Free Language Learning Tools
There Are Many Ways To Improve or Learn New Language Skills
Jun 5, 2008
Learning a new language is always a challenge, however, thanks to modern technologies, there are a range of freely available language learning tools that make picking up language skills easier than ever before. The combination of new technologies and traditional techniques can make creating a customized language learning plan possible, using these free, high quality, tools. This is an excellent way to learn a new language from the comfort of an armchair at little or no cost and is ideal for adult learners who wish to develop their own language learning plan.
Whether someone is looking to learn English as a second language, French, Spanish, Chinese or virtually any other language spoken in the world today, the Internet presents some interesting opportunities and provides access to some high quality language learning facilities which would have been unheard of only a few years ago.
Language Podcasts
Podcasts are a marvelous tool for people learning a language. There are lessons ranging from complete beginners to highly advanced or specialized language (for instance medical or legal) lessons that are available via podcasts. The vast majority of these are free and while some have been created by enthusiastic volunteers, others are part of a professionally developed series.
Take a look at one of the major podcast directories or at a service such as iTunes for a complete list of freely available podcasts. These are available for instant download or there is an option to sign up for a subscription to receive free podcast lessons daily or weekly. Some lessons are accompanied by lesson notes or lesson transcripts.
Video Sharing Websites
It should be no surprise that video sharing websites such as YouTube and Google Videos have a number of language videos amongst their range. As with podcasts, these vary in quality, as some have been created by professionals and others have been recorded by enthusiastic amateurs. Either way, these offer a good way to get another perspective on a language and can be particularly useful for visual learners.
Talking With Others Over Skype (or other VOIP)
VOIP (voice over internet protocol) applications such as Skype are a great way for people all over the world to meet and practice or learn new language skills. Skype, for instance, allows members to talk to other Skype users internationally for free, providing an invaluable access to native language speakers for important conversation practice. Many people who are learning or improving their language skills by using applications such as Skype are doing so by making informal arrangements with other people by using forums that are dedicated to helping language learners meet. Skype has its very own community language forum for people seeking people to converse with.
Other Language Websites
Some large public service websites, such as the BBC, have comprehensive free language courses in a variety of languages which combine a range of technologies and user options.
Many other websites also offer an excellent source of information for language learners. Local news websites in particular, are a good way for people to learn more about not only language in an everyday environment, but also to gain a better insight into the culture of a country.
What ever the chosen method, thanks to the Internet and new technologies, the range of options to help with the learning or improving of a language are wider than ever.
For more information about learning languages, take a look around the Language Study category here at Suite101.
