There is an intuitive website that combines both language learning and social networking. It’s Babbel.com. They have five languages available – French, English, German, Spanish, and Italian. I’ve been using it for the past two months to learn French, and it’s kind of like Rosetta Stone, but it’s web-based and free of charge. I don’t know how they make money off this, but they are providing this service for free for now, and the number of users is 200,000+ and growing.
I had to sign up and create my login before I could use the service, and it was as easy to sign up as any other site I’ve been to nowadays. I was asked to select my skill level in the particular language I chose – Français – and the site makes adjustments in the lessons according to my level.
The site also records the vocabulary and phrases I worked on and keeps a list of these, and reminds me to refresh memory. Just the other day, they even sent me a reminder email to review my learned vocabulary list, which I did. I log on two to three times a week to use it for 15-20 minutes, and I am really impressed. I actually get to enjoy learning a new language! They make it fun in innovative ways.
It also has a section called “People,” and I was able to look up other fellow language learners using a search option, and users of babbel.com can help out one another by volunteering to correct and help people learning their native languages. I might just try to connect with some of people there. Of course, it cannot replace the old fashioned language classes and practice with people, but it is surely a very good supplement to those of us trying to learn one of these five languages. Overall I’m quite impressed with the job this small team of Germans has done. I would recommend this site to language learners of all levels.
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