http://ja-nae.net/blog Adventures In: Experimentation, Imagination & Sophistication Tue, 15 May 2012 17:22:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://ja-nae.net/blog/tools-to-help-you-learn-a-language http://ja-nae.net/blog/tools-to-help-you-learn-a-language#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:15:55 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4466 It’s been way too long since I’ve been out of the country, but with the Artist Retreat around the corner, I’m really getting excited. A few of the attendees (Are you one of them? Would you like to be? Contact me for more information!) asked me how to learn a language and learn it quickly.  It’s a great question. That’s why I rounded up some great language apps that will help you kick your second or third language into high gear: Tweets: Twitter is  understated as an educational tool. Twitter allows you to learn new languages and practice them a little bit. Click here a compilation of some “linguistic twitterers”. LiveMocha.com – Livemocha divides a language into courses, units, and lessons.  Lessons are divided into four types of activities: learn, review, write, and speak. What’s nice is that you can also make flashcards from the content in the lessons, or you can make your own flashcards.  There is even a chat feature, so you can connect with people learning the same language you are. Babbel — If you’re looking for something that you can use on both your computer and smart phone, Babbel fits the bill. It provides exercises and courses [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/tools-to-help-you-learn-a-language/feed 1 http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-read-body-language http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-read-body-language#comments Tue, 10 May 2011 14:15:23 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=4045 My friend Jen is in town for the Opera America conference this week. She and I had dinner at the hotel where the conference is being hosted, when all of a sudden, we were surrounded by attendees and colleagues. We found ourselves in the middle of an impromptu networking event. I love being a spectator at gatherings like these because it allows me to observe what people are REALLY saying to you…..with their bodies. The body communicates much more information about how we are feeling than we do verbally. Most of the time, we are not even aware of the signals and signs we are giving off. Here are a few ways to read body language and improve your own: Mirror: If you have a strong connection with someone, you will start to mirror each other unconsciously. If you would like to enhance the connection, proactively mirror the person. If she leans in, then you might lean in. If he puts an arm over the chair next to him, you may want to wait a few minutes and then do the same. However, do not mirror too much. If it is obviously that you are mimicking the other person, it [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/how-to-read-body-language/feed 0 http://ja-nae.net/blog/artist-residency-summer-arts-italy http://ja-nae.net/blog/artist-residency-summer-arts-italy#comments Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:27:23 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=1623 Are you an artist (of any medium) looking for creative opportunities and collaborations globally? Would you like your work exhibited or performed in Italy and Boston? The Duane Arts Institute Be inspired with us. This summer, you can take your ideas and work with other artists and creatives like yourself. The Duane Arts Institute,  held in Assisi, Italy will enable you to collaborate and create so that you can have your ideas and dreams come true. This interdisciplinary arts program allows for musicians, singers, dancers, writers, composers, filmmakers, visual artists, performance artists, actors, and photographers to collaborate with all the other artists attending your session. For more information, contact: DuaneArtsInstitute @ gmail.com, attention Lynn. Participate in a  fun-filled two week session which includes: Each artist receiving one-on-one attention while working on individual and group projects Performance and Exhibition opportunities in Italy and in Boston (fall 2010) Collaboration with every individual attending the program Artist and Entrepreneurial Workshops Excursions throughout the Tuscan Region Sessions 1: July 25th-August 7th (ONLY 3 Spots Left) Session 2: August 8th-21st (ONLY 5 Spots Left) Program Fees Include: Performances and Exhibitions in and around Assisi Performances and Exhibitions in Boston (Fall 2010) Artist and Entrepreneurial Workshops [...]]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/artist-residency-summer-arts-italy/feed 4 http://ja-nae.net/blog/language-lessons-leadership-livemocha http://ja-nae.net/blog/language-lessons-leadership-livemocha#comments Mon, 03 May 2010 13:13:03 +0000 Ja-Naé Duane http://ja-nae.net/blog/?p=1103 Learning new languages is one of my hobbies. I think it’s one of the reasons I went into opera. What other art form are you guaranteed to perform in another language? With this in mind, I am constantly looking for ways to maintain and improve the languages I speak. I found LiveMocha about 9 months ago and feel in love with it. Livemocha divides a language into courses, units, and lessons.  Lessons are divided into four types of activities: learn, review, write, and speak. What’s nice is that you can also make flashcards from the content in the lessons, or you can make your own flashcards.  There is even a chat feature, so you can connect with people learning the same language you are. Have you tried LiveMocha or have another way of learning languages quickly. Let me know. I am always open to ideas and suggestions.]]> http://ja-nae.net/blog/language-lessons-leadership-livemocha/feed 4