Languages Online

Important Update

2006-06-25T11:10:00.000+08:00

Dear readers,

In order to streamline the blogs I run, I have decided to incorporate the language course reviews into my other blog, Aspiring Polyglot. Therefore, this blog will no longer be updated and will be shut down in the coming months. The existing reviews will be transfered to the other blog within the next few weeks.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog and continue to enjoy my language courses reviews over at Aspiring Polyglot.

Yours,

Kelly.

German Language Course for English Speaking Students

2006-06-15T14:26:00.000+08:00

Site : German Language Course for English Speaking Students
Language Taught : German
Course Taught In : English

The Good :
+ Very good guide to German grammar with plenty of examples to illustrate points.
+ Deals with issues such as gender and cases quite effectively.
+ Provides a glossary of terms for those who are not sure about the terminology commonly used in language learning (eg. inflection, genitive case, clause)
+ Has a very handy section on German greetings, sayings and set expressions (some of which come with audio files)

The Bad :
+ The colour scheme is not the best and may present problems to those who are visually impaired.
+ The pages are a little too long and cumbersome and may put people off.
+ A little too much focus on grammar and not on the spoken spoken.

The Verdict :
A very good online course for those who want a very good grasp of German grammar but perhaps not ideal for those who are more interested in learning how to speak the language. The site design could be a little better as it is rather unattractive in its current state and may put possible visitors off from exploring the vast wealth of information that the site has on offer. Still worth a look if you're learning German as the grammar guide is an excellent resource.

Tags : [german], [learning german], [german resources], [learning languages], [online language courses].

Weekly Updates

2006-06-12T11:06:00.000+08:00

Starting this week, new reviews will only be posted on Thursdays. This is due to real life committments and to allow time to search and review quality online language courses.

The next review will be posted on Thursday 15th June.

Archive of Reviews

2006-06-09T12:12:00.000+08:00

Don't forget that a complete archive of all the reviews posted on this blog can be found here!

A Door Into Hindi

2006-06-08T14:14:00.000+08:00

Site : A Door Into Hindi
Language Taught : Hindi
Course Taught In : English

The Good :
+ Has a good introduction to the Devanagari script.
+ Course consists of over 20 lessons covering basic Hindi grammar, expressions and vocabulary.
+ The first 9 lessons include a video with script as a teaching aid for listening comprehension.
+ All of the vocabulary lists are fairly extensive and include audio files.
+ Some of the lessons include useful cultural notes and some even include quizzes and exercises to test you on what you have learnt.

The Bad :
+ There are a few too many dead links in the later lessons.
+ Romanization is not used and may be an obstacle for beginners unless they're willing to memorise the script first.
+ Some of the later lessons do not have videos or exercises and may be a little less useful for learners.

The Verdict :
While this site is one of the more extensive Hindi courses online, learners may be put off by the amount of 'dead links' there are. Nevertheless, the consistent use of audio files and Hindi script throughout and the excellent grammar lessons should make this course ideal for anyone who wants to get a basic grasp of this important South Asian language.

Tags : [hindi], [learning hindi], [hindi resources], [learning languages], [online language courses].

Basic Quechua Lessons

2006-06-02T16:06:00.000+08:00

Site : Basic Quechua Lessons
Language Taught : Quechua
Course Taught In : English and Spanish

The Good :
+ One of few online courses for Quechua.
+ Fairly comprehensive grammar guide written in language that can be understood by non-linguists.
+ Very useful thematic word lists and example dialogues.
+ Simple layout with straightforward navigation and no obstructive ads.

The Bad :
+ No audio files available online.
+ Course lacks a real structure.

The Verdict :
Despite its few drawbacks, this site offers one of the best Quechua courses online (which are few and far betweeb) and is a recommend starting point for anyone interested in learning more about this intriguing Andean language.

Tags : [quechua], [learning quechua], [quechua resources], [learning languages], [online language courses].

Almost Back to Normal

2006-05-22T19:47:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone!

I am almost back from my 4-week vacation so I thought I'd just let you all know that new reviews will be posted later this week and the blog will continue to be updated as normal.

Thank you all for your understanding and stay tuned for new reviews of some of the internet's best language courses!

Notice

2006-04-19T22:32:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone,

Just a post to say that updates will be a little sporadic over the next few weeks. I will be travelling and thus not be able to update the blog regularly. Things will be back to normal at the end of May.

Do keep checking back as some reviews may be posted over the next few weeks although it will likely be one a week at the most.

Thanks for supporting Languages Online so far and hope to continue bringing the very best online language courses to you in the very near future!

RussianLessons.Net

2006-04-17T00:26:00.000+08:00

Site : RussianLessons.Net
Language Taught : Russian
Course Taught In : English

Site Design : Quite a tidy layout with a side menu and making use of a colour scheme based on the Russian flag. Navigation is straightforward and a search tool is available for quick reference. Ads are a little intrusive but not overly so.
Depth of Course : The course covers basic Russian, starting with the Cyrillic alphabet and moving on to basic grammar. New vocabulary is often introduced in context and separate sections are devoted solely to grammar points (including the various cases) and themed vocabulary lists. The 'Verb Machine' will help learners get to grips with the conjugation of Russian verbs and the spelling rules page is a handy reference (albeit brief).
Audio Available? : None.
Video Available? : None.
Other Features : The site also offers an English-Russian dictionary and Russian transliteration tool, both of which will be very useful to beginners. Intermediate learners might enjoy the dual language E-book of 'Crime & Punishment' while all learners can make use of the forums to share their language learning experiences and woes with fellow learners.

Verdict : Quite a good online course although a little short and lacking in real depth. The lack of audio files may put off newcomers to the Russian language unless they are merely interested in learning how to read and write Russian. Nevertheless, the course offered is a good starting point and provides a fairly good foundation in the language which learners can build upon with further study.

Tags : [russian], [russian language], [learning russian], [languages], [learning languages], [online language courses].

Mwana Simba

2006-04-13T12:06:00.000+08:00

Site : Mwana Simba
Language Taught : Swahili
Course Taught In : French & English

Site Design : Quite basic and perhaps a little too much use of colour. Some font colours blend into the background and might make it difficult for anyone with visual impairments to view.
Depth of Course : The Kiswahili grammar course offered is quite extensive and covers all aspects of basic Swahili grammar, including the various nominal classes. Plenty of examples and new vocabulary are given and learners can practice what they've learnt by making use of the exercises in each lesson.
Audio Available? : None.
Video Available? : None.
Other Features : The site offers a 'Kiswahili Express' for anyone who just wants to know a few basic phrases. Useful tools, such as a Kiswahili verb builder and conjugation tables, are also available as are English-Swahili and Swahili-English dictionaries. There are also a number of pages on Swahili proverbs and music to give learners a better insight into the cultural aspects of Swahili.

Verdict : A very good site for learning Swahili online. The lessons are easy to follow and give plenty of examples to illustrate grammar points. Its main drawback is the lack of audio files to help learners master Swahili pronunciation, although Swahili pronunciation is fairly simple for an English speaker and a pronunciation guide is provided as part of the course. Some people may not like the colour scheme of the site's pages but this is a rather trivial issue. All in all, Mwana Simba is a quality course for anyone who's interested in delving into this fascinating East African language.

Tags : [swahili], [learning swahili], [kiswahili], [languages], [learning languages], [online language courses].

BBC Wales : Catchphrase

2006-04-10T11:53:00.000+08:00

Site : BBC Wales : Catchphrase 1
Language Taught : Welsh
Course Taught In : English

Site Design : Attractive site design and organised layout. Easy access to the lessons and resources.
Depth of Course : The 'Original Catchphrase' course consists of 144 lessons and will bring the learner from a beginners' level up to a intermediate conversational level. The course focuses on oral fluency but also covers essential Welsh grammar. All lessons consist of an audio lesson with an accompanying Word or PDF documents to help learners get to grips with Welsh spelling and expressions. For those with an iPod, consider downloading the MP3 audio lessons for offline learning.
Audio Available? : Plenty (available as MP3 and Real Audio).
Video Available? : None.
Other Features : Learners will be able to make use of a handy English-Welsh online dictionary as well as a spell checker and a mutation checker. A comprehensive grammar guide can also be downloaded and Welsh learners can activate the BBC Vocab tool to scroll over Welsh text and get the English definition. Learners can share their language learning experiences at the message board provided or have 3 phrases a week sent to their mobiles. Visitors to the site should also be aware that there are other courses and tools available on the BBC Wales site, such as the new Catchphrase course and 'Cam Ymlaen', a course for intermediate students.

Verdict : This impressive Welsh-learning course is one of several offered at the BBC Wales website and was selected for review due to its interesting content and easy-going format. While the more recent series 'Ysbyty Brynaber' is another good course provided by the BBC, it is delivered as a sort of soap opera, which may not appeal to all learners. The Original Catchphrase focuses on developing conversational Welsh and introduces new vocabulary and grammar points at a manageable pace and will allow learners to practice their Welsh speaking skills. For anyone who's intrigued by the Welsh language, this course should get you off to a very good start.

Tags : [welsh], [welsh language], [learn welsh], [learning welsh], [languages], [learning languages], [online language courses].

Learn Spanish

2006-04-07T11:55:00.000+08:00

Site : Learn Spanish
Language Taught : Spanish
Course Taught In : English
Subscription? : Most resources are free but paying subscribers will have access to more exercises and exams.

Site Design : The site colour scheme and layout is quite simple but attractive with its curvy side menu. Navigation is quite straightforward and all pages can be reached within a few clicks. There is also a search option under 'Search this Site' in case you need to look for something specific.
Depth of Course : The course is very comprehensive, ranging from pronunciation tutorials (complete with audio files) to extensive grammar tutorials. There are numerous vocabulary lists available but the full lists are only available to premium members. The verb drills on offer should help learners get to grips with verb conjugation while the 'Travel Helper' section is ideal for anyone going on vacation to a Spanish-speaking country. The 'Cultural Notes' section has some interesting short passages on various aspects of Spanish and Latin American culture. Learners will also be pleased to know that there are hundreds of free exercises available, including exercises to help you with your spoken fluency and flashcard games to help you memorise new phrases and vocabulary.
Audio Available? : Plenty.
Video Available? : Unknown.
Other Features : There are many other free features available, including a 'Word of the Day' and 'Idiom Generator'. Learners can also purchase a course on audio CD if they wish or register for premium membership, which will give them access to even more quizzes and exams and full access to the vocabulary lists.

Verdict : Perhaps one of the most comprehensive and useful online courses on the Net for anyone learning Spanish. While premium membership will give you access to extra goodies, there is more than enough on offer for free users. A major plus point of this site is the huge number of exercises and exams available so that you can assess your own progress. The availability of audio material is another bonus and will be essential to anyone who wants oral fluency in the language. It is very hard to find problems with this site although you will have to make sure you install Shockwave or else you will not be able to use any of the audio materials. Mozilla users may also encounter a few problems but nothing too serious. All in all, a very complete and interesting learning package.

Tags : [spanish], [spanish language], [learning spanish], [languages], [learning languages], [online courses], [online language courses].

Learn Greek Online

2006-04-03T13:35:00.000+08:00

Site : Learn Greek Online
Language Taught : Greek (Modern & Ancient)
Course Taught In : English.
Registration? : Free registration required.

Site Design : Quite professional-looking with a effective colour scheme and neat layout. All the main links are accessible from the main page and navigation is very smooth. Anyone wishing to catch a glimpse of the course material will have to register first, although registration is entirely free.
Depth of Course : The course will bring learners up to an advanced command of the modern Greek language and there is also a course on Ancient Greek available for anyone who is interested. The course material is of a very high quality, covering aspects of Greek grammar and providing numerous audio files and exercises to help learners perfect their language skills. Plenty of examples are given to illustrate grammar points and word lists with new vocabulary are abundant.
Audio Available? : Plenty available.
Video Available? : Unknown.
Other Features : Numerous learning tools are provided, including a Greek dictionary and spell checker. Learners can also discuss the course content in the forums and chatrooms available (these can only be accessed by enrolling on a course).

Verdict : A very handy site for anyone wanting to learn modern (or ancient) Greek. The course material is far superior to that offered by other free online courses and will allow learners to reach a reasonably high level of proficiency in the language. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Greek.

Tags : [greek], [greek language], [learn greek], [modern greek], [languages], [learning languages], [online language courses].

Nihongo o Narau : Learn Japanese

2006-03-31T12:51:00.000+08:00

Site : Nihongo o Narau : Learn Japanese
Language Taught : Japanese
Course Taught In : English

Site Design : Neat layout with an simple colour scheme and a good font size. Navigation is straightforward and you can reach all the pages at this site within a couple of clicks. There is also a search tool provided for quick reference and the updates list will keep learners informed of new additions to the site.
Depth of Course : The course takes you from the basics and covers most basic Japanese grammar, including the various verb tenses and particles. The grammar lessons are concise and break things down into manageable chunks (kana versions also available) and introduce new vocabulary at a good pace. Grammar reviews are available for learners to test their knowledge of the points covered. In addition, learners will have access to numerous themed word lists to boost their vocabulary, while the 'Writing' section will introduce them to the hiragana and katakana alphabets and kanji. A page on Japanese pronunciation is available in the 'Speaking/Listening' section and comes with a few audio files but learners will find that the course does not provide sufficient audio files to help them master Japanese pronunciation and intonation.
Audio Available? : A few are available as part of the pronunciation guide.
Video Available? : None.
Other Features : A section with Japanese song lyrics is a fun way for Japanese learners to boost their understanding of the language and some short passages are available in the 'Reading' section to help them master the points and vocabulary covered in the lessons. The 'Expressions' section is a quick guide to basic Japanese phrases (ideal for anyone going on vacation to Japan) and intermediate learners will find the 'Today's Kanji' and 'Today's Phrase' boxes on the main page extremely useful for furthering their Japanese language skills. The site also provides links to other useful websites which will interest those learning Japanese.

Verdict : The grammar lessons provided at this site are some of the easiest to follow lessons you will find on the Net and the word lists are a valuable resource for learners. The section on the Japanese alphabets and kanji are extremely useful and will be of enormous help to anyone wanting to delve deeper into the written language. The site, however, suffers from its lack of audio files to help learners perfect their Japanese pronunciation. Overall, a good site for learning the basics but should be used in conjunction with other online courses and/or audio lessons.

Tags : [japanese], [japanese language], [learn japanese], [nihongo], [language learning], [languages], [asian languages]

Turkish Language Class

2006-03-29T12:41:00.000+08:00

Site : Turkish Language Class
Language Taught : Turkish
Course Taught In : English

Site Design : Very neat layout with a simple yet effective colour scheme. Google Ads are not too intrusive and graphics are used sparingly. Everything you need can be reached from the main page and visitors can even see the latest comments from the forums from this page.
Depth of Course : The course starts with the basics and works its way up to an intermediate level. The course is divided up into a number of sections which can be reached by clicking the 'Learn Turkish' link. The lessons themselves cover the alphabet, basic greetings and some grammar. The 'Basic Turkish' link will introduce you to some very fine word lists to help build up your Turkish vocabulary while clicking on 'Grammar' will give you an overview of Turkish grammar to an intermediate level, including plenty of information verb tenses and vowel harmony. The 'Vocabulary' section is actually a set of interactive exams to test your knowledge of the vocbulary learnt and learners can work on their listening comprehension and pronunciation by checking out the short texts under 'Pronounciation'.
Audio Available? : There are only a few available (in the 'Pronounciation' section).
Video Available? : Videos about Turkey can be found by clicking on the 'Discover Turkey' link.
Other Features : There are a lot of extra features available, some of which are accessible to members (registration is free). There is a small online dictionary as well as a chatroom and forum for learners to share their experiences and practice their Turkish. There is also a wealth of information about Turkish and Turkish culture in the 'Discover Turkey' section.

Verdict : A very comprehensive and useful course for anyone interested in learning this exotic Middle Eastern language. Explanations are clear and plenty of examples are used to illustrate grammar points. Its main drawback, however, is the fact that the course itself is not very integrated and learners will have to jump between sections in order to progress. All in all, a fantastic course for Turkish enthusiasts!

Tags : [turkish], [turkish language], [learn turkish], [languages], [learning languages],

Armenian Language for Non Armenian Speakers

2006-03-28T17:47:00.000+08:00

Site : Armenian Language for Non Armenian Speakers
Language Taught : Armenian (Eastern)
Course Taught In : English

Site Design : Quite colourful and attractive although the orange-yellow background may make things a little difficult for anyone with visual impairments. Graphics are used sparingly and wisely and links to the various lessons are all accessible via the main page.
Depth of Course : While the course only deals with basic grammar and introduces fairly basic vocabulary, it is a good starting point for anyone who is interested in learning some basic Armenian. Grammar points are illustrated with several examples and word lists are provided to help learners boost their vocabulary. The Armenian alphabet is dealt with fairly well : the first lesson is dedicated to it and subsequent lessons focus on a few of the letters to encourage letter recognition. Visitors to the site should note that the site covers *Eastern* Armenian. That is, the Armenian language as spoken in Armenia as opposed to the Western dialect which is spoken by the Armenian diaspora.
Audio Available? : None.
Video Available? : None.
Other Features : None.

Verdict : This site is a good way to get to grips with the fundamentals of the Armenian language and perhaps whet your appetite for further study. The lessons are dealt with in a logical manner but do suffer from a lack of transliteration in some parts. This may or may not be a bad thing, depending on whether you feel this will encourage you to learn the alphabet quicker. Another disadvantage is the lack of audio files available as Armenian has several sounds which may prove challenging to beginners. While an approximation is offered, actual audio examples of the spoken language would have benefitted learners enormously. Nevertheless, this course is an adequate introduction to this intriguing language and is one of the better courses available online.

Tags : [Armenian], [Armenian language], [language], [learning languages].

Link to Us!

2006-03-27T11:47:00.000+08:00

Dear readers,

Just a friendly reminder that you can help bring Languages Online to a wider audience by voting for this blog using the links in the menu. If you have a blog or site of your own, feel free to add a link back to this blog. Text links are fine and you may make use of the Languages Online button seen in the menu (please save it to your own webspace first!). Any links back to this blog will be reciprocated. If you are interested in providing a link to this blog in return for a link back to your own site or blog, contact me via e-mail or simply leave a message on this blog.

Also, if you have a minute, why not vote for this blog? If you're interested, please see the 'Rate This Blog' section in the menu.

That is all for now. Do stop by regularly to see what's new here at Languages Online!

Malay Language Course

2006-03-24T11:40:00.000+08:00

Site : Malay Language Course
Language Taught : Malay
Course Taught In : English

Site Design : A little too much use of colour. The use of yellow backgrounds on the index page and as a background colour in tables may make the site unsuitable for anyone with visual difficulties. The colour schemes are erratic and there's a few too many ads, making the pages a little cramped.
Depth of Course : The course itself is of a very high standard and give the learner a chance to reach an intermediate level in Malay. Plenty of grammar is covered and a lot of basic vocabulary is introduced.
Audio Available? : Yes, but these may not play properly in Mozilla.
Video Available? : None.
Other Features : A small English-Malay dictionary is provided as well as a printable wordlist of basic Malay vocabulary.

Verdict : The course is comprehensive and will be invaluable to anyone interested in learning some Malay. Its main drawbacks are related to its site design but these can be overlooked in favour of the course's highly useful content.

Tags : [malay], [learn malay], [malay language], [language], [learning languages]..

Croatian Language

2006-03-24T11:21:00.000+08:00

Site : Croatian Language
Language Taught : Croatian
Course Taught In : English, Russian and Spanish

Site Design : Very tidy design and easily navigable with all the main links on the homepage.
Depth of Course : The course only deals with 'travel' Croatian so it will be of use to anyone wanting to visit Croatia. It is not suitable for anyone who wants a good foundation of Croatian grammar and Spanish speakers should note that the Spanish version of the course is limited to the alphabet, numbers and basic expressions.
Audio Available? : Plenty.
Video Available? : None.
Other Features : Downloadable versions of the course are available in English and Russian. There are also a number of useful links for Croatian learners or anyone planning on visiting the country.

Verdict : The course is a handy site for anyone who wants to speak a little of the language during their stay in Croatia but it will be of little use to anyone who wants to go past beginners' level.

Tags : [croatian], [croatian language], [learn croatian], [language], [learning languages].

Taalthuis

2006-03-22T09:31:00.000+08:00

Site : Taalthuis
Language Taught : Dutch
Course Taught In : English
Subscription Costs : None

Site Design : Fairly basic and few ads. Title page uses image maps and the font can be a little hard to see. Use of frames for the course pages are a little irritating and hamper smooth navigation. Most pages can be reached via links on the main page so you can find the page you want within a couple of clicks. Having said that, it is is tricky to find the exact page you're looking so you will have to spend time browsing the course content in order to look for it.
Depth of Course : The site offers a beginners and intermediate course which cover much of basic Dutch grammar. Plenty of exercises and tests can be found on the course subsites so learners are able to test themselves on what they have learnt. The 'Lists & Sounds' pages provide learners with some essential basic word lists though many of the audio files no longer work. There is also a small section on Dutch history. Learners should note that some of the information listed in the courses is no longer correct : in Lesson 5 of the beginner's course, florins and guilders are mentioned (these were replaced by the Euro a few years ago).
Audio Available? : These are available but many of them no longer work.
Video Available? : None (2 exe files available but these do not work correctly).
Other Features : There is a section written exclusively in Dutch which can help intermediate learners improve upon their written language. The 'Double Dutch Glossary' is a handy list of false cognates and there's a section reviewing Dutch language materials (see 'Dutch Bookstore'). On the downside, the Online Dictionary tool appears to no longer work so learners will have to look elsewhere for one.

Verdict : While the review may seem somewhat negative, learners should not be put off entirely. The grammar reference and courses are very helpful and will allow learners to get a good grasp on Dutch grammar and spelling. The numerous tests and exercises available should be of good use to those hoping to perfect their reading and writing skills. Nevertheless, you will have to look elsewhere for good audio-visual material. Learners should not rely entirely on this site for learning Dutch but use it to complement their studies. A good enough site but there's room for improvement.

Tags : [dutch], [nederlands], [dutch language], [learn dutch], [language], [learning languages].

Vote for Languages Online!

2006-03-21T17:01:00.000+08:00

Languages Online has been submitted to two 'top blogs' listings so visitors may vote for this blog by clicking the buttons in the menu if they wish. Voting is by no means compulsory but doing so will bring Languages Online to a much wider audience.

Thanks in advance for any votes submitted and do feel free to check back regularly for new reviews!

Korean Studies at Sogang

2006-03-21T01:43:00.000+08:00

Site : Korean Studies at Sogang
Language Taught : Korean
Course Taught In : English
Subscription Costs : None

First Impressions : Very professional-looking site with eyecatching graphics designed by Sogang University. Learners will be pleased to see beginners' and intermediate levels being catered for. A lot of Shockwave Flash used for the language courses so you will need to download the plug-in before being able to use the site. No alternative offered for anyone without the Flash plug-in.
Navigation : Very straightforward and clearly labelled.
Depth of Course : The courses available start with lessons on the Korean alphabet and allow the learner to work their way up to an intermediate level. The lessons themselves include information on grammar and new vocabulary as well as numerous exercises for learners to practice what they have learnt. There is a focus on reading and listening comprehension. The introductory and novice lessons also give the learner a chance to become acquainted with Korean pronunciation.
Audio Available? : Available only in the 'novice' lessons.
Video Available? : Flash video is used in many of the lessons.
Other Features : In addition to the language lessons, there is a section devoted to South Korean history and culture.

Verdict : This is a well-design and professional site and is one of the best resources you can find for learning the Korean language. It is a systematic and carefully organised course and will allow learners to develop their language skills at their own pace. Its drawbacks are the overuse of Flash software, a few too many link errors, not enough audio files and the fact that no text alternatives are offered, making it impossible for people to save any of the pages to their PCs for easy reference. Nonetheless, this is a good course you should check out if you're interested in learning this challenging yet fascinating language as it will give you a good grasp of Korean grammar and a fairly broad vocabulary.

Tags : [korean], [korean language], [learn korean], [language], [learning languages].

New E-Mail Digest

2006-03-19T01:20:00.000+08:00

Languages Online now has a new e-mail digest that readers can subscribe to. If you want to see all the latest reviews and posts in a single daily e-mail, then feel free to subscribe to our digest by clicking on the button below or on the menu on the right.

And don't forget that we also offer an Atom formatted site feed that can be read in most newsreaders. That feed can be found at http://languagesonline.blogspot.com/atom.xml.

LearnItalianPod.Com

2006-03-18T18:19:00.000+08:00

Site : LearnItalianPod.Com
Language Taught : Italian.
Course Taught In : English.
Subscription Costs : Lessons are free but subscribers have access to extra goodies, such as PDF transcripts.

First Impressions : Very professional-looking site with an effective colour scheme and with links to all of the main pages listed on the homepage. Graphics are used wisely and are pleasant on the eyes.
Navigation : There is an extensive menu with links to all of the main features. In addition, there is a search option and posts have been categorised with tags for easy browsing.
Depth of Course : New lessons seem to be added on a regular basis and cover basic to intermediate Italian. Lessons cover a wide range of topics and basic grammar is dealt with in several of the lessons. As with other podcast lessons, there is a focus on the spoken, rather than the written, language.
Audio Available? : Plenty.
Video Available? : None.
Other Features : The 'Glossary' is very useful for learning the spelling of some basic words and phrases (the meanings show up when you place your cursor over them) and there is a nice little section, 'The Italian Way', devoted to Italian culture and customs.

Verdict : A very handy site for anyone who wants to learn some basic Italian in preparation for a holiday or stay in Italy. The site is updated regularly so it is possible that more intermediate and maybe advanced lessons will be added in the future so it is hard to gauge exactly how useful this site will turn out to be for people wanting to take their Italian further. Still, definately worth visiting if you're learning or thinking of learning this beautiful language.

Tags : [italian], [italian language], [learn italian], [language], [learning languages].

Babel : Arabic

2006-03-17T11:35:00.000+08:00

Site : Babel : Arabic
Language Taught : Arabic (MSA)
Course Taught In : English
Subscription Costs : Free

First Impressions : Fairly good layout and font is a good size. Tidy menu on the left. Some may be put off by the number of ads on the pages and the occasional pop-ups.
Navigation : Smooth navigation as most, if not all, of the main links are listed in the menu. Most pages can be reached with just one click from the homepage.
Depth of Course : There are 18 lessons in Modern Standard Arabic, covering a range of topics, ranging from basic introductions and greetings to talking about your future marriage. The word lists accompanying the lessons are helpful for expanding your vocabulary and there are also several lessons devoted to the Arabic script and alphabet. Essential basic grammar is also covered. Learners should note that this course does not deal with any of the various dialects of Arabic.
Audio Available? : Extensive use of audio files to enhance learning.
Video Available? : None.
Other Features : A discussion board and a English-Arabic translation tool.

Verdict : Babel : Arabic is a good site for anyone interested in learning Arabic. The extensive use of audio files are extremely useful for beginners and the lessons dealing with the script are easy to understand. There is not too much focus on grammar so it is probably best for learners to supplement this with other Arabic learning materials. Unless you are aiming to learn a specific dialect of Arabic (eg. Egyptian, Syrian), then this site is a good place to start learning one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world.

ChinesePod.Com

2006-03-14T12:44:00.000+08:00

Site : http://chinesepod.com/
Language Taught : Mandarin Chinese
Course Taught In : English
Subscription Costs : Some features are free. $240 grants you access to all the site's features for 12 months.

First Impressions : Very professional and eyecatching design. The use of Chinese characters and imagery tell you instantly what language you will be learning. Very tidy layout and bright colour scheme. Level of difficulty of each lesson is clearly labelled.
Navigation : Very smooth navigation. Lessons can be reached easily and links to all of the site's main features can be found on the home page.
Depth of Course : The course consists of dozens of podcasts in a variety of levels of difficulty, ranging from newbie to advanced. The teaching style is different to that used on most sites. There is no structured grammar reference but this is not a bad thing. The lessons are designed in a way to get you *talking* Chinese and subscribers will have access to PDF transcripts to help them in their learning. The range of topics covered in the lessons is wide, ranging from restaurant phrases to discussions on appearance and university studies.
Audio Available? : Plenty.
Video Available? : None available for non-subscribers.
Other Features : There are several useful tools and features available for subscribers, such as a 'Vocab Builder' and 'Learning Centre'.

Verdict : ChinesePod is perhaps the most popular Chinese learning course available on the Net at the moment. The focus on the spoken, rather than written, language is immensely useful for anyone who wants to get by in China and learners will get a good grasp on colloquial Chinese in no time if they use the site regularly. Anyone who is really serious about learning Chinese may want to subscribe to gain access to all of the site's features. All in all, highly recommended!

2006-03-13T23:12:00.000+08:00

Technorati Profile

Lernu!

2006-03-13T22:23:00.000+08:00

Site : http://www.lernu.net/
Language Taught : Esperanto
Course Taught In : Course is available in over 20 languages
Subscription Costs : Free

First Impressions : Professional-looking site. Very neatly organised with access to all the main links from the menu on the left side of the screen. Basic but effective colour scheme. Use of cartoon alien is not entirely offputting and will appeal to younger learners.
Navigation : Very nicely organised and easy to navigate.
Depth of Course : Despite Esperanto being a constructed (artificial) language, this site covers a lot of vocabulary, sentence structures and grammar. There are several courses available, all aimed at a different audience and employing a variety of teaching techniques.
Audio Available? : Audio files are used in many of the course pages to help learners get a feel for the pronunciation.
Video Available? : Some video files are available in the 'Library' and will be of interest to aspiring and practising Esperantists.
Other Features : This site has a plethora of features that will be useful to learners. Learners have access to helpful language learning tools, such as dictionaries, detailed grammar references and programs for learning new vocabulary, and can chat with fellow learners by making use of the site's forums and chatroom. Its 'Library' is full of useful learning material, including short videos, music and games. There is also plenty of information about the history and evolution of Esperanto.

Verdict : While I personally cannot see why someone would put in so much effort to learn an artificial language, I admire the time and effort that the site's designers have put into creating such a valuable source for Esperantists. There is so much more information and features to explore than you'd find on your average language course website. If you are interested in joining the growing number of Esperanto learners, then this is the only site you will ever need.

Archive of Languages Courses

2006-03-13T22:00:00.000+08:00

Here you can find an A to Z archive of the languages course reviews in this blog. Languages are listed alphabetically and new reviews will be added as they are written so feel free to check this page regularly for new additions.

[Last Updated : 9 June 2006]

Arabic :

+ Babel : Arabic

Armenian :

+ Armenian Language for Non Armenian Speakers

Belarusian :

+ Fundamentals of Modern Belarusian

Chinese (Mandarin) :

+ ChinesePod.Com

Croatian :

+ Croatian Language

Esperanto :

+ Lernu!

Greek :

+ Learn Greek Online

Hindi :

+ A Door Into Hindi

Italian :

+ LearnItalianPod

Japanese :

+ Nihongo o Narau : Learn Japanese

Korean :

+ Korean Studies at Sogang

Malay :

+ Malay Language Course

Persian :

+ Easy Persian

Quechua :

+ Basic Quechua Lessons

Russian :

+ RussianLessons.Net

Spanish :

+ Learn Spanish

Swahili :

+ Mwana Simba

Turkish :

+ Turkish Language Class

Welsh :

+ BBC Wales : Catchphrase

Fundamentals of Modern Belarusian

2006-03-11T13:14:00.000+08:00

Site : http://vitba.org
Language Taught : Belarusian
Course Taught In : English
Subscription Costs : Free

First Impressions : Simple design with a few images. Very few features for learners to make use of.
Navigation : Navigation is straightforward and the main links are all on the homepage.
Depth of Course : Most aspects of basic Belarusian grammar are dealt with, including the various cases and declensions. Spelling rules are also covered. There is no information on Belarusian's Cyrillic alphabet or pronunciation so this course is not ideal for beginners or people who are unfamiliar with Slavic languages.
Audio Available? : None.
Video Available? : None.
Other Features : The grammar guide comes in a variety of formats and can be downloaded to your PC for easy reference. Some information on Belarusian culture is also available, in English and Belarusian.

Verdict : While the course may appeal to those interested in expanding their existing knowledge of Slavic languages, it will not be of much use to beginners.

Easy Persian

2006-03-11T12:07:00.000+08:00

Site : http://www.easypersian.com
Language Taught : Persian (Farsi)
Course Taught In : English
Subscription Costs : Free

First Impressions : The site design is simple with few graphics and a very basic colour scheme. For those who judge sites on their looks, do not be put off by its apparent simplicity as it is not an indication of the *quality* of the course.
Navigation : Navigation is fairly straightforward. All of the main links are on the home page and lessons can be reached with 2 clicks. Some pages, however, can be trickier to find.
Depth of Course : This course is very much an in-depth one. It begins with the teaching of the Persian alphabet (which is covered in 9 lessons) and moves on to grammar fairly quickly. The grammar covered is extensive and later lessons place a greater emphasis on listening comprehension by offering samples of Persian music along with translated lyrics. In addition, there are many opportunities for learners to practice what they have learnt. Lesson drills are found as part of almost every lesson and allow the learner to make their own sentences and translations.
Audio Available? : Audio files are abundant. MP3s of Persian music are also available. These can be found by clicking on 'Your Words' and clicking the links there.
Video Available? : Unknown.
Other Features : The site has a forum and Java-based chatroom for learners to communicate with each other. The 'Your Words' feature is a great way to learn set expressions and new sentence structures. A comprehensive list of books for learning Persian can be found by clicking on the 'Books' link on the homepage and clicking 'Links' will give you a wide selection of Persian-related links to browse through.

Verdict : Easy Persian is by far the most comprehensive online course you will find for Persian and it's all free of charge. This course is highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn Persian in a structured and disciplined manner.

Suggest a Site

2006-03-11T04:34:00.001+08:00

If you know of an online language course you'd like to recommend to others or have a site of your own that you'd like to promote, feel free to leave your suggestions by replying to this post. Once you have submitted your suggestion, it will be looked at and may or may not be reviewed on this blog.

Readers are asked to refrain from spamming or promoting unrelated websites. Any posts which fail to do this may be deleted.

Looking forward to your suggestions!

Welcome!

2006-03-11T01:16:00.000+08:00

Welcome to Languages Online, a blog which lists and reviews online languages courses. A wide selection of languages will be covered here, ranging from Armenian to Zulu, and links to online courses will be archived for future reference.

Sites will be judged on several aspects : user friendliness, availability of audio-visual materials, depth and design.

If you know of an online language course you'd like to recommend to language learners, feel free to reply to any of the posts and leave your information there.