Benefits of Using Ellis English Language Learning System

Benefits of Using Ellis English Language Learning SystemThe Ellis English Language Learning System was invented by Dr. Lee Ellis in 1996 as a way to help improve students' education. He started this concept because he had never been a good student in school.While in school, he felt that the teacher used too much English and didn't have enough resources to teach him the language properly. His teacher did not want to spend money on textbooks when he could do more with the online resources available to him.Dr. Ellis believed that every child should be taught an entirely new language which could be taught well, through online classes. So he made the Ellis English Language Learning System, which was also known as the Multi-Media Enrichment Center.The Ellis English Language Learning System is intended to teach children five languages including Spanish, French, German, and Chinese. Each language is taught with the best resources and the teaching methods suitable for children.It also helps t o increase the child's self-confidence by improving his vocabulary. When you have a little knowledge of a language, you can recognize your own mistakes. This makes you develop a better self confidence, as if you have already learned everything.The Ellis English Language Learning System enables the child to create a workable language portfolio which can be used to showcase his or her works. As a teacher, you can learn from these portfolios and then decide whether you are going to continue working with a particular child or not.The Ellis English Language Learning System allows a child to reach his or her full potential and be more effective in life as a result. It also ensures that a child will not only understand but will use the language even better than before. And if you really want to reach your goals, then take a look at the Ellis English Language Learning System.

Where to Find Photography Classes in Cardiff.

Where to Find Photography Classes in Cardiff. Learn the Art of Photography in the Capital of Wales ChaptersWhy Consider Photography School?Cardiff’s Opportunities for Photography Classes.Cardiff, with its distinctive character, its quick route into the countryside and to the sea, and its ever-growing cultural life, is a fertile and instructive place to learn photography, to learn how to take a photograph, and to learn what best to do with it next.Because photography is not simply a process of ‘point and shoot’. It isn’t really what you do when you switch on your mobile phone camera. It’s not about sending photos via WhatsApp, Snapchat, or Instagram â€" or all the other platforms that are both a cause and a symptom of our world’s proliferation of photographs.Whilst we, right now, take more photos than any other generation in history â€" although the history of photography is a short one really â€" what we call photos take no effort. We see a cute cat and snap an image. We eat a nice meal, find a new dress in a shop, or see something we need to remember, and we take a ph oto. This is almost second nature to us now â€" and the photos we take are not the strange and magical things they once were.It would be hard for them to be. Because everywhere we look, we see photographs. Walking down the street, on a bus, or in books â€" not even to mention online â€" there are photographs literally all around us.And, whilst this is good for the professional photography industry â€" and for the media platforms we use to share our photos â€" it might not necessarily be great for the person learning photography. Because we take images for granted, and we don’t really recognise what it takes to produce an image that is beautiful, that is special, that stands out.For you that are here to find out about photography courses, you should know that it is this recognition that constitutes one of the most basic, and most important, photography skills.Let’s take a look at what else you need to know â€" and the reasons why you might want to join photography courses.Learn p hotography in Edinburgh too, or join a photography class in Belfast.Take your camera somewhere lovely. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Consider Photography School?What we forget, in our over-photographed world, is that a good photograph takes a lot of skill to produce. The professional photographer exists for a reason: whilst we know how to shoot images on a cheap digital camera or smartphone, g reat pictures come from a lot of work, knowledge, and skill â€" as well as a bit of patience.To develop this photographic knowledge, sure, you can practice by yourself. However, some things are best learned through teaching. And if you want to be a photographer â€" a photojournalist, a portrait photographer, or a commercial photographer, or whether you want to get involved in food photography, street photography, sports photography or event photography â€" the best route is through formal lessons with an expert.There are a few reasons for this. Let’s take a look.Try photography classes across the UK or take a photography course in London.Photography Techniques, Technologies, and EquipmentPhotography is a discipline that involves a lot of different pieces of equipment, different bits of technical knowledge, and generally a lot of stuff beyond the camera. So, commercial photography brings with it the photography studio, the studio lighting, as well as the aspects of the camera itsel f, the shutter speed, etc.However, then there are the concerns with what happens to the digital image once you have taken the photo. Knowing how to photograph is not really enough â€" as computer software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are just important these days as the photography basics.This is important to mention because, whilst you may have all the passion in the world for digital photography or whatever, all this collateral material demands a lot of financial commitment, technical study, and an understanding of all the elements that make up a photo.Photography workshops provide the teaching of these elements â€" but they also offer the use of these technologies themselves. Rather than forking out hundreds of pounds for Photoshop, you can develop the skills you need in a photography class before you commit to the money.Timing is everything in photographyIndustry Connections and ContactsThe other really crucial element to learning photography is going to be the people you meet. Ask any commercial photographer and what they will say is that, without connections or a network of people, you ain’t going to go very far. With the commercial photography industry growing at a steady rate, there are so many photographers around these days. To navigate this, you need to know the right people.Knowing the right people means, in the industry, getting clients. It means having people help build your reputation for you. It means making a living from your work! Because, whether they are professors, peers, or people ready to pay you hard cash for your pictures, knowing lots of people in the industry is going to be a huge plus if you are trying to grow a photography business.Photography classes â€" particularly at degree level and beyond â€" are going to be an excellent opportunity for exactly this, as your institution will help you share your work with the people that matter. It’s a little mercenary, but it is true!Try a photography class in Birmingham or a photog raphy workshop in Liverpool!Continuous DevelopmentFinally, it’s worth pointing out some of the benefits of the photography class for those who don’t really have any intention of pursuing photography as a career. You guys are the hobbyists, the amateur photographers, potentially the people that enjoy the activity the most!However, if you are practising your art alone, it can sometimes be a little difficult to stay motivated, to find new areas that excite you, to keep progressing and progressing and progressing. You can find yourself just repeating the same things over and over again, producing photos that, sure, are nice, but lack the spark that kindled your love for the medium in the first place.A photography teacher can help you if you find this sounding familiar. They can show you new techniques, set you new challenges, and get you thinking of new subjects, ideas, or feelings to explore. It is, in the end, their job to stretch you â€" and being stretched is the most inspiring and motivating thing there is in a hobby.Find out where you can take photography lessons in Birmingham or Manchester.Try photography classes in Cardiff!Cardiff’s Opportunities for Photography Classes.And so, to Cardiff. We began this piece by saying that Wales’s capital city is a great place to learn how to hone your skills in photography. And it sure is.With universities, colleges, private photography studios, and photography tutors all offering lessons, there is plenty of competition in which you can find the perfect teaching style for you.So, strap on your camera â€" and join one of these photography courses in Cardiff today!Find photography courses in Leeds here or learn photography in Glasgow.Take a Photography Degree at One of Cardiff’s Universities.Cardiff has a big student community, with Cardiff University, Cardiff Met, and the University of Wales all having campuses in the capital.Honestly, this is great for anyone hoping to learn anything at all. Yet, it is particul arly good for everyone interested in something like photography: whether it is a professional photography degree or an evening class, most of these educational institutions offer some sort of course in the discipline.Photography degrees specifically run over three years, and you’ll learn both the technical elements of the camera and its technologies and the commercial elements of the business of photography. The combination of both is essential â€" and you’ll find yourself in a great position to start a career in photography once you have finished.Choose Yourself a Private Photography Tutor at Superprof.If it’s private tuition you are after, Superprof is the place to find it.Of the millions of private tutors we host across the world, eight are photography tutors in Cardiff! These guys charge an average of £16 an hour, and their specialism range from documentary photography to art and design, nature photography to digital image manipulation techniques.They are friendly, commit ted, and flexible â€" and will be dedicated to the things that you specifically need to learn. So, whether you want to get outdoors to snap some nature shots, or need a run through the latest Photoshop, you’ll find what you need with Superprof’s tutors.Get into the Countryside with Sarah J. Evans Photography.Whilst Cardiff itself has a whole load of excellent opportunities, just down the road there is the chance to perfect your skills in nature photography and in outdoor photography.Sarah J. Evans is a photographer who has been working in the field for years. She now teaches the art of looking through the lens in Cowbridge. And, whilst you might think that this is a long way to go for a photography lesson, you’d be a little daft if you did.If you are interested in outdoor photography, your best shots won’t come from the city. So, get out into nature and capture the beauty of the world.

College Board Sat Subject Test Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace

College Board Sat Subject Test Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace SAT is a standardized and recognized test taken by high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who wish to study in colleges and universities in the United States. SAT scores are usually sent along with the admission application to the colleges as it helps them recognize the academic knowledge of the student in the specific subject areas. Good SAT scores is surely one of the factors which increase the chances of easily getting accepted into a college as it reflects the understanding of the concepts learnt by the student. SAT test paper is divided into 3 subject tests: Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing. These 3 sections majorly contain multiple choice questions and students have to pick the right answer from the given options. The Critical reading section consists of multiple choice questions based on comprehension passages where the student is tested in vocabulary, sentence structures, fragments, organization of sentence ideas etc. The Mathematics section examines the knowledge of the student in the topics like Algebra, Geometry, Probability and Statistics etc. This section consists of multiple choice questions and few grid-in questions. Students have to be careful while answering multiple choice questions since it consists of negative penalty. Hence its recommended not to guess any answers on the multiple choice questions since a wrong answer can deduce points from the score. Similarly the Writing section consists of multiple choice questions and an essay question which examines the students knowledge in error identification or paragraph improvement concepts.

Critical Reasoning Question 25 Teen Pregnancy - Private Tutoring

Critical Reasoning Question 25 Teen Pregnancy BobbiM Mar 25, 2014 In 2001, a local high school implemented a new program designed to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy.   The program, however, failed to produce the desired result.   It the program had been successful, the dropout rate for female students would not have increased substantially in 2001. The argument in the passage depends on which of the following assumptions? A.            The number of teen pregnancies nationwide increased in 2001. B.           The number of teen pregnancies in 2001 was greater than the number of teen pregnancies in 1991. C.           Teenage pregnancy is a leading reason that female students leave school. D.           The program was mandatory of all female students. E.             Most 2001 female dropouts were not pregnant at any time during the year. Think you know the answer? The correct answer is C. This stimulus bins with the conclusion that a 2001 school program to reduce teenage pregnancy was a failure.   The evidence is that the female dropout rate increased during 2001.   The assumption must be that pregnancy is an important reason for a female to drop out of school.     (C) says this correctly. A is out of scope, B is irrelevant, D is out of scope, and E provides a reason to doubt the conclusion.

Volunteer with Heart Laura McGinley - Heart Math Tutoring

Volunteer with Heart Laura McGinley - Heart Math Tutoring Volunteer with Heart: Laura McGinley Volunteer with Heart: Laura McGinley April 22, 2016 Laura is a mother of two and has been a Heart tutor for three years. She heard about Heart Math Tutoring  from the school staff in 2013. She has been a tutor ever since and currently works with three third grade students at Billingsville Leadership Academy. Laura believes that education is a powerful tool! Why did you  become a volunteer? I firmly believe in the power of education to change lives, especially in the early years when the foundation is set for later learning. All the hugs, high fives, and shy smiles I get are an added bonus! What was your favorite moment from working  with students? I love it when the kids surprise themselves by figuring out the answer to a challenging question. At the beginning of the year, many of the kids are hesitant to try and just start guessing if they don’t know the answer immediately. When they realize they have new skills that can be used to work out the solutions, their eyes light up with the feeling of success. What is one thing you and one your students have in common? A love of ice cream! What would you tell someone who is  thinking about becoming a volunteer? This is the easiest question of them all â€" DO IT!! Heart makes it so easy with a regular schedule, an easy to follow curriculum and associated materials, support staff on site, and measurable results. It’s a great way to make a difference! Lauras third grade student runs into the cafeteria on Tuesday mornings when she glimpses Laura seated at a table  reading her lesson for the day.  Heart is thankful that Laura spends an hour and a half a week with the program at Billingsville! Thank you for three great years!

Desk Items You Need to Stay Happy and Healthy This Winter

Desk Items You Need to Stay Happy and Healthy This Winter Image via Isorepublic.com Warm tea Tea is the perfect winter drink. Hot tea will be so comforting after coming in from the snow, as it will help your insides warm up. At least for me, tea helps a lot! The great thing about tea is that there is a wide variety of teas. You can try different types of tea until you find one you like; you are bound to like at least one. If you’d prefer sweeter tea, you can sweeten your tea with some honey or sugar. For those who don’t like coffee, tea with caffeine (like chai or black tea) can also be a good “pick me up” when you’re tired in the morning. In addition to being delicious, certain teas have health benefits, too, like probiotics (good bacteria). Because of all these benefits, I suggest you have some tea at your desk this winter. Water In addition to tea, you should also have a water bottle (preferably a reusable one!) on your desk. Most people do not drink enough water each day, and being dehydrated in the winter is not good at all. If you don’t have water at your desk, it will be easy for you to forget to drink as you go about your day. Before you know it, it’s time to go back home, and you haven’t had any water! This is not good. But, having water easily accessible at your desk will make it easier for you to sip on it throughout the day and keep yourself hydrated, because when you can see the water bottle, you will be reminded to drink every so often. For that reason, I would encourage you to keep water at your desk. This applies not just during the winter, but year round, too. Healthy snacks Am I the only one who gets hungry throughout the day and needs just a little snack to tide me over until lunch or dinner? That’s why I like to keep healthy snacks near my desk to keep my stomach from growling as I wait for lunchtime. Specifically, I like to keep snacks like fruit, nuts, and granola bars. These snacks are easy to store, they are not awfully loud/crunchy when you eat them, and they are not awfully scented either (that’s why I do not bring oranges to work, even though I love them). Having easy access to healthy snacks will keep you from reaching for sugary snacks, like candy or cookies, which tend to be abundant in my workplace during the holiday season. Healthier snacks will also do a better job at keeping you full until your next meal. Eating sugary snacks will cause you to get hungry again sooner. That’s why you should keep healthy snacks at your desk all throughout the year, but definitely during the winter season. Infographic by Alyssa Laffitte Hand sanitizer and wipes Unfortunately, winter is the beginning of cold and flu season. The last thing you need during the winter is to get sick. But the good news is that you can prevent yourself from catching the flu or a cold if you keep your hands and your workstation clean. Prevention is your best defense. Keep hand sanitizer at your desk (or at least in your bag), and use it religiously, every time before you eat. Of course, it’s always better to actually wash your hands with soap and water if you have easy access to a sink. But sometimes you can’t access a sink, and hand sanitizer is significantly better than nothing. At your desk, you can also keep cleaning wipes that will kill bacteria and viruses like the flu and the common cold. Use these wipes to sanitize your workspace once you finish for the day. Taking measures such as sanitizing your hands and workspace will prevent you from getting sick during peak cold and flu season. You will thank yourself when you make it through the season without getting sick! A box of tissues Similarly, you should have a box of tissues by your desk during the winter. At least for me, I find that my nose gets especially runny when it’s cold, even if I’m not sick. So I really like keeping a box of tissues nearby my workspace. It will also be nice to have if one of your co-workers gets sick, since you can offer them a couple of your tissues. For bonus points, get yourself the expensive tissues with lotion, as they are much more comfortable on your nose. Even if you don’t get sick, having a box of tissues by your side is always a good idea. If you don’t need it, someone else might. It’s better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have it, especially in the winter. Cold medicine Continuing on the topic of staying healthy this winter, you should keep some cold medicine in a drawer at your desk. Again, this is something that’s better to have and not need, than to need and not have. You shouldn’t get sick if you are proactive about protecting yourself (as I mentioned earlier in this article), but if you do end up getting sick, you will be thankful to already have medicine on hand. You won’t have to run to the pharmacy, out in the cold when you already feel under the weather. Save yourself the trouble and a trip to the pharmacy by keeping a stock of cold medicine in the drawer during the winter months. Earmuff headphones When I was shopping for new winter gear on Amazon, I found this amazing invention: earmuff headphones! These headphones are a great way to keep your ears warm while still enjoying your music. These headphones are cheap, and they will provide you with warmth and the ability to still listen to music as you walk in the cold weather. I would definitely recommend a pair of these headphones! A clock (that you have already adjusted to reflect the new time) Daylight savings time ends in the winter, so it might be hard to keep track of the time, especially the first few weeks after the change happens. For that reason, I think it’s a good idea to keep a clock at your desk as you adjust to the new time. Once the change does happen, be sure to change your clock so that it reflects the correct time. At least for me, having a clock in an easily visible place helps me keep track of the time, and get used to the time change after daylight savings time ends. Of course, the same thing applies when daylight savings time starts again in the spring. A heated blanket This might seem excessive, but having a heated blanket at your desk is very comforting during the winter. It will feel just like a towel that is fresh out of the dryer. When it’s freezing outside, it is so nice to be able to wrap yourself in a warm blanket. You can get one at Amazon, Walmart, or Target for a low price. Just remember to have an extra set of batteries in case the ones in your blanket run out! A light sweater Of course, a sweater is a necessity for winter. However, I would recommend keeping a light sweater at your desk. Your workplace should be heated, so you won’t need to wear your heavier winter coat while you’re inside the building. Still, you might get a little bit chilly while you’re indoors. A light sweater would be the perfect solution to this problem. It’s not too warm like your winter jacket (save that for when you go outside!), but it will keep you from getting cold as you work inside. Plus, a light sweater should not take up so much space at your desk. Comfortable, warm shoes or socks If your workplace allows it, I would also recommend that you keep a pair of comfortable shoes by your desk during the winter. Comfortable shoes will make you feel cozy and warm during a cold winter or fall, rather than having to wear chunky snow boots in the office all day. Even wearing simple fuzzy socks underneath your shoes will make you feel a little bit better when it’s snowing outside. At least for me, a southern girl who’s currently living in the northeast, fuzzy socks and comfortable shoes make winter a little more bearable, as I get a short break from wearing thick socks and snow boots. For that reason, I suggest you bring a pair of comfortable shoes or socks to keep at your desk during the winter, if you are allowed to. Image via Isorepublic.com Desk lamp (preferably with extras) There are less daylight hours in the fall and winter, and it has been scientifically proven that it’s bad for your eyes to work in the dark. For that reason, I would recommend you buy a small desk lamp to give you some extra light during these cold months. The extra light will prevent eye strain. As a bonus, you can even get a desk lamp that has an electrical outlet, so you can plug in your computer and phone as you work, or one that has a place to keep your writing utensils. (I have one that has both: an outlet and a place to store my pens, and it is extremely convenient! I can easily organize my pens and pencils. Also, my short computer charger is not a problem, since I can plug it in directly into my desk lamp!) You can get a desk lamp with those features at a store like Target or Ikea for a good price. Having a desk lamp, especially one with extra features, will make your life much easier this winter when you have to work late into the night (when, during a Connecticut winter, means 6PM). Your eyes will appreciate the additional light! It can be hard to come into work when it’s cold outside. But there are certain things you can have at your desk that will make your life slightly easier. For example, hydrating yourself with water or warm tea will be good for you during the winter. Also, it would be a good idea to keep things that will prevent you from getting sick, since winter is peak cold and flu season. Keeping hand sanitizer, tissues, and cold medicine will be helpful to keep you from getting sick, and are nice to have in case you do. Additionally, you can keep comfortable clothes and shoes at your desk. You don’t want to wear clunky, ugly snow boots around the office all day. Keeping a pair of flats in one of your desk drawers will solve this problem. Of course, if your workplace allows, fuzzy socks are preferable. The same goes for jackets; your winter coat is too heavy to wear indoors. A light jacket will be great if there is a draft in the office. Accessories like earmuff headphones and heated blankets will make you even more comfortable in the office. A clock will help you keep track of the time once daylight savings time ends and it gets darker much earlier in the day. Finally, a desk lamp with extras will reduce the strain on your eyes as you continue to work after the sun has set. Having these small things at your desk will make it easier to be productive in the winter.

Its Critical! What Each of the 14 Critical Languages Offers Learners

Its Critical! What Each of the 14 Critical Languages Offers Learners Its Critical! What Each of the 14 Critical Languages Offers Learners Is anyone on this plane a polyglot?!Thats not a sentence you expect to hear in a Hollywood disaster film, is it?However much you may love the idea of learning languages, you probably wouldnt call it critical.When youre learning to conjugate verbs, you dont imagine lives hanging in the balance.When you practice speaking with an exchange partner, you dont fantasize about being the hero who saves the day.As you work on honing your listening, you dont think about how this skill could put you in control of a situation where others depend on you.Unless of course you do, in which case youre totally in the right place.Because in the post, were going to talk about how some languages are literally categorized as critical.By their nature, these are languages that will open up the window to a world of unique opportunities for travel, employment and moreâ€"if you learn them.And dont worry, well look at how to do that, too! What Are Critical Languages?A critical language is one which the United States government has deemed not only strategically important for the country, but also with demand outstripping supply of speakers. Basically, there arent enough Americans who speak these languages!Often these languages are considered important for reasons of diplomacy, trade and national security. Theyre not set in stone: Theyve changed many times over the years, and at the moment there are 14 of them.Were going to look at each one in turn shortly, but first its worth noting thatâ€"while the term is a U.S. designationâ€"its easy for anyone in the English-speaking world to see why these might be important in an international sense. Due to their status as critical, anyone who attains proficiency in these tongues has improved career prospects, whether in government, international companies, NGOs or security services.How Can You Learn Them?First, lets get this out there: By their very nature, these languages are often more challenging than others, at least for native English speakers. The reason theres a shortage of speakers is not only due to them being less mainstream than languages like Spanish and French in schools and everyday society, but also because its often much harder to reach a good level. Thats not to say its impossible, thoughâ€"and if you are able to commit, the rewards are significant.If youre  really interested and youre in the U.S., lucky you. Take a look at the Critical Language Scholarship or the National Security Education Program. Both of these are government-funded programs to get bright and committed students of the language up to a level where they can use it in professional settings. They recognize that its not usually something you took in high school, so there isnt a need to be fluent already; however, you should expect a college-level education and an immersive experience living in a country that speaks your target language. Basically, this is not for the casual learner!If youre not quite ready to pack your bags or youre not an Ameri can citizen, its time to find a different route. Obviously, in an ideal world youd be able to interact with members of your community who are native speakers, but given the nature of the languages these opportunities may be fewer and further between. A  staffer at the State Department compiled  this list  of suggestionsâ€"one of the keys for him was taking hard classes with grammar.No matter what your level of interest, online resources are a great option for exploring, learning and supplementing any official training for these languages.Having said that, since by nature some of these languages are less mainstream, they might be trickier to find online. Here are some tips for where to start:While theyre less likely to be present than others, some of the languages below can be found on popular online resources that offer complete learning programs. For example, you can start learning Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Russian right here on FluentU. FluentU is perfect for learning languages for real-world application, as it takes real-world videosâ€"like movie trailers, news, music videos and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.If you have your heart set on learning Azerbaijani or Bengali, you might have to look a little deeper. Some enthusiastic amateurs are up on YouTube to teach you the basics of less popular languagesâ€"for example, have a look at  this Azerbaijani lesson.Meanwhile, there are free websites out there like ilanguages.org  that will teach you the basics of grammar and vocab in a variety of languages to help you get started. Even if you have to use multiple resources to tackle different parts of one language, it all adds up.Once you have beginner elements down, the best next step is to find a language partner. If you dont happen to have a Bangla or Punjabi community on your doorstep, italki allows you to find the perfect exchange partner whos looking to learn a language you speakâ€"all online!Guys, nobody said this was going to be easy! But once youve taken the first steps into learning a critical language, I know youre going to see the pay-off.Its Critical! What Each of the 14 Critical Languages Offers LearnersOkay, lets get down to businessâ€"what are these 14 tongues that are so highly prized? Were going to go through each of them, tell you a little about them, then raise a warning about what makes them tough but also give you a great reason why theyre worth studying.Keep in mind that these descriptions dont even come close to covering everything about each language and that theyre intended mostly for the perspective of an English-speaking (and particularly American) audienceâ€"so if one of these languages interests you, dig in and find out more about what it can do for you!Ill leave it to you to decide which one (or few!) to go forArabicI think you could have guessed this one was going to pop up hereAccording to the CLS website, almost 300 million people speak Arabic. Aside from the s heer volume of speakers, Arabic makes the list due to being the primary language of the Middle East and North Africa, regions with which the U.S. has had a troubled political history. That makes it all the more important to have proficient Arabic speakers in a variety of roles and situations, from immigration to intelligence.What to watch out for:  As Arabic is so widely spoken, there are numerous dialectic variations. What you might hear in Morocco is very different from Lebanon, and both are different from Modern Standard Arabic. Even when youve got the basics down, theres a whole world out there.Why to study it:  The size of the Arabic-speaking world is also its primary attraction, even if government work doesnt float your boat. Lots of big companies need people who speak the languageâ€"and it offers travel prospects galore!AzerbaijaniWe go from a language you definitely would have guessed to one you probably wouldnt have. Azerbaijan is not usually at the top of peoples travel it ineraries (although there are plenty of reasons why it should be), but the U.S. government considers the Azeri language to be vital. With groups like Al-Qaeda having a history of operating in Azerbaijan, as well as Azerbaijani being spoken in parts of old adversary Iran, this is considered an important language for national security.What to watch out for:  For English speakers living in English-speaking countries, this is a language that might not come quite so much in handy in everyday life.Why to study it:  Despite it being quite a unique language, it has a lot of crossover with Turkishâ€"another language on this listâ€"meaning itll put you in a position to be even better equipped with critical languages.Bangla/BengaliBengali is the official language of Bangladesh as well as the second most spoken language in India and the seventh most spoken in the world. Youd be keeping good company if you picked this one up!What to watch out for:  Bangla is not so much one consistent language a s a series of many dialectsâ€"not all of which are mutually intelligible.Why to study it: As the economy and global standing of South Asia grows, this language is beneficial not only for careers in government but also in business, research and non-profits. It also has a rich and beautiful literature to explore, making this far more than just a purely practical addition to your linguistic arsenal.Chinese (Mandarin)Another of the more predictable entries on this list: China is a super-power and very competitive with the U.S. on the global stage. In fact, its currently predicted that it will overtake the States as the worlds dominant economy before 2030. No wonder the Americans want people who can communicate with them!What to watch out for:  With thousands of characters in use, Chinese presents some memorization challenges. Meanwhile, it is one of the more popular languages on this list, so it might not be the one to choose if you want to set yourself apart from the crowd.Why to study it:  Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language on the planet and its speakers are not only confined to the most populous country in the world but spread all over. A few words of Mandarin can go a long way in Beijing, Brooklyn, Brisbane or BelfastHindiAnother of the behemoths of the language world. Along with Chinese, English and Spanish, Hindi is one of the most spoken languages in the world. Around 40% of the population of India has Hindi as a mother tongue. With Indians being among the worlds most emigrant populations, youll find Hindi speakers in all corners of the world.What to watch out for:  The sounds in Hindi can seem quite alien to English speakers, and it requires a more flexible tongue.Why to study it:  This is a personal one, but Ive always found the curling, dangling Devanagari scriptâ€"which is used to write Hindiâ€"beautiful. How wonderful would it be to master that?Indonesian (Bahasa)Would you have put this one on the list? I wouldnt have, but actually its easy t o see why  its here. Indonesia is the worlds most populous Islamic country. At the same time, only hundreds of Americans a year enroll in collegiate Indonesian courses. Pretty exclusive club, eh?What to watch out for:  Unlike some of the other languages on this list, Indonesian tends to be more focused in a single country, making this a skill thats difficult to transfer.Why to study it:  If you get a chance to travel to Indonesia, it really is stunningâ€"and we all know that traveling with the native language under your belt is always better. This also tends to be one of the easier non-European languages for an English speaker to master.JapaneseAnother language more focused in an individual country is Japanese. However, Japan is an economic and cultural powerhouse of East Asia, and speakers of this language are much sought after. Youd also be able to access a literary tradition that includes the famous  haiku style of poetry and contemporary novelists like Haruki Murakami, while oth er forms of Japanese culture like anime have impressive reach around the world.What to watch out for:  Japanese may be more commonly seen in international media, but the Foreign Service Institute considers it to be one of the very hardest languages to learn.Why to study it: Lots of reasons! Whether its being able to wander the streets of the busiest metropolitan area in the world, order like a native in your favorite noodle bar or relate to more than a million people who are Japanese or of Japanese descent around the worldâ€"Japan has given a great deal to the world and it can only be enriched by getting a grasp of the language.KoreanStaying in East Asia, Korean also makes it onto our list. The unstable relationship between Pyongyang and Washington stretching back through a history of U.S. involvement in Korea, along with the importance of North-South Korean relations on the world stage, makes this a crucial language.What to watch out for: Korean is considered a language isolate, me aning no other languages are properly connected to it. This makes it difficult to learn and difficult to transfer.Why to study it:  While North Korea is inaccessible to most, South Korea is one of the most fascinating countries on the planet. Pay a visit to bustling Seoul,  share a soju with some locals and get insight into its unique work-hard-play-hard culture.Persian (Farsi)Again, this is a language considered important primarily due to the country its spoken in, in this case Iran. For decades, Iran and the U.S. have been at loggerheads culturally, economically, militarilyâ€"you name it. Despite this, Farsi isnt very widely spoken in America.What to watch out for:  As relations are strained, the U.S. Government advises against travel to Iran  due to the risk of arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens.Why to study it:  In addition to the job prospects that put it on this list, Persia is one of the most historically important regions on earth. As the language remained relat ively unchanged for centuries, its fairly easy for newer students to delve into epic poets like Hafez, writer of numerous proverbs.PunjabiLike Hindi and Bengali, Punjabi is a language widely spoken in India. But it might be its status as the most spoken language in Pakistanâ€"a country that American intelligence services keep a close eye onâ€"that puts it on this list.What to watch out for:  Punjabi is written in two different scripts: Arabic and Gurmukhi. These can be difficult for foreigners to get the hang of.Why to study it:  Punjabi speakers are all over the globe, meaning youd have plenty of people to chat with. In fact, Punjabi is one of the most spoken languages in the United Kingdom!RussianAlong with the U.S. and China, Russia is normally mentioned as the third big superpower. Its relationship with the U.S. has been fraught, and particularly recently. You can see, then, why its important to have Americans who can speak Russian!What to watch out for:  Russian grammar include s some grammatical concepts that are more foreign to English speakers, like cases.Why to study it:  One of the most enduring languages on this list, Russian is spoken in the largest country on earth. Its also widely spoken in other parts of Eastern Europe and particularly ex-Soviet states, where its often the normal second language studied in schools.SwahiliOne of the most well known African languages, Swahili is spoken across a number of countries in Eastern and Southeastern Africa. Its origins are very different from all others in this list as it stems from Bantu roots.What to watch out for:  Given that origin, if youre primarily familiar with English and European languages, theres less crossover, meaning a lot more study of vocabulary.Why to study it:  With many international businesses looking to expand their presence in East Africa, Swahili offers a plethora of job opportunities. It also shares some vocabulary with Arabic, giving you greater access to another critical language. TurkishIf youve ever seen photos of Istanbulâ€"stunning mosques atop crowded hills overlooking the Bosphorusâ€"youll know some of the attraction of Turkey. Its a bridge between continents, an amazing travel location with a fascinating language. That said, it has had a turbulent time recently, with border regions suffering fighting and a government accused of human rights abuses, meaning the world watches it closely.What to watch out for:  Like some other languages on the list, Turkish is challenging as it doesnt share as many cognates with other languages you may be familiar with.Why to study it:  Turkey spans regions, and appropriately its language will give you access to a significant area of the world. On the one hand, it opens up other Turkic languages like Turkmen, Kazakh and Uzbek; culturally and politically, meanwhile, Turkey has strong links with Arab countriesâ€"this language may be of great interest to Arabic speakers looking to deepen their understanding of the region.Urd uUrdu is another tongue from Northern India and Pakistan. We spoke earlier about the importance of Pakistan to U.S. interests; while Punjabi is the most spoken language in the country, Urdu is an  official language, giving it significant value.What to watch out for:  Like in English, pronunciation can be tricky in Urdu. Its important to memorize vocabulary with the accurate way of saying each word.Why to study it:  As well as the advantages it gives you for speaking to Pakistanis, Urdu is very similar to Hindi. So a whole swathe of South Asiaâ€"and two critical languagesâ€"is opened up to you.Convinced?Learning a critical language is quite an undertaking, but the payoff is undeniable.Happy studying!