stamps, each with a 50 Milliarden Mark “value”.

It was issued in November 1923, shortly before the end of the German hyperinflation.

(Also note, as explained below: 1 German "Milliarde" = 1 US Billion!)

German Ruhrhilfe stamps


Even as stamp values started to increase they still showed German landmarks, or original designs, e.g. German workers, etc.


Overprinted stamps during German hyperinflation


But soon stamps lost any originality and their values were changed by simply overprinting.



Milliarden stamps during German hyperinflation


And the values started to increase ever more rapidly, until by the end of 1923 we had reached the Milliarden (billions) denomination.

 


Billions vs Milliarden

By November 1923, one US Dollar was worth 4,210,500,000,000 German paper Marks. If you have trouble figuring what to call this number, you are not alone.
English speakers would call it “4 trillions and 210.5 billions”, while German speakers would say “4 Billion and 210.5 Milliarden”.
It is confusing that the English “billion” is the same as the German “Milliarde”, and that the English “trillion” is the same as the German “Billion”.
The English “billion” is:
                                     in French: “milliard”
                                     in Italian: “miliardo”
                                     in Spanish: “mil millones”.
                                 
So, talking about "inflation" with our young families has been interesting, both as a way of understanding the present economy, and looking at some family history using fascinating family documents.

How did the German Hyperinflation end?

The Wiki entry Hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic, mentioned above, describes the end quite well.
Key was the introduction of a new currency, the “Rentenmark”, whose value was backed by bonds that were indexed to the price of gold.
This monetary reform took place towards the end of 1923. By August 1924 the new monetary law allowed the exchange of a 1-trillion paper mark for one (1) Rentenmark, or one (1) “Reichsmark”.
More complicated were the laws and rules that determined how creditors were to be compensated for the catastrophic reduction in the value of debts. This included mortgages, bonds and other debt instruments that were reinstated at various rates.
It led to many corporate bankruptcies, court challenges, negotiations with many stake holders, etc., but in the end the government's actions proved successful.
The ills of hyperinflation are still part Germany's national memory. They also explain Germany's insistence on fiscal prudence and restraint.

Bio: Peter Rettig is the co-founder of Gamesforlanguage.com. He's a lifelong language learner, growing up in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. You can follow him on FacebookTwitter and Instagram, and leave any comments with contact.

Posted on by Ulrike Rettig

Think in Italian - Updated Review

Logo Think in ItalianSince our last review of "Think in Italian" (11/2020), Stefano has made a number of changes that enhance his focus on speaking, which - we fully agree with him - "is the most overlooked skill in language apps".

Stefano Lodola is an Italian polyglot, language teacher and translator, who speaks 12 languages. And he's an opera singer with a wonderful voice, as you'll hear in the audio.

Think in Italian's lessons are based on a simple wisdom:
1. We all learn a language by listening and mimicking.
2. We acquire language through context.
3. We best learn grammar through examples, not rules.

THINK IN ITALIAN OFFERS TWO SETS OF LESSONS

1. Italian audio course "Ripeti con me" (Repeat after me).

The audio course now has 250 lessons ranging from Beginner to Advanced. Spaced repetition helps you acquire vocabulary and grammar patterns easily.

Once you've chosen your level, you'll find lots of material that you'll understand just well enough - "comprehensible input" - to really stretch your skills.

Stefano has added a search field to look up words and see how they are used throughout the course. It functions like a contextual dictionary of the words and phrases in the course.

Click HERE for our detailed description of the lesson format, which continues to be simple and effective. Stefano calls the format "minimalist". There's no fluff, no flying owls, no fanfares, etc.

2. Short Italian Readings with audio "Leggi con me" (Read with me).

This is a collection of 600+ stories, news pieces, conversations, jokes and songs. The latter two are a new addition.

The various readings are sorted by level and come with audio, an Italian transcript, and an English translation. A new "Total Beginner'" level now makes entry into Italian real-world materials easier.

Short Stories

These are read in a slow but natural pace and are an painless way to grow your vocabulary. They also train you to guess meaning from context, similar to an immersion situation.

News

The brief News pieces expose you to vocabulary and grammar that is different from conversational language. They prepare you to understand and talk about local and global events.

Conversations

The Conversations are an easy way to build your conversational skills and confidence.

Becoming fluent in everyday conversations in Italian requires that you understand and are able to use those extra little filler words (beh, boh, allora, dai, tipo, cioè, insomma, etc) that act as conversational bridges, and sounds (mmh, ehm, uhm) that signal hesitation or a reaction.

Jokes

Understanding jokes in a foreign language requires a fair amount of sophistication. So, getting a little jokes training is not a bad thing.

Songs

You many have experienced that songs are an enjoyable way to sharpen your pronunciation, and to learn vocabulary and common grammar patterns. Italian is a perfect language for that.

Click HERE a more detailed description of the readings - minus the jokes and songs.

USER DASHBOARD

On your personalized dashboard (login required), you'll be able to see what lessons or readings you've done. You can also bookmark any content you'd like to add.

Setting your level on your dashboard, affects what lessons you see and readings you receive every week.

Also, you can quickly check your account, as well as access any free resources.

COMPLEMENTARY RESOURCES

A host of resources are available on Stefano's website as well as his YouTube channel. On the site, click the Tab "Free Resources". There you'll find:

• Study tips: Featured articles with my best tips.
• Italian study planner
• Checklist "Overcoming your barriers"
• Ebook "How to learn languages fast"
• Online Italian test
• Italian grammar lessons

PRICING

All the material is available online on the website for a Monthly or Yearly Subscription, or for a One-off Lifetime Membership.

You'll receive his best offers together with the free resources, once you've entered your email in the space under I WANT TO LEARN*.

Think in Italian ScreenshotTo receive a 50% discount on the first month through us, click HERE to go to the form and add your email there. Note: other coupons can apply in addition.

To try the lessons out for yourself, make use of Stefano's free 7-day Trial.

Stefano's courses are more expensive than most language apps, but they are clearly worthwhile for motivated learners who want results.

Live Q&As

This is new. Users can leave comments under the lessons or in the members-only Forum and receive prompt answers. Stefano also does live streams once a month.

LIVE TUTORING

A membership in Think in Italian gives you access to Italian Tutors. Classes are purchased separately.

MY PROGRESS - update coming

I'm currently fluent in 4 languages (German, English, Dutch, and French), and I'm very happy with my progress in Italian.

I've been watching an Italian soap Un Posto al Sole, on raitplay.it, with Italian subtitles. I've also been reading thrillers: Angeli e Demoni (translation of Dan Brown's novel), Ad occhi chiusi (by Gianrico Carofiglio), and La pazienza del ragno (Andrea Camilleri) - only occasionally needing a dictionary.

But speaking fluently in Italian is a different matter. My early practice with the audio course Ripeti con me!, using the first 15 lessons, repeatedly, definitely helped to untie my tongue.
I'll soon be starting another month of learning with "Think in Italian". This time I'll be practicing with later lessons and will write an update.

In my experience, you become fluent in a language only if you engage with it consistently and make an effort to speak frequently. It's great, of course, to have a Italian speaker as a regular conversation partner. Using a good program with lessons corresponding to your level works well as a second choice.

TIP: An excellent way to improve your fluency in a language is "shadowing" a native speaker using an online app or just audio. You can do that by listening to the Italian - spoken sentences, conversations, short stories, news pieces - and repeating ALOUD what's being said along with the speaker or right after the speaker says it.

Bio: Ulrike Rettig is the co-founder of GamesforLanguage.com. She's a lifelong language learner, growing up in Austria, the Netherlands, and Canada. You can follow her on Facebook,  Twitter  and Instagram, and leave any comments right here below!

Disclosure: "Think in Italian" is one of our partner sites. If you use the 'click HERE' link under PRICING, you'll receive a 50% discount on your first month's subscription. Gamesforlanguage will receive a small commission, which helps us keep our site free of Google ads and other advertisements. As an affiliate, we were given a one month of full access to what is now "Think in Italian".

Posted on by Ulrike Rettig

Trivia Quizzes for Language Learning?

Invitation to take a QuizHave you ever thought that Trivia Quizzes could spice up your language learning? Indeed, when you're no longer a beginner, Trivia Quizzes can be a fun way to boost your language skills.

When our Boston-born sons were growing up, we often played the German equivalent of the board game "Trivial Pursuit" - all in German. In German, it was called "Spiel des Wissens" (Game of Knowledge).

For playing this board game, we used set phrases: "Du bist dran." (It's your turn.); "Welche Kategorie?" (Which category?), etc. Then the dice was rolled and the question was read aloud. We all had fun, learned something new, and they were clearly building their German skills.

Trivia games, in many languages, are now all over the internet. They are a huge language learning resource. Such trivia games are sometimes made for school children in their language or for companies as a brand recognition vehicle. And these don't provide translations.

But that means, playing such trivia quizzes will immerse you in your target language. You have to figure out the meaning of words from the context of the question and choose the right, or at least most probable, answer.

Why play trivia quizzes? A good response is that such quizzes challenge you to learn general knowledge about a subject, a specific culture, a country, or the world in general.

On the French site listed below (Quizz.fr), it says: "Pour briller en société, il faut savoir argumenter sur tous les sujets. D’où l’importance d’acquérir une bonne culture générale". (To stand out in society, you need the ability to argue about many subjects. That's why it's important to acquire a good foundation in general knowledge.)

What Is Trivia?

A Wikipedia entry traces the word back to the Latin "trivia", plural of trivium (“place where three roads meet”). The term came to be used for any public place, and then for anything commonplace.

The Oxford dictionary defines the word "trivia" as "unimportant matters, details, or information; facts about many subjects that are used in a game to test people's knowledge".

At times the facts asked in a trivia game may be unimportant per se. For example, It may not be essential that you know through how many countries the Rhine flows. The answer is "six", and they are: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, Netherlands.

But, if this question gets you to look at a European map, and perhaps at some point plan a cruise on the Rhine or another European river, the game has had an impact.

Well-designed trivia games can challenge you to think about a wide range of range of subjects: history, geography, science, nature, film, music, literature, etc. And that's not all bad, right?

Playing trivia games in your own language can be hard enough. But when you play trivia quizzes designed for native speakers in another language, you'll find an extra challenge. You have to navigate the language. Plus, what's common knowledge for them may not be common knowledge for you. The bonus? You'll learn interesting things about that country's culture and add to your skills  - as the French put it - to "shine in society"  (“briller en société”).

Some Tips for Playing Trivia Quizzes

Choose the level (easy, medium, hard). If you're playing in a foreign language, kids' quizzes are not a bad place to start.

Choose the content (general culture, music, history, geography, etc.)

Some trivia games are timed. These you'll have to do as quickly as possible. But when you're done, you can usually go over the answers.

Write down some of the words you don't know, and look them up when you're done with the quiz. Then, go back and do the quiz again. It's a good way to recall and review some of the more difficult words and answers you weren't sure about.

A Sample of Trivia Quizzes

Some of the sites I looked at were a little disorganized, hard to navigate, or cluttered by too many disruptive ads. But there are plenty that work well for language learners.

Here are a few free Trivia site suggestions for languages we cover. We are planning to also add a few more Trivia Quizzes on Gamesforlanguage. You'll find the ones we have at the end of each paragraph below.

Bridge in Avignon, FranceFrench Trivia Quizzes

Quizz.fr is a website with free quizzes "for entertainment and education". You can choose among more than two dozen categories featuring "Actualités, Cuisine, Culture générale, Histoire, Geographie, Monde animal, Musique, Sports", etc.
A good quiz category to start with is "Culture générale".
[The site was created by Telemaque a French company that provides mobile solutions.]

Gamesforlanguage: French Language Game: Trivia Quiz.   French Language Game: Paris Quiz.

Cathedral Bell Tower in Seville, SpainSpanish Trivia Quizzes

¿Cuánto sabes sobre España? (How much do you know about Spain?) This is a 16-question quiz, with photos illustrating the questions.

Going to the bottom of the page, you'll also find quizzes about Soccer, Fashion, Spain's beaches, Nature, Spain's beaches, etc.

Note: All quizzes are free, and you can choose to play them in any of 10 other languages, including French, German, Italian, and English.
[The site is presented by The Portal Oficial de Turismo de España.]

Test de Cultura Española.  These are 30 general culture questions in Spanish about Spain you can try your hand at. You're told at the end which ones are right. (Click/Tap on "Comprobar") However, if you've made a mistake, you won't find out the correct answer there. You'll have to search it yourself.
[This quiz page was created by Enforex, a Spanish language institute.]

Gamesforlanguage: Spanish Language Game: Trivia Quiz.   Spanish Language Game: Madrid Quiz.

Bell Tower of Cathedral in Pisa, ItalyItalian Trivia Quizzes

La sai lunga is a free site with a large number of quizzes and tests to play online "to learn, have fun, and keep your mind active and agile".

The main quiz categories are: Geografia, Letteratura, Cultura generale, Scienze, and for each quiz you see the level: Facile (green), Media (orange), Difficile (red)

At the bottom of the page, you'll find "Il Quiz della settimana" and a few easy and hard quizzes.
[The site was created by a teacher in Italy as an educational resource for schools. You can find out more at Unascuola.it]

Gamesforlanguage: Italian Language Game: Trivia QuizItalian Language Game: Rome Quiz.

Die Zeil, famous shoping streetGerman Trivia Quizzes

Fragespiel - Das Quiz im Internet. On this site, you'll find 40 quiz categories and many of those have questions about general knowledge. But there are also: States of the US, and various categories specifically relating to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

You can also play: Frage des Tages (Question of the day.)

The favorite game of all time is "Hauptstädte Europa Quiz". (Capitals of Europe Quiz).
[The quiz site was developed by BAWS Websolutions.]

Gamesforlanguage: German Language Game: 4 CitiesGerman Language Game: Heidelberg Quiz.

English Trivia Quizzes

All The Trivia. The site contains themed quizzes for children, teens, as well as adults "of all stripes". Categories include: Disney, General, Kids, Movies, Music, Sports, etc.

At the moment, the quizzes are in English only, but in the future Spanish quizzes may be added.

You can also print out a quiz sheet and play it online with family and friends.
[The website is provided by PB International, a global entertainment company.]

Clearly, most Trivia Quizzes in another language are not for beginners. You have to know at least some basic vocabulary to understand the questions.

But - if you're bored with your current language program, need more challenges, or just want to try out something new – Trivia Quizzes in your target language are a great way to add fun and substance to your learning.

Disclosure: We have no relationship with any of the sites or companies mentioned on this blog post, other than Games for Language.

Posted on by Ulrike Rettig

5 Tips to Boost Your Language Listening Skills



GamesforLanguage: Listening SkillsAre you looking for ways to boost your listening comprehension in the foreign language you're learning? Here are 5 ways to try out. They've been part of my language learning routine for quite a while now.

When learning a language, listening comprehension may be the most challenging skill to master. Why not add a little fun and variety to your practice? We all know, if you enjoy something you'll get better at it more easily.

A new language, especially when it's spoken fast, is just a series of incomprehensible sounds, nothing more than gibberish (as we experienced ourselves when we arrived in Rome with little Italian a few years ago).

With time, though, you'll notice that the stream of sounds seems to slow down. You'll start distinguishing individual words, or what the words are that run into each other.

Your goal is to listen and understand without translating. Reaching that moment feels great.

However, getting to that stage takes some practice. And there are clearly steps you can take to help you along.

When I learn a new language, or practice one I want to improve, I first listen and then say out loud what I hear. It's a good way to focus on sound combinations and on the way words blend into each other in a language. The result: I'm more likely to recognize the sound combinations of words when I hear them spoken fast.

1. Use Backward Buildup

As you're starting out: listen and repeat words and phrases until you're familiar with the sound of typical letter clusters and fast word combinations.

I first came across the technique of Backward Buildup while doing a Pimsleur course. It was Russian, a language that has lots of sounds that are different from languages that I know.

In a Pimsleur course you are continually reminded to "repeat aloud" what you hear. This is essential for improving your pronunciation. It's also a great way to become familiar with new sounds.

You can add Backward Buildup when saying any word, phrase, or sentence you find challenging. It's something you can do on your own, with any audio, no matter what program, etc. you are using.

For example, take the French word: lendemain:

• Say the full word "lendemain", even if you just mumble it.
• Say the ending: "-main"
• Add the middle part: "-demain"
• Say the first part: "len-"
• Put it together: "lendemain".

If you're more advanced, you can even do this with a couple of sentences together, breaking them into longer chunks.

2. Write What you Hear

Gamesforlanguage: Listening and writingListen to a phrase or sentence spoken in your target language. (If needed, close your eyes so you don't see the words.) Try to think of the meaning without doing a word-by-word translation. Say the phrase or sentence aloud. Then write it down and check if it's right. At first it may be hard to get it all. But with practice, your listening comprehension will clearly improve.

You can do this kind of dictation practice on your own, using all kinds of different programs.

A good program for dictation practice is Duolingo, which I've been using for Swedish and Portuguese. You're asked to "Write what you hear". When you're done, you can check the answer.

A program like Glossika, which I'm using to improve my spoken French and Spanish, gives you the translation and answer right away. But I close my eyes when listening, and then I say and write down the sentence from memory.

3. Try a Game or a Quiz

time to play clockInteractive games are a fun way to boost your language skills. It's popular to use target-language games in the classroom: Tell me what you see; Build on the Story; I see what you don't see; Quizzes about movies; etc.

But there are also numerous listening games online, using flashcards, matching games, fill the gap, etc. Many of these are for kids.

An online listening game that's fun for teens and adults is Quotey.  The game is particularly clever and versatile. The quotes come from pop culture.

You can set the speed and loudness of the voice, and you play any quote as many times as you want.  To check your understanding, you'll see the English equivalent for each.

There are lots of things you can do with it.
•  On the Quotes Tab: You set the language (one of eleven major languages). Customize the category (TV series, movies, songs). Choose the difficulty (easy or hard). Then guess the quote. To go on, you click on New Quote. If you want, you can also hear that same quote in any of the eleven languages.
• On the Languages Tab: You'll hear a quote, and guess the language it's in.
• On the Accents Tab: You'll hear a quote English, and guess what accent the person has.

(Please note that we have no relationship with Quotey (Quotey McQuoteface) other than having used their free games.
Also, there's no connection of the game Quotey McQuoteface with the Australian game show of the same name.)

4. Watch Films with Subtitles

Commisario MontalbanoTV series or films in your target language are an entertaining way to improve your listening comprehension. In many cases, you can watch a foreign film either on your computer or on TV, and often you'll have a choice which subtitle language to see.

Read the plot ahead of time. This will help you make sense of what's going on. Don't hesitate to replay any of the scenes as often as you want.

There are so many choices! But below are some of the detective series we've enjoyed watching, some of them on MHz, some of them just using a VPN.

• Italian: Il Commissario Montalbano. (An Italian series based on the detective novels of Sicilian author Andrea Camilieri, see image above)).

• French: Murder In ... (A French series of murder mysteries set in various picturesque regions of France).

• Spanish: La Casa del Papel. (A Spanish heist crime drama series mainly filmed in Madrid).

• German: Commissario Brunetti. (A German series based on the crime novels of Donna Leone, and set in Venice). 

5. Listen to Podcasts

Foreign language podcasts have become very popular. Many of them are free, or use the Patreon Membership Platform. Podcasts come is various levels of difficulty and lots of them cover interesting topics. I listen on my phone, often while preparing lunch, going for a walk, etc.

Below are three podcast series I've enjoyed.

Spanish Language Coach: Intermediate Spanish (available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, plus more).

Inner French: Intermediate French Podcast (available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, plus more).

NRC Vandaag: Podcast (Dutch, available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and NRC Audio App. Dutch is a language I learned as a preteen).

Unless you're a total beginner as an online language learner, you've probably discovered that many language-learning apps and online programs let you be quite creative in how you use them. With a little inventiveness, you can figure out all kinds of ways to make listening comprehension more efficient and fun.

We would be amiss if we didn't mention our Gamesforlanguage podcasts which complement our courses. Each podcast contains six lessons of the 36-lesson Travel Story.

If you are more advanced you can also listen to each podcast's Story first. And if you don't understand all of it, you can always brush up on your vocabulary by doing some of the lessons.

There are currently six (6) podcasts for French, Italian, and Spanish, twelve (12) for German, and one (1) for Inglés.

If you have trouble finding a podcast for the language you are learning, drop us a note at and we'll try to help.

Posted on by Ulrike Rettig

6 Easy German Language Games for Fun Learning

Gamesforlanguage Writing ClownsHave you started to learn some German?

Here are 6 Easy German Language Games for fun learning AND building your basic German vocabulary. (The image left shows our earlier Writing Clowns Game)

These German Language Games are set up as simple Quizzes.

Each one focuses on 4 to 8 vocabulary items and one related grammar point.

Recall and practice are part of each Quiz. As an added bonus, you'll sharpen your German pronunciation.

You'll hear the key words (nouns, verbs, etc) right at the beginning in the Car Race, without translation. Just focus on listening and repeating each word aloud.

Then you're asked to choose the correct translations.

Please note that you'll have to guess some words from context. Playing a game more than once will certainly help you remember any new vocabulary!

Gamesforlanguage: Car Chase Game8 Nouns

Click on Vocabulary Quiz #1 or on the left image.

In English all nouns have the (definite) article "the". But German has different words for "the", depending on the noun, and how you use it (eg. as subject, object, etc.)

The reason: in German, there are 3 grammatical genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter.

For example: masculine - der Apfel (the apple); feminine - die Schule (the school); neuter - das Haus (the house).

While the gender of persons, such as “die Mutter” (the mother) and “der Vater” (the father), etc. is obvious in German, the gender for most other nouns seems a little random.

However, don't despair, there are a few rules that can help. Check out 10 Easy Rules to Help Your German.

It's best to learn the article together with the noun, that's what native speakers do automatically when they learn their language.

Nouns that you hear, see or speak a lot, will become automatic for you too.

(You'll see the score when you click the “Continue” arrow.)

Gamesforlanguage Snap Clouds Game8 Regular Verbs

Click on Vocabulary Quiz #2 or on the left image.

For building sentences you need verbs, and in German, verbs have personal endings that you have to know.

In English you say: I do, you do, he does, we do, they do. Only the third person singular - he, she, it - deviates from the pattern.

In German you say: ich mache, du machst, er macht, wir machen, ihr macht, sie machen. That gives you four different verb endings. On top of that, you have three ways to say "you": du machst (familiar, singular), Sie machen (formal, singular and plural), ihr macht ("you-all"- familiar, plural).

Fortunately, many German verbs are regular in the present tense. The pattern is quite easy to learn.

Do you know the endings of present tense verbs?

Test yourself in this Quiz. If you miss a couple of answers the first time, play the game again until you get the hang of it. The verbs in Quiz #2 are all regular and the endings all follow the same pattern.

And while you're focusing on the endings, you'll probably learn a few new verbs as well.

Gamesforlanguage Shootout Game8 Easy Sentences with Direct Object Nouns

Click on Vocabulary Quiz #3 or on the left image.

Even as a beginner, it's not that hard to put together sentences to say what you want to express.

In a German sentences, it's important to put a noun into the right case.

The German language has 4 cases: Nominative (subject), Accusative (direct object), Dative (indirect object), Genitive (possessive).

For English speakers, this can sound complicated. But when you learn to use them step by step, they' don't seem quite as daunting.
This Quiz tests you on masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns as direct objects.

Starting out with 8 different Nouns and their articles, you'll put together simple sentences at the end of the Quiz.

Pay attention to the gender of the nouns when they come up. When you know the noun gender, the short sentences in the Word Invader game will be easy.

GamesforLanguage Word Invaders Games8 Verbs in Sentences

Click on Vocabulary Quiz #4 or on the left image.

Now it gets a little more challenging: Not only do you need to recall the correct gender of the nouns, but you have to apply the correct verb endings.

As in the previous games, you'll also have to pay attention to different verb endings with German “sie” or “Sie”, as in “sie begrüßt uns” (she greets us), “sie erklären” (they explain), and “Sie denken” (you [formal] think).

This Quiz tests you on 8 Verbs used in simple sentences with nouns and pronouns as directs objects.

Play it several times until you get a 90% score! (You'll see the score when you click the “Continue” arrow.)

Gamesforlanguage Deal-No Deal Game4 Separable Prefix Verbs

Click on Vocabulary Quiz #5 or on the left image.

Are you getting the hang of picking the correct regular verb endings? Now you can challenge yourself with separable prefix verbs, a typical feature of many German verbs.

What makes separable prefix verbs somewhat tricky, is that they require a very specific word order. In English, phrasal verbs are similar, but the word order there is more flexible.

For example: anrufen - to call, call up

You can say: I'm calling up my brother. Or: I'm calling my brother up.

In German, only one word order is possible for this sentence: “Ich rufe meinen Bruder an.” The separable prefix "an", goes to the end of the sentence.

This Quiz will test you on 4 different separable prefix verbs as part of short sentences.

And again, click the “Continue” arrow to see your correct answer percentage. Aim for at least 90%!

Gamesforlanguage Car Race Game4 Modal Verbs

Click on Vocabulary Quiz #6 or on left image.

Modal Verbs give you important tools for expressing yourself. You'll need them for almost any conversation, to express what you want, what you can or have to do, what you would like, etc.

Unfortunately, even in the present tense form German Modal Verbs follow a different pattern from regular verbs.

In this Quiz, you'll test yourself on the basic forms of 4 Modal Verbs: können (can), wollen (want), müssen (must), and the subjunctive form of "mögen", as in "ich möchte" (I would like).

As modal verbs come up frequently in everyday conversations, we recommend that you play this quiz several times, until you get the pattern down cold.

If you're learning German as an almost-beginner, these six Quizzes will test some basic German vocabulary and certain elementary points of grammar.

But they'll also encourage you to learn new words, try new sentences and to practice your pronunciation.

Learning a language does take effort and practice. If it's just a chore for you, you're not going to get very far.

Find ways to enjoy learning and practicing. These games will add a little fun and you'll feel good when you see the 100% after you finish the Shootout and Word Invader games!

More Than a German Language Game

Don't forget: You can practice German online for FREE with our 36-Scene German 1 Story: "Michael in Deutschland" and our 72-Scene German 2 Mystery Story Sequel: "Blüten in Berlin?".
(If you already know that "Blüten" means blossom in German - you'll learn that Blüten has still another meaning...).
Just login HERE.
And, if you have any language questions  - don't hesitate to contact us!

Posted on by Peter Rettig

European Travels 13 - Rotterdam memories and Jeff Bezos

Koningshaven Bridge, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsLately, our Rotterdam memories were rekindled by news about Jeff Bezos' new Super Yacht.

Several international newspapers, including the New York Times and The Guardian as well as Boat International reported on it.

The Dutch shipyard where the Yacht is being built is located just a few miles upriver on the Nieuwe Maas/Noord. The builder reportedly asked Rotterdam officials to be allowed to temporarily dismantle the historic Koningshaven Bridge.

It's the only bridge before the open sea that does not open completely and does not have enough clearance for larger sailing vessels with their masts up. (Setting the masts AFTER passing the bridge was certainly discussed, but apparently not found practical by the shipyard.)

Here is the excerpt from the Times:

“The city of Rotterdam’s decision to remove part of the bridge was reported on Wednesday by a regional Dutch public broadcaster, Rijnmond. Boat International, which publishes articles about the superyacht industry, reported that the 417-foot sailboat is set to become the largest sailing yacht in the world when it is finished later this year, surpassing the Sea Cloud, a 360-foot sailboat built in 1931 and owned by the Yacht Portfolio, an investment company based in Malta.”

The reported displeasure by the public and some activists about the - even temporary - dismantling of a landmark for the benefit of a rich man's pleasures, may continue to keep this story alive for a while.

Another Dutch Family Reunion

Lift Bridge on Canal near AmsterdamThe news clip about the Koningshaven Bridge brought back memories of our Dutch Family Reunion in Rotterdam a couple of years ago and canal boating in the Netherlands (when we passed under similar lift bridges, see picture left).

The city is wonderful to explore on foot, and you can get around easily by tram. While Amsterdam is overrun by tourists in the summer, Rotterdam is off the beaten path for many, and well worth a visit.

Rotterdam is located in the province of South Holland, at the mouth of the "Nieuwe Maas" Channel which connects to the Rijn-Maas-Scheldedelta at the North Sea. (in English: Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta)

As the name Rotterdam suggests, the town goes back to the construction of a dam along the Rotte river (built in 1270), one of the delta rivers then. Rotterdam was granted city rights in 1340.

In discussions at the family reunion with Ulrike's older Dutch cousins, we heard accounts of the German bombings of May 14, 1940.

The center of Rotterdam was almost completely flattened. The destruction caused by the bomb raid lead to the capitulation of the Netherlands the following day. (In some historic accounts, communication errors in the German air force may have prevented the transmission of the raid's stop order.)

Different from many German cities that were destroyed during the war and were rebuilt quickly – often with poor city planning and cookie-cutter buildings – Rotterdam took its time.

This gave architects and planners opportunities to design avant-garde structures and expand the harbor for the 21st century. That kind of city rebuilding is still happening today.

Here are just a few sites that are worth seeing and exploring:

Rotterdam Central Railway StationRotterdam Centraal Station

When you arrive at Rotterdam's railway station – Rotterdam Centraal - you're immediately struck by the design of the large entrance hall. Subway, buses and and trams are right there for you. (Download the RET Barcode app and you can buy tickets online for the entire system.)

Erasmus & Koningshaven Bridges, RotterdamErasmus Brug and Hotel New York

Walking from Rotterdam Centrum across the Erasmus Brug (a combined cable-stayed and bascule bridge, completed in 1996), you'll see the Koningshaven Bridge to your left. (in background in picture left)
Then turning right after the bascule bridge to get to the Hotel New York, you'll pass the new Cruise Ship Terminal.

Hotel New York was the former headquarters of the Holland America line. From where the cruise ships now dock, the Ocean liners of the Holland-America line used to leave for the New World. (Ulrike and her family left from there on their emigration voyage to Canada.)

There's a pleasant Garden Cafe in front of the Hotel now. We enjoyed a "vers fruit sorbet" (fresh fruit sorbet) during a sunny afternoon while watching the river traffic.

In late afternoon, we would sit in a beer garden right below the Erasmus bridge and enjoy watching the many barges go up and down the Maas river.

Rotterdam Cube Houses Cube Houses & Market Hall

You'll certainly want to visit the Cube Houses. Designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom, they are based on the concept of "Living as Urban Roof": high density housing with sufficient space on the ground level, since its main purpose is to optimize the space inside. The homes are literally cubes, tilted over by 45 degrees.

You can visit one of the cubes – the other units are occupied - and decide whether living in one of the 38 cubes would be for you! (The original group of 18 cube houses was built in 1977 in Helmond in the southern part of the Netherlands.)

Rotterdam Market HallThe new Market Hall (opened in 2014) is just across the square from the Cube Houses and features another innovative design: It is the country's largest indoor market and includes a multipurpose retail and residential development.

Besides the large Market Hall, the complex houses 228 apartments, over 40,000 sq ft of retail space, 8 restaurants and a 4-story underground parking garage with a capacity of 1200+ cars.

Food lovers will find all kind of international and Dutch food specialties in the large hall, which will overwhelm you by its sheer size and the colored murals!

Kunsthal Rotterdam - Art Museum

Joana_Vasconcelos_Exhibit_Kunsthal_RotterdamAnother discovery was the Kunsthal Rotterdam. Built by the architect Rem Koolhaas and his firm OMA in 1992, and located in Rotterdam's Museumpark, the Kunsthal itself is stunning in its use of space.

During our visits, we saw two amazing exhibits: “I'm your mirror” by Joana Vasconcelos and “Street Dreams: How HipHop took over Fashion”.

Joana's installations surprised you by the materials she used and assembled. Can you tell what was used for the one on the picture above?

The Street Dreams exhibit traced the fashion trends in the HipHop community from the late 1970s to now, and how they impacted on the culture of mainstream fashion.

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Art lovers will enjoy the works of many Dutch painters from the 14th to the 16th centuries. There are paintings by Rembrandt and Bruegel, van Eyck and Hieronymos Bosch. But beyond that, you'll also find works of Monet and Gaugin, Van Gogh, Matisse and Picasso.

Rotterdam Maritime Museum exhibitMaritime Museum

For ship and boat lovers, the Maritime Museum is a must. There are ships and barges for you to visit in the water right at the museum.

The Netherlands has a special relationship with the sea – about a third of the country lies below sea level. And as a premier trading nation for many centuries, the Netherlands had developed a special expertise in ship building.

The museum takes you through the country's maritime past and explains in many - also interactive - exhibits how to tackle the new challenges of maritime construction with climate change and rising sea levels.

Rotterdam Port

SS Rotterdam HotelOne of the special memories from our family reunion was the harbor tour. This included sailing by the SS Rotterdam, one of the older Ocean liners which is now permanently moored. It has been repurposed as a hotel and you can access it also via water taxis as shown in the picture. (You can book rooms there directly or via most of the popular travel sites.)

However the real highlight was the tour of the Europort Rotterdam which is not part of a typical harbor cruise. It was organized by one of the family members who had special contacts. We had our passports and identities verified, then transferred to a bus and were driven through what is now the largest port in Europe.

Munich Maersk in Europort RotterdamConstruction of this deep-water port started in 2008, Phase 1 opened in 2014, Phase 2 will only be completed in 2035.

We stopped at one of the docks and saw how one of the largest container ships of the world, the Munich Maersk, was being unloaded.

Driver-less container carts at Europort, RotterdamOf the about 23,000 containers only a few thousand were to be unloaded. They were placed on electric, driver-less carts and driven to a storage location.

Others were loaded and driven back to the ship. There were many of these driver-less carts picking up and delivering containers.

Several cranes were operating along the 400m (1200ft+) ship loading and unloading.

Nearby we saw containers being placed directly unto a canal barge.

It was all an amazing spectacle – nearly ghost-like: This is what harbor logistics looks like in the 21st century: loading and unloading 24 hours, 7 days a week with very few hands-on workers needed.

Indeed Rotterdam would probably not have become the largest European port without the Maas River and its connection to the Rhine. With the Main-Danube canal, barges can travel to and from the Black Sea and the European canal system allows access to/from the Mediterranean Sea via the Rhone river.

Maas River Storm Surge Barrier

Maas Storm Surge Barrier Closing in 2019During our Europort visit on a Saturday we learned that the Maas storm surge barrier (“Maeslantkering”) would have its annual maintenance operation that same afternoon.

The river traffic was interrupted for several hours for the closing. Our group joined the many onlookers to watch how the gigantic gates (see picture) slowly closed.

After its completion in 1997, the Maas storm surge barrier was first tested during the November 8, 2007 storm and prevented, together with two other surge barriers the flooding of the entire Dutch coast.

See a description of this engineering marvel, one of the largest moving structures on earth, in this Wiki entry. You can also find further details for a visit at the Keringhuis website.

Walking Around

Last but not least, we also enjoyed just walking around, e.g. in the Delfshaven district, one of the few areas which were spared during the WWII bombing. You can have a beer at the brewery De Pelgrim or visit the Pilgrim Father's Church.

Or just walk through Rotterdam Centrum and study the many different building with their unusual angles and facades.

You can always find a park bench, or an outdoor cafe or bistro where you can sip your favorite beverage and people watch.

And if you liked Rotterdam, you may even want to learn more about the Netherlands and the Dutch Language.

Posted on by Ulrike Rettig

5 Easy French Language Games

Merci - Thank you - Speech BubblesAre you just beginning to learn French?

Here are 5 Easy French Language Games that make practicing some essential French words fun.

The games also help you build some basic vocabulary and sharpen your pronunciation.

And if you learn to pronounce "Merci" correctly (hint: not like mercy!),  you might even get a smile from the French person who is helping or serving you!

French is an official language in 5 European countries: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Monaco, and Luxembourg. It is also spoken as an official language in 24 other countries worldwide.

For English learners, French pronunciation can be a little hard.

That's especially true for French nasal sounds and certain other sound combinations that don't exist in English. But practice will help.

French is a beautiful, melodious language and worth every effort.

Even just some basic French will make you feel more confident when traveling and engaging with French speakers.

To get you in the French language mood, you can start below with a game that reviews common greetings and polite expressions.

When you play, you need to say the French out loud. Just remembering the words silently won't do the job.

Focus on the sound of a word and let it soak in, then see if your own pronunciation gets close.

You can play these games as often as you like.

They are free – as are all our games and courses – and you'll not be bothered by Google ads either.

Just play, have fun and learn!

Hello-Goodbye Game screenshot1. Hello Goodbye

When in a French-speaking environment, using greetings and polite phrases is a friendly and respectful way to interact with others.

Throwing out "hi" or "hello" to a waiter who comes to your table, or when buying in a shop, getting tickets, etc, is really not the way to go.

Say "bonjour" in your best French. If you then have to switch to English, it's okay.

Click on the French Language Game: Hello Goodbye.

Play the game a couple of times, and then play it again a few days later to review what you've learned.

The words and phrases are short, but they contain typical French sounds that need practice.

French Question Words Language Game screenshot2. French Question Words

Question words are an efficient way to get information, ask about cost, set up appointments, ask for directions, etc.

It's empowering to be able to understand and say them. The words are short, but it takes a little practice to make them automatic.

Click on the French Language Game: 8 Question Words.

Below is a list you can check before you start:
• qui ? - who?
• que ? - what?
• quand ? - when?
• où ? - where?
• comment ? - how?
• pourquoi ? - why?
• combien ? - how much?
• est-ce que ? - question phrase [is it that?]

Family,Relatives French Quick Game screenshot3. Family and Relatives

The French words for mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandfather, cousin, are nice to know.

They also provide a good opportunity for pronunciation practice.

In the game you'll focus on the vowels "è" (père, mère); "oeu" (soeur); nasal "a + n" (tante, grand) and "o + n" (oncle); as well as be aware of silent "e" (père, mère, frère, tante).

And, with these words you can easily practice French noun gender.

In English, we have one definite article that goes with any noun: "the".

It's the same word for singular and plural nouns: the father, the mother; the fathers, the mothers.

In French, a noun is either masculine "le père" (the father); or feminine "la mère" (the mother).

If a noun starts with a vowel, then the article becomes "l' ": l'oncle.

The French word for "the" with plural nouns, masculine or feminine, is "les".

Click on French Language Game: Family and Relatives

The words for family members are easy to learn.

And with our Shootout game, it's fun to review and practice the French masculine and feminine articles for "the" and for the possessives "my" and "your".

Easy French Verbs Quick Game Screenshot4. Easy Verbs - Present Tense

Verbs are important building blocks for making sentences, even short and easy ones.

You need verbs to talk about actions, thoughts, feelings, states of being - yours and those of other people.

With French verbs, a good place to start is with regular "-er" verbs. More than 80% of French verbs belong to this group.

Using personal pronouns (I, you, he, she, etc.) with many English verbs is easy.

In the present tense you just have to remember that the 3rd person sing (he, she, it) takes an -s.

However, French verbs have more complicated conjugation rules.

Even regular -er" verbs have 5 different endings that go with the respective pronouns.

Click on French Language Game: 8 Easy Verbs

With this game you'll learn 8 common French "-er" verbs and their present tense endings.

Once you get the pattern down, you can apply pattern of endings to any regular "-er" verb.

Here's a list of the verbs you'll learn.
• chercher - to look for
• demander - to ask
• donner - to give
• habiter - to live (reside)
• montrer - to show
• parler - to speak
• penser - to think
• regarder - to look at

Easy French Adverbs Quick Game screenshot5. Easy Adverbs

Finally, with an adverb you can add more information, i.e. where, when, why, how, or how often something happens.

Click on French Language Game: 8 Easy Adverbs.

Here's a list of the adverbs you'll learn and practice.
• enfin - finally
• plus tard - later
• toujours - always
• tout de suite - right away
• très bien - very well
• souvent - often
• un peu - a little
• vraiment – really

Will these games alone make you become fluent in French? Not likely.

But play these and the many other games on our site regularly, especially when other courses become too tedious and boring.

And always say the French out loud.

This way you won't give up learning and practicing.

Remember: learning a new language takes time and persistence.

If you can find ways to make learning and practicing French a daily habit, you'll be on a good path to language fluency.

Posted on by Ulrike Rettig

7 Easy Spanish Language Games

Hablas Español signIf you've always wanted to learn some Spanish, our 7 easy Spanish language games can give you a fun start.

Spanish is a wonderful language to learn. It's spoken as an official language in 20 countries, and for many travels it's a great language to communicate and connect.

Spanish is a phonetic language, and is easy to pronounce for English speakers. Plus, Spanish shares many cognates with English and does not have a difficult word order.

Give a couple of these easy Spanish games a try. You can start with a few common greetings and expressions. Even if you speak only some basic phrases, making the effort will help you connect with Spanish speakers. And remember, in other-language countries, people don't always speak perfect English. They are sure to appreciate your efforts.

When playing a game, repeat the words of the speaker - out loud.
Just thinking about what to say in Spanish is not enough. Your mouth needs the practice to sound out the words. I call that "mouth mechanics".

1. Hello, Goodbye, etc.

Hello-Goodbye screenshot with "Hola"Greetings and polite phrases belong into your language tool kit. They are a friendly and respectful way to interact with others.

Play the game again a couple of days later to review what you learned.
You'll definitely feel more confident when you're in a Spanish-language setting when your responses are automatic and sound "like a native".

Click on our Spanish Language Game: Hello, Goodbye, etc. to learn and practice 10 must-have words and phrases.
Here's what you'll learn in Game 1:
• Hola - Hi
• Buenos días - Good morning
• Buenas tardes - Good afternoon
• Por favor - Please
• Gracias - Thanks
• De nada - You're welcome
• ¿Qué tal? - How are things?
• Lo siento - I'm sorry
• Momento - Just a moment
• Adiós - Goodbye

2. Spanish Numbers 1-20

Numbers 1-9Learning the Spanish Numbers 1-20 is a practical next step.
Numbers are used in many different situations: at a market, for getting directions, for phone numbers, addresses, fixing the time for an appointment, etc.

Once you're happy with your pronunciation, numbers are easy to practice throughout your day.
You could start counting the number of reps in your exercise routine in the morning, or the steps as you're walking to get your coffee.

Click on our blog post Uno dos tres, Spanish Numbers are Easy, where you'll find a link to our Language Games for Spanish Numbers 1-20, as well as another game for Spanish Numbers 21 and beyond.
You'll be learning and practicing the numbers out of order and by doing easy additions and substractions.

3. Spanish Question Words

Spanish Question Words compositeQuestion Words are useful when asking for information, even if your Spanish vocabulary is limited.
You'll use question words for asking what something means, for making appointments, paying for a purchase, asking for directions, etc.

The words are short and not hard to pronounce, but sometimes it's easy to mix them up.

Click on our Spanish Language Game: 8 Question Words.
This is what you'll learn in Game 3:
• ¿Dónde? - Where?
• ¿Cuándo? -When?
• ¿Cuánto? - How much?
• ¿Cuál? - Which?
• ¿Quién? - Who?
• ¿Cómo? - How?
• ¿Por qué? - Why?
• ¿Qué? - What?

(With Spanish 2 for Travel on our - also completely free - sister site, Lingo-Late.com, you can learn and practice 12 practical questions - quite useful when traveling and looking for directions.)

4. Present Tense of "hablar" - to speak

Gamesforlanguage Game with Spanish "hablar"Learning the present tense forms of "hablar" is useful in two ways.
1.You'll be able to express what language(s) you speak or don't speak.
2. You'll learn how to conjugate a regular Spanish verb that ends in -ar.

Click on our Spanish Language Game: Hablar - Present Tense
Here's what you'll learn in Game 4:
• yo hablo - I speak
• tú hablas - you speak (familiar)
• él/ella habla - he/she speaks
• Usted habla - you speak (formal)
• nosotros/as hablamos - we speak (m/f)
• vosotros/as habláis - you (pl. m/f) speak [Spain]
• Ustedes hablan - you (pl.) speak [Latin America]

Besides learning the verb forms, you'll also practice using them in a few easy sentences.

5. Present Tense of  "estar" - to be

Gamesforlanguage screenshot of "estar" Quick Game Spanish has two words that mean "to be", but they're used in different contexts.
This game includes a couple of easy practice sentences for each of these contexts.
Basic uses of "estar":
1. express a condition or state  "Sí, lui está cansado!" (Yes, he is tired!)
2. indicate a location
3. form the progressive tense

Note that in Spanish, personal pronouns (I, you, he, she etc.) are often left out unless they are needed for context or clarity.
The pronouns are included at first in the Shootout game, then dropped in some of the easy Word Invader practice sentences.

Click on our Spanish Language Game: Estar - Present Tense
Here's what you'll learn in Game 5:
• yo estoy - I am
• tú estás - you are (sing. familiar)
• él, ella está - he, she is
• Usted está - you are (formal)
• nosotros/as estamos - we are
• vosotros/as estáis - you (pl.) are [Spain]
• Ustedes están - you (pl.) are [Latin America]
• ellos/as están - they are

The Spanish present progressive tense

Note that the present tense forms of "estar" are used to form the "present progressive", the Spanish tense you use to talk about an action that is going on as you speak.

For example: "Estoy buscando la calle Reyes Católicos." (I'm looking for Reyes Católicos street.) Or "Ellos están caminando por el casco antiguo" (They are walking through the old town.) In Spanish, the progressive forms emphasize the continuing nature of the action. 

6. Present Tense of  "ser" - to be

Gamesforlanguage screenshot of "Ser" Quick Language GameNext, is a game to learn and practice the present tense of "ser" - to be.
Some basic uses of "ser":
1. indicate origin, identity
2. time, days, dates
3. indicate essential characteristics - "Sí, ella es alta!" (Yes, she is tall!) 
Note that you would use "estar" to say that you are tired - a condition, not a characteristic.

The game includes a few easy sentences for practice.

Click on our Spanish Language Game: Ser - Present Tense
This is what you'll learn in Game 6:
• yo soy - I am
• tú eres - you are (familiar)
• él, ella es - he, she is
• Usted es - you are (formal)
• nosotros/as somos - we are
• vosotros/as sois - you (pl) are [Spain]
• ellos/as son - they are
• Ustedes son - you (pl) are [Latin America]

You can find a more detailed explanation of the uses of "ser" by ThoughtCo HERE

7. Present Tense of  "tener" - to have

Gamesforlanguage screenshot of "tener" Quick Language GameFinally, a game to learn and practice the present tense of "tener" - to have.
Again, the personal pronouns are included at first and then dropped in some of the easy practice sentences.

Click on our Spanish Language Game: Tener - Present Tense
Here's what you'll learn in Spanish Language Game 7:
• yo tengo - I have
• tú tienes - you have (familiar)
• él, ella tiene - he, she has
• Usted tiene - you have (formal)
• nosotros/as tenemos - we have
• vosotros/as tenéis - you (pl) have [Spain]
• ellos/as tienen - they have
• Ustedes tienen - you (pl) have [Latin America]

Clearly, a few fun language games won't get you to speak the language with any fluency. But they can put you on the track to learning Spanish, and learning a language is a great life-long hobby.

We have dozens more Spanish games on our site, plus a gamified travel story that will get you familiar with the the sounds of Spanish and basic beginner vocabulary in context. Just a few minutes a day of Spanish adds up very nicely over time.

Apparently, there's a Chinese proverb that says: "Learning a language is a treasure that will follow you everywhere". That has definitely been my experience.

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