To Busuu or Not to Busuu… That is the Question.
Busuu is a fast growing online language learning community with over a million users as of early October 2010. The site is named after a Cameroon language of the same name, which according to their website, is now spoken by only 8 living people! All in all, the site is very similar, in a good way, to LiveMocha (read my review of LiveMocha here). Both use a "freemium" model, offering both free and premium services, which is great for new users who want to get their language learning feet wet before committing to a monthly credit card charge. Both are social networks, relying upon and benefiting from crowd sourcing to correct user writing samples, provide conversation practice, etc. There are, however, many subtle differences between the two sites; some good, some bad...
read moreIs That Word Difficult or Just Unfamiliar?
I often hear English learners and English native speakers alike complain that certain English words are “difficult” (in fact, I’ve heard the same thing said by native and non-native speakers of Japanese and Mandarin Chinese, too). Consider the words shoe and happy. Are these English words difficult? To you and I, these terms are probably as easy and basic as they get. But what about for a 6-month old American child? Or what about for a hunter-gatherer living deep in the Amazonian rain forest who has never heard a word of English spoken or seen any English writing? For...
read moreThe Critical Difference Between “Studying” and “Learning” a Language
I am often asked if there any tricks or shortcuts to learning a language more quickly. I always respond with the same answer: "The trick to learning a language is to actually learn the language." This may sound obvious, but it points to the fundamental (and so often under-appreciated) reason why most adults fail to learn a foreign language no matter how many years they sit in a classroom or live where the language is spoken: Most adult learners spend nearly all of their study time reading and learning about their target language, with very little time truly listening to or reading in the language.
read moreInterview with Randy the Yearlyglot of Fluent Every Year
Randy is on a mission to learn a new language fluently every year. His current project is Italian, with Lithuanian as a side-project saved for weekend fun. Randy has his language-learning head screwed on tightly, and I firmly agree with his contention that learners can reach "conversational fluency" (the ability to talk with native speakers on a variety of topics) in a year if you spend enough time doing the right things. As we both have observed, most learners neither spend enough time nor do the right things.
read moreReview of LiveMocha, The World’s Largest Language Learning Community
With over 5 million registered users spread across 200 countries, LiveMocha is the world’s largest language learning community. And with sufficient venture capital and corporate partners behind them, the Seattle-based start-up firm has the resources to keep expanding their service offering long into the foreseeable future. The site has been well received by most, and comes strongly recommended by many language bloggers, school teachers, and individual learners. Steven J. Sacco, a Language Professor at San Diego State University, has this to say about LiveMocha: “LiveMocha is the...
read moreInterview with Clint Schmidt, Livemocha’s Vice President of Marketing and Product
In this interview with Clint Schmidt, LiveMocha's Vice President of Marketing and Product, he shares what he thinks makes LiveMocha unique and he introduces some exciting new products coming down the pipe. He also responds to some of my grilling questions about the role of grammar in language learning.
read moreForeign Language Mastery Featured in the Get-it-Done Guy Podcast
Stever Robbins (a.k.a. The Get-it-done Guy), author of The Get-it-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More, has featured my language learning tips in the June 7, 2010 episode of his popular productivity podcast. As Stever points out in the episode's introduction, "I have enough trouble with my own language. Tips on foreign language?!? Don't make me laugh! Fortunately, John Fotheringham of LanguageMastery.com came bounding to the rescue and sent in all the following tips on how to learn a language quickly." Thank you, Stever!
read moreShowing Up is the Key (Guest Post by Khatzumoto of AJATT)
OK. Everyone knows that quote by Woody Allen or whoever about showing up. You know, 70% of winning is showing up. Well, Woody Allen, that daughter-dating scoundrel, lied to you. The truth is 70% of winning is showing up is a bunch of bull!
read moreEfficiency vs. Efficacy: The Critical Difference Between Doing Things Right and Doing the Right Things in Language Learning
"Effectiveness is doing the things that get you closer to your goals. Efficiency is performing a given task (whether important or not) in the most economical manner possible. Being efficient without regard to effectiveness is the default mode of the universe."
read moreInterview with Dr. Orlando Kelm, Professor of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Texas, Austin
In his own words, Dr. Orlando Kelm is "a lucky guy" professionally. Not only does he get to spend his time with two languages (Spanish and Portuguese), but he also the Associate Director of Business Language Education for the UT CIBER (Center for International Business Education and Research, a part of the McCombs School of Business. In our interview, Dr. Kelm shares what he believes to be the 6 most important factors in effective language learning.
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