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Learn a Foreign Language Online with a Real Native Speaker

by Neil Woodburn (RSS feed) on Oct 8th 2007 at 7:32AM

One of the very best ways to learn a foreign language is by conversing with a native speaker. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to find a native speaker when you are still at home getting ready for your trip abroad.

Sure, you can pay a fortune and visit your local Berlitz, but now there is a better way to practice conversation with a local expert.

FluencyNow.com is a cool new site that hooks students up with native speakers on the other side of the globe. If you have a pair of microphone enabled headphones and a high speed internet connection you are good to go. Simply book a time for a session, await confirmation, and then chat away at the appointed time.

50-minute sessions cost only $30--a whole lot cheaper than Berlitz and a whole lot more practical. And who knows, perhaps your native speaker will want to meet you in person and show you around when you finally arrive in their country.

(via Budget Travel)

Filed under: Learning, Foreign Language

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Cesar from Argentina Oct 8th 2007 10:38AM

This is great. I always tell people that the only way to really learn a language is to jump in and immerse yourself, and this is pretty close to that, albeit over the internet.

Still though, I wonder if the added bonus of "talking to that hottie over there" when you're traveling doesn't make your learning go quicker.

When you do finally come to Buenos Aires to learn Spanish, check out this for some tips: http://argentinastravel.com/254/learning-spanish-in-buenos-aires/

Bobby Oct 8th 2007 11:46AM

I'd recommend this one as it's free.
http://www.livemocha.com/

webmaster Oct 16th 2007 8:09PM

Hi there!

I was perusing your site and noticed that you have a link to us on your site -- thanks for that – and this is just a quick note to let you know that we've changed our URL – from the original www.thatsbj.com to the new www.thebeijinger.com.

Pop by and you'll notice the content remains the same, as always, including:

-- Beijing's most active free classifieds;
-- An oft-used (and occasionally abused!) bbs
-- Our extensive Beijing directory and events listings
-- The online archive of articles from that’s Beijing magazine
-- A large collection of Beijing-related links
-- An online gallery of Beijing party and event photos
-- And our new web-only content posted daily in our tbjblog

Thanks again for linking to us and please send us a message any time if you have any questions!

Victoria

the Beijinger Web Editor

Nicolette Nov 7th 2007 12:49AM

Thank you for the resources.

It's very important to interact with a native speaker when learning a foreign language. I speak 7 languages, the school environment didn't help me a lot to master my target languages but the thing that boosts my learning process is the interaction with native speakers ...

it's always tough and indimitating at the beginning to take the initiative to talk with a native but it's worth the effort.

Languages learners have to go through this process to become fluent in their target language.

My blog about the best and effective way to self-study ANY foreign language!

http://www.languageslovers.blogspot.com/

webmaster Dec 17th 2008 10:24PM

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