Language Coach

About the Author

The author of this article, Emma Rath, produces free online and purchasable download baby and preschooler computer games, including games for learning English, French and Spanish, http://www.kiddiesgames.com.

Has it ever occurred to you how much you are saying to people even when you are not speaking Unless you are a master of disguise, you are constantly sending messages about your true thoughts and feelings whether you are using words or not.

Studies show that your words account for only 7% of the message you convey. The remaining 93% is non-verbal. 55% of communication is based on what people see and the other 38% is transmitted through tone of voice. So think about it. In the business setting, people can see what you are not saying. If your body language doesn’t match your words, you are wasting your time.

Eye contact is the most obvious way you communicate. When you are looking at the other person, you show interest. When you fail to make eye contact, you give the impression that the other person is of no importance. Maintain eye contact about 60% of the time in order to look interested, but not aggressive.

Facial expression is another form of non-verbal communication. A smile sends a positive message and is appropriate in all but a life and death situation. Smiling adds warmth and an aura of confidence. Others will be more receptive if you remember to check your expression.

Your mouth gives clues, too, and not just when you are speaking. Mouth movements, such as pursing your lips or twisting them to one side, can indicate that you are thinking about what you are hearing or that you are holding something back.

The position of your head speaks to people. Keeping your head straight, which is not the same as keeping your head on straight, will make you appear self-assured and authoritative. People will take you seriously. If you want to come across as friendly and open, tilt your head to one side.

Where you place your arms suggests how receptive you. Arms crossed or folded over your chest say that you have shut other people out and have no interest in them or what they are saying. This position can also say, “I don’t agree with you.” You might just be cold, but unless you shiver at the same time, the person in front of you may get the wrong message.

How you use your arms can help or hurt your image as well. Waving them about may show enthusiasm to some, but others see this gesture as one of uncertainty and immaturity. The best place for your arms is by your side. You will look confident and relaxed. If this is hard for you, do what you always do when you want to get better at something—practice. After a while, it will feel natural.

The angle of your body gives an indication to others about what’s going through your head. Leaning in says, ”Tell me more.” Leaning away signals you’ve heard enough. Adding a nod of your head is another way to affirm that you are listening.

Posture is just as important as your grandmother always said it was. Sit or stand erect if you want to be seen as alert and enthusiastic. When you slump in your chair or lean on the wall, you look tired. No one wants to do business with someone who has no energy.

Control your hands by paying attention to where they are. In the business world, particularly when you deal with people from other cultures, your hands need to be seen. That would mean you should keep them out of your pockets and you should resist the urge to put them under the table or behind your back. Having your hands anywhere above the neck, fidgeting with your hair or rubbing your face, is unprofessional.

Legs talk, too. A lot of movement indicates nervousness. How and where you cross them tells others how you feel. The preferred positions for the polished professional are feet flat on the floor or legs crossed at the ankles. The least professional and most offensive position is resting one leg or ankle on top of your other knee. Some people call this the “Figure Four.” It can make you look arrogant.

The distance you keep from others is crucial if you want to establish good rapport. Standing too close or “in someone’s face” will mark you as pushy. Positioning yourself too far away will make you seem standoffish. Neither is what you want so find the happy medium. Most importantly, do what makes the other person feel comfortable. If the person with whom you are speaking keeps backing away from you, stop. Either that person needs space or you need a breath mint.

You may not be aware of what you are saying with your body, but others will get the message. Make sure it’s the one you want to send.

About The Author

Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL – ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The Wall Street Journal, Investors’ Business Daily, Cosmopolitan and Woman’s Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site: www.mannersthatsell.com

I observed an almost surreal event when I was a business student.

At the front of the classroom, an entrepreneur was practicing a pitch he would make later to venture capital firms. Specifically, he was talking about a technology his firm had developed, a respirator which had the potential to save the lives of many infants.

When he talked about the potentially great financial returns, the audience, made up of business students, sat back passively. But when he talked about getting babies through critical moments with his respirators, every single person in the classroom sat up, alert and fully focused.

As he went back and forth between stories of saving babies and talking about financial results, almost every student in the classroom moved with him. And whats more, it seemed the students unconscious body movements had been carefully choreographed.

We sat up together when the entrepreneur talked about saving babies, and we sat back in unison when he discussed the numbers. And, by the way, I did it too until I become aware of how we were responding as a group.

Since that event Ive been a firm believer in body language, which is the idea that people unconsciously show what theyre feeling or thinking through gestures or body movements.

As you know, the art of interpreting body language is hardly a science. But, we do know a few basics that can help us read the emotions of others. A few examples follow.

Crossed arms, as almost every salesperson knows, means the person on the other side of the table is defensive or not receptive. On the other hand, if that person leans forward and keeps his or her eyes on you, then you do have a receptive listener.

If you watch novice speakers, youll probably notice how they keep their arms close to their bodies, indicating a lack of confidence. As they get more practice speaking in public, youll see their arms move away from their sides and become active tools for conveying messages.

Arms wide open indicate trust and openness, as do open hands, while arms held high above the head show a sense of victory, and clenched hands indicate anger.

Curiously, one of the most difficult interpretations of body language involves lying. Researchers have probably spent more time on this aspect of body language than any other. And their conclusions The only surefire way to know if another person is lying is to observe very small and fast wrinklings of the brow.

If you havent yet spent much time studying body language, I recommend that you add it to your to-do list for communication development. Its invaluable not only for speaking and listening, but also for negotiating and leading.

About The Author

Robert F. Abbott writes and publishes Abbotts Communication Letter. If you subscribe, you will receive, at no charge, communication tips that help you lead or manage more effectively. Click here for more information: http://www.CommunicationNewsletter.com abbottr@managersguide.com

How many times did you visit a dictionary website to get meanings for words that you did not understand when reading a web page or document How did you feel to stop any and all reading to go look for a word I know it is frustrating and uneasy. It happens to everyone and more importantly, happens frequently. We all have to rely on a dictionary, semantics or language tool. Think of the comfort and easiness one would have if a language tutor were explaining any word or phrase that is not clear while reading.

Now, you can get the same comfort from this innovative web application called as XemanteX http://www.xemantex.com. It allows obtaining language help in the form of meanings instantly and easily. Did you ever think of double-clicking words in this document to get meanings right away If so, visit www.xemantex.com to read any thing and everything with a built-in dictionary.

XemanteX allows users to double click any word on the web page to retrieve its meaning. Users get meanings to words on the same screen eliminating need to make trips to other dictionary tools. Does that sound cool

The word XemanteX originates from semantics - the study of language meaning. The goal at XemanteX Inc. is to enable every internet user grasp, understand and assimilate the content presented on the web by providing efficient and user friendly semantic assistance. Any internet user can and need to use this application. A person who does lot of research work by reading technical documents on the web may find it an absolute necessity. If you have kids who read and learn through web, then this application can help build their vocabulary fast. On the other hand, if you are the person who thrives on hard cover dictionary or web dictionary then this is time to look at www.xemantex.com. It will make your life happier.

When you visit www.xemantex.com you can use its services in two ways: 1 Get language help on a web-published document specified by a URL. 2 Get language help on text pasted on xemantex’s screen.

In the first case, type or copy and paste the URL in to the text box on the first page. Click on the button “pass this URL”. On the next page double click any word to get it is meaning. It is that simple.

You can also paste text to xemantex’s screen. XemanteX enables language help for the text that you pasted. Double click any word in this text to get meanings. This constitutes case 2.

Does it seem like a pleasant reading experience with no trips to other pages for language help It sure is; people at XemanteX Inc., are working hard to make your reading easy It offers its services in English only at this time. Write to them at team@xemantex.com with your suggestions, comments, and / or ideas.

With the enormous amount of information available on the web, there is a dire need for such a tool. The exponential growth in the information being made available through internet requires tools like this to assume the important role of delivering the information meaningfully. There is an enormous scope for applications like XemanteX that open a window to the new world with this concept: “web reading made easy”.

About The Author

Prasad Kopanati is the Vice President of XemanteX Inc. You can reach him via email at pk@xemantex.com . Visit the website www.xemantex.com to view his and his team’s work. team@xemantex.com

WARWICK, RI - A new forum may be a great help to students of foreign language and those studying abroad. "[it] is an important addition to the world of websites," says Dr. Brown, a professor of Spanish and Portuguese at the Community College of Rhode Island. The online discussion forum she is talking about, at http://language.scoutprovidence.com, contains 10 categories directly related to foreign language and culture, and 14 total categories, including two categories for users to discuss books and film.

Discussion forums are online locations where visitors may register and talk, much in the same way as email, except that instead of writing to one person, they are writing to the other visitors. It is different from chat rooms, since in chat rooms you are talking in real-time, whereas in a discussion forum, you are replying to a message that was posted anywhere from a few minutes ago to a few years ago. Discussion forums usually revolve around a central theme, such as cooking, a computer game, or jokes. This discussion forum revolves around foreign language and culture.

Rand Huck, who developed the software and made it a possibility for the faculty, says, "Its not just about teaching students about language and culture, its about giving those students an outlet to discuss it in a world wide medium." Huck is a former student of the Community College of Rhode Island and a current student at the University of Rhode Island. The facultys objective is to make the discussion forum an attraction not only for students, but for those who live in those foreign countries to give their insight. "Most students learn about language and culture in a classroom where they rarely get a hands-on experience with it," Huck continues. "By discussing foreign language and culture to, not only other students, but those living with the language and culture, I think they get a lot more out of it. Its important to know how to communicate in other languages online, since that is where global business is taking us in the new century. More often, workers are making trips to their email client to communicate to other countries, rather than using a telephone or traveling."

"For now, in its initial phase, it serves as an excellent vehicle for students to communicate with one another about their interests and/or questions pertaining to their language courses," Brown states.

There are thousands of discussion forums on the Internet, but very few concentrate on language and culture, which is why the professors at the foreign languages department are excited about the new website. The forum began in the summer of 2004, but did not get much activity until the fall semester began, when the faculty enthusiastically told their students about the website. Although the website is not officially supported by the Community College of Rhode Island, and is an independent project of the faculty, the project for the idea was read and approved by the Foreign Language Department head, Anthony DiRuzzo.

About The Author

Rand Huck is a student of the University of Rhode Island, pursuing a degree in Economics. He currently owns a business in web development and serves the Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts area.

http://design.scoutprovidence.com

randhuck@cox.net

"OMFG! W00+!!! Dat s0000000 Kewl!!!!1! Dat is teh LOL!!!!"

Its happening. The Internet is invading our lives and our minds and corrupting as it progresses. Shorthand is destroying our youths spelling and grammar. In the worst cases these Internet phrases even are spilling over into every day life. I still shudder with horror remembering the day that someone actually said LOL to me.

Im not some old crab fighting against the changes of the world. Im 19 years old and studying software engineering at university. I love computers and use instant messaging programs constantly, but theres a serious problem when I cant even read some of the messages flowing between my younger siblings and their friends. With sentences such as OMFG! ROTFLMAO! RTFM N00B! being thrown around liberally, the state of global communication is in jeopardy!

So, here are some helpful tips to keep your messages legible and English:

The word so is spelt with just one O. The word well is spelt with just one E. Adding superfluous letters to your words is actually undoing the effect that your gratuitous use of Internet acronyms are supposed to have on your message length.

Contrary to popular belief, the word Cool is spelled without the use of a K, and E or even a W. There is a high probability that you dont even pronounce it in a manner that would infer those letters, so why type them Typing four different letters is no slower than typing the original four that actually belong to the word.

Exclamation Marks are solitary creatures. They dont like to be herded together into packs. They also take offense to the presence of many other punctuation marks, such as the affable but sometimes irritating Question Mark. Please dont abuse our friend the Exclamation Mark, dont force him/her to share sentence space with other sentence ending punctuation marks.

The letter D is not the phonetic equivalent of TH. The letters TH form a soft sound, but the letter D is a hard sound. Please try not to confuse the two.

Judicious use of acronyms will save time, but wont obscure the meaning of your sentences. The use of LOL may indeed be an appropriate method to purvey your mirth over a particularly witty comment, but OMFG! Dat was teh LOL! does not make sense even when you unravel the acronyms into coherent words and takes a lot longer to write.

Teh is not a word; it is an honest spelling mistake that can easily be made when typing quickly. It should never be deliberately substituted for the original word, The, which contains the same three letters and takes just as long to write.

Letters are placed in a very specific order to create words. Permutations of letters create either nonsensical gibberish or another word entirely, one that will often seem contextually out of place if it is born of pure accident. Please keep your letters in an orderly group.

The first letter of the first word of a sentence should be capitalized. The first letter of a proper noun should be capitalized. Gratuitous use of capitalization should be avoided and used only as a last resort.

Numbers are not letters. You cannot spell a word with numbers; no matter how hard you try. You can spell a number with letters, but the opposite is not true. Numbers are not as versatile as we have been lead to believe. Punctuation marks behave similarly, and should not be used in the formation of words.

Emoticons are useful tools for showing your emotions. Avoid abusing them and trying to construct entire sentences or stories using the little yellow smiles. It doesnt work.

I know I cant turn the tide of popular opinion, but as someone who actually likes our language I sometimes feel as though I have to try. Languages evolve and change over time to fit the current generations needs. Theres no need or point in stopping this, but Id prefer that our language continued to contain actual words, not unpronounceable mish-mashes of letters.

About The Author

Daniel Punch M6.Net http://www.m6.net danielp@m6.net

Congratulations! You have found the man of your dreams and are getting married. What a wonderful time in your life – full of promise, hope, and happiness. Can you think of a better way to express these emotions than through flowers A wedding would just not be the same without wedding flowers.

The Tradition of Wedding Flowers

Carrying flowers by the bride is not something new; it actually has its roots in ancient times. Strong smelling herbs and spices were used to keep away evil spirits during the wedding celebration. Later, during the Roman era, flowers were used to symbolize fertility. Eventually, flowers were given different meanings and used as a way of sending “love notes” in the form of bouquets. Soon, the tradition of the meaning of each flower trickled down and was adopted for the bride’s bouquet.

By tradition, the groom wears a flower that appears in the bridal bouquet in his buttonhole. This custom originates from the Medieval tradition of a knight wearing his ladys colors as a declaration of love.

So it seems that a wedding without flowers is like, well, it’s like a garden without flowers!

So Many Choices

Have you ever considered how many different kinds of flowers there are Hundreds of beautiful blooms are available to create the romantic elegance your wedding deserves. You may even feel like author Phoebe Cary, who said, “I know not which I love the most, Nor which the comeliest shows, The timid, bashful violet Or the royal-hearted rose: The pansy in purple dress, The pink with cheek of red, Or the faint, fair heliotrope, who hangs, Like a bashful maid her head.” So, how do you choose

One way is to consider the different meanings of the flowers and create a bouquet that is not only beautiful to the eye, but also meaningful to the heart. Another way is to consider the time of year. Many flowers are more common during one season than another, so finding off-season flowers may be difficult!

Based on tradition, here are some of the more popular wedding bouquet flowers and what they mean, along with when they are in season: Red Rose – Love, All Year White Rose - Unity, All Year Yellow Rose - Joy, All Year Orange Rose - Passion, All Year Pink Rose - Secret Love, or Grace & Sweetness, All Year Alstroemeria - Devotion, All Year Babys Breath - Innocence, All Year Calla Lily - Magnificent Beauty, March through September Carnation - Devoted Love, All Year Daisy - Innocence & Romance, All Year Ivy - Fidelity, Marriage, All Year Lily Of The Valley - Happiness, March through September Myrtle - Joy , All Year Orchid - Love & Beauty, All Year Stephanotis - Marital Happiness, All Year Tulips - Love & Passion, January through April Zinnia - Affection, All Year

The best way to get the right flowers is to choose the right florist and one of the best ways to find a good florist is by word of mouth. If the florists service and work comes highly recommended, chances are they will do a good job for you. Select a florist that listens to you and really grasps the look and feel you want. Be open to the florists ideas and suggestions. In the long run, it will be the value of their experience, talent, and expertise that you have purchased.

Don’t Forget the Flowers for the….

In addition to flowers for the wedding party and family members, you will need flowers for the church, arrangements for the reception tables, head table, and guest book table. You may even want flowers for the cake and a small bouquet for the ladies room. To make sure you don’t forget any of your floral needs, here is a list of possibilities: Flowers for the Bridal Party Brides Bouquet Maid/Matron of Honor Mother of the Bride Mother of the Groom Bridesmaids Flower Girl Grandmothers Groom Best Man Father of the Bride Father of the Groom Ushers Ring Bearer Grandfathers

Flowers for the Wedding Ceremony Altar Arrangements Aisle Markers Candelabras Aisle Runner Canopy or Archway Kneeling Bench

Flowers for the Reception Bridal Table Cake Table Guest Table Buffet Table Bandstand Gift Table Guest Book Table Bouquet to Throw

Fresh flowers underline the importance and elegance of your wedding day. They enhance any setting and can literally transform an average looking room into a beautiful scene. If youve planned well, your flowers will be exactly what you want, and youll be free to focus on what your day is all about.

About The Author

Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of http://www.1st-for-flowers.com where you will find further tips and ideas for http://www.1st-for-flowers.com/wedding-flowers.html http://www.1st-for-flowers.com/flower-baskets.html and http://www.1st-for-flowers.com/flower-gifts.html.

Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part of Canada – Québec. “That’s fine”, says everyone. “Even though they’ll probably start speaking later because they’re learning two languages at once, they’ll catch up.”

Well actually, this well-entrenched idea that bilingual children are slower to acquire language, is actually a myth!

We were surprised and delighted to learn that research is finding that bilingual children do NOT acquire language later than monolingual children. Our first child participated in a language study on babies carried out at McGill University of Montréal, Québec, Canada. There it was explained to us that research is finding that the difference in language acquisition of one child compared to another is very large. Some children speak sooner, some speak later. And the range of language acquisition of bilingual children is just as large as the range for monolingual children, statistically speaking.

Although these research results are relatively recent, I was able to find an article on the internet about it, written by Professor Fred Genesee of McGill University at http://www.earlychildhood.com/Articles/index.cfmFuseAction=Article&A=38, confirming what we had been told verbally. In addition, instead of seeing bilingualism as the minority exception to the rule, Professor Genesee suggests that there many be as many children growing up bilingually as there are growing up monolingually.

So rest assured that the myths are wrong and the following are true: Bilingual children do NOT have delayed language acquisition. Learning more than one language at a time is NOT difficult for small children. Bilingual children DO master both languages just as well as one.

More and more parents are convinced of the benefits of exposing their small children to foreign languages. This has resulted in the recent explosion of videos, books, music and computer software aimed at babies and preschoolers, that expose them to another language. For example, free computer games on the http://www.kiddiesgames.com website allow babies and preschoolers from an English-speaking environment to learn and practice French and Spanish.

The most obvious benefit, and one that is confirmed by research, is that exposing infants to a foreign language can help them master that foreign language later on. In the well-documented but very accessible book on baby brain development “What’s Going On In There”, the author Lise Eliot explains that babies are born being able to hear the sounds of every language in the world. However, this ability is subject to the “use it or lose it” phenomenon. If the baby is not exposed to foreign sounds, she will lose the ability to distinguish those sounds. For example, on page 368, she reports:

«Infants’ ability to discriminate foreign speech sounds begins to wane as early as six months of age. By this age, English-learning babies have already lost some of their ability, still present at four months, to discriminate certain German or Swedish vowels. Foreign vowels are the first sort of phoneme to go. Then, by ten or twelve months, out goes the ability to discriminate foreign consonants, like /r/’s and /l/’s for Japanese babies or Hindi consonants for English-learning infants.»

Another benefit of exposing children to another language that is starting to be recognized, is that of increasing their proficiency in their primary language. It may be that the brain exercise of sorting out multiple languages gives that brain a deeper proficiency in language and grammar overall.

So the next time your infant has the opportunity to be exposed to a foreign language in a suitably fun setting which is how all activities should be presented to infants, isn’t it, then jump at the chance!

About The Author

The author of this article, Emma Rath, produces free online and purchasable download baby and preschooler software, available at http://www.kiddiesgames.com.

I have a big mouth. If you have read my testimony, you know that I have struggled with panic attacks and an anxiety disorder that most of the time left my tongue paralyzed when it came to simple things, such as ordering a meal or answering the phone. God delivered me from the solitude I had imprisoned myself in. However, I had a new problem--now I talked too much.

I have started to monitor my words and have been shocked by what I discovered. Complaining...gossiping...fault-finding...even negative words and word curses.

Matthew 12:36 says “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” I dont know about you, but I think its time to get our mouths in order.

According to Proverbs 18:21, death and life are in the power of the tongue. Deuteronomy 30:19 makes it even clearer by saying “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

When God created the world, Genesis 1:3 says “And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.” He gave you that same power to speak things into existence. You might be thinking "how is that possible"

Mark 11:23 states "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.” According to this verse, you can have what you say--negative or positive. Throughout the Bible, especially in Proverbs, God speaks about our mouths.

James 3:3-10 shows us that our tongues are like a bit in a horses mouth. With that bit in place, you can control the animal, turn it any way you want it to go. Or like a ship that can be steered by a small rudder. Our tongues are little, but they can contaminate our whole bodies and the lives of others around us.

We are the only creatures created by God that can choose what we say. Although a parrot can talk, he cant choose the words that come out of his mouth. He only repeats what he hears. Verse 9 notes “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in Gods likeness.” and Verse 10--”Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”

In church or around godly friends, we praise God and talk about what the Bible says. When we arrive home, when we are in a jam--lost our car keys, , had an argument or our teenage daughter announces shes pregnant, we complain, gossip and, believe it or not, we even curse people and ourselves with our words. Have you ever called a person "stupid," said you wished they were dead or that you were never born Those are all word curses.

Charles Capps speaks of a woman in his book Gods Creative Power for Healing. Whenever this woman got mad, she would say "that just burns me up." She would say it several times a day. For several months, the woman continued to have a fever, but the doctors couldnt figure out why. She had no physical reason to have a fever. Then the doctor asked her about her habits. When he found out she had been saying "that just burns me up," he told her to stop. He wasnt sure if it had anything to do with the fever. Within weeks, her fever left her.

Did you know that angels are all around you, just waiting to carry out your words of faith When you speak negatively, you cancel out the positive words you have spoken. James 1:8--“He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” A double-minded person is one who has one foot in the worlds way of thinking and one foot in Gods promises. God is calling us to choose one and be steadfast in that thinking and that thinking only. The Bible says that God would prefer that we either be hot or cold rather than lukewarm Christians.

So, how do we start to change our mouths

1 Ask God For Help. Make Psalm 141:3 “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” your daily prayer.

2 Renew Your Mind. Romans 12:1-2 says “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” By changing your thoughts, you will change your mouth because Proverbs 23:7 KJV reveals “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” Memorize scriptures on the mouth. Meditate on them by thinking about them, reciting them, mulling them over in your mind. Make them personal to you by inserting your name into the scripture, such "For God so loved Annagail that he gave his one and only Son, that Annagail who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Then try to visual yourself speaking and thinking according to Gods Word.

3 Monitor Your Mouth. A wise person watches the words that come out of his/her mouth.. Ask God to convict you when you utter wrong words, use profanities or cut someone down. When you get into a bad situation, Philippians 4:8 says to “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

4 Start to prophesy over your own life. God told us to “calleth those things which be not as though they were.Romans 4:17 KJV. As long as it lines up with Gods will, you can speak out what you want as long as you keep speaking it and believing it in your heart. Speak Gods promises over your life.

5 Use your mouth to exhort and encourage others. Begin to pray Gods word of your life and the lives of your friends and family.

I am still struggling in this area, but every day I am growing up more in Christ. We must train our mouths and flesh to conform to Gods Word. I challenge you to make a decision to do so today.

About The Author

Annagail Lynes is editor of VisionHope Magazine. She specializes in writing articles for young adults about dating, school, parents, peer pressure and other youth-related issues. Get your Free Sample Issue of VisionHope, plus free articles and free pen pal ads at http://visionhope.ontheweb.com visionhopemag@netzero.net

Sad, but true. Just about everywhere you look online, the English language is suffering a fate worse than death. The problem, in reality, is so widespread that it has begun to affect all aspects of the language. "But, what on Earth does this have to do with Internet marketing" you may be asking. Well, my fellow netpreneur...Everything!

It has everything to do with Internet marketing if you wish to portray yourself, and be perceived as, a Marketing Professional on the internet. Just remember, professionally speaking, Image is Everything. On the other hand, if youre not particularly interested in putting your best foot forward when marketing your services or products, and I really hope this is not the case, then none of this applies to you.

Obviously, we dont have time here to do an in-depth study of the many instances of, what I would term, "casual disdain" Ive witnessed online. So, in order to illustrate my point, Ill concentrate on a small, but vital component of the English language: the innocent, harmless apostrophe.

Allow me to try to paint a picture for you. A long, long, time ago, around the time of the De Soto, the Corvair, bellbottoms, the VW "bug" ring a bell, and before beatniks became known as hippies, you could look at advertisement copy and expect, to some degree, that it had been reviewed and, presumably, corrected.

In other words, it was safe for women, children, and other life forms to view it, and read its content without suffering any permanent, debilitating psychological damage, such as a hard to diagnose speech impediment, or maybe an involuntary nervous twitch across one cheek.

What I see most of us doing now, at the dawn of the 21st Century, is that we read ad copy, and then, because its in bold letters on carefully selected background, surrounded by pretty pictures, we accept its message as Gospel truth. We get so bowled over by the "look" of it, that we forget to examine it critically enough.

Talk about your viral strategy, indeed...

Today, in the age of the cell phone, the Lexus, Viagra, the twenty five cent phone call, and a PC "in every barn," wherever I look, I see the poor apostrophe maligned and misused. It gets no respect, either offline on signs, billboards, and late-night Infomercials, or shudder online in cyber country, on that very personal and intimate expression of its owners taste and personality: an individuals web site.

Since I spend so much time online, much more, I think, than I spend on the real pavement of our world, I notice the glaring mistreatment heaped upon our poor little fellow- the apostrophe-by careless webmasters, even more. The main thing I notice is that the apostrophes originally intended use is slowly eroding; people are just making up their own versions of what its purpose really is. This is a prime example of what I mean by "casual disdain."

Its been reported in The Really Up Yonder Gazette, an influential publication dedicated to digging up gossip about the well known dearly departed, that both William Shakespeare and John Milton have thrown up their arms in despair, and are contemplating turning their backs for good on something that some would consider their own creation: our English language.

As a matter of fact, in a recent exclusive interview, "Willie boy" himself bemoans the effect all of this is having on his favorite language, as follows:

"Oh, perfidy that has befallen our instrument of expression, by us once nearly refined. Oh, treachery flung upon us by the masses shamelessly disdainful of reading and writing, of independent thought evidently incapable!"

Ahem...

Frankly, I firmly believe that this unwarranted offense was perpetrated by one of the first guys, if not the very first, who threw up that first Web site selling, say, floppy disks with instructions on how to extend the mileage on single-ply bathroom tissue by rewashing it, carefully drying it with your wifes hair dryer when shed gone out of the house, natch, and then gingerly covering it with a special jelly for sofness. You know, just your average 3-Step Recycling Process used mainly in Third World countries like Wyoming, for instance...

For the purposes of this little tale, lets call this first marketer, Butcher D. Grammer.

Well, this confounded fellow started something which has become a movement, or a new language convention. Butcher decided that the little fellow, my friend the apostrophe, should not be used according to any rules or previous language conventions; heck no, the little fellow would, according to our Bathroom Recycle Consultant, be used any oltime.

He would use it, and so would the masses who were yet to come, but who would follow suit, and our Butcher knew this well, to interchangeably indicate either the possessive or the plural forms in any sentence.

So, a sentence such as, "The seller does not guarantee its potential profit," became: "The seller does not guarantee its potential profit."

Here he turned the possessive form of "its" into the abbreviated, or the contraction form of, it is. So, if you were to read the second sentence, removing the contraction, the last part would read: "does not guarantee it is potential."

But, our little Butcher, a thorough and disciplined craftsman, was not through yet. After all, there was even more damage he could inflict on American English; and, leeringly, he mused, rubbing his hands together, "Theyll follow me blindly anywhere."

Next, he turned his attention to the plural form of simple words. Just about any word ending in "s," indicating that there was more than one object of whatever unit was being counted or measured, he turned into, you guessed it, the possessive form.

Words or terms such as, buyers, software tools, ingrown toe nails, battering ramps, fools, attractive girls, dumb-as-can-be-guys, and many, many others, became: buyers, software tools, ingrown toe nails, battering ramps, fools, attractive girls, dumb-as-can-be-guys.

As hard to believe as it may seem, Butcher reign of terror is still not only alive and well, but from what Im going to show you, its expanding frighteningly. Please have a look at the following three additional examples, and cringe in terror:

1. If your interested, just sign up from the link below.

2. Just click here, and your done.

3. Simply load email addresss into your auto-responder.

Obviously, in the first two sentences, Butcher and his followers have cleverly used the second-person possessive pronoun "your" as a substitute for the abbreviated "youre." Their thinking being, "The heck with that comma-like thing which is supposed to go on top. Nobody will even miss it. And, we can get away with chopping off the last "e", also." So, once again, the apostrophe gets the shaft.

As regards the third sentence shown above, quite frankly, I have no comment; I wouldnt even know where to begin defining or deciphering it...Im afraid to look at it. Its just a stroke of genius from the hand of our hero, Butcher, who must have found the inspiration for this little morcel during a wrenching psychotic episode.

Now, I dont know how other people feel about the sinister, pervasive, and, yes, viral damage caused by this one crazy guy, but I, for one, hope he has gone to his final resting place. Let him drive them crazy over there if God forbid he finds himself near a typewriter; as it is, Butchers handiwork makes me go nuts practically every day here in cyber space.

If only we could go back to that time in the past, 1962 comes readily to mind for one reason or another, when spelling and a little attention to grammar counted for something.

But, as they say, in Bolivia, "Dude, taint no use complainin, dem dere days is long gone."

Copyright 2004 Jorge M Vega

About The Author

After struggling for years trying to figure out what worked and what didnt work online, the author, Jorge M. Vega, has started to "bring home the bacon" marketing on the Internet. Quietly, he has found a few select, sure-fire ways that anyone can use to begin making a comfortable home-based living, starting today: http://www.earnlarge.com/pbi

The work around a house or apartment has got to be some of the least thanked work ever created. Whether it is the yard work on the weekend, plumbing as it arises, daily dishes & errand running, we tend to overlook the assistance that our spouse and children offer us regularly.

Part of why being at home is so tiring for some is the simple fact that the ongoing work of maintaining regular life is hardly regarded as special.

We don’t forget to say thank you for trips to Hawaii, or Prague gift love-language.

We sparkle with delight after a full body massage touch love-language.

We treasure all those times of close one-on-one talks quality time love-language.

But what about gifts of service Do we appreciate those................. sometimes.

When someone in your house regularly contributes to the existence of the household—be sure to commend them. The trick is that you need to give back appreciation/love in a way that they recognize it.

Find out the number 1 love language of the family member that is contributing to your household running smoothly. Then show them love by speaking that language to them. For instance, lets say your husband mows the lawn and fixes the electrical problems around the house. He also irons, walks the dog, changes the baby in the middle of the night, and waxes your car by hand after every wash. Now, he is obviously contributing love to you and the family through the language of gifts of service.

Does that mean you are to do service back to him so he can feel loved too Sometimes. In some cases being tended to or waited on will help him feel loved and reciprocated to. However, he may have grown up watching his dad do those things and merely believes that is the way to show love. This may be one way he contributes but doesn’t prove it is his love language.

Do a study on him. Find out what his PRIMARY love language is so that when he contributes to the household in anyway—you will have ideas of how to appropriately show your appreciation.

Reason I bring this up = If you show appreciation in one of the 4 secondary love languages that rank below your husbands primary love language--- he may not fully feel appreciated. He may eventually feel taken advantage of, and slowly over time he may decrease his input in this way. So, if you want the help to continue be sure to show your appreciation in HIS primary language.

Example:

If “Tom” has a primary language of touch—then hugs, kisses, and caresses would be appropriate to say Thank You.

If “Tom” has a primary language of gifts -- then perhaps a new golf club or video game might be nice to say Thank You.

If “Tom” primarily speaks the love language of words of affirmation—then be sure to praise him during and after his service.

If “Tom” leans towards the love language of quality time—then go someplace alone to hang out and spend time together, or send the kids to bed early so you can cuddle and talk.

Finally, If indeed “Tom” primarily values love through the giving and receiving of acts of service then find some ways for you to contribute to his life through some acts of service—pick up dry cleaning, wash his car, have dinner ready get the house & kids cleaned before he gets home etc.

As I have told several of you…. We speak 5 unique languages.

It is not enough to just pick one and speak it to everyone in the house.

If your son or daughter are “touch” kids and you primarily use words of affirmation to show love… chances are they are not feeling ALL the love you are trying to show. A simple hug, or touching of toes while watching a video would go much much further for that “touch” kid.

Each person is unique. And they develop their own world accordingly. It actually is possible to be showing someone a HUGE amount of love—yet they complain they are not loved at all / or at least enough. This is a simple sad truth. The reason for it is they register love primarily in a love language that you are not using to give back.

So let’s fix that !!

If you are in a family or friendship with someone that is feeling under appreciated—take an inventory to discover their primary love language.

Then try for 20 days to daily show them 3 small doses of love in THEIR love language of choice.

When it is all done after 20 days… send me an email and tell me of all the differences that came about from your giving love in the way they needed it.

Until next time-- all the best,

Kate

Re-print Rights: You may use this article in its entirety, all that I ask is that you contact me with an email here: kate@comedreamwithme.com to let me know. Thanks for the support!

About The Author

Kate Hufstetler is a well established business & personal coach who has helped many individuals like yourself to beat "the blues" and gain control over their lives. Her clients come from both the United States and overseas. She offers coaching services via email and phone consultations at flexible timing and financing to meet your every need. Through personal, business, spiritual mentorship, she could help you too! Please visit for available packages within your range: http://www.comedreamwithme.com/start_today.html Kate@comedreamwithme.com

Language Training is integral to success in the International setting. It is increasingly recognized as a key element in assignment success.

The ability to communicate in the local language of International colleagues and clients facilitates relationship building and fosters an atmosphere of credibility and trust.

Knowledge of the local language gives international assignees a more thorough understanding of the host countrys culture. Attaining a high level of linguistic proficiency can mean the difference between the success and failure of an International assignment. Increasingly, there is need for highly specialized training such as accent reduction, business writing in the target language, contract negotiation and skills to deliver presentations or conduct interviews.

Having linguistically proficient personnel is often the best way to build and maintain relationships with local nationals. As users confidence in the target language increases, so does their ability to identify opportunities and broaden business capabilities.

It is recommended to have Language Learning Programs which creates success & confidence in all paths of life by solving the problem of international communication skills in any international language with effective language learning solutions.

About The Author

Madhur Bajaj url: http://www.geocities.com/language_success language_success@yahoo.co.in

Language Training is integral to success in the International setting. It is increasingly recognized as a key element in assignment success.

The ability to communicate in the local language of International colleagues and clients facilitates relationship building and fosters an atmosphere of credibility and trust.

Knowledge of the local language gives international assignees a more thorough understanding of the host countrys culture. Attaining a high level of linguistic proficiency can mean the difference between the success and failure of an International assignment. Increasingly, there is need for highly specialized training such as accent reduction, business writing in the target language, contract negotiation and skills to deliver presentations or conduct interviews.

Having linguistically proficient personnel is often the best way to build and maintain relationships with local nationals. As users confidence in the target language increases, so does their ability to identify opportunities and broaden business capabilities.

It is recommended to have Language Learning Programs which creates success & confidence in all paths of life by solving the problem of international communication skills in any international language with effective language learning solutions.

About The Author

Madhur.G.Bajaj Further Information could be found at http://www.geocities.com/language_success

language_success@yahoo.co.in

What prevents people from using their native language or secondary languages confidently comes down to seven traps that most people fall into.

Language is one of the things that sets us apart as beings, one of the things that essentially defines us as humans. When language is used well it can elicit very deep feeling in others, motivate others to action and define the nature of our relationships. Sometimes in poetry the juxtaposition of two words or a certain phrase can bring tears to the eyes, call up a whole host of imagery and move us deeply. We have seen language recently used in the politics of persuasion, used for good or ill – depending on your viewpoint. When we use language to express our true feelings to someone it can open and deepen the connection between us. Language is a very powerful tool. How we use language shapes our world both internally and externally. How you use self-talk – what you say to yourself about yourself and about the world directly shapes your experience of both yourself and the world. How you deliver communication shapes the way the world responds to you. We can use language more effectively in both spheres: internal and external and directly influence the health and power of our personal relationships and our business relationships.

Connie Glaser, a leading expert on patterns of communication has come up with 7 self-sabotage traps that diminish the power of our speech. I want to speak about each of these traps and help you identify which ones may be just unconscious ways or habits you have developed to communicate. In my work as a coach I always see that when we can make an automatic habit conscious and see it clearly we have much more leverage with which to change it. We have choices!

As I looked at the 7 Steps that Ms Glaser outlined I realized that they were an acronym – I am always looking for these when I teach because it makes it so much easier for people to remember. What happens when we don’t use language effectively is that we deflect the power of it – we diminish the impact of it- we in fact don’t get our real message across.

DEFLECT: The seven traps that derail our message

Disclaimers: “You may think this sounds stupid, but…”

Effusive Apologies: “I’m sooooo sorry…”

Fumble: “kinda, sorta like….”

Long- Taking too long to get to the point – wrapping a point in so much other information that people lose the train of what you are saying.

Emotions get in the way: Perhaps crying when you are really angry, being afraid so not communicating at all…..

Credit- Not accepting credit.

Tag Questions: “That was an excellent report, don’t you think”

Each of these “habits of speech” serves to deflect the power or clarity of our communication.

Disclaimers take the legs out from under what you say so there is no foundation. The person is asked to agree that what you are saying is stupid.

Effusive Apologies tend to obscure what you are saying, your communication gets lost in all of the apology and the underlying message is that you are inn error.

Fumbling in your conversational style is a habit that communicates that you do not really know what you are talking about or that you would really rather someone would ignore it.

Taking too long to get to the point hides your real message in an avalanche of words- the essential message is hard if not impossible to discern.

When emotions get in the way people sometimes don’t deliver what they are really trying to convey because they are afraid of the outcome, embarrassed by what they want to say or wrap the communiqué in the opposite emotion i.e. they are really angry but break down instead.

Not accepting credit for something - saying things like “Oh it was nothing” or “Really I don’t deserve the credit” etc. deflects attention from you and tends to communicate that you would rather not be noticed.

Tag Lines or asking a question at the end of a statement robs that statement of any power. It is sort of like blowing up a balloon and the moment you give it to someone insert a pin in it.

Often these are habits of communication, patterns of speech that we have learned and have become habitual. If we can identify the habit we, of course, can make different choices in how we communicate. Spend some tine observing your “favorite” trap and experiment with another more powerful approach. Drop the tag line and make a declarative statement, stop for a moment when someone gives you credit and allow it to sink in, make a direct statement without a disclaimer. All of these shifts brings power and clarity back into your communication.

I am currently offering a workshop in person and by teleclass that explores this and deepens your facility to use language more powerfully. Please be in contact with me if you would like more information.

About The Author

Connie Butler is a personal and professional coach working with individuals and groups to clarify their greatest vision and cultivate its successful realization – moving them past their growth frontier into new territory. She is available for personal or professional coaching, seminars and can be reached at 305-534-1119 or connie@conniebutler.biz. Ms. Butler is a published author and radio personality.

Language Training is integral to success in the International setting. It is increasingly recognized as a key element in assignment success.

The ability to communicate in the local language of International colleagues and clients facilitates relationship building and fosters an atmosphere of credibility and trust.

Knowledge of the local language gives international assignees a more thorough understanding of the host countrys culture. Attaining a high level of linguistic proficiency can mean the difference between the success and failure of an International assignment. Increasingly, there is need for highly specialized training such as accent reduction, business writing in the target language, contract negotiation and skills to deliver presentations or conduct interviews.

Having linguistically proficient personnel is often the best way to build and maintain relationships with local nationals. As users confidence in the target language increases, so does their ability to identify opportunities and broaden business capabilities.

It is recommended to have Language Learning Programs which creates success & confidence in all paths of life by solving the problem of international communication skills in any international language with effective language learning solutions.

About The Author

Madhur Bajaj URL: http://www.geocities.com/language_success Contact No: 9850276340 language_success@yahoo.co.in

The secrets of our body language have been around forever yet people constantly fail to recognize the importance of using body language to their advantage. Did you know that people only pay attention to 7% of what we say Where does the rest of their attention go You guessed it right: our body language. Now let me give my 7 BLTs so that you can use your body language much more efficiently when interacting with people.

Always look at someone directly in their eyes when they are speaking to you. This may seem difficult at first but it’s definitely the #1 body language ingredient to make you successful when interacting with others. Note: Do not ever stare at someone.

Always stand up straight. You never want to slouch. Not only does this make you appear shorter but it projects an image of someone who has low self-esteem.

Smile. Smiling is your most powerful body language signal. Though it is not recommended to smile constantly people will be under the impression you are searching for approval, you should still make an effort to appear happy and optimistic.

Do not make repeated, nervous like gestures. When speaking to someone it’s important to use body movements but never fast and repetitive ones picture someone who is nervous while public speaking; this is exactly what youre NOT aiming for.

Create your own personal space. Make sure you let others know you have your own personal space and do not let them walk all over you. Note: you never want to invade someone else’s personal space.

Dedicate all of your attention to the person you are speaking with. Do not constantly look around as if you are uncomfortable or not interested.

Make sure to emphasize all of these tips when you meet someone new. First impressions count for a lot. You want to make the best impression you can.

Most people are unaware of the way they are projecting themselves because in general, people will detect body language signals subconsciously. Make an effort to apply all seven of these tips and people will react differently when you are speaking to them.

About The Author

Pete Grand is the author of the breakthrough ebook: “How To Overcome Shyness: A man’s complete guide on overcoming shyness”. To download his free ebook "12 Dirty Habits That Prevent You From Developing Exceptional People Skills" visit http://www.overcome-shyness.com

Language is a challenging way to communicate. It allows us to share our thoughts and feelings by describing our personal views of reality.

Yet language is not reality. It is merely a limited system of symbols, signals, sounds, or gestures that belong to a specific culture or group. It only describes a personal map of the actual territory. We might have a great message to share. Yet there are other important factors to consider if we want to make our communication effective.

In addition to the content of our messages, language conveys feelings. Our voices are colored with emotion and attitude. Add the subtle nuances of pitch and loudness, intonation, rate, facial expression and posture. Now we have a complex pattern of behavior with the power to influence our listeners.

Without those additional nuances available in writing, the selection of words and sentences must do all the work. They must be chosen carefully. Whether our messages are spoken or written, the job is still unfinished.

Our language must pass through the filters of emotion, culture, situational context, and personal beliefs. These filters will influence the listener’s perception and interpretation of our message resulting in either acceptance or rejection of our ideas.

1. Emotion: Our listeners may be joyful, anxious, upset, expectant, excited, or in any emotional state. Their emotional state will influence their reaction to our message. An upset individual will not be ready to receive new ideas. On the other hand, someone who is looking forward to hearing what we have to say will accept our ideas if we present them well.

2. Culture: An individual’s personal history, country of origin and upbringing will influence their worldview. Their language may not contain words and concepts that ours does. These people will interpret our messages differently than someone with our own background. They may not understand many of our views. When formulating our messages, we must take care to respect cultures, customs, and histories that are different from our own.

3. Situational Context: What the listener has recently experienced as well as environmental factors will also influence the way he or she receives our messages. Unlike emotions, situational context involves elements that are external to the listener. This includes our own presentation of the message. What we said previously and how we said it will influence the listener’s perception of what we say next. A room that is too noisy, dark, cold, or uncomfortable will distract the listener’s attention.

4. Personal Beliefs: We filter everything we hear through our personal beliefs. We relate everything we experience to previous experiences. If we understand an idea or concept, it is because we are relating it to our past learning. It is rare that we actually have a completely new experience. We have core beliefs about our lives; these personal maps of the world guide the way we listen, perceive, and interpret what we hear. Our messages will be influenced significantly by our listener’s personal beliefs. We need to select our words carefully, and craft our presentations so that they will touch our listeners on a deeper emotional level. It is at this deeper emotional level where the most effective communication is achieved.

Well-chosen language can touch the heart and soul, find a common ground, tear down walls of division, and foster powerful new alliances. It can be an extremely powerful success tool.

Language that ignores the listeners emotional state, culture, current life situations, and personal beliefs will miss its mark. Instead of building trust, it will distance us from those who could become friends and allies.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Eloquence is the power to translate a truth into language perfectly intelligible to the person to whom you speak."

Choosing our messages carefully, and remembering these language filters will help us develop that eloquence, and will make our communications more effective. We will obtain improved results in both our careers and personal lives by engendering trust, building rapport, and creating positive new relationships.

About The Author

Copyright 2004 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a life success coach, and the creator of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts that will brighten your day and help you achieve more. Subscribe now, and find many great achievement resources by visiting Steve’s site at http://www.AchieveEzine.com

Body language is fascinating. People rarely recognize how much information they give off and how noticeable it is to the human eye. Even to the untrained human eye. It is said that no less that 50 percent of information on a person’s character, impact and credibility is conveyed through no verbal communication.

The following is a list of some common body postures and states the persons position.

Meanings of body actions

Arms crossed: Defensive and cautious.

Resting chin on palm: Critical, cynical and negative towards the other person.

Dropping eyeglasses onto the lower bridge of the nose and peering over them: Causes negative reactions in others.

Slowly and deliberately taking off glasses and carefully cleaning the lens: The person wants to pause and think before raising opposition or asking for clarification.

Pinching bridge of the nose: Communicates great thought and concern.

Nose-rubbing or nose-touching: A sign of doubt, it often reveals a negative reaction.

Rubbing around ears: Performed while weighing an answer, commonly coupled with well, I dont know.

Resting feet on a desk or chair: Gestures of territorial hegemony.

Swaying back: Weak ego.

Retracted shoulders: Suppressed anger.

Direct Eye Contact: Interested, likes you

Smiling Eyes: Is comfortable

Relaxed Brow: Comfortable

Limited or No Eye Contact : Lying, uninterested, too confined, uncomfortable, distracted

Tension in Brow : Confusion, tension, fear

Shoulders hunched forward : Lacking interest or feeling inferior

Rigid Body Posture : Anxious, uptight

Crossed arms : Can be just cold, protecting the body, or defensive

Tapping Fingers : Agitated, anxious, bored

Fidgeting with hands or objects i.e., pen : Bored or has something to say

Leaning forward : Interested

Fingers Interlocked placed behind the head leaving elbows open and armpits exposed : Very open to ideas, comfortable

Mirroring you : Likes you and wants to be friendly

Still : More interested in what you are saying than anything

Eyes open slightly more than usual: Gives people the impression that they are welcome.

Breath faster: Nervous or angry

Inhaling loudly and shortly: Wants to interrupt a speaking person

Loud sigh: Understand the thing that is being told.

Twisting the feet continuously : A person is nervous or concerned, but can also mean that a person is stressed or angry and that he dont want to show that to everybody.

Legs wide apart or Sitting straddle-legged: Shows that a person is feeling safe, and is self - confident. Can also show leadership.

A big smile that goes on longer and disappears slower.: Unreal or fake smile

Crossed legs with highest foot in the direction of the speaker.: Relaxed and self-confident and they are listening very carefully.

Rapidly nodding your head : Shows impatient and eager to add something to the conversation

Slowly nodding: Shows interest and that they are validating the comments of the interviewer, and this subtly encourages him to continue.

Dangling the loose shoe from the toes : Signals physical attraction

Rubbing your collar: Nerves

Adjusting your tie: Insecurity

Pressed Lips: Pressed lips convey disagreement and disapproval. It communicates a desire to end the discussion. A raised chin implies aggression that may be acted on if the conversation is not ended.

Pursed Lips: This is also a sign of disapproval. It indicates that the person has fixed views that cannot be changed. This usually reveals an arrogant and superficial character.

Biting the Lips: The person expresses embarrassment when he bites his lips. He also communicates a lack of self-confidence.

Reading Hand Signals: People have been granted with two hands: the left and the right hand. The left has been dubbed as the "emotional hand” since an imaginary line can be drawn from the third finger leading directly to the heart. This is why the wedding ring is placed on this finger. The right hand, literally on the other hand. has been named the "proper hand” since it is with this hand that people communicate a blocking or stopping signal.

Open Hands: Open hands may be demonstrated by showing the palm of one’s hand, especially in a conversation or an argument.. This expresses a trust in other and an interest in their opinions. It also offers an opinion and invites the sharing of the other person’s view.

Covered Hands: This is expressed by raising the back of one or both hands against others. This indicates the setting up of barriers or the keeping of distance. It is an act of concealing feelings and covering insecurity

Clinging Hands: Those who cling to objects, such as handbags. files or tables. show a need for support. This action conveys confusion or insecurity. It expresses fear and difficulty in coping with the current situation.

Twisted Hands crossing both hands then clasping the palms together : Expression of a complex personality. It may indicate a difficult emotional life. The way the palms are held together conveys a need to hide something.

Clasping the hands : indicates defence.

Shrugged shoulders: You can recognize stressed shoulders by the fact that they are a bit shrugged, which does make the head look smaller. The meaning of the signal comes from crouching in dangerous situations.

The meaning of this posing depends on the combination. In combination with big eyes it means that someone is concerned about something that is going to happen. In combination with a face that is turned away it means that the person wants to be left alone. An introvert person has nearly always those stressed shoulders.

Difference in level of both shoulders: By most of the people the left and the right shoulder are of the same height. When they are not, it often means that someone is doubting about what he is going to do. With this movement we simulate unconscious that we are weighing the possibilities. Sometimes when someone makes this movement, his head will move a little like he is looking above.

Crossed arms: There are a lot of different explanations of the meaning of crossed arms. When someone has crossed arms and he is shaking his head it means that he does not agree with you. But he can also cross his arms when he is frightened, then his arms give him some protection. Another option is that he is feeling cold and he is trying to hold his body-warmth with him. When someone is sitting in a chair with his arms crossed, it indicates that the person is relaxed.

Making a fist from your hands: A fist is a sign for aggression. It comes from hitting someone. But it is seldom used with a threatening meaning. Most of the time it is used to indicate that you are angry or irritated.

Holding the hand before the mouth: Holding a hand before your mouth means that you are hiding something. In western countries it is impolite to belch or to hiccup. So someone can hold his hand before his mouth to hide that he is hiccupping. When someone puts his hand before his mouth when he is talking it indicates that he is saying something or has said something that he did not want to say.

Making the eyes look larger: The meaning of making the eyes look larger can be that someone is astonished. In that case he opens his mouth a little. It can also mean that he is happy or that he likes the thing that is talked about. And because it means that you like something, you can use it on purpose. It pleases people when you have your eyes opened a bit further.

When people open their eyes a bit further it can also mean that they are unhappily surprised. Then they will frown their eyebrows.

Raising the eyebrows: Raising the eyebrows shortly means that people are surprised. They raise their eyebrows to allow them to look better. But it can also mean that somebody is looking at you, and that he likes you.

Raised forehead: A raised forehead often means that someone is remembering something he has seen. This often happens very quickly. It can also be a sign of a certain emotion. It is a biological reflex that you raise your forehead a little when you are crying so the tears can move easier.

Pursed lips: When somebody purses his lips it means that he has to make a decision and is thinking about that. Sometimes he also moves his lips, like he is saying the possibilities. When somebody purses his lips, he often looks a bit upward.

Firm Handshake: The strong, firm handshake usually is given by a person who is sure and confident of themselves.

Weak hand shake: People who give these types of handshakes are either nervous, shy, insecure, or afraid of interaction with other people.

Cleared your throat: Nervousness.

Bitten your fingernails: Nervousness.

Wring your hands: Nervousness.

Paced the floor: Nervousness.

A person is bouncing their legs and their arms are crossed over or their torso is slumped: Closed off

--

You can reprint this article free on your site as long as this credit stays here

About The Author

Written by Bud Smith, a co-webmaster of http://www.infoweb.co.nz.. Infoweb is the place to go for information on musical instruments and creating websites.

If you are already on the web or thinking about it then you must know the terminology used on the web. Here is a Glossary of a few must know Web Terms.

Visitors:

The number of distinct people who visit your site.

Page Views:

The number of web pages that have been viewed by the visitors to your site. If a single page is viewed many times by a visitor, each view is treated as a new page view.

Hits:

When a visitor views a page that has 3 graphics or images on it, he / she will give you 4 hits. 1 for the HTML page and 3 for the graphics. As hits are meaningless, you must not express your site statistics in terms of Hit count.

Referrer URL:

It is the web site from which the visitor has arrived to your site. Assume that the xyzsite.com web site has a link to your site on all its pages. When a surfer clicks on your sites link and arrives at your site, xyzsite.com becomes your Referrer URL. Thus a referrer url indicates the sites which are giving you traffic.

If surfers type the url of your site in their browsers to arrive at your site, it will be shown as a Direct Hit in the Referrer URL list.

Targeted Traffic:

It includes the surfers who visit your site because they want the product or service or information which is being offered by your site. Usually a Search Engine or Directory will produce Targeted Traffic to your site. Your aim should be to build Targeted Traffic to your site.

A link or banner without supporting content will produce untargeted traffic.

Page Creation Tools:

They let you work with a single HTML document at a time. Netscape Composer is a Page Creation Tool.

Site Creation Tools:

They let you work with several HTML documents at once. MS Front Page is a Site Creation Tool.

WYSIWYG HTML Editor:

This is short for " What You See Is What You Get ". It is pronounced as We-z-Wig. A WYSIWYG HTML Editor will create the HTML page for you. All tags are automatically inserted by the editor when you click buttons. You only need to type in the text of your document. A WYSIWYG Editor is very useful while working with tables as it displays the table structure i.e. rows and columns.

Netscape Composer ,which is part of the Netscape Communicator 4 & higher package, is a WYSIWYG HTML Editor.

HTML Validation:

It is a software program which you can install on your computer. It is used to determine if the HTML code in your web page has any errors on it. Validating your HTML code ensures that your web page will be displaced correctly by most browsers.

Direct Linking:

If your web host allows direct linking to servers then a file .zip, .exe from your web site can be downloaded from another web site by hyperlinking. However, most of the free web hosts like Tripod, Geocities, Angelfire etc. do not allow Direct Linking. Thus surfers will need to visit your web page to download any file.

Spider:

When you submit a web site to a Search Engine SE, the SE will send out spiders software program to your site. These spiders will record information about your site and bring it back to the SE. The info brought by the spiders is added to the database of the SE. This process is known as indexing. After your site has been indexed it will be ranked and listed by the SE, so that the site shows up in the search results.

Yahoo doesnt use spiders. All info is added manually to the Yahoo database. Thus Yahoo is a directory and not a Search Engine.

Autoresponder:

It is a software that sends an automated reply or replies to emails sent to it. The reply or replies are pre written and saved on the web server by the web site owner. As the replies are automated, it saves time & effort for the web site owner. Autoresponders can be used for sending product details to customers, to handle subscription requests or to send follow up messages to prospective customers.

About The Author

The author is the web master for the http://NewsForUse.FreeHosting.net/ web site. He uses his spare time to collect and compile articles of VALUE on various topics.

For freelancers, knowing the basic terminology “before” they begin can be a valuable lesson in earning a few extra dollars in that initial stage. When I started my freelancing career, I knew nothing of rights, simultaneous submissions, querying or varying payment rates. All I knew was-- I could write. Everything else, I learnt on the job. You will too. But just to make your stay a little less frustrating, and a lot more enjoyable, I’ve listed a few concepts that will help you immensely as you contact editors and try to make them pay you for your words.

Copyright

It’s yours as soon as you have those words on paper. You don’t have to register copyright to claim it, though if you’re writing a novel or book, it’s a wise investment. Registered copyright is proof enough for a court of law, and is extremely valuable in cases of dispute. However, for short materials like articles or essays, copyright needn’t be registered. You can however, club a number of essays and register them together.

Reprints

Reprints are articles, essays or pieces that have already been published. If you own the copyright more on that later, and want to sell the piece again to another publication, it will be termed as a reprint. Most publications pay much less for reprints and some don’t accept them at all. However, for a freelancer, sometimes reprints bring more income than original articles do.

Rights

Earlier, magazines asked for all rights to articles. Even today, in many countries, including my own India, most magazines want to keep all the rights ensuring that the articles in their magazine remain unique to them. However, this trend no longer exists in America, Canada and England, and is making headway into other nations as well. Now, almost all magazines in these nations refrain from asking for all rights to the work. Others have opened their doors for reprints, which is a boon for writers. Let’s look at some of the different kinds of rights.

All Rights: This means that the article must not have been published before, and cannot be used again after it has been published in this particular publication. Never give up all rights for a measly sum of money. If you’re selling all rights, make sure you’re being paid what you deserve.

First Serial Rights: These usually pertain to some country. For e.g., First North American Serial Rights, or First British Serial Rights. Although the article mustn’t have been published in the country prior to this, you are free to submit elsewhere after publication.

Electronic Rights: As more and more publications archive their articles online, they are asking for electronic rights. This means that they can carry your article online. Usually a time-period is specified. Also, electronic rights are usually non-exclusive, meaning that you can sell this article elsewhere although it will continue to appear on this publication’s website.

CD-ROM Rights: A fairly new addition to the list of rights, this means that the publication is free to use your work on a Compact Disk.

Anthology Rights: Some publications publish yearly anthologies collection of articles or stories. In such cases, they ask for these rights for possible inclusion of your work in their anthology.

First-time Rights: Your article must not have appeared anywhere worldwide. You are however, free to sell your work elsewhere after publication.

One-time Rights: Your work may have appeared elsewhere. Publications asking for one-time rights require that you let them use your work once. It may or may not have been published before and you are free to use it after publication.

Payment on Acceptance vs. Payment on Publication

You’ve written an article and the editor has approved it. Now comes the time to pay you. Well, not quite. Many publications prefer to pay their writers on publication, meaning when the article appears in print. In established magazines, the time between acceptance and publication can be months, so you may write an article in January, and be paid for it in June. Always try to get paid on acceptance.

Clips

When you write a query, the editor wants to see more than just a good idea. She wants to know whether you can do it justice, whether you’ll be able to carry it through or not. For this, she needs to see samples of your writing. Published samples are termed as clips. Simply stated, you photocopy the pages of approximately three magazines in which your articles have appeared and send them to the editor.

If you haven’t been published, you’ll still need to send in samples of your writing. For this, write out an article or two related to the subject of the magazine, and send them off with your query.

Lead Time

A magazine usually asks writers to submit their work well in advance so that there are no last-minute goof-ups. Magazines, especially reputed ones, cannot risk delaying an issue because of a single writer. This period is usually termed as lead-time. Although most magazines have lead times of approximately three months, many have periods of more than six months.

Kill Fees

Editors are always “killing” articles that they’ve assigned. To the writer, this could mean wasted time, as well as money. To reimburse the writer for her research and hours put in, magazines usually have a 20-50% kill fee. Simply put, if your query has been accepted, but your article isn’t published for some reason, you’ll be given a kill fee for your work.

Expenses

For your article, you may have to interview a subject. In some cases, you may have to make long-distance calls or spend a few bucks on travel, lunches and other expenses. All such expenditures incurred for the assignment are usually paid for by the publication. You should be very clear on this before you get on the assignment. Usually, editors will agree to reasonable expenditure refunds.

Bios and Photos

Haven’t you sometimes noticed how the author’s picture or contact information appears alongside the article Yours could too. Although this isn’t always done, sometimes editors may agree to put up a photo or a short bio beside your article. It never hurts to ask.

Simultaneous Submissions

Although this is something magazines advise against, it isn’t always feasible waiting three months for your hot idea to strike a note with the editor you’ve submitted it to. This is where simultaneous submissions come in. Although I truly warn you against submitting the same article to more than one publisher I did it, and I regretted it, I do advocate simultaneous queries.

Now that you’re armed with the basic knowledge, you’re all set to go out into the big, bad world of publishing, and show them what you’ve got. Good luck!

About The Author

Mridu Khullar is the editor-in-chief of www.WritersCrossing.com, a free online magazine for writers. Sign up for the free weekly newsletter to get a complimentary e-book with 400+ paying markets. Also check out her e-book, "Knock Their Socks Off! A Freelance Writers Guide to Query Letters That Sell," available at http://www.writerscrossing.com/queries.html

About the Author

Jeannette Balleza is Co-Owner of Vulcan Creative, a creative agency specializing in identity with integrity. Vulcan Creative consults with clients on communication strategy and concept development and refinement for graphic design and web site development projects. Go to http://www.vulcancreative.com for more information and to request a free initial consultation, or e-mail jeannette@vulcancreative.com.

About the Author

(c)Susan Dunn, MA Clinical Psychology, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . To take The EQ Foundation Course, go here: http://www.susandunn.cc/courses.htm . Emotional intelligence coaching and EQ coach training, distance learning.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (c)Susan Dunn, MA Clinical Psychology, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . To take The EQ Foundation Course, go here: http://www.susandunn.cc/courses.htm . Emotional intelligence coaching and EQ coach training, distance learning.

About the Author

Sasson Margaliot is the founder of Linguistic Agents Ltd (www.linguisticagents.com)

How important is non-verbal communication? How can I "read" people? Read on to find out. 1. I don't understand this stuff about non-verbal language. I say what I mean - how does the way I say it make a difference?

A recent article in Discover magazine on how we recognize faces said that we have such powerful brain "circuitry" for facial expressions that we insist on seeing faces where there are none - in clouds or in the wallpaper pattern. Non-verbal communication takes place whether you think it is important or not.

There are underlying, unconscious mechanisms in our brains that insist on evaluating everything about what the person is doing; not just what they are saying. And we judge the other whether they say anything or not. How often have you thought "that person has a bad attitude" or something similar just by observing them?

2. What constitutes non-verbal communication? Is it body language?

Non-verbal communication is everything except your words. It includes body language (which by itself includes facial expression and body attitude) but also include many other factors such as object language (driving a BMW says something, wearing torn jeans and a dirty sweatshirt says something). All of us have looked at someone standing across the room and thought, "Man, what an attitude." That constitutes non-verbal communication.

3. I think body language is overrated as a way of understanding someone. Why is it important?

Close your eyes and hold a conversation with someone. See if your level of understanding is hampered in any way. Remember phone conversations where you weren't sure where the person was coming from. And remember, as well that body language is just one component of non-verbal communication. So while body language is not a complete method of understanding someone else, it is a key factor.

4. How can I use non-verbal communication to improve how others perceive and understand me?

Remember that our listeners process non-verbal cues automatically and almost unconsciously. Use gestures and facial expressions to reinforce what you're saying. Be aware that you are sending out non-verbal messages all the time. Become more self-aware of how you speak and the impact of your mode of dress and even the way you stand or sit. Increased self-awareness (without becoming self-conscious) and using non-verbal cues on purpose are probably the best ways to improve your non-verbal impact on others.

About the Author

Hal Warfield is a speaker, teacher and coach. Write him at warfield@midsouth.rr.com or via his website at www.halwarfield.com

About the Author

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD, speaks, coaches & conducts seminars for entrepreneurs & professionals who want the motivation, strategies and inspiration to achieve, to lead and to live richly. Hear her weekly on http://www.WSRadio.com. Visit her website for more great info.

About the Author

url: http://www.geocities.com/language_successcontact no:+919850276340

About the Author

Biography:Marinda Stuiver has been working in the marketing industry since 1996. She worked as International sales and marketing consultant for Station Africa Telecoms where one of her responsibilities was media liaison during sponsored events such as the Camel Trophy 4X4 events, Kathy O’Dowd’s firs ascent of Mt Everest, the 1999 BT sponsored Vasco da Gama Yacht race and many more. Convergence of technologies is her main area of interest.

About the Author

Virginia Bola is a licensed clinical psychologist with deep interests in Social Psychology and politics. She has performed therapeutic services for more than 20 years and has studied the effects of cultural forces and employment on the individual. The author of an interactive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at http://drvirginiabola.blogspot.com

Danny Glover, the famous American actor, once said that his new year's resolution was to learn French, because everyone he wants to speak with in West Africa speaks French. If you would like your fun new year's resolution to be to learn a new language, then there are quite a few different ways you can go about it.Perhaps you've been wanting to learn the language of your Grandmother. Perhaps you would benefit from learning an official language or unofficial second language of your country, such as French in Canada or Spanish in USA. Or Greek in Melbourne Australia! Apparently the second largest Greek-speaking city in the world after Athens, in terms of number of people who speak Greek, is Melbourne Australia! Or perhaps you feel like learning something that feels exotic like Japanese or Swahili. One Saturday in November 2004, the national Canadian newspaper the "The Globe and Mail" put its entire front page in Chinese, explaining that with the globalization of jobs, Chinese will probably be a necessary business language of the future.A fun way to start learning a new language, especially if you're not a disciplined type of student, is to enrol in a language course. You meet other people in your class who have the same language interest as you which is fun in itself, you're being taught by a real teacher, and the once a week schedule of the classes means that you are practising your new language regularly and steadily. Local community centers offer these courses. Colleges, private language institutes and continuing education programs at university offer them. You may be lucky enough to have cultural organizations nearby that offer language courses. For instance, a local immigrant organization in my town offers courses in Swahili, a language spoken in many east African countries. Downtown, a cultural organization funded by France called Alliance Française, offers French courses. A nearby Saturday Chinese school offers courses in Mandarin Chinese for both adults and children, and it's quite encouraging to see Cantonese-speaking adults there having as much trouble pronouncing Mandarin as the non-Chinese adults!If you can't get away to a class, then there are lots of language courses you can study at home: books, audio cassettes, video cassettes, DVDs, music, interactive computer software, and online courses on the Internet. Your local library probably has language learning resources that you can borrow, if you don't want to start off the year with the expense of buying these materials. When studying on your own in this way, try to devote 10 minutes every day to a bit of study or revision, instead of doing 1 hour one day but then not finding the time to look at it again for a couple of months. With 10 minutes of study each day, you probably won't feel like you are making progress because the progress is so gradual. However, the progress will also be steady, and in 3 months time when you look back on how much you have learned, you'll probably impress yourself.To get you started learning your new language in the next 5 minutes, here are some links to free online courseshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/languages - On the BBC website, you will find free online courses for French, Spanish, German, Italian, Greek, Portuguese and Mandarin Chinese. And also for Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish and English, and links to British Sign Language.http://www.word2word.com/course.html - The Word2Word website contains links to free language courses all over the Internet. As of January 2005, it has links for 114 languages, from Abenaki, Albanian and Arabic, to Urdu, Vietnamese and Xhosa. In all, there are 288 links to online courses. So whether you want to learn Cree, Croatian or Korean, hopefully you'll find a free course for the language you want here.A great way to learn and practise another language is "language immersion" – being surrounded by people who speak that language and you having to get things done in that language environment. A holiday in a foreign country is a very interesting and fun "language immersion" opportunity. People amaze themselves, speaking words in a foreign tongue that they didn't realize they knew, when they have to function in a foreign language environment. Closer to home, local immigrant community events may be able to provide you with a language immersion environment without the expense of travel.My Japanese teacher told us that if you understand more than 5% of what is being said in a foreign language, then you are not at the optimum level for learning the maximum amount possible of that foreign language. If you understand more than 5% of what is going on in your class, go up a level he said! If 95% seems gooblety-gook to you, then that's perfect he said! Take heart. It means you are soaking up as much of that foreign language as is humanly possible!According to Ellen Bialystok and Kenji Hakuta in the book "In Other Words", adults are more capable of learning a second language than most people assume. In the book "What's Going On In There", Lise Eliot explains how Noam Chomsky discovered in the late 1950s that all of the world's languages share the same fundamental structure. He called it "Universal Grammar". The language you already speak and the language you want to learn both have sentences, grammar, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions and conjunctions. You may not be able to label those parts of your speech, but your brain is applying those concepts to your speech every day, and has been doing so ever since you were a baby. Experts believe that our brains have specific language circuits, like a computer has specific circuitry to do certain tasks. If you can communicate in one language (and if you are reading this, then obviously you can!), then you have the necessary brain circuitry to communicate in any language.Which brings us to the subject of babies, kids and language. My father observed that French children must be very clever. While English-speaking teenagers are struggling with French in high school, apparently French children are fluently speaking French right from toddlerhood! (!!!)Language courses for children exist in our communities, particularly in communities that have vibrant ethnic members. Fun but academically serious Saturday language classes for children are very popular among immigrant families. They are created so that children can learn the language and culture of the old country that their ancestors came from, and they usually embrace the participation of other children from outside their culture. So if you want your child to get a head start in a foreign language, to reap the IQ benefits of being multilingual, and to share and practise with you while you also learn a foreign language, enrol them in Saturday school for Chinese, Italian, Greek, Croatian or whatever language school you find available for kids.As with adults, lots of multimedia resources are available for teaching foreign languages to children. The latest craze is language videos for babies! Small children find these videos very entertaining and love to watch them. Some well-known titles include Bilingual Baby and Lyric Language. On the Internet, http://www.kiddiesgames.com offers fun free games for babies and preschoolers to learn Spanish and French.Have you ever thought of learning Sign Language? American Sign Language (or ASL) is the first language of half a million people in the United States and Canada, and is probably the third most used language in USA. Dr Bill Vicars at the ASL University at http://lifeprint.com/asl101 tells us that many deaf people cherish and enjoy their language and deaf culture so much that given the chance to hear, they'd rather remain deaf so as to remain part of their culture. On that website you can find a free online ASL course and visual dictionary.The benefits of hearing babies and toddlers learning sign language are very exciting. The research of the past decade has shown that hearing infants that learn sign language learn to speak verbally earlier, have higher IQs, have less tantrums during the terrible twos because they can communicate their needs, and are generally happier! There is now quite a choice of entertaining videos for small children that are very effective at teaching kids signs, such as the Signing Time videos at http://www.signingtime.com and the We Sign videos that you can preview at http://www.production-associates.com/wesign.html. In some areas, it's possible for children to take signing classes such as those of http://www.kindersigns.com or to join reverse integration kindergarten at deaf organizations or signing playgroups.Have fun carrying out your new year's resolution of learning a new language. Find some music in your target language that is in a music style that you enjoy and has the words to the songs. Robert Fisher in the book "Head Start" explains that there is a link between music and remembering language. He reports that the Ancient Greeks would listen to the whole of the Iliad chanted to soft lyre music, and this allowed many people to be able to remember long passages from the Iliad.Have fun! ¡Diviértase! Amusez-vous bien!

Copyright © 2005 Emma Rath

About Emma: The author of this article, Emma Rath, produces free online and purchasable download baby and preschooler computer games, including games for learning English, French and Spanish, http://www.kiddiesgames.com.

About the Author: Gabrielle Guichard, a French teacher who can be reached on GabrielleGuichard.com and listened to on FrenchPodcasting.com

About the Author: Gabrielle Guichard, a French teacher who can be reached on http://www.gabrielleguichard.com and listened to on http://www.frenchpodcasting.com

About the Author: Gabrielle Guichard, a French teacher who can be reached on GabrielleGuichard.com and listened to on FrenchPodcasting.com

About the Author: Gabrielle Guichard, a French teacher who can be reached on http://www.gabrielleguichard.com and listened to on http://www.frenchpodcasting.com

Dear Sir/Mam,

Dont you feel good when a foreigner speaks a few lines of Hindi to you. How would you feel if you could do the same when you go to a foreign land?

We are here to help you to achieve confidence and fluency in communication with a vocabulary of 2000 words for all kinds of situations as well as develops and consolidates the 4 skills of communication speaking, reading, understanding, and writing in any international language

We are sure that we can contribute to your growth and profit. We would appreciate the opportunity to help your organisation meet its goals.

Can we get back to you for further information relevant to your needs?

Madhur.G.Bajaj Educational Consultant Lotus learning Pvt Ltd. Contact Number: 91-217-2724445

The Linguaphone Institute London , founded in 1923, has always had close links with acedemic world. Jacques Roston, founder of the Institute and pioneer of the use of sound recordings in home- study language learning, was advised by distinguished scholars in the field of languages including Daniel Jones, probably the best-known phonetician this century and author of the definitive English Pronouncing Dictionary. In 1967 Linguaphone relationship with the acedemic world was formalised with the appointment of an Acedemic Advisory Committee chaired by the former provost of University College London, Ifor Evans( Lord Evans of Hungershall), ahd including among the members AC Gimson, Andre Martinet and Randolph Quirk.

During the 1970s and 1980s Linguaphone, in consultation with the Committee, published a successful new series which forms the basis of its current range of self- study courses in thirty international languages. The range now has over eight hundred courses and includes travel, business and children's specialities.

Contact Number: +919850276340

website: http://www.geocities.com/madhur_bajaj

The language school wds in Winterthur, Switzerland has launched the PC program “Pass First Certificate”, an educational program used as preparation for the most popular and most recognized English language examination "University of Cambridge First Certificate in English", which is taken by over 270,000 students of English each year.

The program, which runs on the Windows platform, consists of over 500 exercises in grammar and vocabulary. A built-in ‘grammar booklet’ offers help and explanations at the click of a button. All parts of the examination are practiced realistically and 5 actual exams can be taken, the results of which are then evaluated. In addition, there is a dictionary of 5,000 recorded words, with explanations and translations currently in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Greek,

It Will Not Replace the Teacher

When asked if this program could replace standard teaching, the author William Dobbs replied that this would never be the case. “We see the program as the ideal complement to classroom teaching and learning. It can never replace the group dynamics and inter-personal contact found in the classroom. What is does, though, is provide learners with a multitude of additional practice materials. Our target users all have the same aim, to pass the First Certificate exam, and they usually know very well where their weaknesses lie. Often the teacher does not have enough time to concentrate on individual needs. The solution is Pass First. Users can look up any points they are not sure of , can do more exercises on various topics, they can refer to additional explanations, test themselves and generally gain a lot more confidence to tackle the forthcoming exam.”

Practical Help Without the Exam

The program can also be used advantageously by people not wishing to take the exam. For all those who just want to brush up their skills in English, Pass First is the ideal companion.

Swiss Made by a Brit, For the Whole World

The product was developed at the wds Language School in Winterthur, Switzerland. Together with a team of professional programmers, experienced language teachers and the award-winning design company Meyer-Hayoz Design Engineering, the project lasted around 5 years. Project leader William Dobbs is delighted with the reactions already received, various language schools, companies and individuals have already placed orders for the product, based on pre-release versions. Pass First is the first wds software product to be developed for the general public. Previously, the company developed tailor-made language learning programs for organizations such as Swiss Telecom and the Swiss Post.

More Information

Further information and demo versions can be obtained from:

wds / pass-english-exams PO Box 2217 CH-8401 Winterthur, Switzerland www.pass-english-exams.com E-Mail info@pass-english-exams.com

We are all too familiar with the term "body language". There have been books, workshops and endless discussions spawned by it. But do you really KNOW how to interpret the non-verbal messages that other people broadcast on a continual basis in their interactions with you? There are two levels of communication that occur in any interaction:

content process

Content refers to what we SAY. Process refers to EVERYTHING ELSE that occurs.

Interactions can be wrought with mixed signals- saying one thing and non-verbally communicating another.

No wonder so many singles report confusion regarding what their date was really thinking or feeling. On the surface, understanding this language can seem very difficult, if not impossible. Not so, if you learn to speak the non-verbal language of process.

The following tips will be presented using examples of naturally (and commonly) reported dating scenarios experienced by singles.

1. Good eye contact/ poor eye contact When you are sitting and talking with your date, do you notice how they look at you, when you or they are speaking? When their eye contact is good, this is a sign that they feel comfortable and interested in you. They are really involved in the interaction and want to be there. It also communicates honesty and sincerity. Conversely, when your date has difficulty making eye contact, this communicates discomfort; lack of interest or it could be extreme shyness. The last would be easy to know if they are a shy person in general.

2. Restlessness Have you ever experienced the restless date? You know the one. He moves around in his chair, she looks at her watch, and his mind seems somewhere else. He may or may not offer an explanation. What appears to be going on is that her mind IS somewhere else. This behavior communicates a lack of interest or a preoccupation with someone or somewhere else.

3. Looking around at others a lot and not at you Have you ever had the unpleasant experience of being out with someone who watches the crowd the whole time? Perhaps, they just glance furtively (and frequently) around the room? This, of course, signals lack of interest, possible discomfort and a desire to avoid interaction with you. It can also be a general sign of someone who is not trustworthy, or at the very least, hasn't been completely honest/ candid with you.

4. Is noticeably quiet Oh, how deafening is silence. It can speak volumes. If your date has little to say to you what does this mean? Maybe they are just not very interested in you. Perhaps they don't think you would care to hear what they have to say. Maybe they think you wouldn't appreciate hearing what they are really thinking. Perhaps they are in an off or sour mood. Only you can interpret this. Be careful not to quickly write it off to something you want it to be, as opposed to what it really is.

5. Stiffening or closed-in body posture You know what YOU do in uncomfortable situations. You fold your arms tightly across your chest. You stiffen your spine You tightly cross your legs. You turn your body at an angle away from the person you are facing You lean away from the person you are with

Of course, the reverse is true when the interaction feels good. You lean forward Your arms are relaxed or laying open to the person You face the other person directly Your posture is relaxed and at ease

It's fairly easy to interpret the closed-in posture. The other person feels uncomfortable They aren't open to the interaction with you They would rather not be there

If this is a first date, it will probably be the last.

6. Physical Contact Perhaps the easiest communication to read correctly is that of touch. If your date avoids taking your hand or putting his arm around you he may be uncomfortable or unsure. He may also be shy, but you would already know that.

If someone you have been dating for a while begins to exhibit changes in their level of eye contact, body posture, attention to you, availability and/or becomes restless or less communicative, pay attention. Their feelings have shifted. Be careful not to be too quick to explain it away. More than one occurrence should set off your silent alarm. Make sure that what they say matches what they don't say.

Other (non-verbal) expressions that you should listen to that can suddenly occur during the course of a dating relationship are: Calling less or not calling Change in voice tone Becoming busy and not having time to get together Lateness Missing dates without calling or having a plausible excuse Moodiness- irritation/impatience/anger outbursts

If your date or boyfriend/girlfriend sends you any of the above (negative) signals, the best way to handle it is to comment in a direct (and gentle) way about it. Then watch for what he/she DOES while you listen to their response. This will give you all the information you need.

Toni Coleman is a licensed therapist and relationship coach. She specializes in working with singles that want to create lasting, intimate relationships. Toni has over 20 years of experience in relationship counseling and coaching. She developed the Creating Lasting Relationships Training, a tele-workshop designed to help singles to define, implement and fulfill their relationship goals. Toni Coleman www.consum-mate.com

*************************************** Watch Your Language! by Sue Dyson *************************************** I am about to present to you a very valuable and often overlooked key to success. What we say about ourselves will determine how we are, or what we shall become. You may have heard it over and over again, but it bears repeating. Just because we have read something doesn’t mean we know it, let alone have integrated it into our lives.

Our thoughts become our words become our actions become our reality. It’s that simple. And that complex.

Saying something negative about yourself does two things.

1. You come to believe it and thus, live it

And

2. It confuses the heck out of the Universe - especially if you have been expressing your desire for the opposite.

Our success depends on our increasing awareness of how we speak about ourselves. Rather than expressing a negative thought that pops up, consider replacing it with a positive affirmation.

Let me give you 6 examples where this can make a difference. You may laugh at some of these, but I think you’ll get the idea!

Instead of : "I am so out of shape" Say: "I am strong and healthy"

Instead of: "I am an emotional wreck" Say: "I accept my emotional challenges, knowing I am growing"

Instead of: "I’m a loser with no friends" Say: "I value my alone time as a chance to know myself better"

Instead of: "I’m stupid" Say: "I learn something new everyday"

Instead of: "I’m broke all the time" Say: "I choose to spend my financial resources wisely"

Instead of: "I hate myself" (uh-oh) Say: "I love myself"

Now, with affirmations, they may *feel* silly at first, but you don’t need to say them out loud for them to work. Said consistently, the positive affirmation becomes a belief. This belief will cause you to act in a certain way. This new action becomes your *new*, desired and wired for success, reality.

So what are you really saying about yourself?

Sue Dyson, a stay at home mom to three children and one large dog, publishes SuccessfulMama Ezine, offering down to earth tips and resources to help moms balance personal goals with the craziness of motherhood. Visit http://www.SuccessfulMama.com

If you want to make your training program succeed, you have to look beyond the class and at the company itself. As a trainer you have a shared responsibility, along with the company, of ensuring that what's learned in the classroom is transferred over to the day-to-day activities of the company. It is only when this transfer occurs, that the program can be seen as effective. The following tips are designed to help you make informed decisions when planning a course, and also help make your courses more effective.

We hope you find the tips helpful:

Make adequate pre-course preparation. Never accept "We want the class to start tonight" from the pesron responsible for arranging the class. On many occasions, this member of staff is in such a rush to get the assigned task "out of the way," that essential steps are ignored. If you want the class to work, take your time and follow the tips below.

Listen to what the company are saying to you. Get a feel for the company culture, try to envision what the class will be like. Remember that you are interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. Some classes can be more trouble than they are worth—if you suspect that this is the case, use your judgement to decide whether it's worth working with this particular company.

Try and find out as much as you can about what the company does, what the class members actually do at the company, and the English skills they need to do the job effectively.

Find out who made the decision to learn English and for what purpose. On many occassions the decision comes not from the students but management. Sometimes training is viewed as a perk, or as some solution to the company's inability to compete in its market. Situations like these can create motivational problems with the group—something the trainer has to deal with.

A trainer cannot change a company's culture, however, he can create a positive classroom environment. We suggest that you try and achieve the following to keep the students motivated in your classes: Strive to make the energy in your classes high with clear transitions from each stage of the lesson.

Try to connect with your students by showing interest in their work, learning experiences, private lives etc.

Show the group that the course will help them advance their careers. Staff should know that if their current employer doesn't let them apply their new skills, there are many other companies that will.

Be clear about what you are actually teaching—if you don't know, how will the trainees know?

Carry out a placement test so you know the level of the students (notice how this suggestion lies near the bottom of this list). Insist that the class members have similar English levels. This will make both your life and the students' lives much easier once the class starts.

Carry out a needs analysis so that you have a clear idea of what the company hopes to achieve. Be specific about the objectives of the course: "We want the group to just practice conversation" is too vague an objective, and is a complete waste of time. An objective such as: "We want to be able to describe the features of our products in correct English" is much better because it is specific, relevant to the job and achievable.

Appoint a class representative who can communicate directly with you in an open and frank way. Listen to feedback, and act on it—even if it may seem ridiculous to you.

Make sure you negotiate a clear cancellation policy. If you don't establish this at the start, the company will be cancelling on you whenever they feel like it.

We hope you found these useful, and don't forget that the success of a class is dependent on active involvement from you, the trainees and management.

Gordon Graham is a site developer at Orxil.com, an online classified ads site for businesses and trainers in Asia. Gordon has spent 10 years training in the Middle East, Asia and Australia. He has post graduate qualifications in TESOL and is currently completing an MSc in International Marketing at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, United Kingdom.