Language Exchange User Posts

If the idea of a traditional language class makes you shudder but the idea of learning a language seems exciting, interesting, or simply necessary, don’t you worry. There are plenty of nontraditional ways to get you learning and using Persian. So whether you’re visiting Iran or another country of Persian influence, or if you’re just interested in expanding your language skills, take a look at these free options.

Language Exchange Partner
This is your best bet to really learn Persian; what better way is there to learn than working one-on-one with a native speaker? Language exchange partners are great because they come ready with a working knowledge of Persian and are invaluable conversation partners with whom you can practice your spoken language. In short, they are a resource to help guide you through the process of learning a language and helping you find useful tools to aid in your learning. Learning from a native speaker also gives you an inside look on the different cultures and helps make the learning process more dynamic.

You can connect with a language exchange partner for free at LRNGO and exchange your time teaching them something (it can be anything—English, even!) for Persian lessons.

Podcasts and Radio
Listening is a great way to get learning a language, especially because you can do it anywhere while doing almost anything. You can listen to podcasts on your phone while you work around the house, take a walk, or drive to work, making it easier than ever to make time for learning. Learn Persian with Chai and Conversation is a great beginner’s course that helps learners get the foundational skills they need to succeed in the language. BBC Persian Radio Podcasts is perfect for a speaker with some Persian foundation to use to strengthen their vocabulary and listening skills.

Videos
Watching videos online is an easy way to learn on your own. Watch some of these engaging Persian teachers and get the benefit of both auditory and visual learning with these videos.

Persian Pod 101 plays on the idea that you can learn Persian in three minutes and features a few three-minute lesson videos for beginners to help build up their vocabulary and expressions.

Mauwood Academy offers learners over fifty videos dedicated to teaching Persian. The videos are clear and helpful and focus on vocabulary and grammar, helping you get a strong grasp on the basics.

As you become more advanced in your Persian skills, try moving onto watching videos (or movies) in Persian with Persian subtitles, allowing you to get more natural exposure and practice to the language.


Photo Credit: dynamosquito

Have you heard? You may be missing out on valuable language learning time! The time you spend in the car—your commute to work, that solitary road trip, your drive to the grocery store—can be used to better your language skills! Start using your time wisely with these tips on how to learn a language while you drive.

Learning a language is multidimensional. You need to be a well-rounded learner in order to function within the language, meaning you have to practice with your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The more you listen to a language, the more familiar your ear will become with it. You already listen to music and radio shows in the car all the time, so why not switch to material that will help you improve your listening skills and help you better understand and speak a second language?

There are a ton of possibilities to learning your language in the car, and it all depends on your language level and personal learning style.

Listen to podcasts in your language of study. Which podcasts you choose will depend largely on what level of speaking you are at. Some podcast are designed specifically for beginners, but if you’re more advanced, you could begin listening to those aimed for native speakers. This blog post gives some great advice on how to access them.

Radio shows in your language of choice will help your ear get attuned to the complications of listening to native speakers and will help you get accustomed to different accents, inflections, and speeds, all of which you will experience in real world situations. You can find radio shows from all over the world online (TuneIn has a huge selection in many different languages)—so download some of that audio and find something that interests you! You will be much more willing to focus on listening if you’re interested in the topic.

Audiobooks are a great way for you to get accustomed to listening to your language of study. Audiobooks are generally spoken more slowly, and are easier to follow than radio shows. If you are a beginner, choose a story that you are familiar with, as this will make it easier for you to follow along. Once you are more comfortable with your language skills, move on to unfamiliar stories.

Music sung by native speakers is a fun way to pick up on a new language. The key is to listen beyond the beats and try to understand the lyrics. Translate the lyrics at home so that you know what’s being sung and try to follow along. Then jam out and sing along to your favorite foreign songs in the car.


Photo Credit: Timo Newton-Syms

Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language that is the national language of Pakistan and official language of six Indian states. Urdu is associated with the Hindu community and with Muslims of the region of Hindustan. Urdu has about 104 million speakers including those who speak Urdu as a 2nd language. In addition to Pakistan and India, Urdu is also spoken and understood in Bangladesh, Nepal, the Middle East, the UK, and many other countries around the world where Pakistani communities have settled.

Urdu and Hindi are very similar with just some slight differences. Urdu and Hindi are alike in structure, grammar, vocabulary, and phonology. The difference between the languages is in how they are written. While Urdu script comes from Persian and Arabic, Hindi comes more from Sanskrit. The population of Hindi-Urdu speakers is ranked the fourth largest of the languages in the world.

If you are thinking of living or visiting Pakistan, certain areas of India, or places where Hindu and Muslim communities are prominent, learning Urdu will be in your best interest. Learning how to read, write, and speak Urdu will help you become familiar with the language of the people living in these parts of the world. Learning Urdu will also not only help you read and write the Arabic and Persian alphabet but will also help you become more familiar with how to speak Hindi. If you are interested in learning Urdu, here are the top four websites to help you get started.

1. Linguanaut - https://www.linguanaut.com/english_urdu.htm
   This link is ideal for learning the most common Urdu greetings, phrases, and expressions. This site gives translations to help with common scenarios: how to introduce yourself, how to wish someone something, solving a misunderstanding, etc. The site displays the translated word or phrases the way it would be pronounced and the way it would be written in Urdu script. This conveniently allows for a learner to practice how to read, write, and speak Urdu sayings.


2. WikiHow-How to Speak and Understand Urdu - https://www.wikihow.com/Speak-and-Understand-Urdu
   This link presents a step-by-step process on how to speak and understand Urdu. The steps primarily focus on teaching Urdu grammar such as pronouns, verbs, tense usage, sentence structure, etc. The laid-out steps make the learning process easy to follow and understand.


3. Surface Languages-Urdu - https://www.surfacelanguages.com/language/Urdu
   This site is very helpful for learning the basics of Urdu such as common phrases and vocabulary. Surface Languages offers interactive flashcards and games on multiple topics to help you learn Urdu easily. One of the stand out features of this site is that it allows you to listen to words being spoken aloud so you are able to hear and copy correct pronunciations.


4. MyLanguages-Urdu - https://mylanguages.org/urdu_phrases.php
   This site is a great resource for learning and practicing Urdu. My Languages offers an endless list of English to Urdu basic words and phrases that can be learned such as colors, numbers, food, etc. The site has pictures and audio to better help you remember these new words and sayings as well. What makes this site useful is that the Urdu words and phrases are not only translated but written in Urdu script as well.

Photo Credit: Syed Tirmizi