Whether you’re applying for an extraordinary semester abroad or just hoping to fulfill your Global gen-ed requirement, learning a foreign language is often a fundamental component of any collegiette’s curriculum. To supplement long nights craning over a textbook, here are three resources to make foreign languages fun!
Duolingo makes learning a new language feel like a game. The free platform allows users to compete against their friends for mastery on a community-wide leaderboard. Each new topic (ex. food) is broken down into easily-digestible mini lessons that often only take a few minutes to complete. Using the computer’s microphone, Duolingo is able to test verbal ability in addition to reading and writing; every lesson includes a bit of each. As they progress, students level up and earn badges that demonstrate understanding. The website also offers plenty of ways to reinforce skills, from reminding a user when they need to practice their vocabulary to providing articles useful for practicing translation. Bonus? Duolingo’s app makes it easy to get in a bit of last-minute practice before a quiz.
Languages Available:
Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, and Italian for students who speak English
English for students who speak Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, or Italian
Take on a challenge bigger than the next exam. Freerice supports the fight against hunger by making a donation of ten grains of rice to the World Food Programme for every correct answer on a quiz question. Students select their subject (in addition to languages, topics such as Human Anatomy and Chemical Symbols are offered). Then, Freerice provides a virtually endless stream of multiple-choice questions on the subject. The more the player gets right, the more rice is donated. It’s a great way to make studying more meaningful.
Languages Available:
German, Spanish, French, Italian, Latin, English Vocabulary, English Grammar
A handy tool for looking up vocab words or puzzling through a tricky block of text, Google Translate works for dozens of languages, from Afrikaans to Macedonian. Check out an awesome NPR piece on the program here.
Do you have a favorite online tool for learning languages? Share it in the comments!