Language Learning Sites
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Image by Steffanie Zazulak |
Verbling
is on online tutoring site for language learning with people all over the globe. Verbling Friends. Verbling Friends is an online community where people can go anytime to find others to practice languages with via live video. Anyone in the world can log in, select the language they would like to practice, and instantly be connected to others with the same wish. It’s like a virtual meet up, but it’s centered around developing language abilities.
Italki
is a great site for recreating the immersion experience. Simple to use, this ebay/facebook style website helps you find language partners and teachers in nearly any language. Swap languages for free or pay for a professional teacher or community tutor. It can be difficult to managing time differences. italki does a fairly good job with its community features.
Fluentu
This website has some clever technology that enables you to analyse/translate all the language in a short video clip. It’s organised by level and it treats each video like a detailed flash card. You can skip words you know and complete little quizzes to show how much you’ve learned. This is a great way to boost your listening skills as the videos expose you to real life language use, some of the dialogue is very fast using colloquial language.The concept, although at first is a pretty impressive use of technology, gets boring quickly.
Duolingo
A fun game based website with cute characters and achievement rewards to encourage you on your language learning journey. This website does a pretty good job of trying to harness all your language skills, and is really great for beginner vocabulary acquisition. It even has a voice recognition system that can check your pronunciation skills. It’s fun to play and quite addictive. The main con to this site is that it expects perfection before you can move up a level. I The site offers you ways to skip levels by “testing out”. But, if you are unsure of how to spell certain words, you’ll fail and be stuck on a level that might be too low and a bit boring. Ok for those of us who need a good written level in our language learning, but frustrating for those of us who only want to speak. I also feel that the community aspect of the site could be improved
Busuu
Bussu is similar to Duolingo. It provides an easier to use chat system than italki (italki expects you to use Skype. It also has cute characters and rewards to motivate us, and like duolingo it’s great for learning new vocabulary. It has community driven corrections and you can choose your level. It’s great to be able to dip in to an intermediate course if you a higher level in one skill than another. The reward system seems pretty pointless. It also doesn’t explain how to type in a language that doesn’t use the roman alphabet.
Languagepod101
You can learn many more languages on Language pod than the other sites I have mentioned. It’s another great listening resource, and it explains the grammar in the resource material well. You can choose to opt out of the explanations and only listen to the dialogue if grammar just confuses you. There are also free podcasts to download which is great for learning on the go. You have to pay for a lot of the content and there doesn’t seem to be much focus on actually speaking the language.
Lingua.ly
This free online program is an educational technology where language is taught through immersion in news, sports and entertainment articles written in the language you want to learn. This award winning technology uses virtual reality, accessible on multiple types of personal electronic devices and teaches students without the use of structured lessons.
Mango
Mango helps learners learn different languages, and it can be used in libraries, on campuses, and in schools with grades ranging from k-12. Mango can be learned through the free mobile app, and the technology utilizes the use of film, to help immerse the learner, and it includes over 60 languages. It focuses on the four language learning components: vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, culture.
Anki
This technology can be used to study many different things, including language. The use of flash cards allows for efficient memorization and practice of languages, however the lack of interaction with other language learners, prevents the learner from making connections with a community.
Forvo
This is a site that helps with the pronunciation of words in any language. Native speakers record pronunciation of words in their native language, including names. It doesnt translate sentences or block of texts
SSkype
With the ability to hold video conference call with anyone in the world Skype offers many opportunities to learn a foreign language. Speaking Exchange link residents of a retirement home in the States with students in Brazil. The brazilian students are able to gain an immersive experience learning English through the video conference call. We envision that AI will take over the role of a conversational tutor in the next 10-15 years. While it is always the best to interact with a real human being it is not always possible. With AI it can take place any time and as often as one wants. It is truly an immersive language learning experience.
Speech Recognition
This technology enables the translation of spoken words into text that can be edited on the computer. Speech recognition was first researched and investigated in the early 50s. Bell Labs build a system capable of recognising about ten words. By the 80s IBM has created a voice activated typewriter capable of recognising 20,000 words. Today speech recognition is available in many languages with far better and faster ability in recognizing words. Language learning companies such as Rosetta Stone have employed speech recognition in their language learning program. In the future we see speech recognition as part of the AI system where it is able to recognise the nuance of pronunciation from a toddler to adult and to language learners.
is on online tutoring site for language learning with people all over the globe. Verbling Friends. Verbling Friends is an online community where people can go anytime to find others to practice languages with via live video. Anyone in the world can log in, select the language they would like to practice, and instantly be connected to others with the same wish. It’s like a virtual meet up, but it’s centered around developing language abilities.
Italki
is a great site for recreating the immersion experience. Simple to use, this ebay/facebook style website helps you find language partners and teachers in nearly any language. Swap languages for free or pay for a professional teacher or community tutor. It can be difficult to managing time differences. italki does a fairly good job with its community features.
Fluentu
This website has some clever technology that enables you to analyse/translate all the language in a short video clip. It’s organised by level and it treats each video like a detailed flash card. You can skip words you know and complete little quizzes to show how much you’ve learned. This is a great way to boost your listening skills as the videos expose you to real life language use, some of the dialogue is very fast using colloquial language.The concept, although at first is a pretty impressive use of technology, gets boring quickly.
Duolingo
A fun game based website with cute characters and achievement rewards to encourage you on your language learning journey. This website does a pretty good job of trying to harness all your language skills, and is really great for beginner vocabulary acquisition. It even has a voice recognition system that can check your pronunciation skills. It’s fun to play and quite addictive. The main con to this site is that it expects perfection before you can move up a level. I The site offers you ways to skip levels by “testing out”. But, if you are unsure of how to spell certain words, you’ll fail and be stuck on a level that might be too low and a bit boring. Ok for those of us who need a good written level in our language learning, but frustrating for those of us who only want to speak. I also feel that the community aspect of the site could be improved
Busuu
Bussu is similar to Duolingo. It provides an easier to use chat system than italki (italki expects you to use Skype. It also has cute characters and rewards to motivate us, and like duolingo it’s great for learning new vocabulary. It has community driven corrections and you can choose your level. It’s great to be able to dip in to an intermediate course if you a higher level in one skill than another. The reward system seems pretty pointless. It also doesn’t explain how to type in a language that doesn’t use the roman alphabet.
Languagepod101
You can learn many more languages on Language pod than the other sites I have mentioned. It’s another great listening resource, and it explains the grammar in the resource material well. You can choose to opt out of the explanations and only listen to the dialogue if grammar just confuses you. There are also free podcasts to download which is great for learning on the go. You have to pay for a lot of the content and there doesn’t seem to be much focus on actually speaking the language.
Lingua.ly
This free online program is an educational technology where language is taught through immersion in news, sports and entertainment articles written in the language you want to learn. This award winning technology uses virtual reality, accessible on multiple types of personal electronic devices and teaches students without the use of structured lessons.
Mango
Mango helps learners learn different languages, and it can be used in libraries, on campuses, and in schools with grades ranging from k-12. Mango can be learned through the free mobile app, and the technology utilizes the use of film, to help immerse the learner, and it includes over 60 languages. It focuses on the four language learning components: vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, culture.
Anki
This technology can be used to study many different things, including language. The use of flash cards allows for efficient memorization and practice of languages, however the lack of interaction with other language learners, prevents the learner from making connections with a community.
Forvo
This is a site that helps with the pronunciation of words in any language. Native speakers record pronunciation of words in their native language, including names. It doesnt translate sentences or block of texts
SSkype
With the ability to hold video conference call with anyone in the world Skype offers many opportunities to learn a foreign language. Speaking Exchange link residents of a retirement home in the States with students in Brazil. The brazilian students are able to gain an immersive experience learning English through the video conference call. We envision that AI will take over the role of a conversational tutor in the next 10-15 years. While it is always the best to interact with a real human being it is not always possible. With AI it can take place any time and as often as one wants. It is truly an immersive language learning experience.
Speech Recognition
This technology enables the translation of spoken words into text that can be edited on the computer. Speech recognition was first researched and investigated in the early 50s. Bell Labs build a system capable of recognising about ten words. By the 80s IBM has created a voice activated typewriter capable of recognising 20,000 words. Today speech recognition is available in many languages with far better and faster ability in recognizing words. Language learning companies such as Rosetta Stone have employed speech recognition in their language learning program. In the future we see speech recognition as part of the AI system where it is able to recognise the nuance of pronunciation from a toddler to adult and to language learners.
Virtual Reality Gadgets
Oculus Rift
Oculus has released two developer kits, and has a prototype called Crescent Bay they've been demoing in the past year or so. Their consumer version is slated to hit the market in Q1 of 2016. Facebook bought the company in 2014 for $2 billion. Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition The Gear is powered by Oculus, but differs in that its display is the screen of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. There's been one previous iteration. The Samsung platform features a variety of games, game demos, 360 videos, 360 videos, and other VR experiences both computer-generated and cinematic. Sony's Project Morpheus Project Morpheus will be compatible with PlayStation 4. There's no release date, but it's expected sometime in the first half of 2016. In pictures, you typically see people wearing the headset and holding two wands as input devices. HTC Vive The buzz is that the Vive might be the Rift's best competition. It's a partnership between hardware maker HTC, and videogame maker Valve, powered by the SteamVR platform. It has two wireless hand controllers, and two sensors to be placed in the room. It's supposed to be released toward the end of 2015. Google Cardboard Google introduced its cardboard holder in 2014 at its I/O conference. A user's cell phone fits into the front and the user hold the holder up to his or her face. It doesn't have any sensors, which makes some VR purists dismiss it as too low quality, as it relies on the phone's accelerometer. On the other hand, the fact that it's cheap and the newer version accommodates phones with screens up to 6 inches, can potentially put VR in the hands of a very wide audience. Users can find apps on the Google Play store. There's also the Cardboard app. |
Language Learning Sites
References
Grant, R. (2013). Verbling brings immersive language learning into your living room (exclusive). Retrieved from http://venturebeat.com
/2013/04/19/verbling-brings-immersive-language-learning-into-your-living-room-exclusive/
Lingua.ly. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from July 31, 2015, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingua.ly
Rosenbloom, S. (2014). Inventive, Cheaper Tools for Learning a Language. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/20/travel
/inventive-cheaper-tools-for-learning-a-language.html?_r=2
Vaughan, R. (2015, March 31). Top 5 websites to make online language learning immersive [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://elkvalleyenglish.rebeccavaughan.co.uk/top-5-websites-to-make-online-language-learning-immersive/
Virtual Reality Gadgets
References
Carson, E. (2015). Mini-glossary: Virtual reality terms you should know [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.techrepublic.com
/article/mini-glossary-virtual-reality-terms-you-should-know/
References
Grant, R. (2013). Verbling brings immersive language learning into your living room (exclusive). Retrieved from http://venturebeat.com
/2013/04/19/verbling-brings-immersive-language-learning-into-your-living-room-exclusive/
Lingua.ly. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from July 31, 2015, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingua.ly
Rosenbloom, S. (2014). Inventive, Cheaper Tools for Learning a Language. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/20/travel
/inventive-cheaper-tools-for-learning-a-language.html?_r=2
Vaughan, R. (2015, March 31). Top 5 websites to make online language learning immersive [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://elkvalleyenglish.rebeccavaughan.co.uk/top-5-websites-to-make-online-language-learning-immersive/
Virtual Reality Gadgets
References
Carson, E. (2015). Mini-glossary: Virtual reality terms you should know [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.techrepublic.com
/article/mini-glossary-virtual-reality-terms-you-should-know/