There are plenty of opportunities to study languages online. Some of them are paid, though many are free. If you want, in fact, you can drown in the amount of information available. So why we do we even bother to encourage people to use an offline language learning software?
Because dedicated desktop-based tools, in our experience, simply work better.
Language-learning blogs. Blogs geared towards language learners are usually meant to be used as an additional resource, rather than a primary way to get information. If you are already attending classes or studying with a product, the unstructured, quick-and-dirty approach of blogs could prove helpful as an extra source of specific details. Don’t count on using them to learn from scratch, though.
Social sites. Language learning sites based on social media is an interesting concept. While I reserve my doubts about its effectiveness (it’s still new), the idea is novel. Basically, you learn by “socializing” with others, such as engaging in group exercises that you can do over the web. Personally, I’d rather go with the tried and true route of software-based instruction, though. Situations like this with too much input usually ends up destroying the pot (not to mention, seeing a lot of spam).
Sites with dedicated lessons. Some sites are filled with actual language lessons, similar to what you may find in books and software. While they may foster similar quality as some offline products (especially if they were based upon it), we still recommend going desktop-based for one reason: you’re not tied to the web for your lessons. In the case of a language software, all you need is a PC to get started. With online sources, too many things can hinder your learning, including internet problems, problems with the site and other similar occurrences
From Carnegie Mellon, a mini-course for individuals with no proficiency or extremely limited knowledge of Arabic language and culture who are about to begin study or work in an Arabic-speaking context.
A web-application developed by the University of Cambridge Language Centre for basic level students of Chinese. It focuses on listening and reading skill but it also includes many activities that help learners prepare for speaking and writing. Note that you can also download Intermediate Chinese here.
Designed to give a practical command of spoken standard Chinese with nine situational modules. Each module consists of tapes (MP3), a student textbook (PDF), and a workbook. In addition to the core modules, there is a resource module and eight optional modules.
Tsinghua Chinese: Start Talking with 1.3 Billion People – Web Site
Introductory Chinese language course from Tsinghua University emphasizes basic language skills for everyday life in Mandarin speaking countries. The course utilizes pinyin, the standard system of Romanized spelling for transliterating Chinese, so learners will find it easy to understand and study the language.
A popular free language-learning and crowdsourced text translation platform. As users progress through lessons, they simultaneously help to translate websites and other documents.
Featuring the story of Rebecca, an aspiring singer on a journey across America, Connect With English offers 50 fifteen-minute video programs that will teach English as a second language to high school students, college students and adult learners. Produced by WGBH Boston.
The OLI American English Dialect course from Carnegie Mellon supplies the necessary reinforcement of dialectical structure, audio, production technique and phonetic representation for each sound.
Site promotes the innovative and creative use of film in language learning. All of the lesson plans revolve around the use of video and film to teach English. Recently won a British Council ELTons awards for Innovation in Teacher Resources.
A free website that helps adults learn English online by providing engaging videos and educational activities. Built by the Sacramento County Office of Education, with funding by the U.S. Department of Education and the California Department of Education.
Free Farsi/PersianLanguage Courses
Free Farsi Persian-language courses
Learn Persian with Chai and Conversation – Web Site – iTunes
Offers 50 lessons via podcast, each running about 15-20 minutes, which will help students learn conversational Persian for free. Each lesson builds on previous lessons, so to get the most out of the course, start from the beginning. The site also offers affordable premium learning materials.
Easy Persian offers online lessons in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Persian or Farsi as spoken in Iran. In addition to Persian language lessons, the site introduces contemporary Iranian poets with English translations of their poems. You’ll also find free Farsi/Persian software, Persian names with English translations, Farsi writing drills and much more.
Learn Persian Farsi Easily, Effectively and Fluently – Spotify
A 3-hour series of lessons that’s freely available on Spotify.
This two volume textbook interweaves grammar- and vocabulary-building exercises with narrative elements in order to engage and develop students’ abilities in Persian. The web site includes the textbook itself and related audio/visual files. Persian of Iran Today is published by The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies Publications program. Hard copies of the textbook can be purchased online
Free French Language Courses
Free French
Language
Courses
OptiLingo – App OptiLingo is a language learning program designed from strategies its founder, Jonty Yamisha, used to save his native language Circassian from extinction. It uses guided immersion and spaced repetition systems to get you speaking, not typing, your new language fast. In just 20 minutes a day, you’ll uncover useful phrases that help you talk to native speakers confidently. Avoid endless memorization and boring grammar lessons, and start speaking in your next foreign language with OptiLingo.
Produced by Yale University, these video lessons uses the storyline of an American student and a young Frenchwoman’s adventures in Paris to teach the language.
A popular free language-learning and crowdsourced text translation platform. As users progress through lessons, they simultaneously help to translate websites and other documents. Check out Duolingo’s iPhone and iPad apps.
A site that focuses on teaching French conversation. The site is written in French, so you will need a little French already under your belt. The site has audios with full transcripts and notes.
The course is designed to enable you to reach conversational proficiency. You learn how to control the French sound system by listening to the tapes and repeating each phrase. The dialogues present natural spoken French in a variety of contexts, such as, greeting people, registering at a hotel, getting a train ticket, and shopping.
Foreign Service Institute Basic Course: Phonology – Web Site
The Introduction to French Phonology course provides additional drills for those who wish to sound like a native speaker of the language. The course may be used beneficially at any stage of learning the language.
Designed to familiarize you with situations encountered abroad, and to provide you with the language skills you need to cope effectively with those situations. Includes lessons for metropolitan and sub-Saharan French.
Foreign Service Institute French: Headstart for Belgium – Web site
Textbook and culture notes (PDF) and sixteen audio lessons (PDF).
French Canadian site provides resources for language learners and teachers. Includes videos, quizzes, interactive modules, audio-visual presentations, and a wide selection of Canadian programs covering a variety of social and cultural topics.
French Beginner’s Serial and Oral Course 2016 – YouTube
Learn basic French with the Manesca French Course. 91 videos on YouTube.
Three albums of a French language course, Speak and Read French, created by Armand Bégué, a professor at Brooklyn College and his wife, Louise Bégué, in 1959. For basic and intermediate levels.
Helps you learn basic vocabulary that is useful for everyday life and improve your pronunciation. The 100 lessons are the result of a collaborative effort between Deutsche Welle and the Goethe-Verlag.
A free online textbook for learning German from the University of Texas. It’s the web-based first-year German program developed and in use at the university.
Dialogue for German Learners: Beginner’s Level – iTunes Free
Created by the University of South Wales, these dialogues will help you to practice and consolidate some of the language skills you are learning, either as part of a language course or as something you need for your work.
A web-application developed by the University of Cambridge Language Centre for basic level students of German. It focuses on listening and reading skill but it also includes many activities that help learners prepare for speaking and writing.
German for beginners: Paula and Philipp are Radio D reporters who have several mysterious cases to investigate. Join them as their research takes them across Germany — and learn German along the way! Created by Deutsche Welle.
30-part self-study course in German. Features authentic videos, slideshows and audio texts that convey a vibrant picture of life in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Created by Deutsche Welle.
A popular free language-learning and crowdsourced text translation platform. As users progress through lessons, they simultaneously help to translate websites and other documents. Check out Duolingo’s iPhone and iPad apps.
Foreign Service Institute German Programmed Introduction – Web site
The text (PDF) and tapes (MP3) present, in a programmed learning style, the structural features and vocabulary contained in the first six units of the FSI German Basic Course. Serves to accelerate the progress of students who subsequently move to the Basic Course.
Foreign Service Institute German Basic Course – Vol 1 – Vol 2
Coversessential words and phrases that you need for your trip to India. There are also Beginner Hindi lessons for those that want to seriously start to learn the language.
A popular free language-learning and crowdsourced text translation platform. As users progress through lessons, they simultaneously help to translate websites and other documents.
Foreign Service Institute Italian Head Start – Web site
Textbook, glossary, culture notes (PDF) and 21 audio lessons (MP3).
Foreign Service Institute Italian FastCourse – Vol 1. – Vol 2.
Includes a textbook (PDF) and 30 audio lessons (MP3).
Foreign Service Institute Italian Programmed Course – Web site
Textbook and instructor’s manual (PDF) and 24 audio lessons (MP3).
These lessons have been developed in the theme of travel and adventure, allowing learners to take a virtual journey to Seoul and its nearby popular tourist destinations.
Korean Learning for Correction Pronunciation – Web Site
A web-based online courseware based on Intermediate College Korean
Pathway to Korean: Beginning Spoken Korean from Zero – Web Site
Created by the National East Asian Languages Resource Center at The Ohio State University. When you get to the website, look for the “Units” in the top navigation bar.
A popular free language-learning and crowdsourced text translation platform. As users progress through lessons, they simultaneously help to translate websites and other documents.
Foreign Service Institute Portuguese Programmatic Course – Vol 1 and Vol 2
Two volumes including textbooks (PDF) and audio lessons (MP3).
Foreign Service Institute From Spanish to Portuguese – Web site
Textbook (PDF) and three audio lessons (MP3).
Foreign Service Institute Brazilian Portuguese Fast – Vol 1 and Vol 2
Two volumes including textbooks (PDF) and audio lessons (MP3).
A free course by RT.com that covers all aspects of Russian including alphabet, phonetics, vocabulary and grammar. It also has multiple grammar tables and tests. RT.com is a Russian 24/7 English-language news channel.
Learn Russian Fluently, Easily and Effectively – Spotify
A 4-hour series of lessons that are freely available on Spotify
50 free, short videos on topics in basic Russian grammar. Funded by a grant from the University of South Carolina, the videos were created by Curtis Ford, a senior instructor at the University.
Also presented by UCLA, the lessons help users improve their comprehension and vocabulary by listening to excerpts from Tolstoy, Gogol, Chekhov and other Russian literary greats.
A web-application developed by the University of Cambridge Language Centre for basic level students of Russian. Russian Essentials concentrates on basic language, with eight sections covering key spoken and written language.
Offers free audio lessons that develop speaking skills and listening comprehension, allowing students to speak Russian more fluently. Site includes full transcripts and notes.
Self-paced course from University of Arkansas offers a good introduction to Spanish for those who have never studied it before, or a good refresher for those who have. The course focuses almost exclusively on Spanish grammar.
A popular free language-learning and crowdsourced text translation platform. As users progress through lessons, they simultaneously help to translate websites and other documents.
Produced by the same folks who created Coffee Break Spanish, this podcast is for intermediate and advanced learners.
Foreign Service Institute Basic Course – Vol 1 – Vol 2 – Vol 3
This course in the Latin American dialect prepares students to function effectively in conversations. Pronunciation, inflection, and intonation are heavily stressed.
Foreign Service Institute Spanish Programmatic – Vol 1 – Vol 2
Two volumes including textbooks (PDF) and audio lessons (MP3).
Foreign Service Institute Spanish Headstart for Puerto Rico – Web site
Student text, glossary (PDF), and four modules of audio lessons (MP3) with self-evaluation quizzes.
Foreign Service Institute Spanish Headstart for Spain – Web site
Textbook and cultural notes (PDF) and four modules of audio lessons (MP3).
Foreign Service Institute Spanish Headstart for Latin America – Web site
Textbook (PDF) and fifteen audio lessons (MP3).
Medical Spanish for Healthcare Providers – Web Site
This site is presented as a free medical Spanish immersion, with vocabulary including greetings, history, examination, and everyday speech, all with translation and audio. It is designed to be helpful for a variety of medical personnel. Created by a general surgeon turned Spanish teacher.
“No English is spoken here. These lessons are for the Intermediate and Advanced Spanish Speaker who would like to sharpen their Spanish skills. The fine points of the language will be presented and explored through a variety of topics to include; music, history, culture, food.”
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My name is Sally Morgan, I'm American and currently a Language Teacher in New York State Schools for French and Spanish. I have studied Foreign Languages, translation and teaching at the Columbia University in New York. I lived for 3 years in Europe including France, UK and Italy.
I am a passionate linguist and love how speaking another language opens the doors of communication and therefore a whole world.
Please ask me any questions below