In this article, we hear that NetSpeak has added new services which allows people to learn languages online for free. Kantalk, a website, is used as a device to improve peoples skills in spoken English. It allows people to communicate via e-mail, Skype, Youtube and others in order to improve their communicative skills. Kantalk allows people to engage in real-time conversations with others. It allows them to listen to the various accents and pronunciations, so that people can learn how to understand various forms of English. The site also allows video footage so that people can learn by seeing as well. The use of videos in the site allows people to listen to conversations, which they had not participated in, but wish to see and hear. The videos also are a good source and way of allowing the learner to test their listening and comprehension skills. Another site which is great for non-English speakers who wish to speak Enlgish is TalkEnglish. This site helps people practice spoken English as well. This site has lessons varying from "Travel English - to Interview English." Another helpful site for English and non-English speakers is BusinessEnglish. The site allows people to learn important business terms and words. What is amazing about these sites is that they are not solely exclusive to the learning of the English language. Instead, there are sites that also help native English speakers, learn languages such as French, Spanish and Russian. These sites are what the world needs to progress. People who are born and are only taught one language at home, or wish to learn eight or more languages could benefit greatly from these sites. It is a great site, and this summer I am going to be pracitsing my Russian skills online. So instead of "facebooking," I am going to be interacting with Russian speakers, and perhaps learn the language.
http://www.hindu.com/biz/2007/11/05/stories/2007110550081700.htm
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Great post, and the sites are amazing. How well do you think a person learns a language through sites like these? When it comes learning specific aspects of a language, do you think they are missing out on other very important, fundamental aspects to the language, such as focusing exclusively on business? Even though you argue for people learning different languages, would it be a better use of time and resources if everyone learned one specific language?
I do not know, but i am going to try in the summer :-). I do not know if they would be missing out on the fundamentals. Because, when we speak English, rarely do we speak as if we are reading a book, and unless they are forced to write, then the fundamentals become critical. But, speaking, I think they should be fine.
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