Tools for Your Spanish Practice - Google Translate

You need different tools for different parts of your language adventure, like tools to help you learn vocabulary (flashcard and repetitive study programs on the web/iPhone), tools to help you practice conversations (like 3dlanguage), etc.

But one tool I've found to be really helpful is a basic translator - Google Translate. Yeah, yeah, I know, another Google tool - pretty soon there will be Google toilet paper and Google air! But this translator is really helpful if you need to look up a specific word, or if you are trying to read something and struggling with the translation.

Try it out - if you put in on your Google home page, it's pretty convenient.

Phrase of the Day: Nos Vemos Pronto

We'll see each other soon...

3DLanguage New Versions Available (Spanish - Ordering; ESL - First Version)

3DLanguage, a revolutionary and immersive product for learning language, has finished its most recent releases - for its Spanish product, a new module on ordering food, and for ESL, its first product.

The software is available in beta for free - for more information, go to www.3dlanguage.net.

UK Language Teaching at All Time Low?

An interesting article in the Register about the state of language instruction in the UK.

An interesting quote from the article (regarding recent changes to programs) -

Laws laments: "They reduce foreign language study to a functional skill that teaches the sort of thing you find in a 'get by' phrase book. It is selling young people short and is unlikely to inspire anyone to see languages as anything other than mechanical and boring."

Spanish Lesson Video on You Tube (Free)

Just listening to this video lesson is great, because it gets you used to listening to a native speaker...check it out!

Ali G on Language

OK - this doesn't have anything to do with learning language. But it is fun.

Phrase of the Day - Que tal?

Que tal, amiga? Oh, not much, eh?

Very informal, but another great greeting to learn to address friends informally.