One of our readers asked that I write about what makes good language learning sites. The most important aspect is live interaction between teachers and students. All language sites should either provide voice/video communication or make it easy for teachers and students to communicate via Skype or other VOIP programs such as MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and so on.
Language learning sites also need prerecorded lessons. While communication between teacher and student is adament, the student also needs resources to practice privately.
A project that I am creating is to provide well-structured lessons using language learning sites. Currently, I find Skype interaction to be useful but casual. I am creating structured lesson plans that guides content from the variety of existing language learning sites. For example, if a student wants to learn English, they will learn from lesson plans that use the prerecorded lessons on LiveMocha, the user-generated content from italki, and information from other language learning sites.
Please let me know if you want to help me with this project.
5 responses so far ↓
Mike // June 11, 2008 at 10:13 am |
hey, I enjoyed your blog. I have found an amazing resource for language learning that you may find invaluable – http://www.virtuallanguagetutor.com
It gives you the interaction with a Virtual Teacher for a fraction of the cost of a live tutor.
Anybody tried it?
acohen843 // June 11, 2008 at 3:29 pm |
I just took a look at virtuallanguagetutor. I think it may be nice for review or learning some basic phrases, but the sight is not designed for learning.
Language Resource // June 12, 2008 at 12:27 am |
Hey All,
I have also found and have been using, what I think to be another great language learning website called http://www.edufire.com! I think the site’s simplicity and tools are great for anyone trying to learn a new language. Just another suggestion.
gorka arce // June 27, 2008 at 9:44 am |
hi don´t forget to check out http://www.palabea.net
feedbacks welcome;)
thanx
Mef the Language Learner // October 15, 2008 at 3:01 pm |
I’ve got to say that my favorite language exchange site is InterPals, not a language site per se, but rather an online penpal site — I’ve found that the detailed interaction with speakers of foreign languages (in my case German and Russian), has done significantly more for my language skills than the lesson plans and flash cards on other sites — or the casual multilingual “hello how are you’s” you get on many of these other sites. Anyway, just thought I’d let you know, since it seems that penpal sites are often under the radar of language learners! (Who would have though penpalling would have survived into the online era! =)