Learn Latvian

Discover the Latvian Language

If you're learning Latvian you may very well want to get an overview of the language, some of its unique features, geographical information about native speakers as well as loads of information on grammar, linguistics, history, diaspora and general language structure.

All of this and more is available in Wikipedia's Latvian entry. There are also some interesting links at the bottom which take you to further resources to explore and learn about the language of Latvia.

A Hidden Gem for Language Lovers and Learners

This article presents a unique approach for intermediate to advanced (and beyond) learners of many languages to gain exposure to interesting material in their target language(s). It has to do with a very popular website that features short (usually less than ten minutes) presentations by some of the world's greatest and most famous minds (not always both ;) on their specific areas of expertise. It's called, simply, TED, and the presentations are called "TED Talks".

Language Learning Tips on Using Free Wikimedia Resources

This article points out six useful ways to use Wikimedia content from Wikipedia, Wikibooks, Wikiversity, Wikinews, Wiktionary and Wikiquotes for learning languages free.

What's highlighted here is also great for teachers because it is licensed via Creative Commons and available to use for free.

Spanish is used as an example here, but the same ideas are applicable to all languages for which content is available.

1) Know General Info about Your Target Language

Free Audio Books for 40 Languages

book2 is an outstanding resource for learning the basics of many languages.

This project sticks out by offering around 1600 combinations of languages, such as Japanese to English, Chinese to Arabic, etc, to use for exposure.

The method involves learning a series of short audio sequences to become comfortable in specific situations (introductions, meeting people, getting around, etc) common in daily life.

It's interesting that this specific book will become familiar to you in itself, so recalling the same material in new languages might be accelerated. Once you've memorized the whole audio sequence in one language, why not move on to another?

Learn Survival Latvia

Wikitravel users have collectively created a free Latvian phrasebook with the goal of making it possible for travelers to "get by" while traveling in areas where Latvian is spoken.

Wikitravel phrasebooks are available in many languages and each one varies in depth and detail. Most of the phrasebooks include a pronunciation guide, a general phrase list, information about dates and numbers, a color list, transportation-related phrases, vocabulary for shopping and phrases for eating and drinking. Some are even more in depth, and all are free!

Essential Latvian Phrasebook

A collection of the most useful phrases in Latvian for travelers by BBC Languages Quick Fix.

Not to be considered an Latvian course, these simple phrases cover the most essential core necessities and "niceties" travelers ought to know ("Hello", "Goodbye", "Thank you", etc) to show cultural appreciation by speaking Latvian!

Includes an online player to view the phrases as they are written in Latvian and listen as a native speaker says them.

You can also download them to your MP3 player or print out a sheet and take it with you on your trip!

Help and be Helped with Writing in Foreign Languages

Lang-8 is a free, unique and popular website for learners of many languages to come together and correct each other's writing. Native speakers review writing submitted by learners who wish to improve. You can help and be helped!

The free tools provided in the interface are straightforward and tuned in such a way that it's quite easy to correct another user's writing, as well as to see exactly how others have corrected yours.

Lang-8's interface also provides social tools for interacting amongst users, including a way to find language matches to suit your needs.

Summary

Learn That Language Now! is a useful e-book for learners of any language - available for instant download to get you learning better right away. The study approach presented in the book is refreshing because it works!

Having personally learned six languages to varying degrees myself, I was pleasantly surprised to find many new tips and tricks that I'd never come across in over 15 years of studying and practicing foreign languages.

Big Social Language Learning Community

One of the largest and fastest-growing online social language learning networks, italki offers a sophisticated user interface, a large and growing user base, a shared file database of lessons and helpful info as well as a great list of language-learning resources (you have to join to access them fully).

This is a great place to meet people for a language exchange over VoIP (Skype, Gizmo, etc.) and with instant messaging. You can meet and maintain language study exchanges with people from all over the world!