The new year is a representation of endless possibilities and a time for celebration. Around the world, traditions to ring in the New Year are nothing short of unique. Here are four New Year’s traditions to know about:
 
Bermuda – Onion Drop
 
Onions have always been of significance to Bermuda as it is one of their biggest crops and a culinary staple in their diet. On New Year’s Eve, the count down to the new year is celebrated by dropping a paper-mache onion which is covered in lights, from the roof of the town hall in St. George's. Individuals also enjoy local food and music and wait for fireworks while waiting for the drop.
 
Spain – Las doce uvas de la suerte tradition
 
In Spain, at the stroke of midnight, locals will eat exactly 12 grapes which symbolize each strike of the clock. The grapes must be eaten in a matter of seconds as they need to be gone by the time the clock finishes striking midnight. This is done in hopes that it will bring about a year of good fortune and prosperity.
 
Philippines – Serving round fruits
 
On New Year’s Eve in the Philippines, it is customary to display and serve 12 round fruits. Round fruits such as apples, plums and grapes are believed to represent prosperity in the coming year because of their shape which mirrors coins.
 
Greece – Hanging an onion outside of the door
 
It is a tradition to hang an onion outside your door in Greece. The onion is believed to symbolize rebirth, fertility and growth and it is hung to promote growth and good luck throughout the new year.
 
Tell us where you are from in the comments below and let us know how you ring in the New Year!

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​Earlier this year we posted an article about the benefits of foreign language acquisition. Some of the benefits included having access to new business opportunities, access to a wider range of job opportunities and improved cognitive function, to name a few.

As the new year is almost upon us, you may want to improve or pick up a new skill and what better skill to have than speaking a foreign language?

We know that learning a foreign language can seem like a stressful task; however, all you need are the right tools, habits and attitude. Here are 5 tips to make your language-learning journey easier: 
 
Set language goals. Having specific goals can help us determine the best way to achieve success. Ask yourself questions like:
 
“Why am I learning this language?”
 
“What do I want to achieve?”
 
“By when do I want to achieve this?”
 
Asking these questions can help you stay on track and achieve your goal of having a basic conversation with a stranger, for example. When planning your language-learning journey, you should set some short- medium- and long-term goals which will help to keep you motivated and on the path to your desired level of fluency.
 
Practise speaking. Sometimes when just starting out, you may feel intimidated to speak in front of others; however, a crucial part of language learning is being able to communicate effectively. Speaking with natives is an excellent way to improve your language skills. In addition, speaking to yourself, practicing vocabulary out loud and recording yourself speaking can help you to gain confidence and improve your oral proficiency, as well as your listening abilities.
 
Consume media in foreign languages. Consuming media in foreign languages, whether it be music, books, videos, TV shows or movies is an integral part of language learning. By consuming various media, you are able to gather a vast amount of information about a language and culture such as understanding and picking up on various accents, gestures, and cultural references, which all contribute to successful communication and functioning in a language and culture.
 
Take a class or work with a tutor. There are many ways to learn a language. Some people prefer to try and learn by themselves and others may prefer to learn from someone. Taking a language course and working with a tutor is an excellent method and is highly recommended. A tutor is able to guide and work with you in achieving your desired goals and fluency. The tutor is also readily available to answer any questions or assist with something you may not understand, which may not always be the case when learning on your own. Working with a tutor is also an excellent way to improve your oral proficiency as they are able to take the time to assess where you may need some help, as well as correct and encourage you along the way.
 
Be patient with yourself. Language learning never ends and every day you learn something new. The key to successful language acquisition is to be patient with yourself and to keep going. When you feel dejected or as if you are not making any progress, ask yourself this question: “Do I know every word and its meaning in my mother tongue?” Chances are you may not and so you must give yourself grace. Remember that Rome was not built in a day, however, its lasting beauty is splendid.
 
As Charlemagne once said, “To have another language is to possess another soul.” Speaking a foreign language can open so many doors and opportunities and there is a whole other world to explore and bask in.
 
We at RMC are ready to help you start or continue this exciting and rewarding journey. Email us at [email protected] for more information and let us know in the comments below if you have learned a language and what practice was most beneficial for you.