Language learning over the net

[Saul Brignell]

A few of us have had an idea that we could look at assisting the learning of languages by using the internet. One of the problems that we identified with languages is that to really learn them it is better to have the opportunity to speak them regularly, and we wondered if there was some way we could use the net to help with this.

We noted that a problem with this would also be that there are countries that do not have broadband widely available, so any project would have to think about making the pages widely available.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Albert Knight]

Here goes a strictly theoretical supposition..that has not been tested and is cumbersome at the very least. The following components I now have and will test based upon your and group feedback)
1- Most folks have a home audio component unit (the 5.1 surround sound units starting at about $200 Sony Quality to boot)
2- It is possible to connect an analog tape recorder (TEAC double cassette for under $80)and a CD recorder (prices at J&R and B&H photo are in steady decline about $170.)
3- As a result it is possible to use the cassette tape to make raw vocal recordings, edit them smoothly and then make a final transfer edition to CD recording. Eventually this CD-R RW can be ripped to the computer for up loading.
4-So what? One possible activity via this cumbersome audio conversion is an activity whereby a native speaker of a target language ( member) can record an online editorial of the NY times or any international online paper in his her native language and embed it in a blog etc.
5-TheEnglish speaker can now read along while listening to the audio rendition in the targeted language simultaneously.
6- finally, a free web based language translator can be accessible from ones desktop to help define concepts for the reader (where needed )by copying pasting sentences into translator.
There, it is cumbersome and I look forward to any feedback :)

[Saul Brignell]

Thanks for getting back with this.

If we are assuming that this will be conducted over the net then the recording route could be streamlined. There are a few free recording software packages, such as Audacity available, and simply recording voices would not require a high quality audio signal so a cheap pc mic from any shop would do the job. All the editing could be done in software. This would simplify the first three steps and the final two could be concentrated on.

[Sarah McPherson]

This is a very interesting solution but seems a bit complicated and labor intensive. Jiro Nigorshori, a member of this network, has developed some web-based language teaching elements. It may be useful to look at what he has done and discuss strategies with him. I'm sure he will share the web-site he has developed for Japanese/English/Chinese. He can explain better than I.

[Jannatul]

Hi Saul,
My name is Jannatul Ferdous, currently studying under Dr. McPherson, in pursuit of an MS IN Childhood Education.
I myself love languages and often wonder why I did not pursue a career as a linguist... :)
I think it is a great idea to learn languages over the Net. esp now that there are so many tools, such as translators, available for free use.

These are some nice sites to utilize:
http://how-to-learn-any-language.com/e/index.html
http://www.micheloud.com/FXM/LA/index.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/
http://www.word2word.com/coursead.html
http://www.language-learning.net/start_2_2.html

This a nice search engine to find the "right" sites: http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/he/tutorial/langs

Another method is to use Skype. Check out this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/17/business/17novel.html?8br

Here is a great list of resources to employ: http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0002enhancing.html

As for the issue of those who do not have easy acces to Internet... That's a touch cookie! I think everyone has access to a radio. If there was a way to get a radio station specifically for that purpose, we could have communication lines open between people from various regions of the world.

If worst comes to worst, I guess there is always the option to sharing audio/video recordings and exchanging them by mail... sort of like a language pen-pal.