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.
