Turning a Long Web Address into a Short One
By Mark Frauenfelder April 02, 2008
Learning a new language is one of the coolest things you can do, expanding your ability to communicate with people when you travel to other countries, or maybe with family members who live abroad. So maybe that one year of high school Spanish didn't stick, or maybe you've always wanted to learn Chinese, Dutch, or Portuguese—just for the heck of it!
There are so many ways to learn a new language. You can buy software, CDs and DVDs, download podcasts onto your MP3 player, use online courses or maybe you want to book a trip to the foreign country of your choice for a truly immersive (trial-by-fire) learning experience!
Let's talk about one of the easiest and cheapest (as in free) ways to learn. Online!
Choose your language.
Once you have decided what language you want to learn, finding a free site to learn from is as easy and quick as a visit to your favorite search engine—like Google, Yahoo!, or MSN for instance. We've included a list of free language sites at the end of this article, but to help you get started we'll take a brief look at a couple of sites—eLanguageSchool and My Language Exchange.
Learn your ABCs.
With eLanguageSchool, you don't have to register. On the map, just click the language—they have ten to choose from—and then, get started at "Learn the Basics." Here you'll learn pronunciation, the alphabet, and then move on to grammar courses. Once you've mastered grammar, it's on to vocabulary words and phrases, ending with how to converse in your chosen language. eLanguageSchool also provide comprehensive coursework as well as recommended resources so that you can continue your education beyond what they offer!
The best part about these courses is that you can work at your own speed, when it's convenient for you. You can even print out lessons and take them with you. But what if you want something a bit more interactive—a site that will allow you to communicate with a native speaker?
Speak the language.
My Language Exchange is an online program that allows you to connect with someone fluent in the language you want to learn, someone who also is looking to strengthen their skills in your native language. With this program, you'll have the opportunity to make new friends in interesting places while sharpening your language skills! To sign up:
Visit My Language Exchange and at the upper right side of the page, click welcome guest sign-up
- Select the type of membership you want. You have two options. You can sign up as either a free member or as a gold member for a small fee (under US 10 dollars). The difference between the two memberships is that with the free membership you cannot contact people to converse with. You can only respond to gold members who contact you. However, with the gold membership you can contact anyone at your discretion.
- Create your profile. As a free member, you'll fill out a short form that includes the language you want to speak and practice, your chosen communication method (email, text chat, voice chat), a short paragraph about yourself, your native language, and the language you want to practice. You'll also provide your e-mail address and your username and password, and then click the submit button.
That's it! You'll immediately receive a confirmation email saying that you are now a member!
As a free member you can now reply to e-mails or respond to chat messages, have a discussion on the bulletin board, play word games and save words and phrases you've learned in your own Notepad.
Get the best of all worlds.
Here's another great idea. Mix and match the online resources. For example, do your reading and base work with a course offering like eLanguageSchool, while you practice your language skills with native speakers at My Language Exchange. Or perhaps download free language podcasts (iTunes* has a bunch of them) to listen to on your MP3 player while you're working out, driving in your car, while resting in your hammock on vacation…taking advantage of multiple mediums will help you digest the material you're learning and perhaps retain it even better! Whatever online medium you choose, it's never too late to get started and get learning!
Article resources
Explore these free online language resources:
- Choose from 10 different languages and learn for free with eLanguageSchool
- Practice a new language with a native speaker at My Language Exchange
- Find an exchange partner for online learning with Polyglot
- Learn Spanish, French, or Chinese free online with Loquella
- Learn sign language easily and for free at Lifeprint
