foreign languages

2012 Language Survey Uncovers Interesting Trends in Language Learning

Busuu, one of the world's most popular online language learning platforms, has just announced the results of its 2012 Language Barometer Survey.

With over 45,000 participants from 230 countries, this survey sheds light on successful and popular learning processes and well as what the future of language education may look like.

From busuu blog

More than 45,000 busuu.com users from 230 different countries responded to our survey, held at the beginning of March 2012. Let’s have a look at our users’ preferred methods for improving their language skills, what encourages or hampers their learning process and many more exciting outcomes!

The future of language learning relies on online methods!

Read more.

I was surfing around this morning and ran into a pre-defined search for "foreign language" on ExpertVillage.com.

You can view individual languages such as Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, German, French and Japanese.

Loads of other languages are also available.

A post on one of my favorite blogs brought to my attention the fact that 2008 has been declared "The International Year of Languages" by the United Nations. Cool.

Part of the UN's goal for declaring an international year of language involves "eliminating the disparity between the use of English and the use of the five other official languages." The other 5 official languages of the UN are Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.

Not surprisingly the resolution was introduced by France's representative, who maintained that it "would ensure a 'global' approach to multilingualism and would promote a reasonable vision of multilingualism at the United Nations." Support for the resolution came from representatives of Tunisia, Andorra, Russian Federation, Romania and Senegal, who "stressed that multilingualism in the United Nations served to enrich the work of the Organization."

I am looking forward to finding out what the UN will actually do in 2008 to achieve their goals. I am of course biased, but I'd recommend putting together some high-quality, multimedia language-learning resources and distributing them online for free under one Public Domain license or another. That would be something tangible that would serve for years to come. I'd build cultural awareness into the curriculum by basing lessons around cultural aspects of the countries where the languages are spoken. I'd also include factoids, geographical info, culinary goodies, musical and historical bits and other such enriching information.

Following is the beginning of the notes from the 96th Meeting of the 61st General Assembly:

From Website

The General Assembly this afternoon, recognizing that genuine multilingualism promotes unity in diversity and international understanding, proclaimed 2008 the International Year of Languages.

Acting without a vote, the Assembly, also recognizing that the United Nations pursues multilingualism as a means of promoting, protecting and preserving diversity of languages and cultures globally, emphasized the paramount importance of the equality of the Organization’s six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish).

In that regard, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to ensure that all language services were given equal treatment and were provided with equally favourable working conditions and resources. The Secretary-General was also requested to complete the task of publishing all important older United Nations documents on the Organization’s website in all six official languages, on a priority basis.

Further, the Assembly emphasized the importance of making appropriate use of all the official languages in all the activities of the Department of Public Information, with the aim of eliminating the disparity between the use of English and the use of the five other official languages.

Read on at un.org...

Just came across a great resource for help learning a variety of foreign languages.

From Website

Welcome to the Language Learning Advisor. If you've decided to take up learning a new language then you've come to the right place. Whether you've had experience with learning languages before or you are new to it, this site has some suggestions, insights and information that can make your language learning experience more effective, fulfilling, and fun.

What was the spark that ignited your desire to learn a new language? A life-long dream? An upcoming business trip or vacation? Self-improvement? A new addition to the family or even retirement abroad? There are many reasons to learn a new language, but how are you going to learn? Which method? What kind of method? Books? Tapes? Software? Are there internet sites? How much will it cost, and how much time will it take?

These are the questions that arise when we embark on this new journey for ourselves. But rest assured. This site is here to help you make those decisions, so you don't waste your time or money on a method that isn't suitable for you. And when you've made your choice, you can come back to use the many learning tips, links and resources we have to further your adventures with your new language.

The guide below is mostly for beginning language learners, but even more experienced learners can pick up ideas that they haven't thought of. Look over these simple steps, follow the links to the recommended pages, or just browse the site and look over anything that interests you. Please feel free to contact me for any reason. I love to get feedback from my visitors, hear their stories of successes with languages or any suggestions you may have to improve this site.

1 First, go to the How to Learn Languages page where you will find lots of tips and advice for making a lesson plan for yourself. The method you choose should have a plan figured out already, but if you use some of these suggestions you will be able to tailor that plan for yourself and improve the effectiveness of your study by integrating some supplemental materials into your lesson plan. The synergy created will accelerate and optimize your language learning.

2 Next, go on to the Learning Methods Page. Read through the different kinds of language learning methods and their advantages and disadvantages to get a good idea of what kind of method might be best for you. The method you choose is going to be the core of your foreign language study, so make sure you are getting one that suits your needs.

3 Then, go to the Learning Tips page where you will find plenty of ideas to inspire some creative learning. The language method you choose is just the beginning. Here you will find different kinds of supplemental materials to expand on and actually use what you are learning.

4 Armed with a better idea of what kind of method you are looking for and how to complement that method with an arsenal of supplemental materials and a study plan, go on to the language page of your target language. There you will find some of the best methods available in a few price ranges.

5 Now its time to get down to it. Get your method, get some additional materials, set your goals and make your lesson plan and then - just do it. Don't forget to keep coming back to use the resources pages for all the additional opportunities to expand your knowledge of your new language and increase your opportunities to use it!

Visit Language-Learning-Advisor.com