Robertsons Languages International has announced the launch of two new language apps for iPhones.

Robertsons Phrasebook contains over 400 phrases in English, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Polish and Icelandic. Topics include meeting & dating, travel, shopping, eating out and emergencies. Phrases are recorded so that you can hear the pronunciation to practise yourself or play it in a live situation.

Business people may appear to be speaking the same language, but do they really understand one another? How important is cultural understanding? And should native English speakers adapt their language when communicating with non-native English speakers?

The London School of English has carried out research in which it questioned 100 HR directors on their attitudes towards language and communication skills and their approach to training.

The questions were designed to cover the increasing number of professional non-native English speakers working in the UK, as well as native English speakers.

Bloomberg has released a ranking of the 11 most important languages (other than English) for conducting business around the world.

Besides taking into account how many people speak a certain language, factors such as economic performance were among the variables that were considered.

In order of importance, the languages are:

1. Mandarin Chinese
2. French
3. Arabic
4. Spanish
5. Russian
6. Portuguese
7. Japanese
8. German
9. Italian
10. Korean
11. Turkish

On the 26 September, people from all over the continent will take part in the European Day of Languages, a celebration of linguistic diversity and learning. With many businesses, schools and community groups organising activities, there can be no better time to consider studying a foreign language. With that in mind, Duane Sider, the director of learning at Rosetta Stone, has provided Smart Move with six practical tips. Allons-y!

Recently, Re:locate was fortunate to have a behind-the-scenes look at Rosetta Stone’s new product, the Version 4 TOTALe.

Rosetta Stone finds the inspiration for its products from the way children learn a language. Children learn through context and being immersed in a language, which encourages them to build their vocabulary through a natural association and retention process. Rosetta Stone tries to replicate this environment and stimulate this cognitive process, which they call ‘Dynamic Immersion’.

In the UK, the third Sunday of June is celebrated as Father’s Day, a day to honour and thank fathers worldwide for loving, caring, teaching, guiding – and being a taxi and back wallet in times of desperation, says Robertson Languages International.

The officially recognised date of Father's Day, celebrated across the world, varies from country to country, though the celebration and respect remain the same.

Robertson Languages International would like to wish fathers around the world a very happy Father’s Day.

To celebrate World Music Day, which began in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique and is now celebrated internationally, Robertson Languages International considers the power of music to break down language and cultural barriers.

Whether you enjoy listening to classical, rock, pop or folk music, they all have a different cultural background. The overall objective of World Music Day is to show appreciation of all music genres.

Can you imagine a world without music?

Music affects us all in some way; whether we are listening to the radio, singing in the shower, or even socialising, music is all around us, forming harmony and connecting us through pitch, rhythm and tempo.

Whether you are staying at home this Christmas, travelling or moving to a new location, Lauren Sanger, marketing manager at Robertson Languages International, has listed some of the main concerns that we all share, whatever our language or religion.

“You live a new life for every new language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once.” (Czech proverb) 

Can you see yourself in any of the following scenarios? Imagine how much better life would be if you could say and understand more.

Family communication

You can talk to members of your family who come from another country. By speaking their language, you can join in family and social occasions, get to know people better and have more fun.

Robertson Languages International celebrates the European Day of Languages (EDL), which pays tribute to the 6,000 or so languages spoken around the world today.

Did you know?*

• 71% of Europeans consider that everyone should know a foreign language
• 74% (almost threequarters) of parents believe that their children should learn other European languages, as it opens up the labour market for them
• In Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark, more than 85% of citizens can express themselves in another language. That’s nearly nine in every ten people
• In Ireland, Luxembourg and Austria, children start learning a second language at primary school. In Luxembourg, 98% of the population speaks at least one foreign language – almost everyone!
• Almost half (47%) of Europeans only speak their mother tongue. In Britain, that rises to two out of every three people (66%) who can only speak English
• Just 8% of Europeans speak a third language. 22% of Europeans do not consider themselves to be good at languages

Learning a new language takes time and dedication – but it can also be fun, and should help smooth your path in your new country of residence. Here, Lauren Sanger, of Robertson Languages International, shares some tips for language-learning success.

HSBC Expat Explorer’s 2009 survey, completed by 3,100 participants, recorded that 58% of expats found it a challenge learning the local language.