Back to School...

... and starting Spanish, French or Mandarin

Regular visitors to this page tend to have a lot of experience with language learning, and are likely working on a third, fourth or fifth language. But we all have to start somewhere. In the United States the starting point, alas, is often high school, with Freshman Spanish or French. At the language school where I work, nervous students-to-be are taking short introductory courses so that the idea of learning a foreign language will be one thing they're used to this fall, not another new challenge. So if there are any budding linguists reading, here are a few suggestions for getting started.

Michel Thomas was rather older when he put together his courses, and he can get a bit cranky. But he also gives a lot of background for dealing with a new language quickly. His 2-CD starter sets won't make you fluent, but they'll give you a good head start and help you know what you're getting into.

Earworms Audio Programs feature words and phrases in English and the target language. The music can be a bit cheesy - the sort of fake rock that 45 year-old educators will think is "hip" - but if you bear with it you get used to it and can pick up a not-bad starter vocabulary.

Talk Now programs introduce basic vocabulary and test your learning with a sort of computerized game show format. Again, good for picking up a couple hundred words of basic vocabulary.

Before You Know It is free flashcard software to help you learn words and phrases. More comprehensive software is available for sale. You can get the free versions at BYKI.com.

Last, but definitely not least, be sure to check out the free podcasts at ChinesePod, FrenchPod and SpanishPod.