I’m an information junkie, but I’ve noticed that unless I take action I end up forgetting everything in a matter of days. I’m also a pretty slow reader so if the information finally goes down the drain, it’s really nothing more than a waste of time. And if I’m simply wasting time, and not even amusing myself, then I’d probably be better off digging holes in a bog.
Unless you’re reading a teach-yourself book for mere entertainment (which I sometimes do), it helps to put the book aside for a moment and actually apply some of the tips and techniques…
I’ve started a new book-related project here at Self-Learner called Bibliotheca (which you can from now on access from the top menu). I’m going to be building a list of books (in text and in audio format) that I’ve personally gained a lot of insight and influence from.
The chief aim is to present at least one solid benefit per book that can be gained from reading the respective title. For example, if you’re planning to take the path of an online entrepreneur, reading Career Renegade will teach you how to put things into motion by introducing a rich array of online tools and techniques along with theories on how to approach entrepreneurship that you can start using right away.
We all know that iTunes Store has huge libraries full of songs, movies, TV shows, and audio books that you can buy. But there’s also a special section mysteriously named iTunes U (I believe the U stands for university). This part of the store, however, can be freely used, meaning that you don’t have to pay anything for the downloads you get from there. iTunes U opened in 2007, and it houses over 75,000 freely downloadable files related to courses taught at institutions such as Stanford, Cambridge, and MIT.
I’ve tried several audio programs that teach you Cantonese, and I’ve had a lot of success with them, but there’s one that has easily surpassed every other audio course—it’s Pimsleur Cantonese Chinese.
The genius minds behind Pimsleur have created a awesome system that enables you to remember words and phrases almost magically—and more importantly, learn a language with extreme precision and effectiveness. As you know, correct pronunciation is essential in communicating in Cantonese, because even a single blunder in tone can result in violent consequences… But worry not, this audio course places the foremost importance on correct pronunciation, and it effectively guides you how to reproduce the sounds that you hear spoken by the native Cantonese speakers that you will be working with throughout the course.
Last week, I briefly touched the subject of proper word usage in the post Vocabulary Notebook: Be on the Lookout for Useful Words. Today I’d like to share three simple tips on how to maintain correct word usage.
While good writing is commonly attributed to good content, it’s equally important to understand that proper word usage is what makes the content lucid. Without clarity, good ideas easily lose their meaning when written down.
Here are three easy steps that enable you to be clear about new words. The key is to follow these steps every time you encounter an unclear word. Make it a habit.
Self-Learner is a blog about self-education and self-improvement based lifestyle design. Goal? To become the best "version" of yourself, and feel excited to jump out of your bed every morning.