I have explored quite a few digital tools for language learning, but I have not actually used them to learn a new language. Now since I plan to use the summer time to take Spanish 101, I decide to use those tools and see how well they can actually help me learn the new language. Here is a list of tools I plan to use as I take the face-to-face Spanish class.
1. Livemocha. Livemocha is place where language learners around the world can meet and help each other with language learning. It's a good place to meet native speakers of Spanish around the world. And because it's chat-based, I won't have to face the stress of f2f conversation. It also allows learners to comment on each other's work. It's good way to make friends and get help from others.
2. Games for Learning. It's a game developed for language learning. It consists of many small flash card games. I won't say it's as fun as a game. Rather than learning to play, it is a game which you play to learn. But since I already bought it, I will continue to use it anyway. It gives me good language drills after all.
3. Casual games in Spanish. There are many casual games on facebook and on the Internet that are in Spanish. They will be a good reinforcement of the Spanish vocabulary I learn in class. Plus, I'm excited that I finally are will be able to understand the Spanish language in those games :)
4. Facebook. I'm also going to use Facebook to practice my Spanish and interact with fluent speakers of Spanish. I have many friends who speak Spanish. Facebook is a good place to interact with them and to observe their Spanish posts.
5. Nulu. Nulu is a free website which feeds users with news stories in Spanish. It provides comprehension questions after each news article. I will use it to practice reading Spanish. The website also has a forum where learners can discuss hot social topics in Spanish. I can interact with other learners there.
6. Pimsleur. One of the most famous language learning software in the world. It seems to be really good for practicing listening and speaking. I'll see how it works.
7. Duolingual. Duolingual is an interesting website where users generate translations for real webpages and at the same time practice their language skills.
