The Rocket Languages Blog
Looking to explore the fascinating world of language learning and find inspiration? Check out this collection of articles from the Rocket Languages team and our very special guest bloggers.
Rocket Languages Blog
Word Etymology: You Already Know More Foreign Words Than You Think
“English doesn’t just borrow words from other languages. English follows other languages down dark alleys, beats them unconscious and goes through their pockets for loose vocabulary.” —James Nicoll, writer. Word Etymology: The study of the history of word...
1 reply - Last post by Matthew-H68 - March 2, 2018
Language-Learning Myth 7 Less Common Languages Won't Help Me
In the village of Ayapa, Mexico, the once-vibrant language Ayapa Zoque is about to die. Only two speakers remain—elderly men named Manuel and Isidro—and they refuse to speak to each other. For years, linguistic anthropologists have been trying to get the...
2 replies - Last post by KelllaurBailar - February 14, 2018
Language-Learning Myth #6 Some People Are Just Naturally Good at Learning Languages
My best friend speaks six languages. Yes, six. She has rented an apartment in St. Petersburg, Russia; set up shop in Frankfurt, Germany; fallen in love in Nice, France; and spent years speaking Creole with her relatives in New Orleans, Louisiana. To top ...
7 replies - Last post by rocket ron - February 23, 2018
Language-Learning Myth #5 - I Speak English… That’s Good Enough.
Last November, I got trapped in Senegal. After spending a few months traveling through East and West Africa, I was eager to get home, cook Thanksgiving dinner and finally sleep without a mosquito net. But when I arrived to my flight, the attendant tore u...
12 replies - Last post by ClaudiaR27 - March 8, 2019
Language-Learning Myth#4 - Learning a Business Language is the Same as Learning Another Language
The modern world is more globalized than ever. You can eat breakfast while Skyping a CEO in Hong Kong, email English marketing executives over lunch, and conference call an entrepreneur in Qatar before dinner. Given our globalized reality, you’ve probabl...
3 replies - Last post by MatthewS42 - February 7, 2018
Language-Learning Myth #3 - Traditional Instruction Is the Key to Success
If you slip into my study, you’ll crash into a mountain of Spanish textbooks. You’ll have to step over Advanced Spanish Step-by-Step and Complete Spanish just to reach my desk, where it will take you more than an hour to sift through the half-scribbled wo...
5 replies - Last post by Dan-H24 - April 30, 2018
Language-Learning Myth #2 - Learn a Language in 10 Day! How long does it really take?
Riddle me this. One person has studied French for two years. One person has studied French for ten days. Who’s the better French-speaker? The answer? It’s impossible to tell. Maybe the person who studied French for two years only shows up for class once...
3 replies - Last post by junalynbadua-17 - January 19, 2018
Language-Learning Myth #1 - Translation Tools Are Good Enough to Get By
This is part 1 of a series on common language learning myths. Congratulations! You know 103 languages. Or, at least, you basically do. With the magic of Google Translate, you can communicate flawlessly and fluently in everything from Afrikaans to Zulu. ...
4 replies - Last post by joseph-schmo - December 30, 2017
Subliminal Language Learning: Does It Really Work?
Pop on a pair of headphones before bed and learn Italian in your dreams. Play Vietnamese radio while you cook and absorb vocabulary while chopping onions. Turn on an Arabic TV show without subtitles and let the colloquialisms wash over you. In no time, yo...
6 replies - Last post by joseph-schmo - December 20, 2017
Changes for the Rocket Languages 2018 Edition released early
Hi all I wanted to point out a few changes that we have made to the members area interface on desktop computers and laptops, just so no-one gets confused! These changes are part of our roll-out for the 2018 Edition. Over the next few months we will be r...
68 replies - Last post by jason-oxenham-founder - November 23, 2017
What Are The Romance Languages and Why Should You Learn One?
When we think of Romance languages, an image of Don Juan or romantic, wine-drinking lovers may come to mind. While meeting your better half and learning a romance language don’t always come hand-in-hand (actually, learning a romance language is easier!), ...
3 replies - Last post by Graeme -TE1q - August 6, 2017
Cynthia and Richard Murphy were your average Americans: Cynthia worked at a bank and Richard was a stay-at-home dad helping to raise their young daughters. They had been living in the suburban New Jersey neighborhood for years. Their children went to loca...
21 replies - Last post by KelllaurBailar - July 18, 2017
Rocket Languages latest release
Bonjour tout le monde We have just released a semi-major update that includes some new features and some upgrades to existing features. These changes/updates are of course free to all members :) FlashCards: Adding images Members now have the ability to ...
10 replies - Last post by jolietil - July 3, 2017
10 Tips to Overcome the Fear of Speaking in a Foreign Language
You've started learning a foreign language. You memorize new vocabulary words, use flashcards, study new grammar topics, and then comes the moment of truth: you meet a native speaker.Excited and nervous to show off what you've learned, you start to speak ...
14 replies - Last post by Grayhawk - April 12, 2017
How to Say Thank You in 50 Languages
While Thanksgiving isn't until the end of the year in the United States and Canada, it's a great time to start learning how to say "thank you" in as many languages as possible! If you wanted to say thank you to everyone on the planet, you'd probably need...
10 replies - Last post by Alice101 - November 20, 2019
5 Things You Need to Know About Adults and Language Learning
"I gave up studying philosophy. After all, when will I ever need it in my daily life?" "There's no way I'll ever sing like Adele, so what's the point in even taking lessons?" "What's the use of learning tennis if I won't even be good enough to compete?"...
18 replies - Last post by jolietil - March 11, 2017
Which Language Should You Learn?
Are you thinking about learning a new language? If so, congratulations! You're about to embark on a fascinating and rewarding journey that is filled with countless benefits.Do you know which language you would like to learn? If not, you're not alone. Beli...
18 replies - Last post by KelllaurBailar - February 7, 2017
Language and Politics: 5 Ways They Have Worked Together to Change the World
This is a guest post by Andrea ReisenauerBetween Brexit, the recent US election, and important upcoming elections in France, Germany, and Iran, 2016 and 2017 will mark significant years in world politics. From immigration policy to legislative representat...
6 replies - Last post by Steven-W15 - January 12, 2017
Speed Learning Languages: Is it really possible?
The 21st century has brought more than just new technology and globalization. It's also brought with it a more fast-paced and impatient society than ever before, a society that no longer has the time it once had to sit in a language class and study a text...
15 replies - Last post by trutenor - November 27, 2016
The Most Spoken Language in the World
By Andrea Reisenauer, guest blogger. A few months ago, we took a look at some of the world's most spoken languages. From Spanish to Russian to Arabic and everything in between, the world's 15 most spoken languages are spoken by nearly half of the world'...
3 replies - Last post by David K - November 14, 2016
Rocket Languages 2017 Edition launch
Hi all The team here at Rocket have been putting in some long hours to get the 2017 Edition of Rocket Languages across the line and I am excited to announce that it is now live! For current members the 2017 Edition is free as part of our "Free updates fo...
45 replies - Last post by KellyMJara - November 3, 2016
How to Become Conversational in a Language
By Andrea Reisenauer, guest blogger. Becoming Conversational: Five Tips for "Fluency" You've started learning a new language. You memorize new vocabulary words, use flashcards, practice conjugating verbs, study new grammar topics, and then comes the momen...
15 replies - Last post by Matthew-H68 - October 4, 2016
The Best Language Learning Software?
Recently, we talked about whether or not it's really possible to learn a language online (for those who missed it, the short answer is: yes!). There is a catch, though. While it is possible to learn a language online, it's only possible for those who take...
9 replies - Last post by Joe-S7 - October 23, 2016
Language Learning Myths: Adults and Language Learning
Learning a language is a fascinating, complex journey into a new culture and way of thinking. It forces us to challenge our minds, memories and mouths and to step out of our comfort zones. For many of us adults, this can sometimes be an uncomfortable expe...
15 replies - Last post by Rodney-J - August 23, 2017
The Top 10 Spanish Language Hacks: Learn Spanish in Half the Time
Spanish Hacks! As one of the world's most spoken languages and the second most spoken language in the United States, there's never been a better time to learn Spanish.Whether you've been studying Spanish for years or are considering giving Spanish a try, ...
7 replies - Last post by jason-oxenham-founder - July 30, 2016
The Latest Rocket Languages Update!
Hi all We recently pushed out a significant update to the Rocket Languages members areas! The main differences that you will notice are: The page load times should be faster and general functionality will also happen more quickly. The badges and poin...
20 replies - Last post by ClaudiaR27 - November 4, 2018
Does learning a language online really work? Everywhere you turn, whether it be at work or a local restaurant, you're surrounded by data, the internet, computers, tablets and smart phones. If technology follows you everywhere you go, then why not use it t...
6 replies - Last post by Diana-S1 - July 25, 2016
How to Say "Hello" in the World's Most Spoken Languages
If you wanted to say hello to everyone on the planet, you'd probably need to learn around 7,000 languages. Fortunately, however, there's a better way to greet as many people on the globe as possible. By learning how to say "hello" in the world's 50 most s...
17 replies - Last post by David K - July 19, 2016
NOTIFICATION of upcoming maintenance! Monday May 9th from 2:30am EST
Hi everyone On Monday, May 9, 2016 between 2:30 AM and 6:30 AM EST, Rocket Languages will be conducting system maintenance. (You can check out what time/day this is in your area here.) Please be advised that the entire site will be unavailable during th...
17 replies - Last post by jason-oxenham-founder - June 28, 2016
Why You Should Learn a Dead Language
Ancient Greek texts, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, Old Norse Viking ruins... Who isn't fascinated by the languages of the past? Whether you're hoping to go on an Indiana-Jones-style adventure, read ancient sacred texts, learn from the past or simply hope to lea...
11 replies - Last post by David K - July 19, 2016
My grandmother recently started learning Spanish. Now, every time we excitedly speak together, I try and see how much she remembers by asking her basic questions like "¿Cómo estás?" and "¿Cómo te llamas?" It's amazing how much she remembers, and I think i...
19 replies - Last post by Grant-K1 - July 22, 2016
How many languages do you think there are in the world? Several hundred? Several thousand, maybe? It's a very simple question, but the answer isn't quite so simple. Before we take a look at the numbers, let's talk a little bit about why counting the numbe...
7 replies - Last post by Dan-H24 - April 12, 2016
The Most Difficult Languages to Learn
The Three Most Difficult Languages for English Speakers to Learn Learning a language isn't easy, and some languages are naturally more difficult than others, especially for us native English speakers. There are over 6,500 languages spoken throughout the ...
16 replies - Last post by Tony-S10 - September 29, 2018
In our increasingly global and high speed world, there is more information at our fingertips than ever before, and we're also more impatient to attain it. We want to maximize our time as much as possible, and the same goes for language learning. The quest...
5 replies - Last post by ClaudiaR27 - October 10, 2018
The Benefits of Learning a Language
What are the benefits of learning another language? Does learning a foreign language just seem like too much work to be worth your time? Are you worried that learning a second--or third, or fourth--language will just result in confusion? If so, you're no...
19 replies - Last post by Maisarah - July 15, 2016
How Long does it Take to Learn a Language?
Let's face it: you've probably got a busy life. Between work or school, family, friends, chores, errands, appointments, and just relaxing every once in a while, there's never enough time in the day...And now you've decided to take on a whole new challenge...
17 replies - Last post by Hasan166 - October 2, 2017
Hi all Just a quick note about a new feature that several people have been asking for... Hotkeys! Hotkeys help speed up the process of going through various functions on your desktop/laptop browser. Instead of having to use your mouse, you can just press...
22 replies - Last post by jason-oxenham-founder - April 16, 2016
The Best Way to Learn a Language
From traveling to textbooks and speaking to software, there are more ways to learn a language than ever before. With all of the options out there, it's also more difficult to chose the best method for you than ever before. So what's the best way to learn ...
19 replies - Last post by jolietil - May 29, 2017
Language Learning FlashCard games: Update!
Hi to all I am excited to announce that we have just released a significant update to the FlashCard system. The major changes include; The ability to set what you see on each side of the FlashCard. For example those members using the Chinese FlashCards...
30 replies - Last post by Ph0t0n - February 10, 2016
How to Learn a Language: 15 Language Learning Tips and Tricks
Have you always wanted to know how to learn a new language, but don't even know where to start? The very idea of learning a language can be overwhelming, especially for those without previous language learning experience. With the right knowledge, expecta...
1 reply - Last post by KelllaurBailar - December 9, 2015
New Rocket Languages voice recognition feature
Bonjour tout le monde Some of you may have noticed a new feature that has been added to the sidebar of your Rocket Languages course! It looks like this; What this does is allow you to set the difficulty level of Rocket Record to suit your learning sty...
33 replies - Last post by Tony-S10 - March 8, 2016
5 Reasons Why You Are Not Too Old to Learn a Language
How many times have you made the excuse that you’re just too old to learn a new language? Well, I hate to tell you this, but that’s a pretty transparent excuse for not wanting to learn. The truth is, it is entirely possible, even easy to learn a language...
2 replies - Last post by Tony-S10 - March 8, 2016
An apology and details regarding the 2016 Edition
Hi all Your feedback has resonated with us loud and clear. While for the majority of people the 2016 Edition works fine, for a significant few the experience hasn't been great and for that I apologize. Some people have asked how it got to this stage when...
49 replies - Last post by jason-oxenham-founder - November 18, 2015
The Rocket French 2016 Edition is here. Try it now
Hi all Great news! The party has started. The Rocket Languages 2016 edition is live! If you haven’t logged in for a while, now is a great time to get back into it. If you are already a Rocket Languages member, you get access to all the great new featur...
2 replies - Last post by jason-oxenham-founder - October 14, 2015
Your invitation to the Rocket Languages 2016 Edition Launch!
Hola, Bonjour and more! There’s a big celebration coming here at Rocket Languages! Very soon we will be unleashing the 2016 edition of all of our courses, and we are having a huge party to celebrate over 9 months of hard work. The house has been cleaned...
21 replies - Last post by jason-oxenham-founder - October 15, 2015
The launch date for the Rocket Languages 2016 edition is revealed!
Bonjour tout le monde Firstly, a big thank you to all of the over 200 beta-testers who took part in previewing and critiquing the 2016 Edition of Rocket Languages courses. We gathered a lot of really useful information that should make the new Edition e...
3 replies - Last post by jason-oxenham-founder - October 15, 2015
Rocket Languages 2016 Edition - Call for beta testers
UPDATE! Sept 17th Thanks to everyone who registered for the beta test. This first round is now closed. Already we have had some great feedback that I am sure will really enhance the 2016 Edition! At this stage we hope to have the 2016 Edition live for eve...
16 replies - Last post by platek-- - October 1, 2015
Coming soon... The Rocket Languages 2016 Edition
Bonjour tout le monde I have some great news for all! The 2016 Edition is coming soon and it's going to make you feel like you have just taken possession of a brand new sports car! Like the latest Alfa Romeo 4C, it comes with a great new look, but hope...
21 replies - Last post by FranN32 - September 11, 2015
Update: The Rocket Languages Kindle App
Hi all Just a short message this week! We have just released a significant update to our Kindle app. If you have already got the app then it should have automatically updated. If not and you are a Kindle user then download the app for FREE from this lin...
8 replies - Last post by jason-oxenham-founder - February 3, 2019
Learning Spanish: the best methods for learning Spanish
Hola to all Last week we sent out a survey to our Rocket Spanish members asking questions about their Spanish study habits. In particular, we asked about the perceived effectiveness of the different methods that people use to learn Spanish. Basically we ...
12 replies - Last post by Matthew-H68 - August 10, 2015