Newseum.com Free Front Page News from over 50 Countries in Loads of Languages

Newseum Logo

Just came across a really cool linguistic thing on the Newseum website: a section with images of today's front page articles from around the globe in multiple languages.

Nice one!

From Website

The Newseum — a 250,000-square-foot museum of news — will offer visitors an experience that blends five centuries of news history with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits.

The Newseum will be located at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., on America’s Main Street between the White House and the U.S. Capitol and adjacent to the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. The exterior’s unique architectural features include a 74-foot-high marble engraving of the First Amendment and an immense front wall of glass through which passers-by will be able to watch the museum fulfilling its mission of providing a forum where the media and the public can gain a better understanding of each other.

The Newseum will feature seven levels of galleries, theaters, retail spaces and visitor services. It will offer a unique environment that takes museumgoers behind the scenes to experience how and why news is made.

"The visitor will come away with a better understanding of news and the important role it plays in all of our lives," said Newseum Executive Director and Senior Vice President Joe Urschel. "The new Newseum will be educational, inspirational and a whole lot of fun."

UMN's Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition

Just came across a nice gem: a center for advanced research into what is known as "language acquisition".

From Website

The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) is one of the U.S. Department of Education's Title VI National Language Resource Centers, whose role is to improve the nation's capacity to teach and learn foreign languages effectively.

Research & Programs

CARLA is engaged in a number of interrelated research and program initiatives related to second language teaching, learning, and assessment.

Professional Development

CARLA supports the professional development of second language teachers through an annual summer institute program and a wide array of international conferences and regional seminars.

Resources

CARLA offers a number of resources to language teachers including a battery of second language proficiency assessments and a working paper series.

Of special note are the resources page, resources for teachers and the database of less-commonly taught languages instructional materials.

Verbs-Online.com Study French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, English with Verb Tools

Summary

This website has very helpful resources and tutorials for improving verb skills in French, German, Italian, Spanish, English and Portuguese.

For several languages, you can test you verb knowledge and find areas to improve.

Conjugation trainers are also available for several languages.

From Website

Improve your skills on verbs in different languages!

Visit Verbs-Online.com

Website Content License

Unstated content license.

Loads of Podcasts in Spanish and Portuguese Languages

Hispanocast LogoI just came across two sites that are associated and that offer nicely organized directories of available Spanish and Portuguese language podcasts.

Keep in mind: these are podcasts in Spanish and Portuguese - not directed at learners of those languages! These are great for intermediate to advanced and beyond level learners of these two languages to access loads of (hopefully interesting) audio content (sometimes with transcriptions) in their target language.

Lusocast LogoI just sifted through the Portuguese podcasts and found some that are quite interesting, one is called O Seqüestro do Rolo Sagrado and consists of chapters of what appears to be a book by Robson Ramos. Also of note is a podcast featuring Brazilian Lounge Music.

There are loads of podcasts at these two sites to meet anyone's interests, so have a look!

Visit Hispanocast.com for Podcasts in Spanish
Visit Lusocast.com for Podcasts in Portuguese

English1010.com Free Audio and Written English Lessons Online

Update on March 15, 2013: English1010.com is no longer online, and has been replaced by an ad page. This article has been removed from the Free Language English Directory and left for archival purposes, with links removed.

Summary

This site has some good lessons covering a variety of commonly-used idioms, expressions and phrasal verbs in the English language. Many of these lessons are supplemented with audio, which is handy for pronunciation and listening practice.

This site is best for intermediate to advanced learners of English.

SpanishRomance.com: A Variety of Spanish Language Content

Summary

This site has some interesting materials for practicing the Spanish language. These include proverbs, sayings, phrases, riddles, jokes, poems, music lyrics, food recipes and more.

Instead of traditional lessons, this site offers content for the intermediate to advanced learner to practice with.

The site also has a directory of Spanish study abroad programs.