Language Resources
"Die Grenzen meiner Sprache bedeuten die Grenzen meiner Welt.
"The limits of my language are the limits of my universe."
- Ludwig Wittgenstein
General tips for learning a new language
- how-to-learn-any-language.com focuses on the concerns and interests of a new language learner. Be sure to check out the Languages section, which taken with a grain of salt, provides interesting information on some of the world's languages nonetheless.
- So you want to learn a language offers resources for specific and general language learning. The site also lists links to many free online language courses, as well as essential video and audio resources.
Pronunciation
- Acapela-Group allows you to hear any text in over 25 languages.
- Forvo: The Pronunciation Guide is an interactive website where users record words or phrases in their native language to share. It's a great way to compare your own pronunciation.
Translation tools
- Lingro translates any website in a foreign language and easily assists you in learning the language. Create vocabulary lists and test yourself.
- Duolingo is a new site whose users help translate websites in foreign languages while learning a new language. Users are placed in certain levels of proficiency in the desired language they'd like to learn and then learn through their own (and others) translations of foreign websites. The site is in beta testing currently, so invitations are limited.
Verbs and conjugation
- Verbix, an online verb conjugator, offers assistance in over 60 languages. When searching for verbs, be sure to spell them correctly (inserting accents where needed) for the best results.
- Vocabulix, though less general than Verbix, offers comprehensive assistance with verb conjugation, as well as vocabulary for Spanish, German and English.
Vocabulary building
- Wolty is an online forum where language learners can produce their own flashcards and share among the community. The notes range from vocabulary lists to explanations of phrases and sayings.
- Memrise uses various methods of memorization to help with the acquisition of a foreign language. Users can study independently or join in on discussions with the Memrise community.
Language Exchange
Registering to be a part of these language communities is free and simple, and could provide a lot of help in learning a language!- Livemocha
- The Mixxer allows Skype users to get in touch with other individuals interested in learning new languages.
- italki is an online community and marketplace for language learners. Users write and comment on journal entries in both their native language and the language they wish to learn. Though joining the community is free, many users offer their services as language teachers for a fee.
- Lang-8, similar to italki, allows users to comment and discuss with one another through journal entries. It is a free service.
Languages of the World
These websites offer lesson plans, games, exercises, and more on nearly any language of the world.- LanguageGuide, best for beginners, offers vocabulary lists and voice overs for assistance in pronunciation for over 10 different languages.
- I Kinda Like Languages has free introductory lessons for dozens of languages. The site focuses on the structure of a language in its lessons, particularly interesting for those interested in linguistics.
- Omniglot explores the writing system of dozens of languages throughout the world. The site also offers tips and advice on learning new languages.
- Word2Word Language Resources provides assistance in nearly every facet of language learning. Be sure to check out the Free Online Language Courses page, which offers information and other useful websites in learning any language.
- The Defense Language Institute offers instruction on dozens of languages for military and diplomatic purposes.
- DigitalDialects offers vocabulary lists and games for practice.
- YourDictionary list dozens of online dictionaries and translation services helpful to anyone learning a language.
- BBC Languages has many resources for self-guided language learning.
- Busuu is a free online resource for learning many foreign languages. Busuu offers interactive lessons, as well as a large community of native speakers and language learners to help in learning a foreign language.
- About.com offers information on the German, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish languages, as well as grammar lessons and self-testing tools.
Languages offered at Reed
If you're more interested in learning any of the languages offered at Reed on your own, here are some helpful links in beginning a new language.*
German
Chinese
Spanish
French
Russian
* For a more advanced introduction to these languages, please check the resource pages for each language on the Language Resources homepage.
Japanese Culture Theme-Dorm: Language resources
One of Reed's longstanding theme dorms is the Japanese-culture dorm. Though no formal classes are taught in Japanese, students interested in Japanese language and culture live there throughout the academic year.
- All Japanese all the time: AJATT helps self-learners of Japanese through the process of learning the language. It sets out to encourage and inform learners of their own abilities in learning the language. It's a great site for keeping yourself engaged in learning.
- The Japanese Page: The Japanese Page is a forum for learners of Japanese to get together and exchange ideas and resources. The site also has several lessons for beginners to advanced students, as well as audio and video components.
- Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese: Great in-depth resources on learning the grammar of the Japanese language. Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese is recommended by nearly all online sites for learning the language.
- Tofugu: A fun site for learning Japanese, Tofugu offers articles on the Japanese language, as well as Japanese culture and society. The creaters of Tofugu also designed several online textbooks: one dedicated to the study of the Japanese language (a great motivational tool for those learning the language on their own); the other is a language textbook that breaks down the Japanese language into detailed lessons. The books do cost money, but check out the first lesson of textfugu to see if it works for you. Tofugu also offers a recommendations page for Japanese language learning resources.
- EasyJapanese: A fun website with games dedicated to helping visitors learn the several "alphabets" of the Japanese language.
- RealKana: Simple game on practicing Hiragana and Katakana characters. Also available on the iPhone.
- ReadtheKanji: An effective online study tool for practicing all three alphabets in the Japanese language: hiragana, katakana and kanji. Members are quizzed on both the individual characters, as well as sentence structure and vocabulary in context.
- Japanese Children's Stories: Animated children's stories with audio in Japanese.