What Is an Ion in Chemistry?

What Is an Ion in Chemistry?What is an ion? An ion is simply an electron that has been stripped of its electrons. It was the first one that was discovered.Oxygen is an ion. The simplest and most common one, it is found in the middle of water, but there are actually other, rarer kinds. An ion is the only one that takes an electron from another molecule, if it is part of a group.Hydrogen ions are special because they can go with one atom, the oxygen, to the right of the nucleus of a normal atom. Hydrogen itself cannot go to the right of the nucleus, though.There are two types of atoms. Protons have a positive charge, and the other types are called neutrons. The proton can go one way or the other, with one going one way and the other going the other way. This means that two protons can be in one atom, with two neutrons.Protons are negatively charged, while neutrons are positively charged. Since atoms have a positive charge, electrons come in all kinds of different numbers, as well. This is the basis for the entire structure of the atom.When you look at the structure of any atom, you see hydrogen ions inside it. If you notice, all of the hydrogen ions are in one spot, such as the center of the atom. These are referred to as the anions, because an atom with no hydrogen ion.A molecule that contains both an anion and an ion, is called a monomer. Because of this, you will find that the majority of molecules are made up of these two types of molecules.

No Internet No Problem! 7 Great Apps with Offline Language Learning Options

No Internet No Problem! 7 Great Apps with Offline Language Learning Options No Internet? No Problem! Great Apps with Offline Language Learning Options Hey, you.That’s rightâ€"you, the one who’s staring at that phone  like its the last chance youll  have to use it this decade.Do you have that frightened gleam in your eyes because you’ll soon be traveling to one of the few places without internet access?Or is it something else? Maybe youre just trying to unplug, get back to basics, smell the rosesWhatever your reason for disconnecting, you should know that language learning doesn’t have to stop just because you’re offline.You dont even have to say goodbye to that bit of technology youre holding!I sense it: you’re skeptical. But I wouldn’t kid youâ€"there really are lots of super ways to keep your language program rolling without Wi-Fi.Let’s check out the apps (plus some old school bonus ideas) thatll help you get fluent anytime, anywhere, no internet necessary!How Serious Learning Can Happen OfflineIt wouldn’t be a bad idea for us all to try going offline once in a while. Studies actually show that some offline time is a healthy thing for everyone.The good news continues because offline time is perfect to power up language learning. With no distractionsâ€"Facebook, Twitter or any of the other internet time-sucking spotsâ€"it’s easy to stick to your language learning program.First, you should prepare by scheduling offline language study time into your day. Many of us already follow a language learning schedule  so this might be a simple tweak for youâ€"stick to your schedule, even if your learning resources will change without Wi-Fi.Then, get excited for this new adventure and the opportunity to explore some different language materials.No Internet? No Problem! Great Apps with Offline Language Learning OptionsSo now the big question: exactly what options are out there?FluentUFluentU is one of the most innovative options on this list, bringing you authentic language practice wherever you go. FluentU provides real-world videos and audio clips in your target language, like movie trailers, music videos, dialogues, inspiring talks and more, thatve been transformed into language learning experiences.Each video and audio clip comes with interactive subtitles. Click any word you dont recognize for an instant definition and native pronunciation. FluentU also creates flashcards and exercises based on what youve watched so you dont forget all those new words! Its a fun way to actively build your vocabulary while naturally absorbing the language as native speakers really use it.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive Transcr iptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.The videos and audio are organized by genre and learning level, so its easy to find something that works for you. Plus, FluentU personalizes the experience by suggesting new content based on what youve already learned. Its flexible but customized learningâ€"everyone has a different experience!For offline learning, you can download the audio clips, quizzes and PDF transcripts to keep your practice going anywhere!FluentU is available for the following languages:ChineseJapaneseKoreanRussianFrenchSpanishGermanItalianEnglish50LANGUAGES50LANGUAGES is a free app  for iOS and Android  that offers both online and offline resources. It’s geared to ward beginnersâ€"even those with absolutely no experienceâ€"as well as anyone who wants to polish up their language skills. As the name suggests, they cover more than 50 languages.If basic communication skills are what you’re going for, this is certainly a good choice. Youll follow audio lessons, which are available to download for offline listening. Other learning materials include language tests and flashcards.If you want to take your studies pre-internet, print books are available to purchase to supplement the programs.There are 100 lessons to exploreâ€"try listening to a lesson a day!Google TranslateGoogle Translate is a workhorse for language learners. Its available for iOS and Android users.Personally, I use it all the time. It provides a quick text translation, customizable phrasebook and even translates conversations in an instant.One of its best features is the ability to get the meaning of a sign, menu or even billboard with the camera translation. Never get lost again†"just point at a street sign and wait for the translation. This app is great for travelers!What you may not realize is Google Translate delivers for  offline learning, too. It’s possible to download languages onto your device so they’re available for use even when the device is not connected to the internet. Google Translates language packs are available in more than 50 languages.Some even offer offline camera translation!Plus, when you’re not actively looking for a translation, this app is perfect for offline vocabulary building.Naver Papago TranslateNaver Papago Translate is a text, voice, conversation and image translation app for iOS and Android users.  Its available for 11 languages, including French, Japanese, Russian, Vietnamese and more.For offline learning, theres a phrasebook containing basic expressions. Its a fun, fast way to boost your communication abilities whenever youve got some down time.When you get back on the grid, Naver Papago offers a full dictionary as well as real-time translations. You can even  enable location services and Naver Papago will suggest languages for translation depending on where you are!In case you’re wondering, papago means parrot in Esperanto. Its a bird with language abilities, so it does seem to be a fitting name for such a useful app!MemriseMemrise is designed to make language education catchy and fun, while comprehensive. Both iOS and Android users will benefit from this download. It provides an offline mode so you can easily continue your practice anywhere.With Memrise, you follow themed courses (e.g. foundational vocabulary, common expressions, conjugation rules etc.) to learn your language in a logical way. It’s a unique approach to language study but it still packs all of the components we expect from a language program.As you study youll get games, videos featuring native speakers, chatbots and more. You can even record your own pronunciation for comparison with native speech.DuolingoDuolingo is a f amiliar language-learning program. You may already recognize their fun, green owl mascot Duo, who accompanies learners on their journey from beginner to advanced levels. Available for about 30 languages, this app teaches in small, manageable lessons on both iOS and Android devices.There’s the voice recognition segment that pulls no punchesâ€"when you’ve mispronounced a word or phrase, you’ll be prompted to try again. Have practice conversations with chatbots or join a club with other learners.When lessons are completed Duo will commend you and tell you how many days in a row you’ve been working on a particular language. This is a fun way to learn a language!Duolingos offline mode includes an abridged number of its lessons. When youre offline, the progress tracking features will be turned off.BusuuThe Busuu app is an excellent choice, since  all its lessons are available offline!It teaches 12 languages at all levels on iOS  and Android platforms.  If you’re not sure where y ou fall on the learning scale, don’t worry! Busuu will give you a placement test to determine the perfect starting point for your language-learning journey.Busuus program is designed to teach you a language through brief but consistent studyâ€"just 10 minutes a day. It covers key vocabulary,  conversational phrases, grammar skills and even allows for real practice with native speakers.Looking for a Bonus Offline Option? Go Old School with Flashcards!Flashcards? They’re not just for kids! In fact, they’re a key component in nearly every language program. They’re a customizable method for  building a strong vocabulary.Most die-hard language students wouldn’t leave home without our language flashcards. Mine are always with me!Instead of making them yourself, try these fun options.TravelflipsTravelflips  are flashcards that provide basic phrases suitable for everyday use. They come in Spanish, Italian, German  and French and are packed in a neat little box that’s perfect for traveling.I have both the Italian and French cards and love them. I’m hoping they follow up with more languages!BerlitzBerlitz also offers a ready-made flashcard option. Their flashcard sets include  German, Spanish, French and Chinese.These are designed with children in mind, but beginning learners of any age would get a vocabulary boost from using them.Going offline doesn’t have to mean a language program is also turned off.Put today’s technology to good use to continue your language journeyâ€"and keep up  the habit of daily language practice! Add an old school option and you’re all set to learn anytime, anywhere!Good luck! And enjoy your disconnect!

How to Land an Internship for Winter Break

How to Land an Internship for Winter Break via Pexels Start early. If the thought of getting an internship for the winter only just entered your mind a few weeks before break starts, your chances are pretty slim. Instead, it’s important to take action early on preferably October or early November during the fall semester, according to this helpful site,  The Balance   so that you have time to start thinking about the internships out there, do your research, and contact employers. Waiting until the last minute will only leave you in a bind. On the flip side, starting early will certainly work in your favor, as you’ll not only leave yourself some breathing room but also show potential employers that you’re proactive and know what you’re doing. Network. Putting yourself out there is undoubtedly a significant part of landing any internship, regardless of whether it’s for the winter or summer. Especially during the winter when internships may be scarce, networking is important for getting your name and face out there, so that you stand a better chance of being noticed. Make the most of the connections you have, whether they be formal or informal. The Balance suggests reaching out to people in your own personal circle, such as friends, family members, faculty, previous employers, etc. Taking advantage of your personal connections might provide you with a quicker “in” compared to other options (although it certainly will not be a guarantee). Especially if you have a relative or friend’s cousin’s mom who is involved in a field or career you would like to pursue as well, simply inquiring about possible internship opportunities runs a low risk. Asking previous employers is also a great option, particularly if you had a good relationship and a decent experience working with them. Reaching out to previous employers shows that you are willing to keep in touch, that you enjoyed working for them, and that you liked them so much you would love to return, all of which they will certainly appreciate. If you think contacting past employers is a helpful option, here is an email template provided by emmeliedelacruz.com for reaching out to them, if you need guidance or feel a little stuck on what to write. Volunteer. If you’ve been searching and searching for internships over winter break but can’t find any that you would want to apply to, or ones that are even still accepting applications, you might want to consider volunteering instead. While volunteer work isn’t going to help you get paid, it can certainly be just as useful and look just as good on your resume as a regular internship could; volunteering in the field you want to pursue will still allow you to gain valuable experience. What’s more, your willingness to spend your own time volunteering, unpaid, can show a great deal about your character as a motivated and selfless individual to prospective employers.

Irvine SAT Tutor Why Students should Take the SAT Early

Irvine SAT Tutor Why Students should Take the SAT Early 4 reasons students should take the SAT early Many students choose to take the SAT during their fall term of junior year and are well on their way to preparing for the big day. There are countless strategies for improving SAT scores, but one of the best things students can do to improve their chances of getting into college is to take the SAT early, so they have time to make adjustments to their study habits and retake the test if necessary. When students have time to prepare and work on academic challenges their entire school life will be less stressful and more productive our private Irvine SAT tutors are here to help you with your test prep. 1. Gain points Many students take the SAT practice exam at home and participate in a prep class or private tutoring but find out that their score on the actual test date is not as high as they wanted it to be. This often occurs because students are nervous about taking the exam and have to concentrate for several hours early in the morning. This can result in a score that is slightly lower than they were hoping for but, if students take the test early, they have time to continue their study, work on additional tips and tricks, and take the test again in the spring. 2. Reduce stress If students take the SAT at the last minute, they will be feeling extra nervous about their chances of getting into college. This can be incredibly stressful and take away from a student’s overall academic success and make this chapter of their life less balanced and more difficult. One of the best ways to combat stress at this age is to develop great organizational skills including prepping for essential exams in advance. One of the best things students can do to reduce stress during the college prep years is to take the SAT early on to find out what their situation will be with time to spare (READ: 4 Great Ways to Study for the SAT this Fall). 3. College choice Taking the SAT early will also help students determine which colleges and universities they should apply to. Many students dont know where to start when it comes to college choice so their SAT scores can help steer them in the right direction. Students can talk with their college counselor about which set of colleges they should be applying to based on their current SAT scores. Its a good idea for students to have a couple of reach or dream schools, ones that are difficult for anyone to get into but are worth a shot. Students should also have a comprehensive list of target and safety schools, ones they are more likely to get into or nearly guaranteed to get into under normal circumstances. 4. Useful information for future SAT prep When students take the SAT exam early on in their college prep years, they get to know which problems they consistently struggle with, how fast theyre able to answer questions correctly, and which questions they get right nearly every time. This is very useful information for students to give to their SAT prep tutor to help target their tutoring sessions towards skills they need to improve, making each session more useful. Students will also get to know which problems they excel on, so they dont waste valuable prep time on something they already know. Students can start out by taking a full-length practice test at home, but ultimately the only scores that count are the ones from the real SAT exam. Students who take the test early will know what to expect should they need to take it a second time. Its never too early to start test prep! Our Irvine SAT and ACT tutors are here to help you succeed. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Learn Computer Science With A Level Tutor

Learn Computer Science With A Level TutorIf you are planning to earn a degree in computer science, you can do so by taking an advanced level course offered by the University of London. This is the most popular of all computer science courses available in the UK. This course is also known as computer forensics, computer programming, or computer information technology.There are many different courses available in computer forensics that can give you an excellent education and qualification. There are many different subjects and modules available in this course, which means that you can choose the one that you want. The subjects that are covered include computer forensics, internet research, encryption, digital forensics, and internet forensics.The first step in obtaining a degree in computer science is to decide which degree program you want to pursue. There are many different types of degrees that can be obtained through different universities. Your course of choice will be based on t he subject areas that you would like to study.There are many different types of university that offer computer science degrees. You can go to some of the most prestigious universities in the world such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Columbia. If you are from a smaller college, then you should consider your options. You may choose a smaller university that offers programs at a community college rather than having to attend a larger university.When you decide which university you want to attend, you will have to decide which major you want to pursue. Some programs require students to specialize, while others do not. Once you know what you are interested in pursuing, you can choose your course and begin your education in a computer science program.If you want to attend a university that has a variety of classes and programs, you should consider enrolling in a school at the college level. This is because there are many colleges that offer their own specific courses for computer science. The most common type of college that offers computer science degrees is a four-year university. These schools usually offer programs that are focused on certain areas of computer science.A level tutor can help you determine which college or university is best for you. You can find out how to start applying for a computer science degree program by using an online college or university search tool.

How to Study at Penn Chemistry

How to Study at Penn ChemistryIt can be frustrating to go to Penn Chemistry and not know anything about the course. However, you are very fortunate that it is just that easy. If you visit any local college bookstore, they will probably have the full guide for you to take. But for the many students who do not have the luxury of that, here are some helpful tips.What is the most relevant information you can have? Some colleges have paid for or arranged for a tutor to attend every lecture you missed during your initial attempt at getting to know the class. Others are much more lenient. They offer the course at no cost or with a small fee. Either way, if you feel you do not want to commit to studying at Penn Chemistry, then these can be good sources of information.Do some reading. Get some information from other people who took the course before you. Make notes of what was discussed and what you could improve on as a result of that conversation.Another good choice is to ask a teacher. A p rofessor is likely to be more understanding than a fellow student. Take them up on the offer of sitting in for you. You might also want to ask them to visit your dorm room. That might give you a better idea of what you should expect.Finally, a great option is to attend one of the chemistry lab sessions. These can be free to you if you live in an apartment or house that has an open courtyard and is not officially off campus. It can also be a wonderful way to catch up on the knowledge that you had not yet. If you have not been to one in the past, now is the time to consider attending one.One last thing to consider is what you might not know. There are so many different laboratories out there, and you never know which ones you might like to attend. After all, it is only natural to have gaps in your knowledge. For example, you might have no idea about the proper way to measure Eismann points. In addition, knowing about something that is relatively new to you might be interesting.As you can see, there are many options for learning how to take your PHY at Penn Chemistry. While most people begin at the same level, there are many ways to continue improving. Learn about all of the possibilities.

Why Learn French The Reasons and Benefits of Language Learning

Why Learn French The Reasons and Benefits of Language Learning Why do People Still Study French? ChaptersFrench Words Used in Everyday EnglishThe Benefits of Learning FrenchHow Long Does it Take to Learn French?Is French hard to Learn?Some people think that learning a foreign language, in this day and age, is a needless waste of resources â€" time, money and brain power.With electronic translators that fit right in your pocket and pretty much everyone the world over speaking English anyway, what is the point of learning any foreign language, let alone French?That is an astute observation! Incorrect, but astute nevertheless.The French language has some of the most amusing expressions, such as j'ai un petit creux â€" an adorable way to say I am a bit hungry.Run that phrase through translator software, and you get I'm a little hollow, a near-literal translation that gives no indication of what the sentence actually means.Near-literal translation? It should be I have a little hollow; the mental image giving a clue to the meaning.Online translators try hard, but sometimes they miss t he mark entirely!The question is: how will you know that the app you're using is translating accurately if you have no knowledge of the French language, especially French slang?You can try this experiment for yourself, using a phrase in English. We did!Julie was gutted over losing her job. Gutted means in despair, of course.The translator spit out the French equivalent of: Julie was emptied over losing her job.Close in literal meaning, but in no way does that translation convey the figurative rending that Julie suffered at suddenly being unemployed.And, if you used that French translation of our very British expression in conversation with a native French speaker, you might be quizzed over your sentence's exact meaning.If you can't speak French, how will you explain what you had intended to say?Besides the inaccuracies of translation software â€" and their unintentional, sometimes comical results, here are five other great reasons to learn French that we will discuss in more depth   in this article:The French language is spoken by millions of people worldwide, on 5 continentsThere is a strong bond between English and French, in spite of English being a Germanic language.French is a beautiful, rhythmic tongue; full of nuance and quirky turns of phraseIt is considered a gateway romance language; easy to transition from French to Spanish, Italian and Portuguese; even RomanianThere are so many benefits to being bilingual!Let us now get to the meat of the matter â€" an idiom that translation apps render incomprehensible in French.Find classes taught by a reputable French tutor.Many words related to food and cooking come to us from the French language Source: Pixabay Credit: Photoshootingspink, or even bloody was, till recently, strictly a French affair.We call steaks cooked in that manner rare because it was so infrequent that anyone would eat beef that still bled!Back to your favourite pastimes, now: photography, cuisine, dancing, even visiting an art gallery. Ever y one of these words come to us from the French language, along with cinema and telly and a whole host of others.By some accounts, 40% of words in our dictionary have their roots in French. So many French words populate our common English vocabulary that an entire web page has been dedicated to them!French terms pop up just about everywhere: in botany, geology, technology and especially in the military; in fashion and in political terms that harken back to feudal times.Did you know our governing body, the Parliament, is a French word meaning discussion or negotiation?French phrases Commonly Used in EnglishYou needn't cast a wide net to find everyday phrases in French that we English speakers have appropriated and made our own.We'll bet you have at least heard of these, if not used them yourself:a la carte: when you order individual food items from a menu â€" the cardFollowing the same format, you may have a la mode: according to the current fashion or customJe ne sais quoi â€" used to express an intangible quality; literally I don't know whatMiss Markle has a certain je ne sais quoi that makes her absolutely right to marry a royal.Au courant: literally in the current; meaning awareI read the news every day to stay au courant of world affairsCarte blanche: liberal permission and resources to do as you wish, or as neededmy parents gave me carte blanche to redecorate my flat.French Idioms Used in EnglishAn idiom is a phrase whose collective words give no meaning of the sentiment or idea being expressed.Raining cats and dogs, for example, does not represent hapless puppies and kittens on a forceful downward trajectory, splattering everywhere. Thank goodness!Idioms generally have roots in the specific culture and language they originate in.The phrase lost in translation has never been more apt to describe theses concepts that crumble under the force of conversion to another tongue.Thus it comes as a surprise that we've borrowed more than a few such phrases from our French neighbours.These imports did not undergo interpretation; we've not just appended to our dictionary what the idioms in question represent, but the words used to represent them!Esprit de corps translates to the spirit of the body, but means morale.This phrase was born of military service, in which the soldiers shared a unified mentality of defense and protectionism for one's homeland and ideals.Since then, the usage of this colloquial phrase has expanded to include everything from office politics to solidarity with your mates.If you are as one with the majority, you can say that you have esprit de corps.Do you know this phrase, popularised in song, and even used in one episode of Coronation Street?We all know what voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir means.Its implication has been rendered genteel in English â€" even if spoken in French. But natives of that language interpret the verb coucher in more... graphic terms.One French idiom that has lost no meaning in translation, ev en though it is used today in its original language is Honi soit qui mal y pense.It means shame to he who thinks ill of it.So impactful was this sentiment that our own Most Noble Order of the Garter adopted it as its motto!In today's modern French vernacular, that phrase is: honni soit qui en pense du mal; changing the sentiment of shame to revilement.To end this segment of French words and phrases commonly used in English, here are a few that are routinely used in English speaking countries that, curiously enough, the French don't use â€" at least not in the way we do.Au naturel: a phrase we use to describe in the nude.The French use it to signal natural settings: a backstage interview (entretien au naturel), or to describe natural colours such as taupe or beige.En masse: how we describe everyone doing the same thing at the same time.For francophones, the word masse is only used to describe physical weight. The closer translation of the sentiment into Canadian French would be bunch .See what a lighthearted, amusing activity it can be to dissect French expressions? Let us now look at other benefits of learning the language of Molière.You would be surprised at the many benefits of learning French! Source: Pixabay Credit: LightstargodThe Benefits of Learning FrenchAs we ascertained at the beginning of this article, language learning in general can be very beneficial.What we've not expounded on is in what ways!For one, people who can speak a second language derive many cognitive benefits that can even help improve their quality of life as they get older.And, while upwardly mobile in the professional world, bilinguals stand to be hired faster and earn more than anyone who has not taken any language courses.Those points remain true whether you learn Chinese or take Spanish courses.But how can French learning benefit you? Why study French, specifically?Let us say you are such an upwardly mobile professional, eagerly anticipating your relocation to Luxembourg or Belg ium, to a lucrative position with a sister firm.Would you have been considered for that job if you spoke only English?What about your love of winter sports? You may want to ski or snowboard down Mont Blanc. Or, if you are a mountain climber, you may aspire to summit the highest peak in western Europe.It is true that you could get by with using English alone in those circumstances, but by embracing the French language, you are also embracing the culture and the people of the land you exercise your passion in.Did you know that French culture is inexorably intertwined with its cuisine? You could hardly claim to be a foodie and not speak French!Being able to communicate with French people while abroad represents a tacit approval of everything that their language and culture represents.You could polish your conversation skills with French speaking people just about anywhere in the world, because the French language is spoken in over 30 countries!Would you like to learn more about the ben efits of learning French as your second language?A Gateway to Further Language StudiesAs your French lessons London progress, you realise that it is both exciting and engaging to acquire language skills.You may perceive an upcoming certification exam, perhaps the DELF, as a finish line that, once you cross it, would signify that you are done with French courses... and where would you go from there?The joy of learning is infectious and, once inoculated with it, you may never want to stop learning languages!That is another reason why studying French is such a great idea.Because French grammar is so similar to the grammar of other romance languages â€" many verbs even conjugate the same way!, it would not be such a great leap to learn Spanish, learn Italian; you could even learn Portuguese after mastering French!Speaking French can give you advantages over monolinguals in the workplace, help broaden your cultural awareness and even help you understand your native language and culture b etter.We can't think of a better reason than that last one to become a francophone!There is no mystical divination of how much time it will take for you to learn French Source: Pixabay Credit: darksouls1How Long Does it Take to Learn French?All fun and excitement aside, learning a second language is a serious undertaking that requires diligence, hard work, and time.Even though we English speakers regularly make use of French vocabulary and idioms - whether we know it or not, any serious language learner would know that studying French is a monumental undertaking that requires dedication and a serious time commitment.How much time does it take to learn French? How long can any French learner expect to stay at intermediate level?Let's go over some of  the reasons why learning French should be a years-long commitment.French Grammar versus English GrammarAs previously discussed, French is Romantic and English is Germanic.That does not mean that anyone with intimate knowledge of the Fren ch language and culture is a dashing heartthrob.Because these linguistic systems have their roots in different cultures, their vocabulary and grammar  bear only a few similarities.A most immediate way to spot a critical difference between the two language systems is with you.Not you specifically, but in using the pronoun you.In our mother tongue, that pronoun is representative of males, females, multiple people or a lone person; anyone you might address, formally or informally.French pronouns emphasise all of these distinctions. However, it is important to note that, when a mixed group is the subject or object of a sentence, the masculine gender is always used.Tu vas avec elles? â€" you will go with that group of females? versus Tu vas avec eux? - used to represent an all-male or mixed group.These differentiations can make conveying ideas a very precise process.Let us see how grammatical gender applies to articles with this sentence: the teacher gave us a homework assignment.In Engl ish, we have no idea if that teacher is male or female, but in French, le maître would represent a male teacher and la maitresse would be a woman who instructs.Even indefinite articles, a and an, are treated to such precision: un and une â€" male and female, respectively.What about the qualifier some; for uncountable nouns? Du is masculine; de la is feminine and des â€" the plural form, is for both.The best way to learn these divisions, of course, is to spend ample time in their study, and their associated rules.Grammar AgreementAs you may well imagine, if articles and pronouns must relate to the subjects' grammatical gender, so too must any adjectives and, where applicable, verb endings.Beginners in French classes all fume that mastering such agreements is one of the most difficult aspects of learning grammar in French.These aspects of French language study need not be antithetical to your motivation in learning this beautiful, complex tongue.Let us cite yet another import into En glish, this time from German, that neatly addresses that concern:Sprachgefühl loosely translates as the feel for the language.By invoking this phenomenon that every language learner  sooner or later experiences, you can be free of rote memorisation of grammar rules, and just let your heart soar with the rhythm and beauty of speaking French!Our best advice for learning French fast: don't be afraid to make mistakes.Just as you don't need to understand the workings of an internal combustion engine to know how to drive a car, so you don't need to ponder every single grammar rule before your utter your first sentence in French!By no means are we suggesting that you throw your French textbook out of the window; only that you will learn French faster if you don't stress over whether you should use le or la; un or une or de or des!Most people in French speaking countries will recognise and applaud your sincere efforts at learning their language, so there is no need to sweat small grammatic al or verb tense mistakes.Is French hard to Learn?The intricacies of learning French grammar aside, you might be surprised at how precise and straightforward the language is, for all of its flowery prose.If you assign the issue of gender agreement to your growing feel for the language, you may find that speaking French is not as complicated, or as daunting as it appeared in your beginner French classes.If you think that grammatical gender and agreement are complicated in French, you should try learning those rules as they apply to Arabic!Is French as hard to learn as you think?What about conjugating verbs in French?Native French speakers appreciate your efforts at learning French Source: Pixabay Credit: Alexis_AminokisFrench Verb TensesCompared to English, verb tenses in French tend to be more inclusive, expanding to nearly double the number of tenses in our language.All questions of mood aside â€" delving into them would make for a ponderous discussion!, we can attest to the fact t hat only about 6 of French's 23 verb tenses are routinely used.Unless you intend to prove your French language skills formally by sitting DELF level C2, most likely you will not often use more than eight of these more elevated constructs.However, we would point out that having so many ways to indicate when an action has occurred is yet more proof attesting to the precision of the French language.As with nouns, pronouns and articles, with certain verbs, agreement again rears its head: any compound verb construction involving être will make use of feminine form; for example: je suis allée is correct if a female went somewhere. The extra E is not applied if a male, or if a group of people are involved. Conjugating irregular verbs  can be a tricky affair, in any language. Fortunately, the list of such predicates is substantially shorter for French than our very long list!Besides, most of the French irregular verbs, such as pouvoir and avoir are used so often that you will soon incorpo rate their various forms into your spoken French with hardly a thought!Syllable Stress and ToneOne aspect of learning how to speak French is its rhythm; specifically the fact that there is no syllable stress required to give a word meaning, as in English.Because English is our native tongue, perhaps we give no thought to two-syllable nouns having a spoken stress on the first syllable, and two-syllable verbs requiring stress on the second syllable.Such a distinction gives our language a lot of double-meaning words.For example: IM-port represents goods that are brought into the country; im-PORT is the act of bringing goods in.Linguistic experts agree that, because of the syllable stress used to give English words meaning, our spoken language sounds choppy.By contrast, the French use no inflection to give meaning to their words. Instead, vocables are grouped into phonic units and delivered with a unique rhythm.As a French learner, you may need some time to get used to that distinctive phraseology.Autodidact Kató Lomb said: Language is the only thing worth knowing poorly.Obviously, no one would not start out a language learning adventure with the intent of gaining poor skills. Still, there is truth in that quote.Don't just take anyone's word for it; discover for yourself why learning French is a great endeavour!