In this episode of Language Matters, Molly sits down with native Tagalog speaker and former DLS Academic Advisor, Joemer. They discuss various aspects of the Tagalog language, plus the other languages of the Philippines. Sit back and enjoy this fascinating episode about the Tagalog language!

In this episode, we talk with Kate (DLS Recruiting Manager and wellness expert) about nutrition for language learning in honor of World Nutrition Day! Kate shares tangible tips for how and what to eat to help optimize your brain for language learning. Enjoy!

In this episode of Language Matters, we are discussing holidays! Join us as Molly sits down with DLS Instructors Reem and Wita, plus staff member Faraidoon. They discuss Eid al-Fitr and Ramadan traditions across Syria, Indonesia, and Afghanistan. Sit back and enjoy this fascinating episode about Ramadan and Eid celebrations!

In this episode of Vernacular Reality, we talk with DLS Project Manager, Katia, about her role in developing virtual reality scenarios for language learning. Katia shares insights on the ability to customize VR scenarios for different levels, plus the continuity of pre- and post-work. Enjoy!

In this episode of Vernacular Reality, we talk with DLS Language Training team member, Lia, about language immersions in virtual reality. As a Chinese instructor herself, Lia shares insights from the development of DLS Chinese immersions to the student trials. Enjoy!

In this episode of Vernacular Reality, listen in on our conversation with Doug North Cook, immersive media program coordinator and professor, and lead instructor at Falling Water's Immersive Design Residency. We discuss all aspects of designing immersive software, including the inspiration for it, the execution of it, and how to optimize user experiences - especially for learning. Enjoy!

In this episode of Vernacular Reality, Blythe and Sean talk with Jim Toepel, design/product manager working with "weird interfaces" (from VR to Rock Band). They discuss the formative experience where they met, how one's relationship to software changes when moving our bodies in new and different ways, and all the benefits of engaging with immersive software. Enjoy!

In this episode, Blythe and Sean sit down with Jordan Higgins, XR Designer and adjunct faculty at the George Mason University School of Art! The two VR experts discuss their experiences working with AR/VR in general and for training, plus exciting innovations in the industry. Enjoy!

In this episode of Vernacular Reality, Blythe and Sean discuss a variety of virtual reality apps that Sean has used in the past, the features he likes about each, and how each program has influenced his VR work at Diplomatic Language Services. From exercise to meditation, you might be surprised at just how much inspiration our language learning program took from other apps. Enjoy!

In this episode of Language Matters, Molly sits down with native Somali speakers and DLS instructors, Aweis and Arale. They discuss various aspects of the Somali language including the origins of Somali and where it is spoken now, the different dialects, and the ease at which it is to speak Somali if you are simply able to read. Sit back and enjoy this fascinating episode about the Somali language!

'What if VR makes me feel sick?' 'Will my instructor be with me in this virtual environment?' 'What makes your application so special?' These are all potential perspectives from students that we address in episode two of Vernacular Reality. Listen in as Blythe, Chris, and Sean tackle perspectives that students may have regarding adding a virtual reality component into their language training, discuss why implementing VR makes sense for the individualized language training that is at the core of our business, and why this makes sense for the language learning industry in general.

Welcome to Vernacular Reality, the VR-focused extension of our podcast Language Matters! In this episode, our host, Blythe, sits down with DLS staff Sean McBeth (Immersive Software Developer) and Chris Bellas (President) to discuss what they are doing to bring virtual reality into language learning at Diplomatic Language Services, why they decided to do so, and what we can expect.

In this episode of Language Matters, Molly sits down with native Albanian speaker and DLS Registrar, Alma, and DLS Recruiting Coordinator, Charlie, who lived in Kosovo for two years while teaching English as a foreign language. They discuss various aspects of the Albanian language including the differences between the two dialects, mastering Albanian clitics and the 36-letter alphabet, and the interesting differences between the north and south. Sit back and enjoy this fascinating episode about the Albanian language!

In this episode of Language Matters, Molly sits down with native Turkish speaker, Zeynep Gur, and DLS Project Manager, Jessica, who lived in Turkey for five years while studying the language. They discuss various aspects of the Turkish language including the change of the Turkish alphabet in the 1920s, the importance of vowel length, why it’s much harder to interrupt people when speaking Turkish, the importance of the informal ‘you’, and why the Harry Potter books are much shorter when translated in Turkish! Sit back and enjoy this fascinating episode on the Turkish language!

In this episode of Language Matters, Molly sits down with Alina and Raluca, two native Romanians. They discuss the ins and outs of the Romanian language including grammar, words imported from other languages, Romanian proverbs, and you’ll even learn a children’s poem that will teach you how to roll your R’s! Sit back and enjoy this fun and educational episode on the Romanian language

In this episode of Language Matters, Molly sits down with Christina and Carrie. Christina is a native German speaker and Carrie is a German student who has been speaking since a young age. They discussed the various aspects of the German language. You will learn about the German writing system, German grammar, compound words, borrowed words, and some popular German sayings. Enjoy this educational episode!

In this episode of Language Matters, Molly sits down with one native Korean speaker, Go Eun, and a Korean student, Mindy, to discuss the various aspects of the Korean language. Learn about the differences between North Korean and South Korean, the rich history involving a beloved King, and the difficulties of learning Korean. Sit back and enjoy this educational Korean podcast!

In this episode of Language Matters, Molly sits down with two native French speakers, Kevin and Vincent, to discuss the various aspects of the French language. You will learn how the government regulates the French language keeping it from being overly influenced by English, the difficulties non-native French speakers have when learning the language, and how far and wide this language is spread throughout the world. Also, we apologize for the low volume of our recent podcasts. We are updating our systems and installing new recording equipment that will fix these issues. Please let us know if you have any requests regarding languages or topics for future podcasts by messaging us on our Facebook page. Thank you, and enjoy.

In this episode of Language Matters, Molly sits down with two native Pashto speakers, Roshana and Faraidoon, to discuss the various aspects of the Pashto language. Learn about the English influence on the Pashto language, the difficult grammar, the different dialects, and the inspiring poetry and proverbs that enrich the culture. Sit back and enjoy this educational Pashto podcast!

In this episode of Language Matters, Molly sits down with two native Japanese speakers, Yuriko and Rie, to discuss the Japanese language. Specifically, details regarding katakana, kanji, and hiragana, complications in relation to word order, common difficulties native English speakers face when learning Japanese, and the honorific system. Sit back and enjoy this educational episode about the 9th most spoken language in the world.