Like any adventurous person or excited traveler, I enjoy visiting cultures and environments that are new to me, unfamiliar and exciting. This often means that I am traveling to places where I am unable to ask where the nearest restroom is.
Well...that's not 100% true. I did take 2 years of French in middle school and I like to pretend that I remember some of that.
Ever since I tried the Pimsleur Language Lessons CDs, I've been looking for a more modern alternative to learning a foreign language. Preferrably, one that is both addicting and practical. I'm looking for something that allows me to learn the vocabulary visually (see how it is spelled), vocally (hear it pronounced), verbally (pronounce it myself), and in context (learn phrases and sentences, not just words). When I saw the post over at The Penniless Traveler, I knew I had found a keeper.
Duolingo is a little less flexible/versatile, because it is still very new. It doesn't have very many languages offered, and it requires you to have working speakers/microphone. I'll have to try out the mobile app and see how it works.
But it is fun! I tried it with my measly beginner French, and my more advanced Spanish - and I definitely enjoyed it. Pronouncing the French vocabulary into the microphone was the most helpful aspect of it. I'm used to Spanish pronunciation, but French is a different story.
So thanks to Rachel at The Penniless Traveler!
