Software designed to help users learn a new language is the focus of topics in this guide.
This may include software used in an educational setting, such as secondary or college-level foreign language courses, and it may also refer to programs those who want to learn a new language at home, or improve their language skills.
People might decide to learn a new language for a variety of reasons. They might be planning a trip to a foreign country, or perhaps a job requires bilingual abilities. Many people simply want to study a new language for the sake of bettering themselves. Adults who wish to learn a new language will often consider whether to take lessons from an instructor or take group classes from a college or university, but they might also decide whether to invest in a software application. There are several available, and they offer users the advantage of being able to study at home and on their own time.
As with most other types of software, language learning applications are available for use on a PC, Mac, or mobile device, and both commercial and free and open-source options are available. In recent years, web-based language learning programs have risen in popularity, also accessible by a web browser or on mobile devices, often by monthly subscription.
Appropriate resources for this category are language learning software programs, whether for use on a PC or other desktop device, mobile device, or online. These may include programs designed to teach the user to speak or become conversational in the language, to read another language, or to recognize language characters that may be foreign to them, such as Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese.
Recommended Resources
Based in Germany, the premium subscription-based language learning application is available in several languages, accessible through a web browser, iOS, or Android. Included are beginner, intermediate, and grammar courses, as well as vocabulary lessons, and courses including tongue-twisters, idioms, colloquialisms, and sayings. The method of learning supported in the program is defined, features are outlined, a list of available courses, and prices are included.
https://www.babbel.com/
Hosted on SourceForge, the small program is designed to help users learn to write Chinese characters, particularly Mandarin, which it seeks to accomplish through the use of three different games, each of which reinforces the user’s knowledge of Chinese characters and vocabulary differently. Each of these games can be played at various levels. A description as to how the character recognition works is given, and developer resources are included.
http://dragon-char.sourceforge.net/
Duolingo is a software package that includes a language-learning website and software application, along with a digital language proficiency assessment examination. The app and site may be accessed free of charge, although a premium service is available for a free, along with a language learning platform designed for use in the classroom. The approach to languages used by the platform includes bite-size lessons that have the feel of a game. Guidelines and options are defined.
https://www.duolingo.com/
Originally created and released in 1996 by a Chinese language student, Hanzim (Hanzi Master) is a Chinese character learning aid application for the Mac, Windows, and iOS platforms, designed to help users memorize Chinese characters and words. Its features, as a dictionary and memory aid, and for studying, are highlighted, including screenshots and explanations. Once available as an open-source application, it is now available only for purchase.
http://www.hanzim.com/
JILetters is an open-source program used to help children become more aware of the appearance of letters and to learn the alphabet, following the UK tradition of teaching children to learn lower-case letters before moving on to upper-case letters. Available for Linux and Windows users, the program is available under the terms of the GNU General Public License. The requirements for its use are stated, along with installation instructions, screenshots, and contacts.
http://jiletters.sourceforge.net/
The LeaRN Japanese RPG, Slime Forest Adventure, is intended to teach basic Japanese literacy. The game is playable, and the first storyline is essentially complete, with a demo and registered versions available for Windows, macOS, and GNU/Linux. A paid membership grants access to the full registered version of SFA. The demo version and updates can be downloaded from the site, after which users can register the program for full features. Update notifications are posted.
https://lrnj.com/
Available for Mac and Windows machines, MyChineseFlashCards is an open-source application intended to help users memorize Chinese characters by discovering the characters with flashcards, training to write and recognize characters with four learning strategies, manage and organize personal flashcards and lists of characters, search characters in a dictionary, and to know and learn the Chinese radicals and look-alike characters. A demo movie is available.
http://myflashcards.sourceforge.net/
Available for the Microsoft Windows platform, PechaMaker is a software tool for the creation of Tibetan Pecha. Integrating a simple editor that allows the user to enter text with the keyboard or import it from RTF files, automatic formatting of the text into Pecha pages or regular pages, and a layout tool that allows the user to specify how the Pecha pages will appear on the screen and in print. RTF import and export are supported to and from a word processor. A user guide is included.
http://www.pechamaker.com/
The Rosetta Stone Language Learning Suite is a proprietary computer-assisted language learning software developed by Rosetta Stone, Inc. Supporting Windows and Mac systems, the software uses images, text, and sound to teach words and grammar through spaced repetition, without repetition, in an approach known as Dynamic Immersion. Its languages and pricing are set forth, along with its programs for businesses and schools. Special offers are highlighted.
https://www.rosettastone.com/
Offering a basic-level Spanish language program online, the company offers three levels of premium downloadable Spanish language courses and two additional training programs designed for the Windows operating system. They may be purchased individually or, alternatively, Levels 1 and two, Levels 1, 2, and 3, or all of its programs are available as bundles. Information about what is included in each course, topics covered, system requirements, and ordering information are included.
http://www.spanishprograms.com/
Established in 1996, and published by the SignWriting Press, and affiliated with the SignWriting Literature Project, the Deaf Action Committee For SignWriting and the Center for Sutton Movement Writing, the site offers a variety of software tools for signwriting, including the entire New Testament of the Bible and the Book of Jonah in American Sign Language (ASL), Brazilian sign language topics, and programs for signwriting lessons, the history of signwriting, and signwriting in deaf education.
http://www.signwriting.org/
