LibGuides: Language learning: Websites

Language learning courses

BBC Languages
The BBC's language learning site includes good coverage of French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek and Chinese, and 33 other languages to a lesser extent. Although the website is archived and no longer being updated, it still contains much useful material.
Foreign Services Institute
The US Foreign Services Institute, which provides language learning services to US diplomats, also offers their archived language learning materials for free personal use. The website is basic and no longer maintained, but the materials were designed by professional linguists.
Duolingo
Free website offering a range of language learning courses to complete in your own time for as little as 5 minutes a day.

General language learning website

Vistawide - World languages & cultures
A gateway to information and resources for learning languages and about the culture of other countries.

Language learning websites by language

Click on the tabs above to explore other languages.

English

Cambridge English Language Assessment
English language resources, including for IELTS, from the University of Cambridge.
Learn English (British Council)
High quality resources to help improve your English

Arabic

The Arab British Centre
The Arab British Centre works to improve the British public’s understanding of the Arab world through cultural and artistic events, Arabic calligraphy and Arabic language classes.

British Sign Language

British Sign
Information on learning resources and support learning BSL.

Chinese

BBC - Languages Chinese
Part of the BBC Languages suite on Chinese with lessons, pronunciation and more. Although the website is archived and no longer being updated, it still contains much useful material.

French

Culturethèque
Culturethèque is an online platform offering French cultural content such as e-books, films and audio books. Published by the Institut français du Royaume-Uni, the mission statement of this cultural cooperation tool is to present the best of French cultural events happening today in order to promote the presence of the French language online. Register with the site to access all its content for free.
Institut National de l'Audiovisuel
100,000 radio and television programmes available to download.

German

Goethe-Institut, UK
The Goethe-Institut is a cultural institute of the German government, which seeks to promote knowledge of the German language abroad. It offers language courses and a range of cultural events and information services.

Italian

Internet culturale
An online gateway providing access to digital resources on all aspects of Italian culture and literature, which is sponsored by the Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali.
Italian Cultural Institute in London
"The official Italian government agency for the promotion of cultural exchanges between Great Britain and Italy". Organises language courses and various cultural events.

Japanese

The Japan Foundation
The Japan Foundation promotes international cultural exchange between Japan and the rest of the world, through arts and culture, Japanese language education and Japanese studies

Modern Greek

The Hellenic Centre
Promotes an awareness of Hellenic culture in the UK by offering lectures, exhibitions, concerts, social events and Greek language courses.

Russian

Pushkin House
Pushkin House is the UK's oldest independent Russian cultural centre and aims to promote Russian culture in all its forms.

Spanish

Centro Virtual Cervantes
A website created and maintained by the Cervantes Institute to promote the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures.

Academic English

Academic English is the type of English you need for understanding your study materials and writing and speaking about your subject. If you read a journal article, take part in a seminar, write an essay or produce a reflective account of group working, academic English is probably being used. Developing your academic English can help you get more from your degree and achieve your full potential.

Academic English Programme (AEP)
An extensive and flexible programme of courses, webinars and one-to-one consultations free to all fee-paying international students at the University of Reading. The Academic English Programme is available at any stage of your studies in Reading and can help you succeed in your studies.
Language Bites
A series of 20 short videos and accompanying information sheets, created by the Academic English Programme, which can help you improve the accuracy and impact of your academic writing. You can find 'bite-sized' guides to important topics such as active v. passive voice, tenses for reporting verbs and writing successful thesis statements. (YuJa videos - University login required).
Academic Word List
A list of 570 word families which frequently appear in academic texts; includes information about the list and practice exercises.
Academic Phrasebank
A general resource for academic writers providing examples of useful phrases organised by language function.
EAP Foundation
A website primarily intended for students undertaking a Foundation or Pre-sessional Programme to help them develop academic language and skills.

Tips on evaluating websites

Before believing the information given on a web site, or quoting it in your essay or project, think about the following:

Authority

Who is responsible for the page/site?
Is it a reliable organisation (eg a well known university) or a subject expert?
Can you trust them?

Accuracy and reliability

Is the information correct?
Is the grammar and spelling correct?
Is it complete, or are they just giving one point of view?
Do they have their own agenda eg political organisations?
Is the information fact or opinion?

Currency

Can you tell how up-to-date it is?
Is it regularly updated?
You don't want to quote out-of-date information

Audience / relevance

Is the information of the right level to be quoted in your project? If it is aimed at the general public or school children it might not be!

Feel!

Is the site well structured and easy to navigate?
Are the links from the page up-to-date and valid?
If it is well designed and maintained then you can feel more confident about the information it provides