I need to improve my comprehension of spoken Italian, and I'm looking for free podcasts in Italian (as opposed to recorded language lessons) which can help me do this. [more inside]
posted by pont on Mar 15, 2013 - 2 answers

I'm learning French, and am looking to increase my exposure to spoken French. Among other things, I've been listening to the Coffee Break French series of podcasts, which has been very helpful, but I'd like to add in some podcasts that aren't specifically about learning French -- podcasts that are by native French speakers and made for a French-speaking audience, but which ideally are fairly accessible or at least roughly comprehensible with some effort to someone who has only a patchy knowledge of the language. French news podcasts might be valuable to me, for instance. Bonus features: podcasts that are also broadcast in English, podcasts that are about scientific topics, and podcasts that are about or are produced in francophone Africa. Recommendations?
posted by Scientist on Mar 14, 2013 - 17 answers

How do I find a quality language tutor for myself in NYC? [more inside]
posted by lxs on Dec 9, 2012 - 7 answers

Tell me everything about teaching kids how to speak and read and write. [more inside]
posted by pracowity on Oct 16, 2012 - 19 answers

I'm taking a beginning Thai language class, with an emphasis on oral communication. Is it vital to learn the tones/alphabet first? [more inside]
posted by elisse on Sep 16, 2012 - 6 answers

I came across a very neat online language learning tool a few weeks ago, but I didn't bookmark it and now I can't find it again. Basically it worked like this: you choose a preset text or story (I think they were mostly fables and fairy tales), your native language, and the foreign language you're trying to practice. Then it shows the text of the story with a few of your native words replaced with their foreign equivalents, letting you learn them in context. [more inside]
posted by pont on May 25, 2012 - 4 answers

Can anybody help me find TV shows/documentaries/podcasts/literature on doctors and hospitals in Brazilian Portuguese? [more inside]
posted by tvdveer on May 16, 2012 - 3 answers

Are there any reputable online equivalents to a university level "intro to Sanskrit"? [more inside]
posted by eric1halfb on Mar 20, 2012 - 3 answers

Have you used LingQ.com to help you learn a language? What did you think of it? Do you have any other recommendations for paid language learning sites that cost no more than $15 per month? (I am learning Spanish.) [more inside]
posted by ocherdraco on Feb 9, 2012 - 8 answers

Can you give me strategy and tactics for maximizing my spoken Japanese interactions, towards the goal of language ability, while in Japan? Those of you who have reached exceptional/native-level fluency speaking, can you give me some tips, and share your experiences of the things that helped the most along the way, in terms of speaking ability? [more inside]
posted by dubitable on Jul 15, 2011 - 12 answers

Conventional wisdom says that watching a lot of TV/Movies in another language helps with comprehension. What are some good movies/shows to help me with Mandarin? My current level is quite basic (2 semesters of college classes).
posted by joshwa on May 18, 2011 - 9 answers

Which Slavic language should I study? [more inside]
posted by Sara C. on Apr 27, 2011 - 33 answers

What are the best mnemonic or other methods for learning a language? [more inside]
posted by atchafalaya on Feb 20, 2011 - 12 answers

Does anyone know of a provider of Lithuanian language lessons for adult beginners in London, UK? [more inside]
posted by KMH on Oct 4, 2010 - 7 answers

How can my friend and I use our Skype video chats to learn a new language? [more inside]
posted by ollyolly on Jun 12, 2010 - 4 answers

Japanese Filter: Can anyone help me find the Japanese version of an English Shunryu Suzuki quote? [more inside]
posted by MPenguin on Jun 1, 2010 - 6 answers

Suppose you were designing a Star Wars-esque protocol droid. How would it learn new languages it had never encountered before? I'm writing a science fiction story and I'm trying to figure out how a language-learning robot character might realistically handle a situation. [more inside]
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis on Apr 27, 2010 - 37 answers

What are the most common 20% of words in any language? [more inside]
posted by jinatrix on Jun 14, 2009 - 12 answers

Of all the web applications, Nintendo DS games, iphone/ipod touch apps, and other technology-based methods available for learning Japanese Kanji, what do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by Vorteks on Apr 23, 2009 - 9 answers

Help me sound like I know a lot of foreign languages. [more inside]
posted by blahtsk on Dec 17, 2008 - 22 answers

Analytic/Isolating languages that have standardized, highly phonetic writing in the Latin alphabet? [more inside]
posted by zeek321 on Sep 24, 2008 - 8 answers

What are the best books/tools for speakers of Spanish interested in learning other Romance languages? [more inside]
posted by Kosh on Jul 8, 2008 - 7 answers

How do I re-learn how to pronounce words in English and minimize my accent? [more inside]
posted by Memo on Feb 17, 2008 - 13 answers

I've just started studying Hebrew (the class has a focus on "Biblical Hebrew"), and I'm looking for some additional resources outside of class. Does anyone know of software, internet sites, or books that might be helpful in learning a language so different from English? So far the class hasn't been too bad, but I'd like to do additional learning at home.
posted by greengrl on Jan 9, 2004 - 2 answers