Well after a year of talking about (and working on) my ebook, How to Learn a New Language with a Used Brain, the book is OUT! I wish I could invite you all to a big book release bash---but instead we'll have to be content with a virtual one!
So put on your dancing shoes, and let me tell you about the book. Why did I write it? Because it's a subject I'm passionate about, and because I've received so many questions on the blog about language learning. It's a short and sweet, an upbeat ebook on language learning that you can read in an hour or two. The book is specifically targeted at folks who are past college age (some of us, way past) but are studying a language. And not just French, by the way, but ANY language. It doesn't matter if you're just starting out with a new language, or you've been studying for ages, I hope you'll find something in this book to help you along on your language adventure. Here's what's included:
- Surprising reasons WHY you should be learning a new language, and how to do it right.
- A program for learning that you can tailor to your needs and learning style, called Six Steps to a Bilingual Life: A Roadmap for Your Language Journey, with a focus on keeping your motivation up, and finding ways to immerse yourself and practice conversation, plus keeping it FUN.
- Learning tips and secrets from YOU, dear readers, and from expat friends, language experts, and professors.
- A "Best of" review of all the major resources for language learning, from freebies to packaged programs and including lots of the dazzling new online opportunites out there.
- A special section for expats, on how they can optimize their language learning.
Even if you're not learning a language, this makes a great inexpensive GIFT for language students of all ages, even young ones. (You can gift a Kindle ebook easily on Amazon, find out how right here).
If you’d like to help spread the word, please post my link on Facebook, tweet it, or add it to your Pinterest book page. And it would be hugely helpful if you add a REVIEW on Amazon or onGoodreads.
Now Ron (my publisher and I.T. department!) and I would like to raise a toast to you, all of our Southern Fried French friends, for your contributions to book and blog, and for your help, support, and loyalty along the way. Bonne Santé!
RECIPES: Treats for our Book Fête
For our virtual party, let's serve some really fun nibbles.
Since the book is international, we'll go with that theme, beginning with something Italian. That it can only be our own Patricia Glee's Italian Wine Cookies, from her Umbria guest post ofFebruary 2011. I've been making these barely sweet wine crackers a lot lately for nibbling.
Now a little something southern: Here's how to make quick spiced pecans. Put 2 cups of pecans in a black skillet over medium heat and stir for a couple of minutes until they begin to smell toasty. Add 2 tablespoons (28 gr) of butter, and keep tossing until it melts and nuts are well coated. Sprinkle with sea salt, fresh ground pepper, a dash of cayenne pepper, and a teaspoon of sugar. Toss for another 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve warm or at room temperature.
Of course we need something French! For that I would choose bite-sized grilled cheese sandwiches with gruyere and smoked salmon. Grill them in butter on thin-sliced bread, cut into quarters, and serve hot.
Now pour a good bottle of white Burgundy, and you'll be talking like a native before you know it!
Please go over to Kristin Espinasse's blog, French-Word-A-Day this week if you'd like to read my guest post, "Learning to Chit-chat in French".