Looking for free (or cheap) ways to learn two languages

[rabidpotatochip]

I have to learn a bit of Spanish and Mandarin (weird combination, I know) and was wondering if anyone has any preferred websites or podcasts for getting the job done. I'm not aiming for high proficiency, just enough that I can carry on a simple conversation, reading and writing is not required. I have to give preference to Mandarin for now because I only have about five months for that project whereas the Spanish can be stretched over a year. Mandarin probably won't get much use after this year so I just need the basics. Next year my focus will shift to full fluency in Spanish.

I know I'd get better results with a teacher but I don't have that kind of time or money right now; this will have to be the start of my education. I'm already fluent in Dutch and know some ASL (American Sign Language) so I have faith in my ability to learn languages. Once I get the basics down I'm planning to use Skype to trade languages with people in other countries but I need to know where to get the basics first.

So, are there any podcasts or free audio lessons or cheap (but good!) software you guys can recommend?

Thanks!

 

[TonyH]

Check out this website:

www.livemocha.com

I used it to pick up some Spanish while supervising an all Mexican kitchen last year. It's a lot of fun, it's free, and it helped me a ton. It's pretty basic, but I could pick out key words a phrases, and it really boils down to how much time you can commit to learning. I highly recommend it.

 

[rabidpotatochip]

Check out this website:

www.livemocha.com

I used it to pick up some Spanish while supervising an all Mexican kitchen last year. It's a lot of fun, it's free, and it helped me a ton. It's pretty basic, but I could pick out key words a phrases, and it really boils down to how much time you can commit to learning. I highly recommend it.

Thanks! That site looks really good. I especially like that it has both languages as options. Signed up and will give it a try tonight.

 

[RichGem]

Spanish should be relatively easy, but Mandarin? Whew boy. As I'm told, inflection and pitch mean just as much to the word's meaning as the word itself. (ie: pitch and inflection determine the meaning of the word). Lotsa luck.

 

[TonyH]

You're very welcome Rabid! I signed up with them early on, and they have offered me some enhanced and upgraded content for REALLY cheap a few times. For instance, they wanted to launch a pay service that included one on one chat sessions, group chat lessons, etc. The cost they proposed was $10, very reasonable, but they offered it to me for $2 to use for three months! I really enjoy the site and I'd like to hear your impression of it after you use it. I will be getting back on there soon to continue my Spanish in preparation for a move to South Texas, so maybe I'll see you on there!

 

[rabidpotatochip]

Spanish should be relatively easy, but Mandarin? Whew boy. As I'm told, inflection and pitch mean just as much to the word's meaning as the word itself. (ie: pitch and inflection determine the meaning of the word). Lotsa luck.

I've heard the same thing about Thai... When my uncle went there for the first time he thought he was calling a little girl "very beautiful" but apparently he was actually calling her a dog. It looks like there are four levels of tone with Mandarin... this should be fun. Thankfully, I have until November.

You're very welcome Rabid! I signed up with them early on, and they have offered me some enhanced and upgraded content for REALLY cheap a few times. For instance, they wanted to launch a pay service that included one on one chat sessions, group chat lessons, etc. The cost they proposed was $10, very reasonable, but they offered it to me for $2 to use for three months! I really enjoy the site and I'd like to hear your impression of it after you use it. I will be getting back on there soon to continue my Spanish in preparation for a move to South Texas, so maybe I'll see you on there!

I signed up with the same name as here. I haven't figured out how to find/add people just yet. hehe

Right now I'm matching pictures to phonetically written words. I can already kind of tell the difference between male and female, but it looks like I'm in for some headaches.

Edit: Apparently I scored 58%...

 

[RichGem]

I've heard the same thing about Thai... When my uncle went there for the first time he thought he was calling a little girl "very beautiful" but apparently he was actually calling her a dog. It looks like there are four levels of tone with Mandarin... this should be fun. Thankfully, I have until November.

By the way.... why? (you learning Mandarin)

Right now I'm matching pictures to phonetically written words. I can already kind of tell the difference between male and female, but it looks like I'm in for some headaches.

May I suggest a crash course in biology... or at least an old Health Class filmstrip or two?

 

[Lynchmeister]

I also just registered at livemocha.com. Free is good!

 

[TonyH]

I almost started a Livemocha thread once. Don't know why not, but it's cool that there's so much interest. One of my life's goals is to become multi-lingual, and thought it was at least a good way to start. My name on there is the same as on here, if anyone would like to add me. It works pretty much like MySpace if you're familiar with that.

 

[rabidpotatochip]

By the way.... why? (you learning Mandarin)




[May I suggest a crash course in biology... or at least an old Health Class filmstrip or two?

I have this need to learn at least some of the language everywhere I go and there's a good chance that China thing is happening (won't know for sure till mid-next week at the earliest). Since I'll be on my own most of the time I figured it'd be useful and some of our customers speak Mandarin so I figure that'd score me some bonus points.

.... I am at a loss for words at your other comment.

I also just registered at livemocha.com. Free is good!

+1!

Edit: Scored 76 or 78% that time... I closed it by accident. Meanwhile I've also discovered Chinese-Tools.com and their handy phonetics lesson which I assume will aid me in not making an *** of myself.

 

[BytesU]

You can also check out the iTunes store for free podcast language lessons.

 

[RichGem]

I have this need to learn at least some of the language everywhere I go and there's a good chance that China thing is happening (won't know for sure till mid-next week at the earliest). Since I'll be on my own most of the time I figured it'd be useful and some of our customers speak Mandarin so I figure that'd score me some bonus points.

.... I am at a loss for words at your other comment.

WOW. Leaving the Cat speechless. I'm so proud of myself right now.

 

[gollum83]

Hmm, that site looks very interesting thubbard. Been meaning to learn a new language myself, I might go check it out myself. Thanks!

Spanish should be relatively easy, but Mandarin? Whew boy. As I'm told, inflection and pitch mean just as much to the word's meaning as the word itself. (ie: pitch and inflection determine the meaning of the word). Lotsa luck.

Yep! I don't speak Mandarin, but I've worked around enough Chinese grad students over the past few years to understand tone is very important.

I've heard the same thing about Thai... When my uncle went there for the first time he thought he was calling a little girl "very beautiful" but apparently he was actually calling her a dog. It looks like there are four levels of tone with Mandarin... this should be fun. Thankfully, I have until November.

I think its true of a lot of East Asian languages actually, at least that's what I've heard from my aunt who frequently travels to that part of the world.

May I suggest a crash course in biology... or at least an old Health Class filmstrip or two?

Just try and confuse him even more, Rich.

 

[gollum83]

WOW. Leaving the Cat speechless. I'm so proud of myself right now.

We should get you a trophy or something to commemorate this momentous occasion.

 

[Lynchmeister]

Wow, I gotta say that I'm hooked on Live Mocha. What a great concept! (think Rosetta Stone meets Facebook)

I'm proud to report that mein Deutsch wird besser (and) yo hablo y comprendo un poco Espanol. Sehr gut/muy bien!

 

[Lynchmeister]

I almost started a Livemocha thread once. Don't know why not, but it's cool that there's so much interest. One of my life's goals is to become multi-lingual, and thought it was at least a good way to start. My name on there is the same as on here, if anyone would like to add me. It works pretty much like MySpace if you're familiar with that.

Will do. I'm "Cory." Very original, I know.

Edit: thubbard76, wasn't able to find you.

 

[Lynchmeister]

As ex-Czar, I've found myself with...well...no more time than before seeing as how I didn't really do anything while appointed, but I digress. As ex-Czar, I have a lot free time and in less than 24 hours have really gotten sucked into this Live Mocha thing (what a wierd name!). I've added Dutch and French to my agenda. I can already tell that my German will definitely help some with the Dutch. Here's where I'm at so far. Ik ben een man. Zij is een meisje. Chip is een kalk kattekop.

 

[RichGem]

As ex-Czar, I've found myself with...well...no more time than before seeing as how I didn't really do anything while appointed, but I digress. As ex-Czar, I have a lot free time and in less than 24 hours have really gotten sucked into this Live Mocha thing (what a wierd name!). I've added Dutch and French to my agenda. I can already tell that my German will definitely help some with the Dutch. Here's where I'm at so far. Ik ben een man. Zij is een meisje. Chip is een kalk kattekop.

Hey! Watch your mouth!

 

[Lynchmeister]

Hey! Watch your mouth!

Sorry, Chip. I didn't mean it...yes I did.

 

[RichGem]

Sorry, Chip. I didn't mean it...yes I did.

btw, you forgot:

Richard is de tsaar