If you’re looking to learn Spanish or any other foreign language, social networking tools are cropping up to ease the burden. These networks will provide you with an opportunity to converse with native speakers before you ever arrive in a foreign country. Some networks go further and provide you with grammar instruction and tools to help you learn Spanish, or any other language, for free.

All of the social networks listed below are multilingual and are free to join. (There are many, many more sites devoted to learning a particular language.) Once signed up, you can use the built-in social network to connect with other users and find a language teacher. Teachers charge separately for their services.

The sites need to make income, and many take a percentage of those teachers’ rates. Others charge for additional premium subscriptions that provide a number of benefits such as better positioning in search results and access to specific features.

In the end, all of them give you an opportunity to connect with people across different cultures. If you’re a linguaphile or a teacher looking to expand your business, these networks are perfect for you.

1. LiveMocha uses predefined lessons to lead you through a process of learning a new language. Over 30 languages are offered. I chose the Hebrew one, but they all follow pretty much the same format. You learn the phrases through a set of pictures, something quite unique. You can then practice the language by answering questions. Community is brought in at the next stage, when writing exercises can be critiqued by a native language speaker. Finally, you can connect with other members for additional practice. Profiles on LiveMocha are more sophisticated than on some of the other sites, letting members earn MochaPoints for their level of participation both as a students and teacher. The reward system is particularly helpful in social networking, since members can assess one another’s reputation and qualifications.  Bottom line: A comprehensive and slick site. Price is free to join. Additional travel crash courses are offered at $9.95 for a 90-day subscription.

2. Italki is an exchange connecting language students, native-speaking teachers and product supplies. Members can register as students, language partners or teachers. Language partners are native speakers whom you can speak with for conversation practice. Language teachers can specify rate and credentials. Students can see session and history and feedback on teachers to better understand how the community views their services. A built-in wiki, Italki Knowledge, provides a user-driven online textbook, supplementing the student-teacher relationship. In the one page that I reviewed, you learn Spanish phrases and words. Members can make comments on pages as well. Bottom line: Extensive social network and nifty wiki. Teachers charge various rates, with many offering three free introductory lessons

3. Edufire is a general learning platform also connecting students and teachers that provides more than just language learning. Not only can you learn how to speak Spanish, Arabic and other languages, but you can also learn about marketing or entrepreneurship, and or take a test preparation class, such as a GRE prep. Courses can be taught by anyone who registers on the site, and it also relies on ratings and social feedback to identify the best teachers. Classes are taught via video with integrated chat discussion and document sharing.  Knowledge can be shared through the Content page and Flash Card. Content comes in the form of free-form presentations on a diverse range of topics. Flash Cards present a series of multiple choice questions that you can answer for points and earn badges. In general, the more members that participate, the more points and badges they can earn. Bottom line: It’s great to have a single location for all of your educational needs, but language learners may find some of the language-specific networks offering more depth. Classes are priced separately, or unlimited classes can be purchased for $29 per month through the SuperPass.

4. Mango is another slick site that couples a social network with language instruction. The site focuses on getting you speaking a language from the first session. Words are presented in phrases with their translation. Each word is color-coded to match its translation. Clicking on a word let’s you hear its pronunciation.  Each language lesson is interspersed with a grammatical lesson. As with LiveMocha, the lessons are self-paced, so you can go through them at your convenience.  Bottom line: A bit pricey, but excellent lessons. Price: $160 for a three-month course, $220 for one six-month course, $345 for 12 months assuming one course per period. Mango offers special pricing for libraries.

5. Myngle connects students with teachers. The teaching platform integrates chat, video, audio and document sharing. Teachers are ranked based on the number of paid lessons during the last 30 days. More specifically, teachers earn a score calculated by   the number of successful paid lessons given (for teachers) or taken (for students); the number of free lessons given (for teachers) or taken (for students); and the number of canceled lessons (reasons for such cancellations are specified in the teacher/student profile).  Learning is enriched through a variety of sources at the Myngle Library. You can listen to audio books (Grimm Tales, in the case of Spanish), podcasts and native radio; watch video (Que Hora Es, a spoof on Spanish soap operas using basic Spanish); read e-books and newspapers; and chat with others. There are games for improving your vocabulary, a translation tool and a word of the day. The Myngle advanced package, MynglePro, provides access to select teachers, placement and achievement tests, personalized course materials, and more. Bottom line: A well-designed interface and a great way to find teachers, Myngle is worth checking out. MynglePro starts at 10 lessons for 295 euros.

6. SharedTalk is an online learning community run by RosettaStone, the language-learning software provider. The site's native speakers interact with one another via e-mail and chat (text or voice). Public chat rooms let users join group conversations. Private chat rooms are available for one-on-one conversations. There is no advanced offer with SharedTalk. Presumably  RosettaStone would look to sell you its software. Bottom line: Not nearly as  slick as some of the other networks, but if you’re looking for a free network to connect with people from around the globe, check out SharedTalk.

7. xLingo is another online learning network featuring user profiles, social networking, chat rooms and groups. Members indicate the languages they can teach and those they are looking to learn. Once signed up, members can create blogs and FlashCards. FlashCards are Web-based presentations of words targeted around various themes. The Myngle Shop allows the purchase of additional language-related products. Premium membership brings a number of benefits, including e-mail improvements (unlimited folders and messages) and higher profile placement. Bottom line: A decent social network that at times isn’t as professional as some of the others. We found spelling mistakes, for example, in some of the content. Premium price is $20 per year.