Financially Smart Learning: Free ELA and Language Learning Resources
Written by: Daniel Gleich
Have you ever thought about writing a best-selling novel or being able to hold a conversation in a new language? Whether you want to ace your English Language Arts class or learn a bit of French, mastering language skills can open up a world of opportunities. And with so many free resources available to help you improve your English reading and writing or learn any other language, you won't have to save up any money to get started.
Strong English language skills are about more than just grammar and punctuation. They can help you to become a skilled and confident communicator, whether you're speaking or writing. Being good at reading and writing can help you to give well-organized and polished presentations, write emails that get the responses you're looking for, and put together strong, clear arguments that persuade people to agree with you. All of these skills can help you get better grades now, and they can also help you to perform well in your career later on in life. Being a good communicator can also help you to build stronger relationships with other people and handle social situations with confidence.
Learning language skills doesn't have to be limited to English, though. Learning a new language can open doors to a world of new experiences. When you know at least a little of another language, you'll be able to travel to places that speak that language and experience the culture firsthand. It doesn't usually take too much work to learn at least the very basics you'll need, like how to order food, make small talk, and ask people for directions. Picking up another language can also be good for your career, allowing you to work in other countries or with people from those countries more easily. And learning a second language has also been proven to be good for your brain: Research has shown that learning languages boosts your brainpower, memory, and problem-solving skills, and it can even delay the onset of mental decline caused by old age.
Whether you want to focus on getting better at ELA skills or learning a new language, it doesn't have to be boring. One of the easiest ways to level up your skills is to read. Reading books, articles, or blog posts can help you to pick up new vocabulary and absorb information about how sentences are structured. You can also work on your own writing: Start a blog, join an online writing community or one that focuses on language learning, or just keep a personal journal. And take advantage of opportunities to communicate in meaningful ways, whether it's online, by participating in a club or activity, or just talking with your friends or family.
You might also be able to take advantage of online videos, podcasts, and apps for language learners. There are lots of free apps out there that can help you get better at using any language, and many of them are also fun to use, turning learning into a game that keeps you motivated to keep investing your time in it. Watching videos or listening to podcasts can also help you to immerse yourself in the language you're working on. If you're studying a foreign language, try watching or listening with English subtitles, then gradually weaning yourself off of them as you get better at understanding what you hear.
ELA Resources
Resources for Learning New Languages
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