How to Learn Spanish As a Professional

How to Learn Spanish As a ProfessionalIf you are interested in getting a Spanish tutor in Tampa, or anywhere else for that matter, then you should first decide whether you would like to learn the language professionally or by taking classes. The decision on which way to learn is up to you, but you should be sure to weigh your options before making a final decision. If you don't feel confident enough to commit to a full-time program, then it may be time to consider the cheaper alternatives.One of the cheapest ways to learn a language is to take a course at a local community college or vocational school. Seminars are available and they can be tailored to fit your schedule. These are great for people who have a full time job. Seminars often include trips to Spanish-speaking countries. Another option is to attend a classroom course where the teacher will give a lesson for approximately an hour per day.A good way to see if you enjoy a language if an online course is available to you in Ta mpa. These courses are very affordable and are very convenient for your busy schedule. The courses allow you to study at your own pace and get the most out of your education. If you like to travel, this is the best method for you because you can always look at different options and choose the best suited course to suit your lifestyle.If you're not ready to take that big step yet, there are some local universities that offer online courses. These are offered in the evenings and on weekends, which may be good for those working parents. If you have a great family background in the language, a university that offers a Spanish tutor is perfect for you.Tutors in Spanish Tampa Florida offer courses for children as young as four years old. If you think that you may not learn the language well enough at a younger age, or if you want to make sure that your children learn the language, then this may be a good option for you.In Tampa, the demand for language-learners is on the rise. There are m any companies that need language-learners. Some of these companies offer tuition that is affordable and they also allow students to work from home. You can save money and time by working from home while taking a class.If you have a few hours a day to spare, why not try a Spanish tutor in Tampa? Your life could be changed for the better!

How to Write a Winning MBA Personal Statement

How to Write a Winning MBA Personal Statement GMAT MBA Admissions Blog If you’re in the process of applying to business schools, you already know that there’s so much that goes into a successful MBA application. You need strong GMAT or GRE scores, good work experience, great references and a compelling, effective MBA personal statement. Your MBA personal statement tells the admissions committee who you are as a person, why you should be admitted into an MBA program and how the degree will shape your career plans. It’s one of the most important pieces of your application, as it gives you the chance to address weaknesses in your materials and present yourself as a well-rounded person. A well-crafted MBA personal statement allows a school’s admissions committee to see the person behind the resume, but how can you use a brief written statement to show admissions committees who you are as a person and professional? Tell a Story Your MBA personal statement shouldn’t be a dry recitation of your career progress to date. It should tell a story about who you are, what you’ve been working toward in your career and how you think an MBA from the specific school to which you’re applying will help you reach that goal. Remember that admissions committees at some schools read hundreds, if not thousands, of these essays, so you want yours to be memorable and stand out. Think about what makes you unique, and seek to craft an essay that reflects your personality and voice. The story you tell should be about what you’ve already done in your career, but it should also go on to show admissions committees what you hope to achieve in the future and why their program can help you achieve it. Show How the Program and School Are Right for You Whether you’re applying to traditional or online MBA programs in California or across the nation, admissions committee members are going to want to know why you chose their school. Does the program offer a concentration that suits your career goals and the interests you’ve already developed through prior experience? Does the school offer resources that appeal to you? Is it located in the region where you hope to work? Do you have personal connections to alumnae, faculty or current students? Did you form a good impression of the school and program during a campus visit? Answering some or all of these questions can help admissions committees determine whether you would be a good fit for the program, and vice versa. Express Confidence You don’t need to waste precious space in your personal statement pointing out that no one can predict the future or know whether you will achieve your goals. This is obvious; admissions committees know that not some graduates will come up against obstacles they can’t surmount. While it’s a good idea not to seem too proud of your current achievements, you should express confidence in your ability to reach your stated goals. Show that you have a realistic, solid plan for your career, and give the committee confidence by showing what you’ve already accomplished. Address Shortcomings Do you have weaknesses in your application, like a low undergraduate GPA, less-than-ideal GMAT scores or fewer years of work experience than the admissions committee requires? That doesn’t mean you can’t apply, but you can use your personal statement as a place to address those shortcomings and show the admissions committee that you’ve moved beyond them. Address your shortcomings head on, and explain how you’ve worked to overcome the obstacle. Reassure the committee that you’re capable of recognizing your personal weaknesses and taking action to overcome them. Writing a successful MBA personal statement can mean the difference between getting into the school of your choice and having your application tossed into the garbage with the dozens of others who didn’t make the cut. You should focus on making your personal statement as well-written and compelling as possible. Let your personality shine, so admissions committees can get a sense of who you are and what you’ll bring to the program as a person, professional and student. Admissions committees want to make sure that each member of a given cohort is a good fit for the program and the school, and your personal statement is your chance to show them that you’d be an excellent candidate for their degree.

An Introduction to Grit A Key to Academic Performance

An Introduction to Grit A Key to Academic Performance Improving Academic Performance Over the past five years, I’ve done a fair amount of secondary research (reading articles, books, etc.) on academic performance. Two of the most interesting and actionable discoveries I’ve made are that A) a student’s mindset is far more important in explaining academic success than I would have imagined and B) a concept called Grit is what seems to power the performance of a student with the right mindset. The “Growth Mindset” is a concept invented by Dr. Carol Dweck, a Standford Psychologist. Her research shows that individuals can generally be placed into one of two buckets: a) those that have a growth mindset and b) those that have a fixed mindset. Here, briefly, are the key differences between the two mindsets. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe your intelligence, for example, is a “fixed’ trait that you inherit. You can “make the best of it” of course, but you’ll be “capped” at performing at a certain level, because you just don’t have the genes or intellectual horse power to succeed in certain academic situations. If you have a growth mindset, however, you believe your intelligence is something you build over time. Instead of thinking about your intellect as an inherited trait, you view it as a muscle that grows the more you use it (i.e., study, take difficult courses, etc.). An individual’s mindset might shift when considering academic performance, personality traits, or athletic ability. One might have a fixed mindset in some areas, and a growth mindset in others. For example, you might think you are shy because it’s just your personality, but be more growth oriented when it comes to intelligence or learning new athletic skills. All else equal, Dweck has shown that individuals with a growth mindset outperform those with a fixed mindset in an academic setting. The reason for this is, in some ways, very simple and intuitive. Most people would probably not argue that success in school comes from a mix of “IQ” and effort. You can make up for lower innate intellectual horsepower by working hard. In fact, there’s even research which suggests that intellectual horsepower itself is not as “fixed” as most people believe. For example, increased levels of education have been shown to improve IQ scores, and getting the right amount of sleep and eating right has been shown to improve cognitive function. So, if you have a Growth Mindset when it comes to academic performance, you’ll be better off. In part, this is simply because with more hard work, you’ll improve and learn more. But what is it exactly that drives the growth mindset-oriented individual when the task at hand is particularly difficult? To perform well in school, you must put forth a lot of effort, solve problems, pay attention, ask question, work with classmates and teachers, etc. A mindset sets the stage for success, but how is that mindset actually implemented? In Grit: The Power Of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth suggests a combination of passion and perseverance - or, as she calls it, Grit, explains why some people are successful, and other people are not. . What is Grit? To make it through West Point at the United States Military Academy, one must survive the Beast Barracks â€" a training program designed to filter out those without the mental and physical stamina to succeed. During the admissions process, West Point calculates the Whole Candidate Score; a combination of SAT scores, high school rank, appraisals of leadership potential, and physical fitness measures. It is designed to find the people who will succeed. Remarkably, Duckworth found that the Whole Candidate score didn’t predict who made it through Beast Barracks. Actually, those with the highest Whole Candidate Scores were just as likely to drop out as the those with the lowest. What did predict success in Beast Barracks, however, was a score on what Duckworth calls the “Grit Scale.” According to Duckworth, people who are relatively “gritty” are resilient, work very hard, and know on a very “deep” level what they want to achieve. Her “grit score” measures those factors. Duckworth has found that, in almost any domain, the grittier you are, the more successful you will be. Why? Because you simply keep practicing, keep learning, and keep trying different approaches until you succeed. In an academic context, I have come to believe that students place far less importance on focused effort than they should. Students incorrectly assume that a certain innate “talent” for a subject is required to succeed at what they consider “advanced” courses, when in fact it’s the Grit to engage in sustained practice that matters. For example, do you think getting a PhD in Physics requires a certain innate talent or IQ level? If you do, you are probably wrong. In fact, it is probably grit, not IQ, that explains why one person obtains a PhD in Physics while another does not, even though they’d like to. This might not seem intuitive, because after all, getting a PhD in Physics requires mastery of some extremely complicated concepts, but let me explain. Students seem to observe the best student in class easily answer questions, or the teacher, graduate teaching assistant, or professor breeze through discussions of complicated subjects, and assume there must be some natural ability that underlies their knowledge. What they don’t see is all of the time spent practicing and studying, likely in a very deliberate way. It’s practice, not innate talent, that almost always explains knowledge and understanding of a subject. And, the gritty person is more likely to practice more and stick with difficult concepts until they fully understand them. Now, I’ll grant you, if you are going to earn a PhD in Physics from Harvard or certainly if you are going to earn a Nobel Prize in Physics, your IQ is probably going to matter. But even then, there is no Physics “gene.” Your effort and your work ethic combine to explain your performance. For an interesting exploration of these ideas, read this article by Cal Newport, a Computer Science Professor at Georgetown University, who was asked “To what extent does intelligence matter in college success?” Newport begins his response by saying “I don’t believe that intrinsic intelligence plays any significant role at the college level.” Read the full blog article about why intrinsic intelligence doesn’t drive academic success here. In my next post about grit, I’ll cover why effort matters twice, and discuss some ways to become grittier

6 Tips For Working Your First Part Time Job

6 Tips For Working Your First Part Time Job Via (Flickr) Lets say youve landed the job. Now, here are some tips to be the best employee your company has ever seen while not falling behind on your schoolwork, and what to expect from the work field. Strategy is your ultimate goal. Your first part-time job will teach you what it means when people say, Every second counts. Time management will be a skill that will benefit you both in the short and long term. Plan a schedule of your day, week, and month. Keep your planner updated so you dont forget a homework assignment or work meeting. Color coding is a great way to keep your agenda organized. You may want to mark things down in pencil since a multi-tasking semester tends to be full of tentative plans. Start your day off right with brain food. Making sure you start your day off right can do wonders for you. If your job is in the morning, make sure to prepare a healthy meal that will wake you up and boost your energy to get to the office with a positive, ready-to-work attitude. If eggs every morning do not sound appealing to you (to who, really?),  these 21 recipes will help or inspire you for a quick, healthy fix. If you attend classes during the day and work late hours, make sure to have a meal or snack before going into work. Your body will have tackled a big part of your day, and your brain will want a break. Boost your energy and productivity levels by drinking lots of water instead of caffeinated drinks or increasing your heart rate with some jumping jacks. Dress to impress. Via (Oscar Falk) It couple Olivia Palermo and  Johannes Huebl are some serious business casual inspiration. Your image defines who you are. You represent the brand you work for now, and dressing well communicates your personality and confidence. My go-to idol is the lovely and trendy Lauren Conrad. Her expertise on style and fashion not to mention, her clothing lines give women a respectful and chic example that works well in all types of environments. Her Business Casual and Casual Work Attire guide are follow-worthy. I will admit that her wardrobe is not a one-style-fits-all, so Pinterest  has a wider scope of outfit examples to try. For a straightforward solution, take inspiration from any female coworkers and employers. My dear gentlemen, I did not forget about you. While I dont personally follow many male bloggers, I always recommend Effortless Gents How-To Guide as a starting point for all my male friends. Its got the basic rules, seven different style options, and even links to where to find the pieces for the look you want. While the post is a bit outdated, men dont have to go for a flashy or extreme look. Keeping it neat and tidy is the safest way to go. Your time is invaluable. Dont neglect your grades; study time is important too. Many employers understand that full-time students will struggle with time management issues for the first few days or weeks. However, do not take advantage of this and turn it into an excuse. As I mentioned before, time management is your best bet for a good GPA. Scheduling short study groups with classmates outside of work and class hours helps me refresh my memory on lectures and prepare for exams and quizzes. If youre not sure, ask questions. Theres nothing wrong with not knowing. The only way youre going to learn is by asking for help so look to your boss for advice on how to get a task done. Even simply asking somebody how their weekend was can be a helpful way to get to know your coworkers and employers at a personal level and to build relationships. Here are other questions you might have and how to ask them. Stick it out. Via (Flickr) While no one likes being stuck with a boring job, it is better to try your best and excel than quitting when the going gets tough. Most employees find that their work becomes stagnant after a while, so come up with small ways to excite your shift. As a waitress, I liked to ask people what their day or weekend plans were. It may seem like an intrusive question, but many people actually appreciated the sociable and casual conversation. Many interviewers ask about a challenge youve had and how you overcame it. A persons first part-time job is one of the best examples of a challenge. It shows your interviewer that youve learned about commitment and perseverance. These are just some tips on how to be successful at your first part-time job. You shouldnt have to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Find what works for you, your grades, and your occupation. Make sure to prepare for a healthy, stylish, and above all productive work day.

Make Fall Semester Delicious With These 7 Fall Snacks

Make Fall Semester Delicious With These 7 Fall Snacks https://pixabay.com These Smores cookies will take your mind right back to being around a warm bonfire roasting marshmallows with family and friends. They require 15 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to bake. The ingredients include flour, graham crackers, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows and Hershey bars. These cookies will be great to enjoy on those cool nights, where you wish you could go have a bonfire and roast marshmallows, but cant because youre on campus and have a paper to write. For further instructions go here. 2. Pie crust chips cinnamon dip For this unique fall treat, you will need refrigerated pie dough, cinnamon, sugar, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and Cinnamon Plus Spice Blend. You first need to roll out the pie crust and cut leaf shapes (or a fall shape of your choice) with a cookie cutter. Next, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and bake for 15-16 minutes. While the pie crust chips are baking, you can make the cinnamon dip. First, mix together the cream cheese, vanilla extract and Cinnamon Plus Spice Blend and microwave for 35-40 seconds; then stir well. This snack would be great to serve at dinners or football parties this fall. For direction and ingredient details go here. 3. Cinnamon candied pecans https://pixabay.com Have you ever gotten warm cinnamon candied pecans at the county fair or your shopping mall? Well, now you can make them at home and serve them to your family and friends. To make cinnamon candied pecans you will need pecan halves, egg white, water, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt. First, in a large bowl, you will need to whisk egg white, water and vanilla; then in a separate bowl mix sugar, cinnamon and salt. Next, add pecans to the egg white mix and toss. Pour half of the cinnamon mixture over pecans and toss evenly, and then pour in second half. On a baking sheet you will then bake the pecans for one hour, then cool. For further instructions go here. 4. Pumpkin patch dirt cups Dirt cups are a fun snack to make this fall. They are particularly great for parties and/or Halloween. You will need five simple ingredients: instant chocolate pudding mix, milk, Oreos, green Sour Straws and pumpkin candies. After making the pudding by following the instructions on the box, you need to use a food processor to crush the Oreos. Using small clear cups, layer the ingredients as: Oreos, pudding, Oreos, pudding, and Oreos. Lastly, you can top with a few pumpkin candies and a green Sour Straw candy (to represent a pumpkin vine). For detailed ingredients, go here. 5. White chocolate peanut butter cookies These cookies are not your typical sugar or chocolate chip cookie; they include white chocolate, chocolate and peanut butter. They feature fall colors which makes them a festive snack for this semester. They call for flour, baking soda, brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, vanilla, white chocolate chips, butter, eggs, peanut butter chips and Reeses pieces. You will need a total of 25 minutes to prepare and bake these cookies. For further instructions, go here. 6. Apple pie bites https://pixabay.com Who doesnt love apple pie? However, as a college student, making the perfect pie can be difficult without the help of Mom. These apple pie bites are simple to make, and taste like the real thing. They are perfect for dinners with your roommates or to take home to the fam for the weekend this semester. The ingredients include brown sugar, apple pie spice, butter, chopped pecans, small Granny Smith apples, and Pillsbury Original crescent rolls. They take a total of 27 minutes to make, but are worth the time when looking for a warm and yummy fall snack. For instructions, go here. 7. Reeses Muddy Buddies Reeses Muddy Buddies are a fun and unique treat to snack on at home or on the go, while youre walking to class or watching a movie with your roommates. The ingredients include: chocolate covered Chex cereal, peanuts, powdered sugar, melting chocolate, Reeses peanut butter chips, Reeses minis, and Reeses pieces. Similar to Chex Mix, you will combine Chex cereal and peanuts, then set aside. Melt melting chocolate and peanut butter chips, then drizzle chocolate mix over the Chex and peanuts and toss gently. Pour in Reeses minis and coat half of the mixture in powdered sugar in a separate bag. Spread the contents on parchment paper and let set for 15 minutes, then mix together (portion out if needed) and enjoy. For more detailed instructions go here.

4 Family-Friendly Educational Activities in San Diego

4 Family-Friendly Educational Activities in San Diego Four Family-Friendly Educational Activities in San Diego Four Family-Friendly Educational Activities in San Diego In our previous blog post, we shared a few of our favorite educational activities for families in Irvine. This week, we are sharing three fun activities in San Diego. With summer entering its final months, it’s essential to get your kids educational curiosity going again. One of the best ways to do that is to take a family trip to somewhere that’s fun, interactive, and educational. If a kid is having fun, they won’t even realize they are learning. In addition to these trips, we encourage you to book your private San Diego tutor to help your kids gear up for the school year. Same with Irvine, San Diego has way too many fun and educational activities to list in one article, which is why we are only sharing four to get you started. By showing kids that learning can be fun and interactive, you’re helping develop an educational curiosity that can last a lifetime. 1. San Diego Natural History Museum Located in Balboa Park in San Diego, the San Diego Natural History Museum seeks out to “interpret the natural world through research, education and exhibits.” From dinosaurs to the history of CA’s water systems, the museum offers a wide range of informative and interactive exhibits. I mean, who doesn’t like dinosaurs? 2. San Diego Botanic Gardens It’s important for kids to connect with nature, especially in our world full of screens and distractions. By visiting the Botanic Gardens, kids will learn about plants, food sources, and the role the environment plays in their life (READ: Three Family-Friendly Educational Activities in Irvine). 3. New Children’s Museum What’s better than a museum that uses art to help children learn creativity and critical thinking? According to its website, “The New Children’s Museum is a new model of children’s museum whose mission is to stimulate imagination, creativity and critical thinking in children and families through inventive and engaging experiences with contemporary art.” Keep an eye out for closures due to seasonal events. 4. Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Connect your kids to the power of science at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park, San Diego! The Center has over 100 interactive exhibits as well as an IMAX theater perfect for a triple-digit summer day. Check out their summer camp options for a more immersive science experience (READ: San Diego Tutoring Tips: Ways to Improve Your Concentration). Between taking family trips to educational destinations and the help of a private San Diego tutor, your kids won’t be rusty when it’s time to go back to school in the fall. Members of the TutorNerds team and our private tutors write every blog post. If you have any questions about our blog, please email us at pr@tutornerds.com.

Forget GPS! 20 Guiding Common Phrases in Different Languages

Forget GPS! 20 Guiding Common Phrases in Different Languages Forget GPS! 20 Guiding Common Phrases in Different Languages So youve planned a trip abroad.You want to be able to blend with the locals, so you try to master a new language before take-off.But there are just So. Many. Words.Your head feels like it might explode.You dont know which way is up anymore and you want to throw your studies down and forget the whole thing.Well, no need for that.Sometimes you just have to take it all back to the beginning.If you want to get familiar with a new language then you need to get comfortable with common words and phrases.But that wont make me fluent! you say. No. It wont. But it will get you there.Before you get nominated for Linguist of the Year, youre going to have to start with the easy stuff. It may not be glamorous, but youll thank yourself in the long run. Why You Should Bother with Learning Common PhrasesNot quite sure when this happened, but at some point during the last few years the word basic became something of a swear word. Ya basic, has become a go-to joke or insult in movies, television and casual conversation. However, we shouldnt be so quick to dismiss basic-ness, especially within the world of language learning. In fact, the basics are your foundation and you need to know them if you plan on building your proficiency in a language.You Need to Embrace Getting By FirstIts difficult to think that youre going to have to struggle to make it through learning a language. Everyone wishes they could become fluent overnight, because the learning process can be tough. Just remember this: You werent born learning how to speak English or any other native language that you may speak. You were born a blank slate and it took you  years to get to a level of proficiency where people could actually understand you.Of course, you dont remember that learning process so its easy to think that speaking was just something you always knew how to doâ€"but it isnt. You struggled. You made mistakes. You probably even made up words. Luckily, there was someone there guiding you, correcting your m istakes and teaching you how to say things. And guess what? You learned!Remember, when youre learning a language youre going to have to struggle a little bit. Youre going to make mistakes, and you may even have to make up some words in the process. However, nowadays you have access to so many people who can correct you when you make mistakes. Let the world be your language guide. Dont be afraid to ask for help.And once youve accepted the struggle, you should try to make things as easy on yourself as possible. Yes, it will be difficult, but you should give yourself as much mileage as you can by breaking out the big guns first: Learn the phrases youll use every day. Learn the phrases that will help you navigate introductions and basic survival. Being realistic will take you far.Small Talk Takes You to Big TalkLets go back to the baby metaphor. Any time someone gets frustrated when trying master something new, others may tell them, You have to learn to crawl before you walk. Well, this is as true with language learning as with anything. You have to crawl, meaning, you have to learn basic, common phrases and vocabulary. This is the part that many people try to skip, because its not that fun, and maybe you already know a few words. So why bother?Well, think of these common phrases as a launch pad. Common phrases get you started with having basic conversations. Theyll do wonders for you if youre traveling or encounter other situations where youre forced to speak an unfamiliar language.First, theyll help you learn to get comfortable speaking. Speaking is usually the biggest hurdle in language learning, especially if youre in a place where most people know at least some English.However, if you commit to learning a few common phrases, youll have identified yourself as someone who wants to learn. And thats the second thing! People appreciate the effort. Sadly, Americans in particular have a reputation for being unwilling to learn new languages, but make the effort and y oull see that people will be charmed by your attempt to assimilate.So are you convinced that learning some basic phrases is good for your mind, body and soul? Great! Weve got five different languages to get you started. And dont worry if you dont see your target language. You can still look up these phrases in whatever that language may be. And if you have any pronunciation doubts or questions, try Forvo.To follow up with these phrases in context and to start moving on to big talk, try FluentU. FluentU takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.Forget GPS! 20 Guiding Common Phrases in Different Languages1. HelloIts always nice to greet people when meeting for the first time. An easy hello is the simplest way to get it done.Spanish: HolaFrench: SalutPortuguese:  OláGerman:  HalloMandarin: ??  (ni hao)2. How are you?You dont have to save this for friends and acquaintances. Even strangers ap preciate when someone asks them about their well-being. You may not want to just approach someone in the street with this question, but maybe use it when youre at a restaurant, grocery store or even the bank.Spanish: ¿Cómo está?  (formal) /   ¿Cómo estás?  (informal)French:  Comment allez-vous ? (formal) /  Comment ça va ? (informal)Portuguese:  Como você está?German:  Wie geht es dir?Mandarin:  ???? (ni hao ma)3. Im doing wellThis is a common response in almost every language. Its polite and brief, especially when speaking to a stranger. You can elaborate if youre more familiar with a person.Spanish: Estoy bienFrench:  Ã‡a va bienPortuguese:  Tudo bemGerman:  Mir geht es gut!Mandarin: ??? (wo hen hao)4. My name isThis is another common introductory phrase. Basic phrases like these are short and simple and can help you get used to how words and letters are supposed to sound without stumbling over your speech too much.Spanish:  Me llamo  / Mi nombre esFrench:  Je mappellePort uguese: O meu nome éGerman:  Mein Name istMandarin:  ?????  (wo de míng zì shì)5. Whats your name?If youre sharing your name then, of course, the cordial thing to do would be to ask a person theirs. Again, its a great way to start small conversations and let people know that youre making an effort.Spanish:   ¿Cómo se llama usted? (formal)  / ¿Cómo te llamas? (informal)French:  Comment vous appelez-vous ?  (formal) / Comment tappelles-tu ? (informal)Portuguese:  Qual é o seu nome?German:  Wie heißen Sie? (formal) / Wie heißt du? (informal)Mandarin: ???? (guì xìng ne)6. Its nice to meet youMany cultures are similar in how they meet and greet. You want to put your best foot forward, so telling someone that its nice to meet them will at least show that youve got some manners.Spanish:  Un placer conocerle  / Un placer conocerteFrench:  Enchanté(e)Portuguese:  Prazer em conhecê-loGerman:  Nett, Sie kennenzulernen  (formal) / Nett, dich kennenzulernen  (informal)Mandarin:  ?? ???? (hen gao xìng jiàn dào ni)7. Im fromThis is a great conversation starter! People are always curious to know about where youre from.Spanish:  Yo soy deFrench:  Je viens dePortuguese:  Eu sou deGerman:  Ich komme ausMandarin:  ???  (wo lái zì…)8. Where are you from?In the same vein, its always interesting to hear where others are from. Maybe youre from the same place, maybe youve traveled to their home country, maybe you have friends or family from their town or country. The where are you from question almost always sparks a fun and interesting conversation.Spanish: ¿De dónde es usted? (formal) / ¿De dónde eres tú? (informal)French:  Doù êtes-vous ? (formal)  /  Doù es-tu ? (informal)Portuguese:  De onde você é?German:  Wo kommen Sie her? (formal) / Woher kommst du? (informal)Mandarin:  ??????  (ni cóng na li lái)9. What time is it?Practicalities always come into play during travel, and depending on your itinerary, you may be on a schedule. If you find yourself without a watch or phone, this question is handy when youre racing against the clock.Spanish:   ¿Qué hora es?French:  Quelle heure est-t-il ?Portuguese:  Que horas são?German:  Wie spät ist es?Mandarin:  ????  (ji dian le)10. Where is?This phrase is good to know because its versatile. You could be talking about a person, place or thing. Where is Mindy? Where is my phone charger? Where is the Taj Mahal?Spanish:   ¿Dónde está…?French:  Où se trouve ?Portuguese:  Onde é?German:  Wo ist…?Mandarin: ???? (… zài  na li?)11. How do I get to?This question is very place specific. If youre trying to get around and you dont have access to Wi-Fi or GPS, most locals will be able to tell you how to get where youre going if you just ask.Spanish: ¿Cómo llego a?French:  Comment puis-je arriver à ?Portuguese: Como faço para chegar até?German:  Wie komme ich nach?Mandarin:  ?????  (wo zen me qù…)12. Left, Right, StraightIf youre going to ask how to get somewhere then it might hel p if you understand directions. At least learning the most basic ones will get you where you need to go.Spanish:  Izquierda, Derecha, DerechoFrench:  Gauche, Droite, Tout droitPortuguese: Esquerda, Direita, RetaGerman: Links, Rechts, GeradeausMandarin:  ?, ?, ? (zuo, yòu, zhí)13. Im lostThis one is definitely important to know. Sometimes you get turned around. Especially when youre in an unfamiliar area. Seek out a safe place and let someone know that youre lost so they can help you get back on track.Spanish: Yo estoy perdido(a)French:  Je suis perdu(e)Portuguese:  Estou perdido(a)German:  Ich habe mich verlaufenMandarin:  ???? (wo mí lù le)14. Pardon meAgain, its always good to have manners. Whether youve had a tiny collision or youre trying to get through a crowd, its good to be able to throw out an excuse me or a pardon me so that you can avoid a confrontation.Spanish:  Perdóneme (formal) / Perdóname (informal)French: Excusez-moi (formal) / Excuse-moi (informal)Portuguese: DesculpeGerman: Verzeihung (more formal) / Entschuldigung (informal)Mandarin:  ??? (duì bù qi)15. Sorry, I dont understandYou can master your basic phrases so well that you sound fluent. When that happens, locals will start speaking to you as if youre fluent. Thats a good time to let them know that you dont understand so that they can switch gears.Spanish:  Lo siento, pero no entiendoFrench:  Pardon, je ne comprends pasPortuguese:  Desculpe, eu não entendoGerman: Verzeihung/entschuldigung, ich verstehe Sie (formal)/dich (informal) nichtMandarin: ???, ???? (duì bù qi, wo bù míng bái)16. Can you speak more slowly please?Switching gears usually means going slower. Let the person know that youre still learning and you need them to slow it down. Most people will be happy to oblige!Spanish: ¿Puede hablar más lento, por favor?French:  Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement sil vous plaît ? (formal) / Peux-tu  parler plus lentement sil te plaît ?  (informal)Portuguese:  Você pode fa lar mais devagar, por favor?German:  Könnten Sie (formal)/Könntest du (informal) ein bisschen langsamer sprechen, bitte?Mandarin:  ????????? (ni néng shuo dé màn yi dian ma)17. I would likeThis one is great for when youre out at a restaurant or a cafe or really anywhere that you have options. Instead of using a harsh sounding phrase like I want, its better to take the politer route.Spanish:  Yo quisieraFrench:  Je voudraisPortuguese:  Eu gostariaGerman:  Ich möchteMandarin: ??? (wo xiang yào)18. Im allergic toSadly, allergies dont go away when were abroad. Dont compromise your health. Let a person know if youre allergic to certain foods or animals. Its better to be safe than sorry.Spanish:  Soy alérgico aFrench:  Je suis allergique àPortuguese:  Sou alérgico aGerman:  Ich bin allergisch gegenMandarin:  ???? (wo duì guò min)19. Thank you  If nothing else, a thank you is always the way to go. Its the most basic form of polite conversation, and really, if its the only phras e you know in 100 languages, then youve done all right for yourself.Spanish: GraciasFrench: Merci  Portuguese:  Obrigado(a)German:  DankeMandarin:  ?? (xiè xie)20. GoodbyeFarewell, friends. Hopefully this list of basic phrases will help you get started on the language learning adventure of your dreams!Spanish:  AdiósFrench:  Au  revoirPortuguese:  TchauGerman:  Auf Wiedersehen (formal) / Tschüss (informal)Mandarin:  ?? (zài jiàn)