FSI Programmatic Spanish Text: Free Spanish Course Download

May 9th, 2008 · No Comments

Perhaps one of the most famous Spanish courses still available is the original Programmatic Spanish course produced by the Foreign Service Institute. The course designed for US diplomats to achieve proficiency in Spanish. The first part of the course is comparable to the first year of a college-level Spanish course. The course heavily emphasizes word and phrase structure for those looking for a more grammar based approach to the language.

The first part of the text course is available for download at Free Programmatic Spanish Course.

The second level is available for download at Programmatic Spanish Course Level 2 text.

The audio portion will be available for download soon.


Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

→ No CommentsTags: Spanish · European Languages

Free Tagalog Language Text Course

May 9th, 2008 · No Comments

The Language Chronicle is now offering the first of several free language texts for a variety of languages. The first of these is for Tagalog or more appropriately, the standardized language of the Philippines with considerable influence.

The course was produced originally by the Defense Language Institute and is titled, Philippine HeadStart

While the course does contain some military and diplomatic terminology, the overwhelming majority of the text is practical for any individual to use.

To access the text, simply use right on Philippine HeadStart and save. This is a pdf version of the text.

Thanks to a special agreement, the audio is now being offered at the Ultimate Language Store at a discounted price of $19.99. Visit Philippine Audio MP3s. The Philippine course is the last option on drop down list.

Check back as we start offering a long list of free text and audio courses in the coming weeks.


Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

→ No CommentsTags: Tagalog · Asian Languages

Learning Irish with Irish Vocabulary Builder

May 7th, 2008 · No Comments

This video is a demo of the Irish Vocabulary Builder for children which teaches more than 100 and phrases. Though it was designed originally for children, it has gained popularity among adults that want to try their hand at a new language without investing in a very expensive program. The program is simple and straight forward and one reason for its popularity.


Tags: , , , , , , , ,

→ No CommentsTags: Irish · European Languages

Learning Amharic: A Review of Talk Now Amharic

May 4th, 2008 · No Comments

This video reviews Talk Now Amharic; a vocabulary based approach to .The course includes 9 categories with approximately 50 words per category. The course includes two games/quizzes per section and also provides printable dictionaries for the terms introduced.


Tags: , , , , , , ,

→ No CommentsTags: Amharic · African Languages

Learning Russian:Recommend Russian Learning Resources

May 4th, 2008 · No Comments

The challenge of learning any language can be somewhat daunting at first glance. This is especially true for Eastern European languages including Russian.

Russian has a special draw for many. Large ex-patriot Russian communities in America and throughout Western Europe provide a practical source for those wanting to connect with their ancestry. Travel is also another practical motivation for learning Russian especially in light of the booming Russian economy.  While Russia and its former Soviet Republics may not be a popular tourist destination for most Western tourists, the importance of Russian businesses especially those tied to the oil and natural gas industry certainly make learning Russian important for many people.

Another interesting reason for the continued popularity of Russian is the large number of Russian women who marry Westerners.  Russian and women from other former Soviet Republics often study English and their potential suitors learn English.

Whatever the reason, the most important thing to remember is to determine what your goals are and choose the materials that will suit your learning style as well as fit the realistic amount of time you can provide to your studies.

At more than 130 million,  the number of speakers of Russian is significantly more than other European languages and a large variety of resources have been produced for the potential Russian student.

Recommended Modern Russian Language Resources 

Pimsleur Russian 1

This course is focused on conversational Russian and is geared toward an intermediate level proficiency in thirty lessons. Customers can sell sets back when they are done for $120 depending on the vendor. Used sets are also available from site www.usedpimsleur.com.

 
FSI Russian Course

This course produced by the Foreign Service Institute as part of its Russian Basic Course series, provides introductory through intermediate level material. The goal of Foreign Service Institute courses is to provide the English Speaking student’s from any occupational background with practical knowledge and proficiency in their language of interest.

Talk Now Russian

Designed for beginners who want to start learning the Russian language as soon as possible. Whether on business, vacation, or perhaps meeting a foreign visitor, Talk Now! is the disc to get you started.

Vocabulary Russian

Primarily aimed to meet the requirements of children from 4-12, Vocabulary Builder Russian has proven popular with adults too! Speech recording the chance to record cartoons and play them back in your own “cinema”. Nine games of varying difficulty, with points awarded for correct answers. Over 100 words including colors, numbers, actions and simple sentences.

World Talk Russian

World Talk Russian is aimed at intermediate level learners who have already built up some confidence listening to and speaking Russian. The interactive games and quizzes will help to further develop fluency and understanding of the language.  10 Russian language games including ‘Lottery numbers’, ‘What did you say’, ‘Sentence building’, ‘Out to dinner’ and others to help you learn, test and practice your Russian language skills.


Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

→ No CommentsTags: Russian · European Languages

Learning a Foreign Language: Picking the Right Method

May 1st, 2008 · No Comments

As we’ve stated before, learning a foreign language can be a challenging task for most people. This fact is only compounded by the constant bombardment of commercials on television or newspapers pitching one particular language product as the end all be all for every language learner’s needs.

The attached audio podcast Learning a Foreign Language: Picking the Right Method is intended to add a little sanity to the potential student and help understand the differences between audio only programs like and software programs like .

Subsequent podcasts will go much deeper into these differences and look at the benefits, strengths, and perhaps weaknesses of the various programs on the market.


Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

→ No CommentsTags: Language Podcasts · Main

Afrikaans Online Learning: A New Resource

April 29th, 2008 · No Comments

I have to admit, I thought I had found every Afrikaans learning related site out there, but lo and behold, I came across another one today.

http://www.sois.uwm.edu/afrikaans/

In addition, to Afrikaans lessons on vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, the site also includes a forum for those students needing some extra help or encouragement. The site was produced by the University of Wisconsin.


Tags: , , , , , , ,

→ No CommentsTags: Afrikaans · African Languages

Learn to Read Arabic: Online Arabic Lessons

April 29th, 2008 · No Comments

Just a quick post. This is a site designed to teach students to learn to read . Nothing flashy, but shows the Arabic script and the associated pronunciation, etc.

http://www.ukindia.mistral.co.uk/zar1.htm

I will be a posting a new mega list of Arabic resources later this week.


Tags: , , , , , ,

→ No CommentsTags: Arabic · Middle Eastern Languages

Learning Polish: Recommended Resources for Learning Polish

April 29th, 2008 · No Comments

The challenge of learning any language can be somewhat daunting at first glance. This is especially true for Eastern European languages including .

Polish has a special draw for many. Large Polish communities in America such as in Chicago also provide a practical source for those wanting to connect with their ancestry. Travel is also another practical motivation for learning Polish. Poland’s membership in the European Union has strengthened the economy and creating a wave of tourists visiting Warsaw, Krakow, and other cities.

Whatever the reason, the most important thing to remember is to determine what your goals are and choose the materials that will suit your learning style as well as fit the realistic amount of time you can provide to your studies.

At more than 38 million,  the number of speakers of Polish is significantly more than other European languages and a large variety of resources have been produced for the potential Polish student.

Recommended Modern Polish Language Resources 

Pimsleur Polish 1

Learn to speak Polish at an intermediate level in just thirty easy lessons with this highly effective course. Sell it back when you’re done for $120, guaranteed.

 
FSI Polish Course

This course produced by the Foreign Service Institute as part of its Polish Basic Course series, provides introductory through intermediate level material. The goal of Foreign Service Institute courses is to provide the English Speaking student’s from any occupational background with practical knowledge and proficiency in their language of interest.

Talk Now Polish

Designed for beginners who want to start learning the Polish language as soon as possible. Whether on business, vacation, or perhaps meeting a foreign visitor, Talk Now! is the disc to get you started.

Vocabulary Polish

Primarily aimed to meet the requirements of children from 4-12, Vocabulary Builder Polish has proven popular with adults too! Speech recording the chance to record cartoons and play them back in your own “cinema”. Nine games of varying difficulty, with points awarded for correct answers. Over 100 words including colours, numbers, actions and simple sentences.

Talk More Polish

With Talk More, you can learn Polish the EuroTalk way using over an hour of broadcast quality video and the latest interactive techniques. Talk More is the latest series in the EuroTalk range for beginners to intermediates. It is the next step up from our best-selling Talk Now! Polish. Increase your basic knowledge and prepare yourself for World Talk Polish, our intermediate level. Talk More Polish is ideal for travellers, holiday makers, business people, students and families. Nine topics ranging from shopping trips to leisure activities and business meetings.

World Talk Polish

World Talk Polish is aimed at intermediate level learners who have already built up some confidence listening to and speaking Polish. The interactive games and quizzes will help to further develop fluency and understanding of the language.  10 Polish language games including ‘Lottery numbers’, ‘What did you say’, ‘Sentence building’, ‘Out to dinner’ and others to help you learn, test and practice your Polish language skills.


Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

→ No CommentsTags: Polish · European Languages

Learning Greek: A List of Greek Learning Resources

April 28th, 2008 · No Comments

The challenge of learning any language can be somewhat daunting at first glance. This is especially true for those languages that require the student to learn a new alphabet. This is the case for Greek, whether modern or ancient.

Greek has some special draw to many. Perhaps the thought of learning the language of the great classics of civilization or of the cities that gave us democracy draws many. Large Greek communities in America also provide a practical source for those wanting to connect with their ancestry. Travel is also another practical motivation for .

Whatever the reason, the most important thing to remember is to determine what your goals are and choose the materials that will suit your learning style as well as fit the realistic amount of time you can provide to your studies.

Though at 12 million, the number of speakers of Modern Greek is significantly less than other European languages, a large variety of resources have been produced for the potential Greek student.

Recommended Modern Greek Language Resources

Pimsleur Greek 1

Learn to speak Greek at an intermediate level in just thirty easy lessons with this highly effective course. Sell it back when you’re done for $120, guaranteed.

FSI Greek Course

This course produced by the Foreign Service Institute as part of its Greek Basic Course series, provides introductory through intermediate level material. The goal of Foreign Service Institute courses is to provide the English Speaking student’s from any occupational background with practical knowledge and proficiency in their language of interest.

Talk Now Greek

Designed for beginners who want to start learning the Greek language as soon as possible. Whether on business, vacation, or perhaps meeting a foreign visitor, Talk Now! is the disc to get you started.

Vocabulary Greek

Primarily aimed to meet the requirements of children from 4-12, Vocabulary Builder Greek has proven popular with adults too! Speech recording the chance to record cartoons and play them back in your own “cinema”. Nine games of varying difficulty, with points awarded for correct answers. Over 100 words including colours, numbers, actions and simple sentences.

Talk More Greek

With Talk More, you can learn Greek the EuroTalk way using over an hour of broadcast quality video and the latest interactive techniques. Talk More is the latest series in the EuroTalk range for beginners to intermediates. It is the next step up from our best-selling Talk Now! Greek. Increase your basic knowledge and prepare yourself for World Talk Greek, our intermediate level. Talk More Greek is ideal for travellers, holiday makers, business people, students and families. Nine topics ranging from shopping trips to leisure activities and business meetings.

World Talk Greek

World Talk Greek is aimed at intermediate level learners who have already built up some confidence listening to and speaking Greek. The interactive games and quizzes will help to further develop fluency and understanding of the language. 10 Greek language games including ‘Lottery numbers’, ‘What did you say’, ‘Sentence building’, ‘Out to dinner’ and others to help you learn, test and practice your Greek language skills.

100 Word Exercise Book for Greek

Published by G & W Publishing, Greek 100 Word Exercise Book compliments EuroTalk’s software by focusing on word formation, pronunciation, tips and the alphabet. There are various games and activities to play, as well as 100 tear-out flashcards for accelerated learning.


Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

→ No CommentsTags: Greek · European Languages