Tuesday, August 11, 2015

When Bilingual!!!!!!!!!!


Listen Up Language Learners: 10 Things You Do Better When Bilingual
We all know that being bilingual (or even multilingual) increases your ability to communicate with more people across the world, which is a pretty cool perk to learning another language. But did you know that being bilingual helps you in far more ways than just communication? Here are 10 things that you can do better when you’re bilingual:
Noisy Classroom? No Problem!
New studies carried out by Anglia Ruskin University have shown that bilingual children are better at tuning out noise. This means that bilingual students are better able to learn and concentrate in a noisy classroom that their monolingual classmates. This ability to concentrate despite the distractions going on around them leads to an overall better school performance. A great reason to start learning a new language while you’re young? We think so.

 

Improved Problem Solving

According to the New York Times, studies have shown that bilinguals are able to solve certain mental puzzles quicker than their monolingual counterparts. This is because they are used to directing their attention between conflicting thought processes (like two different languages) and are better able to channel this same focus to other tasks.

Closer Attention to Surroundings

Not only are bilinguals better at ignoring distractions, they are also better at paying attention to the environment around them. As they switch between languages, making a judgement on what is being said to them in a certain language and how to respond, sharpens their ability to keep track of their environment and its changes. Observation and Monitoring tasks? Advantage bilinguals!

Superior Listening Skills

Learning other languages also helps with listening skills. Bilinguals are much more adept at recognising other languages – even ones that they don’t actually speak! Not only does this help you when there are foreign accents around you, but it also helps the listening skills in your primary language. You’ll be better at picking up subtle nuances in other people’s speech, thus improving your overall communication.

Better Memory

Learning a second language is beneficial for overall cognitive development, including memory. Since bilinguals have to store two sets of vocabulary in their mind and are used to accessing the correct one, they get great practice at storing and using information. Plus, good memory helps with studying, another reason bilingual students do better in school than monolinguals.

Big Crowds, Better Focus

Trying to find your way in a crowded train station? Studying in a loud coffee shop? No worries if you’re bilingual. In fact, it might actually be easier in the chaos for those who are used to it – zoning out external distractions becomes almost second nature.

A Different Point of View

The great thing about changing between languages is that you’re better able to change your perspective and to think in different ways. An interesting study looked at how people acted differently when they were asked to make decisions with varying degrees of risk and uncertainty. Participants were asked in their first and second language, and showed different behavioural patterns as they switched languages. The idea is that because a different language forces you to think differently, it also influences your behaviour, allowing you to escape a singular paradigm of thought

Master Multitasking

Since bilinguals are used to switching quickly between languages while blocking out distracting influences, this naturally helps in their ability to multitask. And frankly, what better skill could you have in the 21st century, when you’re bombarded with new information and new tasks from all sides? Being able to multitask is an incredibly valuable asset in this busy world. A great added perk of being bilingual!

Life-Long Benefits

An amazing thing about being bilingual is that the benefits extend throughout your whole life. Research has shown that bilinguals have a greater resistance than monolinguals to the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The greater your degree of bilingualism, the later in life these diseases are likely to affect you, if you’re susceptible. Think of learning a second language as a long term investment in your mental health.

More Languages? More Money!

If the cognitive benefits aren’t enough for you, here’s a financial incentive: research shows that people who speak more languages earn more money than people who can speak only one. This makes sense when you consider that we live in a globalised world; contact with foreign countries and other languages is inevitable. Being able to speak another language gives you a competitive advantage in the workplace. You’re more likely to get hired and companies have more incentive to pay you more money. And hey, money talks…

Monday, August 10, 2015

Adelphi # 1 according to The Princeton Review

Aug 07, 2015 06:17 PM EDT

Princeton Review College Rankings 2016: Adelphi University Named Best College In The Northeast

School
(Photo : CC: Flickr/ AU) The Princeton Review has named Adelphi University the best school in the Northeast.
Adelphi University in New York is the best college in the Northeastern region, according to The Princeton Review.
The Princeton Review recently ranked colleges with the happiest students based on reviews from 136,000 students at 380 top colleges. Students were asked to rate their schools on dozens of topics and report on their campus experiences. The ranking revealed Monday that the best university in the Northeast is Adelphi.
The private, nonsectarian university offers academic programs that "evolve to reflect the needs and interests of our close to 8,500 students from 41 states and 63 foreign countries," school officials told The Princeton Review.  Recent program additions include a B.F.A. in studio art for aspiring visual arts professionals, as well as new and updated bachelor's programs in criminal justice administration, computer management and information sciences, and school psychology.
"Our 62 ranking lists provide students with a way to see the types of colleges that could help them achieve their future goals and dreams," Robert Franek, Princeton Review's senior vice president-publisher, said in a statement. "Every college in our book has outstanding academics. While our purpose is not to crown one college academically 'best' overall or to rank the schools 1 to 380 on any single topic, our lists provide direct student feedback on the schools' campus culture, program offerings and cost. Our goal is to help applicants choose and get into their dream college -- the college best for them."
Top 10 Best Northeastern Colleges
1.    Adelphi University (Garden City, N.Y.)
2.    Bryant University (Smithfield, R.I.)
3.    City University of New York--Brooklyn College (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
4.    Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School (New York, N.Y.)
5.    Gettysburg College (Gettysburg, Pa.)
6.    Marist College (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.)
7.    Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
8.    State University of New York - Oswego (Oswego, N.Y.)
9.    Stonehill College (Easton, Mass.)
10.  University of New Haven (West Haven, Conn.)
View the complete Top 20 list here.

The Princeton Review has released its annual college rankings in 62 categories on its website and "The Best 380 Colleges" Guidebook. It has published these rankings since 1992 in its annual Best Colleges guide.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Time-Sensitive: Intern as a Speechwriter for French Cultural Services!

This would be a great opportunity for any student who has taken FRE 344 (Translation Techniques) and FRE 246 (France Today)! Hurry: deadline is August 12.


Fall Speechwriting Internship
Employment: Credit-Worthy Internship Job
Organization: Embassy of France | 972 5th Avenue, New York, NY
Department: Development Department
Duration: 3 months, 20 hours per week
Application: cover letter, resume, writing sample (in a single PDF file)
Deadline: August 12, 2015
Start Date: September 1, 2015


The Cultural Services of the French Embassy, headquartered in New York, promote the best of French arts, literature, and education to cultural and academic institutions across the United States, with a strong focus on the contemporary. The Development Office handles fundraising initiatives as well as the organization of many high level events for the Cultural Services.


The Speechwriting intern will draft all speeches to be said by the Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy at these events. Most speeches are written for decoration ceremonies during which a prominent cultural figure receives a French governmental award (ex: Chevalier dans l’Ordre des arts et des lettres, Légion d’honneur) but they are also frequently written for other cultural or academic events at universities, cultural institutions, or festivals. Due to the range in types of speeches required, the speechwriting intern should be comfortable alternating between different tones and styles. The position also requires a collaborative spirit and ease with accepting and integrating constructive criticism. For examples of the types of speeches the Speechwriting Intern would compose, follow this link: http://frenchculture.org/archive/speeches.


Beyond the writing itself, the Speechwriting Intern would perform extensive research on people, events, and cultural institutions to enhance speeches and would work with the Director of Communications and Development to refine them once written. In addition to writing and researching, duties may also include administrative tasks (updating contact lists and databases for example). Experience with speechwriting is a plus. These tasks naturally require excellent communications skills (both written and oral) and good computer skills (Microsoft Office, Firefox, etc.). Though most of our communications take place in English, our bilingual environment means it is essential to speak French well in order to understand the source material and to effectively interact with the mostly French staff. We are therefore seeking candidates with a background in history, politics, diplomacy, social sciences, creative writing, arts administration, English or French Studies. Having lived in France is a definite asset, as is a good knowledge and understanding of French culture and society.


Summary •Currently studying in a U.S. university (undergraduate preferred) •Excellent verbal and written communication skills. •Excellent comprehension of French (written and oral) •Excellent writing and research skills •Flexibility of writing style and ability to accept and integrate constructive criticism •Enthusiasm and collaborative spirit •Excellent organizational skills with particular attention to detail •Capacity to effectively manage multiple tasks and deadlines •Great interpersonal skills •Good general knowledge of France


How to Apply Please send a single PDF file including cover letter, resume and short writing sample (1/2 page, in English, about a cultural event) to Kimberly Corliss on or before August 12, 2015. Please note: Incomplete applications and applications that are not submitted as a single PDF file will not be considered. Contact Kimberly Corliss, Copywriter kimberly.corliss@diplomatie.gouv.fr Cultural Services - Embassy of France 972 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10075

Volunteer to be a part of the Best of France expo in Times Square in September!

Calling student volunteers for the Best of France!  On September 26-27, volunteers are needed in Manhattan (Times Square) to showcase the glorious cultural offerings of the Hexagon.  Volunteers are eligible to win a trip to France and can also win French gifts by sharing the invitation to the Best of France on their own Facebook pages.  Check out the information here.