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Lucie A.
September 5, 2008
# Msgs: 4
Latest: February 1, 2009
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Create a personalize Home Page (on your computer) . . .
I have created a personalized home page, and saved it on my C: drive. Now, each time I open the browser and each time I click on "Home", the browser returns me to that page. I have links and quotes on that page that expose me to languages each time I surf the web.
A page on your C: drive will load much more quickly, and you can easily update it while offline. You can even link to songs on your computer! One option is to include a link to an audio book, learning course or song in a foreign language.
On my home page, I have links to search engines, newspapers, online spaces of my own, some links to personal interests and some links to "projects" that I am working on--such as learning languages.
On this home page, include a link to My Language Exchange, and include links to online newspapers in the language(s) you are studying, search engines and online encyclopedias in the language you are studying, etc.
I have links on the left and right sides of my page, and I have quotes (some in English, some in Spanish and Italian) in the center. This way, I am exposed to languages each time I open the browser.
You can learn basic HTML at several places online, or you can use Netscape Composer, or other utilities, to create a basic home page.
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Language pair: Italian; Spanish
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Alberto F.
December 11, 2006
# Msgs: 1
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Online newspapers. Encyclopedias. Search engines. Etc.
One thing that I do to expose myself to everyday uses of a foreign language (Italian and Spanish, in my case) is to look up newspapers in the foreign language that I want to learn. There are newspapers online in both Italian and Spanish, and I can read about current events while learning. One good thing about foreign language newspapers is that you can read world stories and already know the gist, so you learn more quickly. Or, you can read localized news and learn about another country and culture while also learning a language.
There are well known online encyclopedias (some written by web surfers, some by companies) that are searchable. These encyclopedias and search engines have versions in various languages. Bookmark the main page of the language you are learning, and you can look up articles in that language. You can look up familiar topics to learn quickly (by comparing words to what you already know), or you can look up new topics for more challenge. Either way, you are exposed to a variety of writing styles, and you increase your vocabulary!
In fact, most major online sources of news, shopping, facts, etc, have a variety of language choices. Find the one(s) you're wanting to learn!
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Language pair: Italian; Spanish
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Alberto F.
December 11, 2006
# Msgs: 1
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Clarification. ILR ratings. Other ratings.
The ratings in my previous posting are not ILR. They are ratings from that specific test. I haven't been tested under ILR specifications, but I would probably be:
English: 5
Spanish: 3
Italian: 1+
The online test I took said my ratings are:
English: Advanced
Spanish: Beginning Advanced
Italian: Advanced Beginner
So you can see how they compare.
Also, ILR is the 1-5 rating system. The English only rating system is actually LPI, Language Proficiency Index. So, I wasn't entirely correct on that.
"The official Government Language Skill Level Descriptions" are now called the ILR Scale. The official page seems to have been shut down or moved, but there is plenty of information online. You can find more info on your own.
I think ILR stands for "Interagency Language Roundtable". But I'm not sure.
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Language pair: Italian; Spanish
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Alberto F.
December 11, 2006
# Msgs: 1
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Word of the Day. Via email. Also, email and IM.
Along with using My Language Exchange, I also have words sent to me each day via email using another web site, which I will not list in order to not break the rules of this bulletin board. (It is difficult to explain how I use the Internet to learn without citing other sources! :)
I searched on
"Subscribe to Italian Word of the Day"
and
"Download Free Italian Software"
I found a site where I can sign up for a free daily email that sends me one email with a word from both Spanish and Italian. I can also download Italian Flash Cards.
This helps to improve my vocabulary.
I find the best way to improve overall is to sign up for the Gold Membership, and to find contacts who are willing to communicate via email or Instant Messenger. The cost of membership is well worth it (I've learned a lot already!), and email and IM contact is free once you have the membership.
But, be sure that you trust the individual before giving them your email address or IM. Or, perhaps you can create a new email address and IM name to use only for language exchange.
Thanks to My Language Exchange for offering such a useful site!
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Language pair: Italian; Spanish
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Alberto F.
December 11, 2006
# Msgs: 1
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Re:Italian language for chineese.
hellow,konstantin,
i'm a chinese, could use english to contact, and know a little japanese and italino. quite interested in your plane, then how can we start?
richard lu
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Language pair: Italian; Chinese, Mandarin
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Richard L.
September 24, 2005
# Msgs: 1
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seeking esl tutor
hi
my name is Andrew and I'm looking for esl tutors who would like to help students in a chatroom on line. We are two at the moment and we are looking for more people who would like to help students in their freetime.
Are you interested?
Let me know
Andrew
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Language pair: English; Italian
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Andrew P.
April 25, 2005
# Msgs: 1
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