Language Learning

This past year, my travels (business and pleasure) have taken me to China, the Czech Republic, England, India, Poland, Switzerland... not to mention many cities throughout the USA. What universally impresses me on all of these travels is the number of languages my peers and friends know. I am personally limited to English, and some college French and German .... and a few words in Czech. By US standards even this amount of knowledge might seem admirable, but it is not. When one is doing business, or visiting friends in another country, the ability to converse in the local language and understand cultural norms is not only an advantage, rather if possible, it should be considered the expectation.

Okay ... now that you've read my sermon, here are resources to assist in the task of learning another language. One neat smaller company out of the United Kingdom, Eurotalk. Although you will have to spend a few dollars to purchase their training, the number of languages upon which they provide instruction is amazing ... and not just to and from English.

All right, I always seem to have suggestions for "free" content. Many public libraries provide free access to language learning, and other eContent.  The most common eLearning provided free by libraries in the USA is Rosetta Stone.  Here are some links to help you determine if your local library has access:

<Question: What if my library does not have Rosetta Stone?>

<Answer #1: See my Annenberg Language Learning Resources Post>
<Answer #2: Everyone should see my Language Learning eBooks Post>

Rosetta Stone Language Instruction - 27 Languages!
(provided by your public library)

• Use the Database or Rosetta Stone Link!
  (Rosetta Stone definitely available at these public libraries)
  • Albuquerque
  • Clearwater
  • Minneapolis
  • Morristown
  • Redmond
  • Phoenix
    .
• Other Public Libraries Throughout the World
  (availability of Rosetta Stone unknown)
  • via LibWeb
  • via LibDex
    .
• Google your USA Public Library and Rosetta Stone
  (availability of Rosetta Stone unknown)
  • Run Your Search against the Org Domain
  • Run Your Search against the Gov Domain
    • Run either of the queries linked above.
    • In the search box, replace <NAME> with the formal name of your library.
    • From Google, re-run the search query.

Comments

[Robert Meade]

Auralog and its Tell me More software has been around since for close to 20 years and it is the most thorough language program I have run accross. If you have business professionals that are serious about the business aspect of another language then they should try the Online version of Tell me More. The site is www.auralog.com