Started using a tool with Firefox this morning that I came across yesterday: the WordChamp Firefox Toolbar for instant translation of words while browsing any web page.

It is a really cool tool! You not only get to hover over any text word and get a translation into the language of your choice, often there is an audio recording of the word that you can listen to! Here's a screenshot of it in action - click to see a larger version:

To get the extension, visit WordChamp and look on the left side almost on the bottom where it says: "WordChamp Language Toolbar for Firefox". Click that while browsing the site with Firefox and you'll install the extension and can start using it once you restart Firefox.

A proper article on WordChamp will be out soon on the front page.

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."

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.

Yummy - just came across a great site that lists the top sites for eating acronym salad for all things related to English learning!

It's all there: ESL > EFL > TESOL > TEFL > TESL > TOEFL

Just add dressing...

Visit english-4u.com/topsites