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Languages of Europe and Open-Content Textbooks Collection to Learn and Teach European Languages at Wikibooks.org

polyglot — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 11:10:59 +0000

Summary

Wikibooks.org is a community for creating a free library of educational textbooks that anyone can edit. The Wikibook's Languages of Europe category can serve, for the language learner, educator and enthusiast, as an enormous doorway into the many European languages, both living and historical.

The European subcontinent has birthed and/or attracted an enormous variety of languages from many sub-branches of what linguists call the Indo-European languages.

Below you'll find direct links to a wide variety of European language open-content textbooks. These are free and open source, for everyone to use and benefit from. And collaborate on - especially language educators who have the knowledge to share with all through this open medium.

To boot, Wikibooks.org itself is available in a wide range of world languages!

From Wikibooks.org

Wikibooks Category: Languages of Europe

From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection

These language books concern Languages of Europe. See also Subject:Languages of Europe.

European Languages with Books or Pages

Albanian, Aragonese, Armenian, Austrian, Basque, Belarusian, Breton, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chechen, Croatian, Danish, Galician, Gothic, Greenlandic, High Icelandic, Hungarian, Høgnorsk, Icelandic, Insubric, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Leonese, Lowland Scots, Macedonian, Manx, Neapolitan, Norwegian, Old Church Slavonic, Polish, Provençal, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sicilian, Silesian, Slovene, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Welsh

This may be incomplete when you read this. Please check the Languages of Europe page for the latest content.

European Language Wikibooks Subcategories

Dutch language
English language
Finnish language
French language
German language
Greek language
Latin language
Lithuanian language
Portuguese language
Scottish Gaelic language
Spanish language
Yiddish language

Visit Wikibooks.org on Languages of Europe.
Wikipedia.org also has a category on Languages of Europe.

A Round-Up of 45 Mac OSX Language Software Apps: GPL Software, Freeware, Shareware and Demos from Apple's Download Center

polyglot — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:58:32 +0000

Summary

This (lengthy) article brings together a pile of Free Software (GNU GPL'd as Public Domain), freeware and shareware for language learning and reference for Mac OS X.

Software descriptions are taken from Apple Downloads. We will be adding more GPL applications soon.

Polyglot Culture: Quick Wikipedia Tip for Multilingual Language Surfing Goodness

polyglot — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:01:55 +0000

Summary

The now-ubiquitious Wikipedia.org has some multilingual gems tucked away in its folds. This article serves to point out one of the most powerful polyglot culture feaures that Wikipedia offers: the myriad articles in a multitude of languages at a single click away.

For instance, while browsing the topic "Language" on Wikipedia in English, down the left navigation bar you will find entries for the same topic in literally dozens of languages:

Afrikaans, Alemannisch, العربية, Aragonés, Arpetan, Asturianu, Avañe'ẽ, Aymar aru, Azərbaycan, Bamanankan, Bân-lâm-gú, Basa Banyumasan, Башҡорт, Беларуская, Беларуская (тарашкевіца), Boarisch, Brezhoneg, Български, Català, Чăвашла, Cebuano, Česky, Cymraeg, Dansk, Deitsch, Deutsch, Diné bizaad, Eesti, Ελληνικά, Español, Esperanto, Euskara, فارسی, Français, Frysk, Furlan, Gaeilge, Gàidhlig, Galego, ગુજરાતી, 한국어, हिन्दी, Hrvatski, Ido, Ilokano, Bahasa Indonesia, Interlingua, isiXhosa, Íslenska, Italiano, עברית, Basa Jawa, ქართული, Kernewek, Кыргызча, Kiswahili, Коми, Kongo, Kreyòl ayisyen, Kurdî / كوردی, Latina, Latviešu, Lëtzebuergesch, Lietuvių, Limburgs, Lingála, Lojban, Magyar, Македонски, Malagasy, मराठी, مَزِروني, Bahasa Melayu, Nederlands, 日本語, Нохчийн, Norfuk / Pitkern, Norsk (bokmål), Norsk (nynorsk), Nouormand, Occitan, پښتو, Polski, Português, Ripoarisch, Română, Romani, Runa Simi, Русский, Саха тыла, Sámegiella, Sardu, Scots, Seeltersk, Sicilianu, Simple English, Slovenčina, Slovenščina, Српски / Srpski, Suomi, Svenska, Tagalog, தமிழ், Tatarça/Татарча, ไทย, Tiếng Việt, Тоҷикӣ, Türkçe, Türkmen, Українська, Volapük, Võro, Walon, Winaray, ייִדיש, 粵語,Zazaki, Žemaitėška, 中文

This list discludes several languages for which this particular computer does not have fonts installed. Many of you will see font-related issues for some of the languages above. Find out more here if you do.

How to find the links.

This image shows how to find what other languages are available for a given topic on Wikipedia:

These are not translations.

Each entry is an organically-written encyclopedia article on the topic of "Language" in a language. The time and space for language and culture persists!

It's quite intriguing surfing Wikipedia for multilingual goodness. If you'd like to hear more on this topic or have something of value to share, please comment on this article!

Use these to learn!

This feature of Wikipedia can be used to learn and teach languages. Find a topic of interest and study up on the vocabulary in your target language, build a linguistic knowledge of specific interests, get materials for educating, compare entries in different languages to bring out cultural nuances and more. There are many ways to twist and tweak this vast maze of plurilingual content!

From Website

A language is a dynamic set of visual, auditory, or tactile symbols of communication and the elements used to manipulate them. Language can also refer to the use of such systems as a general phenomenon. Strictly speaking, language is considered to be an exclusively human mode of communication. Although other animals make use of quite sophisticated communicative systems, sometimes casually referred to as animal language, none of these are known to make use of all of the properties that linguists use to define language.

In Western Philosophy, language has long been closely associated with reason, which is also a uniquely human way of using symbols. In Ancient Greek philosophical terminology, the same word, logos, was used as a term for both language or speech and reason, and the philosopher Thomas Hobbes used the English word "speech" so that it similarly could refer to reason, as will be discussed below. More commonly though, the English word "language", derived ultimately from lingua, Latin for tongue, typically refers only to expressions of reason which can be understood by other people, most obviously by speaking.

Visit "Language" on Wikipedia in English and look at all the languages on the left navigation bar. Those are the languages for which the article you are viewing has equivalents.

BBC Radio Online Gives Free Six (6) Minute English Podcast to Learn and Practise Useful English Language for Everyday Situations

polyglot — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:26:04 +0000

Summary

BBC Radio's 6 Minute English Podcast is great for weekly doses of useful English for practical situations. It is one of many podcasts from the BBC.

From BBC Website

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.

Visit BBC Radio's 6 Minute English Podcast.

EnglishPod.com EnglishPod Learn English Podcast for Web-Based and Mobile Learning using iPhone and iPod Touch

polyglot — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:32:29 +0000

Summary

EnglishPod BETA was just released from Praxis Language and adds a fifth element to their current line of foreign language learning podcasts, ChinesePod, FrenchPod, ItalianPod and SpanishPod. The Praxis Language podcast line offers a content-driven, social-based and software-enhanced Web platform for learning foreign languages. Recently they have been working hard to release mobile language learning features for PDAs, smart phones, etc. EnglishPod reflects the latest in their endeavors to bring these features to the public. Praxis Language's podcasts and community are open to users for free. Subscriptions to gain access to additional materials and instruction start at $5 USD/month.

From Website

Learn English on your terms with convenient, mobile podcasts and connect to a global community of English learners. Praxis Method EnglishPod is the latest member of The Praxis Language family of language learning products. The Praxis approach is to give you the Content, Community and the System for learning. With these 3 parts, you can learn to communicate in English how you want to! EnglishPod Content Every day, we give you a new podcast lesson. The content is always entertaining and useful, and our expert hosts explain new and difficult words and phrases. With EnglishPod you only choose the lessons that are interesting and useful to you. Plus, each podcast lesson is short and focused. You can learn whenever you have 10-12 minutes of free time to use your mp3, iPod, mobile phone or computer. Learning English is easy and fun with EnglishPod! EnglishPod Community The EnglishPod team is there to help you learn English, 24/7. You can ask questions about any lesson podcast at EnglishPod.com. We will always answer! If you have any ideas for new lessons, you can always tell us. We love to hear from you. We also have a fantastic online community of learners, who help each other and learn English together! EnglishPod System Our system is designed to help you learn English in the best way for you. You can enjoy our brilliant podcast lessons on your mp3, iPod mobile phone of computer - any time and anywhere. You can use our online learning tools, such as flashcards and an audio review. These help you understand and remember new words and phrases. EnglishPod.com also helps you manage your studies. You can save new words and organize your favourite lessons into groups. Simple, easy and effective!

Visit EnglishPod.com

New iTunes U: Download Educational Podcast Courses to Learn Language with Audio and Video on your iPod for Mobile Learning

polyglot — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:45:14 +0000

Summary

Apple recently released a new section of the wildly popular iTunes Store available through their iTunes software. This new section is called iTunes U, and collects podcasts from numerous universities and colleges to make them available for free download to your iPod or other mp3 player, mobile/cell phone, etc.

One of the sub-sections of iTunes U is (note: you need iTunes for this link to work) specifically for languages and language education - yay!

Currently there are 60 podcasts (probably more by the time you read this) available regarding both learning foreign languages as well as general topics regarding language in general. Many of these podcasts are called OpenCourseWare, considered Open Learning materials released in the Public Domain. This means they can be used truly freely by teachers and educators without worries about copyright issues - a big plus! Be sure to look at the license for each podcast to make sure of the licensing.

The podcast-based current courses available through iTunes U are English (Medieval and ESL), French, German, Greek, Japanese, Hebrew (various), Italian (Language and Theater), Romanian, Spanish (various) plus Language Technology and Lectures, Interviews, Clubs, Lectionary at Lunch and Storytelling Colombian Style. There are many more, too.

This is really exciting to see at this professional education level. Of couse, add this to the 982 language podcasts in the "regular" (non-iTunes U) iTunes store and that makes over a whopping 1,000 language-related podcasts for download through iTunes - all free. :)

Watch the iTunes U intro video below to learn more about this new feature:

From iTunes U

iTunes U puts the power of the iTunes Store to work for colleges and universities, so users can easily search, download, and play course content just like they do music, movies, and TV shows.

Always in session.

iTunes U delivers easy, 24/7 access to educational content from hundreds of top colleges, universities, and educationally focused organizations across the country. And it’s accessible to anyone with a Mac or PC.

Learning to go.

Students can sync iTunes U content with any iPod or iPhone, so they can go right on learning while they grab a meal, walk to class, or work out at the gym.

Keeps them motivated.

Engaging students on their home turf, iTunes U offers audio and video that make subjects more vivid than any printed page ever could.

Open-minded.

iTunes U lets schools open all or part of their content to the public, from parents to alumni to anyone with a love of learning.

Find out more about iTunes U.

eurolanguages.com Find and Reserve an English Study Abroad Program or Language School Free Online: London, England, Ireland...

polyglot — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:11:11 +0000

Summary

At last, a study abroad school reservation website that just plain rocks hands down: eurolanguages. Not only is it quick and simple to find English language schools in dozens of European cities, it's also free to use! Naturally the courses aren't free, but you are not charged a euro cent extra than what you'd pay directly to the school. Plus you get to use their slick, user-friendly and eye-candy-rich Web reservation interface that allows you to compare instantly and make the best choice for your particular needs.

Currently for the English language, you can find study abroad programs and language schools in England, Ireland, Scotland and Malta. Cities include London, Dublin, Edinburg, Bournemouth, Eastbourne, Galway, Harrogate, Kercem, Scarborough, Shrewsbury, Sligo, Sliema and Wexford.

Depending on the language school you choose, different options for facilities and extra-curricular activities exist. These include such goodies as audio learning labs, computer access, free wifi (wireless internet), eating/dining area, tea/coffee, television room, wheelchair/handicap accessiblity (elevator), cultural trips, pub trips, snack machines, printing and fax services, bookshop/bookstore, study area and library. It is surprisingly quick and easy to see which of these features a given school offers, providing you with a snapshot of what the school has going for it.

Of course, you'll need a place to stay while studying abroad, and eurolanguages makes that quite simple as well. You can either choose to find your own accommodation or select between several options including homestays with half or full board.

Eurolanguages encourages transparency by allowing users to rate and review language schools right on their site. These reviews are accessible while viewing information about a school, and can provide additional insight into what individual learning experiences have been. Currently you can rate on teaching, location, features and fun.

All in all, Eurolanguages is providing an amazing service to anyone interested in studying English in Europe - with no extra fees! They are definitely worth checking out. Thanks to the whole team for this much-needed free Web service.

Eurolanguages is also available for French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish, including programs that combine skiing with Italian lessons and surfing with Spanish instruction! Let the fun begin :)

From Website

Finding and confirming a place on an international language course is difficult, and searching online isn’t always helpful. There are 1,000’s of results for every destination, without any indication as to which one is best. So how can anyone decide on which city? which school? and at what price? And who do you contact?, and who can you trust?

You can trust us. We offer you more choice than ever before, with up to date information on all available schools and courses, and the insight and tools to compare them. We even offer fellow student reviews and ratings for reassurance. It’s like asking a friend for advice, except with eurolanguages, you can read the advice of 1,000’s of fellow students just like you. And when you’ve found your favourite, just pay a 20% deposit online to confirm your place.

Even though we think the schools we work with are great, we know you don’t necessarily care what we think. That’s why we don’t give you our opinions on the school; we let other students tell you theirs. And when you’ve finished your course we’ll ask you yours. Simple really.

On top of that, we’ve made it simple to actually book your place. We’ve taken care of the contractual side of things between you and the school so you don’t have to deal with endless paperwork in a language you are trying to learn. We’ve also given schools a management tool, so that when you buy a course with us, it’s guaranteed.

Over the last few decades the majority of language students have chosen to stay with a host family during their time at an international language school. For many, this is a great opportunity to practice the language, experience the culture, and above all an economical way to stay. To book a bed with a local host, which will be organised and confirmed by your school, simply select the available options on the booking screen.

Visit Eurolanguages.com

Vocabulix.com English, German and Spanish Verb Conjugator, Conjugation Tools, Vocabulary Building, Self-Test Tool, Friend Finder

travelinguist — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:33:17 +0000

Summary

Vocabulix is a great resource for verb conjugations and vocabulary building through self-testing for English, German and Spanish language learners. Have a look at the verb conjugators for English, German and Spanish. Or test yourself in either of these thrree languages with the verb drills tool.

As the name would have you believe, you can also increase your vocabulary skills using their vocabulary builder, which allows you to determine a level of study, choose the type of test and review the terms before starting. Quite handy!

Also of note are the friend finder and lesson creation tool (available only when logged in).

Use Vocabulix Here!

You can use the tools below to conjugate verbs quickly right here, too!

English

Verb conjugator - English
Start>>
Learn English English Verbs by www.vocabulix.com

German

Verb conjugator - German
Start>>
Learn German German Verbs by www.vocabulix.com

Spanish

Verb conjugator - Spanish
Start>>
Learn Spanish Spanish Verbs by www.vocabulix.com

From Website

Learn Languages free and online with Vocabulix: Improve your vocabulary skills in foreign languages, online and free!

Vocabulary Builder

With over 90 predefined vocabulary lessons or create your own foreign language lessons and share them with other online users (also: French, Italian, Portuguese, Czech...)

Verb Drills

Learn Spanish verb conjugations, learn German conjugations or learn English conjugations with this efficient tool. Verb drills

Verb Conjugation Tables

In Spanish, German and English.

Visit Vocabulix.com

StudyEnglishNews.com Study English News for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Levels plus English Proficiency Test and Grammar

polyglot — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:27:39 +0000

Summary

Study English News is a useful site for learning English by reading the news. Every day the site is updated with new content for beginner, intermediate and advanced English learners. Bascially, the same article is taken and written in three different ways to properly match the reading and vocabulary skills of these three levels. It's great!

The site also has an English proficiency test and grammar files. The latter provides the basics for many important English grammar points including present simple, possessive pronouns, adverbs and adverbs of frequency, comparatives, superlatives, present continuous, past simple, past simple irregular, future, 1st conditional, present perfect, past continuous, phrasal verbs, 2nd conditional and 3rd conditional.

From Website

Study English News is for anyone who wants to enjoy learning English. Read our interactive news articles, and resolve your grammar problems with our grammar files.

Use this site for fun, to study for exams or practise for important conferences. Visit us once a day and watch your English improve!

Study English News è un sito interattivo scritto tutto in inglese che ti permette di leggere le ulitime notizie in inglese al tuo livello. Clicca sulle parole che non conosci per ricevere subito una definizione. Visitaci ogni giorno e guarda come tuo inglese verrà migliorato!

Study English News est un site interactif entièrement rédigé en anglais qui vous permet de lire les dernières actualités à votre niveau d'anglais. Cliquez sur les mots que vous ne connaissez pas afin d'en lire la définition.

Study English News es un sitio web interactivo escrito todo en ingles que te permite leer las últimas noticias en tu nivel de inglés. Haz clic sobre la palabra que no conoces para ver su tradución.

Study English News 是個全新的互動網站，讓你依個人程度閱讀新聞。點選反白的生字以獲取簡單易懂的解釋。

Visit Study English News.

Learn That Language Now! ebook with Quick, Easy and Efficient Method for Learning Any Foreign Language

travelinguist — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:37:33 +0000

Summary

Learn That Language Now! is a truly excellent, highly useful e-book for learners of any language - available for instant download to get you learning better right away. The study approach presented in the book is refreshing, exciting and even intoxicating, because it works so well once you start using it! Having personally learned six languages to varying degrees myself, I was pleasantly surprised to find many new tips and tricks that I'd never come across in over 15 years of studying and practicing foreign languages.

The author offers language learners perspective (earned through years of learning multiple languages) as well as practical methods you can start using right away to improve your language study flow and achieve fluency many times faster than with standardized methods.

This ebook provides essential information that will save you time and energy, helping you reach your goals faster and with more confidence. And with a low price tag of $19.99 USD - and instant delivery to your email - you will have a hard time finding a more valuable investment in your foreign language learning endeavors.

Finally, teachers will also benefit greatly from this book as it will give them insight into creating better study programs and stronger learning tools for their students.

Find out more about "Learn That Language Now!"

From Website

Learn That Language Now

What if I told you that you can become fluent in a foreign language in a matter of months, learn thousands of words without worrying about forgetting them, master grammar and do all of this in an enjoyable, painless manner. Sound too good to be true? Well, prepare to have your language learning experiences turned upside down. Read on to learn more...

What is “Learn That Language Now”?

Learn That Language Now is a comprehensive manual that will teach you the tips, tricks, techniques and method to achieve fluency in a foreign language with the goal of learning as quickly and fluently as possible with the least amount of effort.

Learn That Language Now was written because all other traditional methods of language learning, including classes, textbooks, audio courses and software programs, were slow, costly, inefficient and used language learning philosophies that were out-dated. Most language resources teach language along the same lines as languages were studied hundreds of years ago: endless grammar, syntactical rules and vocabulary lists.

Visit Learn That Language Now.