Мы трудимся в поте лица , изучая языки и так усердно стараемся исписать как можно больше тетрадок правилами грамматики и исключениями в длинных таблицах, что забываем про цель нашей деятельности. Мы учим языки, чтобы эффективно общаться, понимать других и чтобы они нас понимали, чтобы выжить в другой культурной среде.

We sweat our guts out learning languages and try so hard to cover our notebooks in writings of grammar rules and exceptions in long tables that sometimes we forget the goal of it. We learn language to communicate efficiently, to understand and be understood in real life and to survive in a different cultural field.

In terms of pronunciation, English is weird. I love many things about English, but pronunciation isn’t one of them. There are words that no matter how many times I practise, they just won’t come out right. And no, words such as floccinaucinihilipilification, antidisestablishmentarianism or honorificabilitudinitatibus are not included.

bab.la just released its 24th dictionary last week. The Norwegian-English one! But what reasons are there to learn Norwegian despite the fact that it’s such a small language?

Así que decidiste conocer otro país. ¡Felicidades! Ya sea por prácticas profesionales, estudios de posgrado o voluntariado por un par de meses, esta experiencia seguramente cambiará tu perspectiva global. Es también una oportunidad para crecer y ponerte a prueba con cosas nuevas. Estás list@ para la aventura?

So, you decided to go abroad. Congratulations! Whether you’re taking an internship, studying your master’s, or doing some volunteer work for a couple of months, this experience will surely change your world view. It is also an opportunity to grow and challenge yourself with new things. Are you ready for the adventure?

Have you ever dreamed about life as an explorer? In that case this stunning dramatization of Thor Heyerdahl and his Kon-Tiki expedition of 1947 is a must-see!

bab.la’s annual International eXchange and eXperience blog competition is finally open, and we want you to participate! Are you blogging about exchange or international experiences? Then join in and have fun competing against other bloggers. By competing you get the chance to win, and get recognized by readers from all over the world!

Venice is a dream, a charming city. Visiting Venice is very different from living there. If you had to visit Venice in one day, where would you start from?
I suggest that you start from the mainland. Whether you take the bus or the train, you will cross a bridge – the “Ponte della Libertà” (“The Freedom Bridge”) – that will take you right to this immortal city, one of the most beautiful ones in the world.

Venezia è un sogno, una città che ti affascina. Visitare Venezia è molto diverso che viverci. Se doveste visitare Venezia in un giorno, da dove comincereste?
Vi consiglio di iniziare dalla terraferma. Che prendiate l’autobus o il treno, attraverserete un ponte, il Ponte della Libertà, che vi porterà dritti in questa città eterna, una delle più belle al mondo.