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Real World Language Learning

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Resources for learning languages online. The focus here is on services that provide access to authentic, real-world language usage - no canned conversations and scripted dialogues. And unless there's some truly compelling technology at work, I'll try and limit suggestions to resources that are free.

Contents at a Glance

  1. Sound
  2. Vision
  3. Vox
  4. Print

Sound

iTunes Podcast Directory
Download the iTunes software to search for podcasts designed for language learning as well as general podcasts recorded in foreign languages. Simply search by the name of the language you want to learn. You don't need an MP3 player to listen - the podcasts will also play straight from your desktop. See chinesepod.com for a good example of some of the language learning podcasts available.
Yahoo Podcast Directory
Another directory of podcasts. Unlike iTunes, no software download required.
PodcastDirectory.com
PodcastDirectory.com lets you search by language.
Virtual Tuner Online Radio
A list of radio stations with online feeds. The link here allows you to search by language. If you go to the homepage, it's also possible to search by location. (If you're keen and want to record a streaming radio program, you might want to check out the software available at http://www.replay-video.com/. I haven't tested it out, so no guarantees on the investment.)
Radio France International
Radio France International broadcasts in close to twenty languages, although for some, like Vietnamese and Turkish, programming is limited to an hour a day.

Vision

LoMasTV.com - Yabla.com
Online interactive video for Spanish (full disclosure: I work here). The video library is updated weekly and features film, TV, music, and documentaries from Spain and Latin America. All content is produced by native speakers for native speakers. Interactive captioning makes even the most rapid-fire Spanish speech accessible to language students. Slow down the rate of playback if you're a beginner. Click on words for instant translations. Caption-by-caption navigation lets you play DJ with the videos to easily replay phrases until you've mastered the material. A subscription service, but you can check out a few demos for free. A companion site for French (clic.yabla.com) is also available.
Foreign Language Videoclips
Short videoclips - usually in interview form - of native speakers of various languages talking about topics in the social sciences.
Live TV from Around the World
Live streams from TV stations around the world. No subtitles or anything customized for language learners, but still a great way to gain exposure to your target language. Most helpful for students of less commonly studied languages. Where else are you going to find video resources for Azerbaijani?

Vox

VoIP-Based Language Exchange
FriendsAbroad.com is the world's largest online community for language learning and language exchange. If your native language is English, and you want to learn Russia, you'll search for Russian speakers that want to learn English. Easy. Around 200,000 members. There should be a VoIP solution embedded within the site by early Spring 2006.

Print

Newspapers and Magazines
If you were crafty enough to find your way to this lens, you can probably navigate your way to foreign language newspapers and magazines on the web. But for the sake of comprehensiveness, I'll point you to AllYouCanRead.com - easy interface, and up-to-date links.

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beta3041

I work at Yabla, which delivers interactive online video for language learning. Previously, I served on a variety of international development projects,... more »

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