Language Exchange User Posts

One of the best ways to learn a language is to be surrounded by it, so if you’re looking to study Spanish, why not study in Mexico? You will encounter endless opportunities to learn the language, from traditional classroom settings and beyond. What are you waiting for? Adventure around Mexico and learn Spanish while you do it!

Immersion Schools

If your foremost goal in living in Mexico is to learn Spanish and you do well in classroom settings, then you might be interested in going to an immersion school. Immersion schools focus on combining your Spanish-speaking surroundings with intensive Spanish language classes, giving you an optimal learning environment.

Spanish Institute of Puebla is located in the historic center of Mexico City. They offer individual and group programs, excursions to get a better feel for the city, and optional homestays (beneficial in truly immersing yourself in the language), over lengths of 3-24 weeks.

Instituto Cultural Oaxaca is a diverse institute in the state Oaxaco, which offers your typical immersion classes, accommodation help (offering homestays as well as aid in apartment and hotel searches), excursions, and a variety of cultural classes ranging from cooking to film.

Language Exchange

If you prefer one-on-one learning, especially if you’re on a budget, check out language exchange sites like LRNGO, which helps connect you with a learning exchange partner. The idea is that you have valuable skills that can be taught to others in exchange for lessons in a subject you want to learn.

If you’re planning on staying in Mexico for an extended period of time and are interested in a more free-flowing method of learning, this may be the option for you. Another benefit to keep in mind is that it’s free and on your time, without the constrictions of an institute.

Meetup

Another way to meet a language exchange partner and practice your language skills is to check out the Meetup language exchange groups in your area. These groups generally meet on set days during the week to practice all kinds of languages. Pop in and be surrounded by people trying to learn, just like you!

These groups are also great if you’re new to the area and are looking to meet like-minded people. Take a look at the Meetup groups that coincide with your other interests—from cooking to biking, and meet new friends perfect for practicing your Spanish on.

Helpx/woofing

For a unique immersion experience, check out programs like Helpx or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), which offer you opportunities to work for room and board in areas all over the world, including Mexico!

Both of these programs give you the opportunity to be immersed in a language while working with people eager to interact with different cultures. Helpx is supported by a wide variety of people interested in cultural exchange who are in need of help with a wide variety of jobs—from chefs in a restaurant to hostel sitters, while WWOOF participants help with organic farm work while simultaneously being surrounded by the culture!

No matter how you plan on learning Spanish, being in Mexico will provide you with countless opportunities to study, learn, and practice your newfound ability!


Photo Credit: Dennis Jarvis

If you’re dreaming of the day when you will finally be able to speak Norwegian, you’re in the right place. But in order to make that dream a reality, you’ll have to start building up your skills—which may seem daunting if you live in an area where the population of Norwegian speakers is low. Fortunately, thanks to the Internet, you can get started learning Norwegian from the comfort of your own home, no matter where you live, using these online resources.

Norwegian101 is filled with all kinds of helpful resources. They offer a free Norwegian course, complete with listening activities and study material equaling to over 100 pages, include links to Norwegian news and radio sites, and provide background on the language.

Norwegian on the Web, hosted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, this is a great place to become an expert on the basics. The site features six chapters of grammar, vocab, and listening activities, with exercises for you to quiz yourself on the material.

Norwegian Lessons with Karin is a series of videos by a native Norwegian. Each video focuses on a different aspect of the language, from vocabulary to slang. It’s beneficial to take a look at videos like these since they are from an everyday native speaker. Your understanding will stretch beyond the grammar rules as you gain an insight on what the language is really like to those who speak it.

Norwegian—the tutorial is made for those who want a simple, straightforward lesson similar to a textbook. The site focuses on the introductory aspects of the language and presents the information in an easy-to-read format.

Online Dictionaries are useful once you feel like you’ve gotten the basics under control and want to start putting them to use. This dictionary offers you great English-Norwegian translations that will be a valuable tool in the quest to expand your working vocabulary.

LRNGO is a learning exchange site that offers users the opportunity to teach and be taught in return. By inputting the skills they can teach, those they wish to learn, and their location, users get a list of matches to connect with—both locally and virtually via Skype. This option gives you free, one-on-one learning time from an actual person who’s there to answer any of the questions that the Internet just can’t seem to answer for you.

Now you have no excuses. Get out there and start challenging yourself to learn a new language, and see which of the world’s doors it opens up to you!


Photo Credit: Travis Modisette

Vietnamese is a Southeast Asian language spoken by 82 million people. It is the national and official language of Vietnam, a country located on the eastern and southern part of the Indochinese peninsula. Vietnamese is also spoken in many other countries such as the USA, China, Cambodia, France, Australia, Laos, and Canada. If you are looking to live or visit Vietnam or to a place where Vietnamese is commonly spoken, learning Vietnamese would be in your best interests. The remainder of the article will show you the best ways to learn Vietnamese.

1. Take a Class
   The most traditional way of learning a new language is by taking a class. Visit local schools and colleges and ask if they are offering English to Vietnamese classes. You can also search online to see where Vietnamese classes are being taught around your area. The classroom setting is a great way to learn a new language because you are able to ask the instructor questions and meet new people who are interested in learning what you want to learn. Additionally, you can search through accredited websites to find Vietnamese classes that are available online.


2. Teach yourself online
   The most efficient and cost effective way to learn a new language is by utilizing free resources online. The following is a list of online websites where you can learn Vietnamese.


• Omniglot Vietnamese - https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/vietnamese.php
  Omniglot offers a useful list of English to Vietnamese translated words and phrases. The site shows translations in their written and scripted forms. Omniglot also conveniently offers an audio option for all words and phrases so you are able to hear and practice correct pronunciations.


• Vietnamese 101 - https://www.101languages.net/vietnamese/
  Vietnamese 101 offers a number of resources to learn the basics of Vietnamese and more. The site provides lessons in pronunciations such as vowels, consonants, and tones. There are also vocabulary lessons including such topics as numbers, time, colors, transportation, eating, etc. 101 languages provides pdf and audio lessons that can be easily downloaded for personal devices. The site also contains a wealth of interesting miscellaneous features such as Vietnamese radio, Vietnamese newspapers, and information on Vietnam geography and history.


• Everyday Viet - https://www.everydayviet.com/
  Everyday Viet is an online website that is solely dedicated on teaching Vietnamese. Their mission is to provide as many online resources as possible for people interested in learning Vietnamese and to be able to interact and communicate with the Vietnamese community. The site provides a wide range of video lessons that can also be found on YouTube. The lessons focus on teaching the basics of Vietnamese such as words, phrases, and important vocabulary. The teacher speaks clearly and gives good explanations. The video are detailed, well-explained, and conveniently show words and phrases the way they are written and how they would be pronounced.


3. Language Exchange through Lrngo
   Language exchange is the process of learning another language in exchange for teaching a language you already know. For example, you can ask a native speaker to teach you Vietnamese if in return you help that person improve on their English. Language exchange allows you to meet new people, teach what you know to others, and learn the language and culture of the people.
   
   Lrngo.com is a website that facilitates free learning and language exchange with others. By typing in your zip code, city, or country of residence, you can find hundreds of people who are willing to teach certain subjects and who want to learn other subjects. If you know English and are interested in learning Vietnamese, for example, you can participate in a language exchange with someone who knows Vietnamese and is interested in learning English. Don’t feel comfortable teaching another language in exchange for learning one? You can also exchange lessons in something else you are skilled at such as the piano, basketball, or biology.
   
   Lrngo allows you to meet people around your area for a language exchange lesson like at the public library, park, or university. Interacting with people who do not live locally is not a problem either because lessons can be easily given through online face-to-face video chats such as Skype, Oovoo, or Google Hangouts. Along with providing language and learning exchange options, Lrngo can also help connect you to private tutors and schools teaching what you are interested in around your area.
   
   If you are interested in learning Vietnamese in a fun and new way, doing a language exchange would be the best way to go. If you are interested in signing up for Lrngo and learning more about this process, visit www.lrngo.com

Photo Credit: Louis.foecy.fr