New Methods for Learning Languages

March 9, 2008

This time of year it’s good to have something productive to do to get through the last month or so of early darkness and dreary weather. Have you thought about learning a new language? Language-learning is becoming more popular, as more of us take on international travel.
There are more new methods of learning languages now than perhaps ever before, especially if you’re on a budget, or simply want to learn on your own time.

TRY ONLINE
The internet is a natural forum -- over the past few years, loads of language sites and courses have sprung up, both free and subscription versions. Some even keep reminding you of the fact that you should be learning beyond the time you spend on the actual language-learning site - websites such as http://spanish.about.com (about.com has other very helpful language sites, too), for instance, even have free daily email mini-lessons sent right to your email box.
Sites like Polyglot (www.polyglot-learn-language.com) let you find new acquaintances from all over the world who know the language you want to learn, and are learning the language you know. Put an English-speaking person trying to learn Dutch and a Dutch person trying to learn English together, and you have a very effective means of free language training.
One of the best-known free online language sites is the BBC, which offers online learning resources in Spanish, German, French, and Italian. These teach with audio and video, slang guides (very cool), interactive crosswords, and more (www.bbc.co.uk/languages.)
• Word 2 Word (www.word2word.com) is a website “dedicated to the breaking down of language barriers” - a noble cause, and a great benefit for you, language learner, as the site offers links to free online language courses from Arabic or Croatian to Finnish or Russian - over 100 languages in all.
• Parlo (www.parlo.com) helps you learn languages with flash cards and more. Verbal Planet (www.verbalplanet.com) connects you to an online language tutor (for a fee) that you’ll actually speak with via your computer and the Skype online phone system.
• Mango (www.mangolanguages.com) is perhaps the newest player on the online language-learning scene; with color-coded flash cards combined with audio, it’s a simple and effective way to learn; the site may be a little buggy, as it’s still in its beta mode, but be patient and your efforts will be rewarded.

CHOOSE A COURSE
There are three big names in buyable language courses, the first being the Pimsleur courses. A bit expensive (30 lessons are around $200), Pimsleur - with its “scientifically proven method” - is one of the language purveyors that’s been around the longest, and many people are familiar with the name. A good way around the high purchase price is the fact that many Pimsleur courses can be found at public libraries for rent; check your local library, and if it doesn’t have it, perhaps the inter-library network will.
Berlitz is an old-school reliable place to learn languages, and they’ve been trying to catch up to their newbie competitors by quietly updating their long-time solid methology of language learning, and adding what they’re calling Berlitz Virtual Classrooms to their repertoire.
But here’s the really big (and newest) player - you’ve probably seen the ads on TV for the Rosetta Stone series (www.rosettastone.com), which has quickly become another favorite high-end way to pursue your language studies. Rosetta Stone is different in that it doesn’t rely on rote memorization, but instead attempts to fully immerse the learner in their language of choice just shy of taking them to the country itself. These language courses are user-friendly, but don’t be fooled - they’re also challenging, even though parts of the sessions are barely identifiable as “lessons” because you’re so busy being entertained. It’s an interesting, colorful, and very effective way to learn, and the courses arrive complete with a good-quality microphone/headset so you can really practice proper pronunciation. As you might have already guessed, it’s also a little pricey (around $200-225 for one language level) - but as the government, many large corporations, the Peace Corps, NASA, and the military rely on Rosetta Stone to teach their people languages, it’s likely worth it.
There are other less expensive courses and books, too, of course (including the many “Languages for Dummies” series); but remember that, especially with purchased language courses, you really do get what you pay for. (Free courses, like the online ones mentioned above, start off with the intent of being free, so approach the whole scenario from a different angle.)

PLAY A VIDEOGAME
Speaking of videogames, even videogame systems are getting into the learning-languages act; well, Nintendo, anyway, via Ubisoft. The Nintendo DS system now offers users the My Coach software system, which teaches users Spanish or French, for starters, through fun and easy-to-play mini games that were developed with foreign language teachers. The videogames are accessible to anyone, as they use the DS’ screen and stylus, which are even easy for those who haven’t played videogames before. But don’t be fooled - these are not mere videogames. You’ll learn the basics of word use, grammar, and even construction of phrases.
The lessons cover plenty of ground, making the My Coach language lessons a comprehensive tool. “Believe me, if you master the 1,000 interactive lessons designed in Spanish or French - which include 10,000 words, 400 phrases, and a feature that records your pronunciation - you’ll be able to have more than a basic conversation with a native speaker,” Ubisoft group brand manager Alexis Bodard says. “And the game is interactive,” he continues, “it evaluates you and takes you straight to the next lesson.”
The surprising advantages of using a videogame to learn a language are many. “The huge advantage is that you don’t have to sit in class anymore,” Bodard explains, “you can take your Nintendo DS with you anywhere, anytime, to practice on the bus, the sofa, wherever.”
In addition, the Nintendo DS microphone is used to strengthen speaking skills in your new language, and a “Traveler’s Guide” enables you to search for phrases while you’re traveling, and all for around $30 bucks (the Nintendo DS mini-system retails for around $149.) Very cool.