Transparent Language White Papers & Research

Libraries as Linguistic and Cultural Community Centers

Libraries as Linguistic and Cultural Community Centers

It comes as no surprise that public perception of libraries is shifting – drastically. Libraries are no longer just houses for books. As communities and technologies evolve, libraries must keep up with the changes to remain centers for lifelong learning. As a result, many libraries are doing everything they can to provide cultural resources and learning opportunities for the increasingly diverse communities they serve – and survey results show the changes are working.

Beyond the Books: 6 Ways Libraries are Responding to Changing Linguistic Landscapes

Beyond the Books: 6 Ways Libraries are Responding to Changing Linguistic Landscapes

According to the 2013 Census Bureau data, one in five Americans speaks a language other than English at home. To respond to this changing linguistic landscape, libraries need to assess both their materials and their ability to support the languages spoken in their communities. In this white paper, we will look at six ways libraries have successfully reacted and adapted to meet the needs of their diverse, multilingual customers.

How to Select the Right Language-Learning Database for Your Organization

How to Select the Right Language-Learning Database for Your Organization

Selecting a language-learning database for your organization can be a daunting task. Unlike an individual language learner, who might pick a program simply on the basis of a friend's recommendation or an attractive ad, institutions must conduct research and cost-benefit analysis to prove that the resource they are looking to buy is, in fact, the best fit for everyone they support.

Language Screening at Scale

Language Screening at Scale

There are many existing high-stakes, multi-hour language tests that are accepted by employers and universities as proof of language proficiency. There’s TOEFL and IELTS for English, DELE for Spanish, and so on. But these tests are expensive to create, time-consuming for test takers, and costly to administer.

A language test doesn’t need to take an hour or cost hundreds of dollars to be reliable. A well-designed test can provide a reliable approximation of a person’s language proficiency in just a few minutes—reliable enough to make low-to-mid-stakes decisions.

Beginning with research-proven testing concepts, Transparent Language has developed a test to do just that.

The Five Ingredients of a Successful Language-Learning Curriculum

The Five Ingredients of a Successful Language-Learning Curriculum

Just as a successful recipe uses a balanced blend of ingredients to make a delicious dish, a successful language-learning curriculum must include the right combination of components to produce a competent speaker. This white paper discusses how the combination of the four basic language skills and cultural competency comprise a well-rounded language curriculum.

Four Ways to Learn Foreign Grammar Through Technology

Four Ways to Learn Foreign Grammar Through Technology

Good grammar is a vital skill for advanced language proficiency: Knowing how words work and how they fit together is critical for putting foreign words to proper use. The need to learn grammar is always going to be part of language learning, and should not be neglected. Even when using an approach that emphasizes the acquisition of vocabulary, ways can and should be found to incorporate grammar information as well. The right strategies and technologies can overcome any objections about possible boredom or difficulty by making grammar learning appealing, efficient, and effective. In this white paper, we examine four ways that grammar learning can take place, and how technology-enhanced methods can make the process easier.

5 Game-Changing Trends in Educational Technology

5 Game-Changing Trends in Educational Technology

Shrinking budgets in school districts and universities are conflicting with increasing expectations for learning outcomes, prompting many schools and teachers to turn to technology to achieve better results. K-12 and higher education institutions have started implementing technology in their schools and curricula. An entire "ed tech" industry has burgeoned to support them, producing online courses, mobile apps, and more. In this white paper, we examine 5 trends in educational technology and how it's changing traditional methods of both teaching and learning.

Declaratively Accelerated Blended Learning Implementation Guide

Declaratively Accelerated Blended Learning Implementation Guide

In this follow-up to our DABL overview white paper, we will show you how to apply the DABL flipped classroom method to language instruction. Three detailed sample lesson plans are included to help get you started. We also include details on how to execute DABL in our own Transparent Language Online programs, but the core principles are easily applied to whatever curriculum you choose.

Declaratively Accelerated Blended Learning in the Classroom

Declaratively Accelerated Blended Learning in the Classroom

Studies have shown that when it comes to learning foreign languages, combining technology and human instruction is more powerful than either computer learning or human instruction alone. This approach is at the core of Declaratively Accelerated Blended Learning (DABL). In this white paper, we explain how educators can best combine technology and classroom time for the strongest possible learning outcome, including a case study where DABL has been successfully applied with significant positive results.

Language Trends in the Corporate Sector

Language Trends in the Corporate Sector

The world of business is getting smaller, making language and culture skills increasingly important. This paper identifies three key changes in the corporate sector: the demand for English proficiency, the need for a foundation in the language and culture of other countries, and the importance of learning opportunities across different platforms.

The Impact of Language Resources on Student Success in Higher Education

The Impact of Language Resources on Student Success in Higher Education

Leading schools recognize that a campus community that fosters a globally minded student body which embraces diversity is a key attribute of their reputation and competitive position relative to peer schools. Yet may colleges struggle to find practical ideas for increasing international awareness and global perspectives in tangible ways. Transparent Language recently completed a first round of research focused on the question of how online language learning resources impact the student experience at colleges and universities in the United States. Initial findings illustrate that the availability of language learning resources has a major impact on the student experience, as well as on the school’s reputation and culture.

The Declarative Method: Informed by Research

The Declarative Method: Informed by Research

The long-held assumption about learning a second language is that grammar is more important than vocabulary. Second language instruction has traditionally focused on teaching grammatical knowledge: sentence construction, verb conjugations, singular and plural forms, noun-adjective agreements, verb tenses, etc. In this white paper, we will dive into the best strategy for any language learner to quickly memorize a large number of frequently-used words, stock phrases, and common expressions – all backed by research.