Last updated on 26 January 2013
The internet revolution has disrupted the way we teach and learn. And it is not over. One of the areas that very early on understood the whole value of the web was language teaching. After the first steps and the proliferation of sites and initiatives, the market is maturing. Les Outils Tice offers you 3 free websites to learn languages online. Serious options to replace our old language labs.
Busuu is one of the most important. It claims more than 25 million members. The service offers a range of online exercises for a good dozen languages. Bussu plays the social network side of learners to the full with the opportunity to interact with users whose language you are learning and who are learning yours. Busuu, and this is a real plus, offers you an online test when you register to measure your level and offer you adapted exercises. The service offers you a free version and a less limited premium subscription. Link: Busuu
Duolingo I have already talked about Tice Tools here. I have not changed my mind. It is an excellent online service based on the idea of collectively translating content found on the web. Another highlight of the service, everything is done to reward your efforts and encourage you to continue them. Duolingo will earn you points, badges, to reward you. It also offers a personal calendar to encourage you to return regularly to the site. Duolingo offers courses in six languages: Spanish, English, French, German, Portuguese and Italian. A real success. Link: Duolingo
Livemocha of the three services presented here is the one that offers the widest range of languages online. Well-thought-out multimedia content and the possibility of videoconferencing between learners of two different languages to allow you to practice the language you are learning orally. This is an option for which you will need to buy credits online, but you can also acquire credits by giving yourself time to correct or converse in your native language. The site does not offer a level test to get started. That is a pity. Livemocha offers social networking features to make friends and exchange via online chat. Link: Livemocha
English
Very good