Posts published on May 4, 2015

Best Language Learning Tools for College Students

BY JANE HURST

Depending on what you are majoring in, it could come in pretty handy to know more than one language. The only problem is, learning a new language is tough, and that is just one more thing to add to your study plate. Luckily, there are many online language tools that you can use to help you learn a new language in your spare time. You may even be able to use what you have learned towards course credits. Here are some of the best online language tools for college students.

  • Duolingo – This tool helps you to learn languages through translating web pages. You translate the web as you are browsing, thereby learning to read a new language. Most of the exercises involved translating and dictating, and there are a few languages you can choose from. The courses are designed like games, and if you lose too many lives, you must take the lesson all over again.
  • Learning Hebrew – If you are involved with Jewish studies, you can enhance your Hebrew studies at this website. Find the top 10 methods of learning Hebrew online, the Hebrew alphabet, and even learn Hebrew slang. This tool is absolutely free to use, and makes learning Hebrew fun.
  • Memrise – This goes past the normal vocabulary of other language programs and into subjects such as science and history. It is another flashcard program designed to make you remember what you have learned. It also makes learning a new language fun, gaming up the process. This is a free, web-based tool, and there are also iOS and Android apps available.
  • BBC Languages – This tool is the most comprehensive language tool on the Internet. There are 40 BBC language websites for every level of learner, from beginner to advanced. Learn such languages as Greek, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Urdu, and many more. There are audio courses, interactive video courses, games, and other lessons to help you learn a new language.
  • Livemocha – Find lessons in more than 38 languages with this mostly-free tool. You will find live classes, be able to chat with native speakers, watch tutorial videos, and a whole lot more, in the comfort of your own home. Private tutoring is even available, and you can use social media to learn from native speakers all over the world.
  • Babbel – Is your class taking a trip to Europe, and you want to be able to communicate with people while you are there? You need Babbel, which is a portable instructional tool that is available in seven languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Swedish, and Portuguese. It will even assess your pronunciation and provide feedback so you know you are saying things properly. You can study what you want to study, such as specific vocabulary for certain situations (studies, travel, etc.).
  • Pimsleur Method – This is an audio-based learning tool that makes you participate through sound and speaking exercises, as well as memorization through the use of flash cards. There are reading and vocabulary exercises, as well as speaking and reading aloud. There are more than 50 languages you can learn from the Pimsleur Method, which has been successfully teaching languages since the 1960’s.
  • Anki – This is like the flashcard games you played as a kid. The focus is on memorizing things. You will see a word, phrase, or an image, and then you repeat and interpret it, and then memorize it. This is not only great for learning new languages, but also for many other areas of study. This tool is free and is available for Windows, OSX, Linux/BSD, iOS, and Android users.

Byline:

Jane Hurst has been working in education for over 5 years as a teacher. She loves sharing her knowledge with students, is fascinated about edtech and loves reading