French78部落格

The following article may provide some information for learning foreign language faster and cheaper. 

Quoted from NY Times:

February 5, 2010, 6:38 pm
More on Online Language Learning
By ERIC A. TAUB

Last week’s article on online language learning apparently hit a nerve; not only was it widely e-mailed, but a number of people told me about other language courses that I had missed in my research.

In addition, a few factual corrections to the article are in order. Starting with the latter, the free language courses at the BBC’s Web site may not work in all countries. For example, the videos cannot be played in the United States, but other elements of the program do work.

The Oxford Translator applications for the iPhone have changed their name; they are now known as the Odyssey Translator apps.

And Tell Me More (not TellMeMore) currently offers both online and CD-ROM-based language courses for the PC; it’s an online version for the Mac that is forthcoming later this year.

Other language learning programs include Busuu.com, a free and fee-based online service where one can learn English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. In addition to online lessons, users can connect to others around the world via video chat to practice and teach a language. For an additional 8 euros a month, students can get access to audio podcasts, audio for more than 3,000 key phrases, and other tools.

The founders of Fluenz believe that adults do not learn language in the same manner as children, so rather than concentrating on simple words of objects, a video tutor teaches learners complete sentences. The new product is available in four languages, including French, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish, starting at around $220.

Those who enjoy spending time in libraries can try Mango Languages, a free online language-learning service offered in hundreds of the nation’s libraries. Each of the 22 languages includes 100 lessons, and can be accessed remotely by those with a library card. The program can also be purchased for individual use if a local library does not offer it.

Among iPhone apps, LiFE Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish (each $3) offer users the ability to watch a native speaker speak various phrases, review them and record one’s own voice. The apps also include information about each country’s culture.

Open Culture offers links to YouTube videos and other content to help you learn one of 37 languages, including Catalan and Yiddish, and all the most popular tongues.