If you need to learn a foreign language, a good way to do it is to use one of the many Web sites devoted to teaching foreign languages.
There are a number of reasons to learn a foreign language. You might want to travel to a country where people speak something other than English. You might need to use a language professionally. Or, you might be interested in the literature, films, or popular culture of a particular country or region.
A good way to learn a foreign language is on the Web. Web sites devoted to teaching foreign languages are many, but they vary in quality. Some sites are great, and some are less so. The best language learning Web sites are convenient, easy to use, and packed with useful information. So much so, that finding and using a good Web site will set you well on your way to learning other languages.
Advantages of the Web
While the best ways to learn a language are by living in the country in which the language is spoken, or in a classroom with a qualified instructor, the Web does have several advantages. The greatest advantage is convenience. If you have a busy schedule, you may not be able to regularly attend a formal class. Using the Web you can do a lesson or review anytime and anywhere you want to. The great thing about language learning Web sites is that most of them charge no course fees. All you need is an Internet connection, a Web browser, and some time.
A number of sites make heavy use of multimedia, so you'll also need decent speakers and software to play back sound and video file. Nowadays, this isn't a problem. Most computers come with the needed hardware and software. And if you don't have the right software, you can usually download it free of charge. The variety of sites out there is also a bonus. Language learning Web sites range from being like flashcards to containing all the bells and whistles you can imagine.
Most of the sites I've encountered contain text with streaming sound and video, either in Windows Audio, MP3, or Real Audio format. Sound files in those formats can be used on any operating system; a plus when you use a Mac or run Linux.
A Few Good Sites
If you go to a search engine and do a query on online language learning, you'll get literally hundreds of responses. If you want to spend your time sifting through all those sites, feel free. Or, instead, you can use the following sites as your starting point.
About.com
About.com is one of the Web's premier portals, with information on hundreds of topics. As you can expect, foreign languages aren't neglected there. About.com contains sites for French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and English as a Second Language. You'll find that the content of each language site varies, but they generally contain rich information on grammar and vocabulary. Just as important, each site contains dozens of links to other language learning resources on the Web. A recommended starting point for your online linguistic journey.
The BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) transmits news and posts Web content in a number of languages. But what many people don't realize is that the BBC Web site also offers comprehensive language lessons. The focus here is major European languages: French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. The BBC also offers courses in Welsh and Gaelic. Each course takes you gently through the basics of the target language, from your beginning steps to more in-depth topics like conversation and reading. The site also makes excellent use of audio and video, creating an experience comparable to using off-the-shelf language learning software. The BBC languages site is easily one of the best of its kind.
Parlo
Anyone interested in getting more interaction while learning should check out Parlo. Parlo. This site offers courses in English, French, Spanish, and Italian that enable you to build a foundation and then more on to more complex vocabulary and grammar. Each course builds on the next. The site also offers short courses in basic language skills for travelers. Best of all, you can take a test to discover your level of proficiency. Once your score is tabulated, Parlo recommends the course that is best suited to you. The main drawback is that Parlo is a pay site. The courses cost $39 to $69 (U.S.) each.
Barnes & Noble University
Like Parlo, Barnes & Noble University offers languages lessons for a price. In this case, around $49.95 per course, plus the cost of books. Barnes & Noble University has beginner courses in French, Italian, and Spanish that are based on the Living Language courses published by Random House. The courses at Barnes & Noble University are similar to self-study courses, but you get to interact with the instructor and other students using an online bulletin board.
Perils and Pitfalls
Using the Web to learn a language has several perils and pitfalls that you should be aware of. The first of these is that you're generally getting little or no interaction with teachers or other students. You will be doing a lot of reading, listening, and repeating. There is no opportunity for conversational practice that will help you sharpen your skills and fluency in the language. And if you start developing bad habits (it's easy to do, believe me!) there will be no one around to help you break those habits. And unless you know someone who speaks the language you're studying, you'll lose out on crucial conversation practice. Most language learning Web sites are oriented towards beginners.
Anyone possessing more experience with a particular language will have difficulty finding more advanced material. When they do, they'll find that most of the material is written; there is little in the way of spoken work. While working with written material is a good way to pick up new vocabulary and grammar, you're not applying this knowledge to conversation. And you're not hearing the words being used, so you can't pick up any subtle nuances in pronunciation and usage.
A number of sites make heavy use of multimedia content. To use them, you will also need to have the Macromedia Flash Player or a version of Java installed in order to be able to view and interact with the lessons. On top of that, you may need a high-speed connection. Especially if the site uses streaming sound and video. Sure, you can get by with a modem but things will be very slow. Regardless of whether you want to use the Web to learn a new language or to maintain your skills, there's a lot out there for you. In fact, a Web of languages is just a few clicks away.
External Links:
About.com - Web portal with information on just about everything