Summary

BBC Spanish's new interactive mystery video course Mi Vida Loca sets a new standard for the direction that BBC Languages is taking with their free, online language learning materials and resources (courses, lessons, phrase books, etc).

Mi Vida Loca is an online interactive suspense thriller internet tv series (call it a soap opera - or telenovela - if you prefer!) for total beginners that takes users on an adventure from the UK through Spain. Along the journey, Spanish is acquired by the interactive "viewer" in digestible tidbits. The course is adaptable depending on whether you are male or female, since Spanish language has gender.

To add to the instructional quality of the series, BBC Spanish has provided a User Guide for students as well as a handy Teacher Guide and Syllabus for instructors/educators.

All in all, this is a more interesting approach to totally beginner Spanish than many of the other choices out there. And the fact that you feel like you are moving along the whole time by virtue of the way it is filmed and presented can help to keep those short attention spans interested! The Spanish guitar music also helps recreate the setting.

In the prolific words of the BBC: "Real Spanish, real drama."

From BBC Spanish

Brand new Spanish drama. Get hooked. Learn the language. All episodes now live!

Visit BBC Spanish's "Mi Vida Loca" Interactive Mystery Video Course.

Summary

Apple recently released a new section of the wildly popular iTunes Store available through their iTunes software. This new section is called iTunes U, and collects podcasts from numerous universities and colleges to make them available for free download to your iPod or other mp3 player, mobile/cell phone, etc.

One of the sub-sections of iTunes U is (note: you need iTunes for this link to work) specifically for languages and language education - yay!

Currently there are 60 podcasts (probably more by the time you read this) available regarding both learning foreign languages as well as general topics regarding language in general. Many of these podcasts are called OpenCourseWare, considered Open Learning materials released in the Public Domain. This means they can be used truly freely by teachers and educators without worries about copyright issues - a big plus! Be sure to look at the license for each podcast to make sure of the licensing.

The podcast-based current courses available through iTunes U are English (Medieval and ESL), French, German, Greek, Japanese, Hebrew (various), Italian (Language and Theater), Romanian, Spanish (various) plus Language Technology and Lectures, Interviews, Clubs, Lectionary at Lunch and Storytelling Colombian Style. There are many more, too.

This is really exciting to see at this professional education level. Of couse, add this to the 982 language podcasts in the "regular" (non-iTunes U) iTunes store and that makes over a whopping 1,000 language-related podcasts for download through iTunes - all free. :)

Watch the iTunes U intro video below to learn more about this new feature:

From iTunes U

iTunes U puts the power of the iTunes Store to work for colleges and universities, so users can easily search, download, and play course content just like they do music, movies, and TV shows.

Always in session.

iTunes U delivers easy, 24/7 access to educational content from hundreds of top colleges, universities, and educationally focused organizations across the country. And it’s accessible to anyone with a Mac or PC.

Learning to go.

Students can sync iTunes U content with any iPod or iPhone, so they can go right on learning while they grab a meal, walk to class, or work out at the gym.

Keeps them motivated.

Engaging students on their home turf, iTunes U offers audio and video that make subjects more vivid than any printed page ever could.

Open-minded.

iTunes U lets schools open all or part of their content to the public, from parents to alumni to anyone with a love of learning.

Find out more about iTunes U.

Summary

At last, a study abroad school reservation website that just plain rocks hands down: eurolanguages. Not only is it quick and simple to find Spanish language schools in dozens of European cities, it's also free to use! Naturally the courses aren't free, but you are not charged a euro cent extra than what you'd pay directly to the school. Plus you get to use their slick, user-friendly and eye-candy-rich Web reservation interface that allows you to compare instantly and make the best choice for your particular needs.

Currently for the Spanish language, you can find study abroad programs and language schools in Spain. Regions include Andalusia, the Canary Islands, the Basque Country and Navarre. Cities include Madrid, Valencia, San Sebastian, Pamplona, Granada, Almuñecar and La Laguna.

Depending on the language school you choose, different options for facilities and extra-curricular activities exist. These include such goodies as audio learning labs, computer access, free wifi (wireless internet), eating/dining area, tea/coffee, television room, wheelchair/handicap accessiblity (elevator), cultural trips, pub trips, snack machines, printing and fax services, bookshop/bookstore, study area and library. It is surprisingly quick and easy to see which of these features a given school offers, providing you with a snapshot of what the school has going for it.

Of course, you'll need a place to stay while studying abroad, and eurolanguages makes that quite simple as well. You can either choose to find your own accommodation or select between several options including homestays with half or full board.

Eurolanguages encourages transparency by allowing users to rate and review language schools right on their site. These reviews are accessible while viewing information about a school, and can provide additional insight into what individual learning experiences have been. Currently you can rate on teaching, location, features and fun.

All in all, Eurolanguages is providing an amazing service to anyone interested in studying Spanish in Europe - with no extra fees! They are definitely worth checking out. Thanks to the whole team for this much-needed free Web service.

Of special note is a program to learn Spanish while surfing! Eurolanguages is also available for English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Portuguese, including a program that combines skiing with Italian lessons! Let the fun begin :)

From Website

Finding and confirming a place on an international language course is difficult, and searching online isn’t always helpful. There are 1,000’s of results for every destination, without any indication as to which one is best. So how can anyone decide on which city? which school? and at what price? And who do you contact?, and who can you trust?

You can trust us. We offer you more choice than ever before, with up to date information on all available schools and courses, and the insight and tools to compare them. We even offer fellow student reviews and ratings for reassurance. It’s like asking a friend for advice, except with eurolanguages, you can read the advice of 1,000’s of fellow students just like you. And when you’ve found your favourite, just pay a 20% deposit online to confirm your place.

Even though we think the schools we work with are great, we know you don’t necessarily care what we think. That’s why we don’t give you our opinions on the school; we let other students tell you theirs. And when you’ve finished your course we’ll ask you yours. Simple really.

On top of that, we’ve made it simple to actually book your place. We’ve taken care of the contractual side of things between you and the school so you don’t have to deal with endless paperwork in a language you are trying to learn. We’ve also given schools a management tool, so that when you buy a course with us, it’s guaranteed.

Over the last few decades the majority of language students have chosen to stay with a host family during their time at an international language school. For many, this is a great opportunity to practice the language, experience the culture, and above all an economical way to stay. To book a bed with a local host, which will be organised and confirmed by your school, simply select the available options on the booking screen.

Visit Eurolanguages.com

Summary

Vocabulix is a great resource for verb conjugations and vocabulary building through self-testing for English, German and Spanish language learners. Have a look at the verb conjugators for English, German and Spanish. Or test yourself in either of these thrree languages with the verb drills tool.

As the name would have you believe, you can also increase your vocabulary skills using their vocabulary builder, which allows you to determine a level of study, choose the type of test and review the terms before starting. Quite handy!

Also of note are the friend finder and lesson creation tool (available only when logged in).

Use Vocabulix Here!

You can use the tools below to conjugate verbs quickly right here, too!

From Website

Learn Languages free and online with Vocabulix: Improve your vocabulary skills in foreign languages, online and free!

Vocabulary Builder

With over 90 predefined vocabulary lessons or create your own foreign language lessons and share them with other online users (also: French, Italian, Portuguese, Czech...)

Verb Drills

Learn Spanish verb conjugations, learn German conjugations or learn English conjugations with this efficient tool. Verb drills

Verb Conjugation Tables

In Spanish, German and English.

Visit Vocabulix.com

Summary

The useful Spanish phrases section of the Omniglot website contains all the truly basic phrases you would want to know when traveling in a Spanish-speaking country.

Furthermore, audio versions of these phrases can be downloaded (zip file containing mp3s) from the site for learners to hear these phrases spoken by a native Spanish speaker and practice pronunciation. You can transfer these to your favorite mp3 player (iPod, Creative Zen, Zune, etc.) and learn them while going about your day. And with four ways to ask "Where is the toilet?", you know no matter where you are you will be understood and pointed in the right direction!

From Website

Useful Spanish Phrases

A collection of useful phrases in Spanish. Click on the English phrases to see them in many other languages.

Visit Omniglot Spanish Phrases.