08-30-2013, 07:31 PM
Good thread.. I LOVE language learning and love all of the free stuff out there. My favorite site for practice, once you've got the basics down is The Mixxer - a free educational website for language exchanges via Skype | The Mixxer which takes some time to build up a network of friends, but it is the best way to find free native practice partners. I offer to exchange 10 minutes of English for 10 minutes in Portuguese and it's great.
The real problem with language learning is that people don't realize just how hard it is.. it does take a TON of practice and many, many, many different resources. (Ok.. for Spanish, I just lived in Mexico for 6 years, but that's not an option everyone has) This is why Rosetta Stone fails in so many ways. If no single program is the solution, why blow the entire budget on something that is mildly helpful at best? Even my private Portuguese teacher constantly gives her students tips on free resources. No, the resources won't replace her, but she knows that as much practice as possible is the only way to learn.
@Snickerdoodle - thanks for the duolingo link. I haven't seen this one and am going to check it out.
The real problem with language learning is that people don't realize just how hard it is.. it does take a TON of practice and many, many, many different resources. (Ok.. for Spanish, I just lived in Mexico for 6 years, but that's not an option everyone has) This is why Rosetta Stone fails in so many ways. If no single program is the solution, why blow the entire budget on something that is mildly helpful at best? Even my private Portuguese teacher constantly gives her students tips on free resources. No, the resources won't replace her, but she knows that as much practice as possible is the only way to learn.
@Snickerdoodle - thanks for the duolingo link. I haven't seen this one and am going to check it out.
Regis University, ITESO, Global MBA with a focus in Emerging Markets 4.0 GPA, Dual-university degree (Spanish/English)
ISSA Certified Nutritionist
COSC BS, Business Admin
My BS Credits:
Spanish 80 | Humanities 67 | A & I Lit 72 | Sub Abuse 452 | Bus Ethics 445 | Tech Writ 62 | Math 53 | HTYH 454 | Am. Govt 65 | Env & Humanity 64 | Marketing 65 | Micro 61| Mgmt 63| Org Behavior 65| MIS 446|Computing 432 | BL II 61 | M&B 50 | Finance 411 | Supervision 437| Intro Bus. 439| Law Enforcement 63| SL: Accounting I B | Accounting II C+| Macro A | ECE: Labor Relations A | Capstone: A| FEMA PDS Cert
ISSA Certified Nutritionist
COSC BS, Business Admin
My BS Credits:
Spanish 80 | Humanities 67 | A & I Lit 72 | Sub Abuse 452 | Bus Ethics 445 | Tech Writ 62 | Math 53 | HTYH 454 | Am. Govt 65 | Env & Humanity 64 | Marketing 65 | Micro 61| Mgmt 63| Org Behavior 65| MIS 446|Computing 432 | BL II 61 | M&B 50 | Finance 411 | Supervision 437| Intro Bus. 439| Law Enforcement 63| SL: Accounting I B | Accounting II C+| Macro A | ECE: Labor Relations A | Capstone: A| FEMA PDS Cert
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