Language Links
The staff in the Language Lab are in the process of assembling links to useful language related sites around the Internet. These are links to languages taught on campus. We hope that the links on this page will be a useful resource to all language learners.
Arabic
Arabic Alphabet (Cafe Syria)
- Click on a letter and listen to the correct pronounciation.
http://www.cafe-syria.com/Alphabet.htm
Fun with Arabic
- Click on a letter and listen to the correct pronounciation. Includes alphabet, introduction to grammer and fun quiz.
http://www.funwitharabic.com
- Click on a letter and listen to the correct pronounciation.
http://www.musicoflebanon.com
Music
- Check out these sites for Arabic music:
Cities of Saudi Arabia
- Cities of Saudi Arabia, information and pictures covering the major cities in Saudi Arabia.
http://www.the-saudi.net/saudi-arabia/saudi-main-cities.htm
Al Jazeera
- Al Jazeera news in English.
http://www.aljazeera.com
Chinese
MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary
- This site is more than just a dictionary. There are also many useful tools for Chinese languaeg learners including translation and annotation tools, practice drills, and a very useful tool which allows users to type pinyin with tones.
http://us.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php
Chinese Romanization Converter
- Ever need to type tone marks above pinyin? You can use this utility from MandarinTools.com to convert pinyin words with numbers like Zhong1wen2 to the more elegant Zhōngwén.
http://www.mandarintools.com/pyconverter.html
Cultural Interviews with Chinese-Speaking Professionals
- Cultural Interviews with Chinese-Speaking Professionals is a compilation of brief video clips in which Chinese-speaking professionals discuss cultural issues that are of interest to North Americans. The objective of the interviews is three-fold: First, provide practical cultural information about business topics. The opinions represent those of real people. At times they are even contradictory, but they are designed to be a catalyst for discussion, not a definitive answer about some stereotype. Second, the interviews provide vocabulary in areas within a professional setting. The interviews present diverse vocabulary within the context of each individual's comments. Third, these materials provide non-native speakers of Chinese with multiple examples of natural speech, illustrating the way that speakers really talk. (from the website)
http://www.laits.utexas.edu/orkelm/chinese/
釋文解字 - Clavis Sinica Free Resources
- Clavis Sinica has released a new collection of free online learning resources for students of Chinese at the high school and college levels. Like the Clavis Sinica software, these resources are designed to supplement classroom learning by encouraging reading practice and vocabulary review outside of class. You can test your knowledge of Chinese characters, extract a vocabulary list from any text, browse a large collection of short essays (both text and audio), and much more.
http://www.clavisinica.com/fs-resources.html
网上中文输入法 - Online Chinese Input
- The Mayasian web portal Cari.com provides users around the globe with a simple Java-based Chinese input system. Users can select several different input methods including Pinyin-Traditional, Pinyin-Simplified, and English-Simplified.
http://chinese.cari.com.my/ime/
Learning Chinese Online
- Learning Chinese Online is one of the most popular sites for Chinese language learning on the Internet. Dr. Tianwei Xie from California State University Long Beach has assembled and updates regularly this site with links to all things related to studying and teaching Chinese.
http://www.csulb.edu/~txie/online.htm
Marjorie Chan's ChinaLinks
- This site is another good source for Chinese learners. Dr. Chan has links to over 600 China, and Chinese language and linguistic sites.
http://deall.ohio-state.edu/chan.9/c-links.htm
Zhongwen.com
- Zhongwen.com is a valuable site for beginning students and more advanced learners as well. The site includes an extensive Chinese-English/English-Chinese online dictionary, links to other interesting Chinese relates sites, and a fun pinyin chat room open to all.
http://zhongwen.com
Learning Chinese
- This site has a few beginning phrases and pronunciations, but its best quality is its links to separate sites for intermediate and advanced language learners (including
zhongwen.com).
http://zhongwen.com
PopJisyo.com
- Pop Jisyo is an indispensable tool for Chinese and Japanese language learners. It is often the case that learners will understand much more than they are able to read. This site allows learners to gloss plain Chinese or Japanese text, or text on any web page. After Jisyo processes the information just move your mouse over the kanji you are having troubles with and Jisyo will popup the pronunciation of the character and its English definition.
http://www.popjisyo.com
Yahoo Taiwan
- Yahoo Taiwan, formally Kimo, is the standard for Mandarin news and culture on the web. Open it in Jisyo.
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/
Wellgot
- 網上中文教學課程,內容包括詩詞欣賞.
This site provides online Chinese lessons, and some Chinese poems. Interestingly, this site has two mirror parts, Chinese->English and Chinese->French.
http://www.simm.qc.ca/wellgot/wellgot/chineseb.htm
Billion Bridges - 十億橋
- 此網站提供許多中文搜索引擎, 學習中文, 及其他可以下載中文讀寫的網站.
This web page provides many links to other web sites of Chinese search engines, learning and translating Chinese, and Chinese word processing tools.
http://www.billionbridges.com/resources_tc.html
Chinesisch lernen - 學習中文
- 利用德文學習中文的網站.
This is a German website with information on learning Chinese from a German standpoint.
http://home.knuut.de/joszi/index.htm?index1.htm&0
ChineseOn.net - 中國上網
- 簡體中文網幫助學中文. 內容包括付費或免費試用, 不付費者可利用免費試用的課程學中文文法, 拼音, 中文輸入法.
Simplified Chinese website dedicated to teaching Chinese. There are two versions: membership and free demo. Free demo portion has sections on grammar, pinyin, and Chinese input methods.
http://www.chineseon.net/main.php
Chung Shan Online Education - 中山英語教學網
- 幫助學英文的人將中文成語翻譯成英文.
This website provides the translation of many Chinese proverbs into English. Proverbs are listed by the number of strokes in the first character. Select the number of strokes from the 筆劃 menu on the left of the page. Open the page using the Pop Jisyo glossing tool to get a character-by-character reference to these common Chinese proverbs.
http://www.csjh.tpc.edu.tw/english/
Mike's Radio World
- Mike has a comprehensive list of Internet radio stations streaming music around the world from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand.
http://www.mikesradioworld.com/asia.html
东莞电视台 - DGTV
- Access the latest music from China at the Dongguan Television (东莞电视台) web site. It is all here. There is also an English site, but it just lists marketing information about the television station.
http://www.dgtv.com.cn/Music/
Asian Studies Program - University of Redlands
- Robert Eng, Professor of History at the University of Redlands, has prepared a helpful guide for those who are interested in installing and using Chinese and Japanese in Windows 2000 and XP, A Quick and Dirty Guide to Installing and Using East Asian Languages Under Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP.
http://newton.uor.edu/Departments&Programs/AsianStudiesDept/Language/
English as a Foreign Language
- Work in progress...
French
Radio France
- A good site for news and other links. To listen, look for "écouter en direct" links.
http://www.radiofrance.fr
Oüi 102.3 fm
- A pop music radio station. It has a lot of American music, but plenty of new French music, too.
http://www.ouifm.fr
Radio-Canada
- French speaking radio from our francophone neighbors to the north
http://radio-canada.ca/
Musée d’Orsay
- This is one of Paris’ biggest and most interesting art museums, specializing in art from about 1850 through the early 20th century – impressionism, fauvism, cubism, etc.
http://www.musee-orsay.fr
Louvre
- Here is Paris’ giant, overwhelming art museum which contains countless masterpieces. Check it out online.
http://www.louvre.fr
The Simpsons Loft
- A French Simpsons website
http://www.simpsonloft.com
Donut
- Another French Simpsons website
http://membres.lycos.fr/donut/
German
Wende: Deutsch für das erste Jahr By Jeffrey L. High and Charlotte Melin
- Wende is a set of materials designed for beginning, college-level German students. The curriculum introduces language skills and cultural knowledge through tasks that ask you to use German for speaking, writing, listening, and reading. What you learn in one chapter is recycled in later sections of the book to help you review and gradually develop your language skills. Special features of Wende include communicative tasks for student-centered partner and small group work, information about learning strategies. User name and password required for access.
https://secure.cla.umn.edu/wende/login.php
Culture/Research
- information on museums/galleries, artists, architects, literature, as well as newspapers from artistic and cultural background.
http://www.kunst-und-kultur.de
On-line dictionaries
- Helping tools for grammar. Look up the rules of a language, dictionary, conjugation, off-line language resources (books, CD-ROMs, tapes, video, etc.).
French, German, Italian and Spanish Dictionaries
- http://wordreference.com
- http://yourdictionary.com
- http://verbix.com and www.ultralingua.net : both websites supply French, German, English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish dictionary, spelling, extensive grammar manual, definitions and automatic conjugation of verbs in all inflected tenses.
Rules of German spelling, writing and vocabulary
- Deutsche Rechtschreibung: Regeln und Wörterverzeichnis
http://www.ids-mannheim.de/reform
On-line news papers/magazines
- Deutsche Welle: News bulletins, current affairs, business & economics, culture & lifestyle, science & technology, weather, DW-TV, DW-Radio.
German On-line Radio Stations
-
Tools
- German fonts: http://user.dtcc.edu/~berlin/font/german.htm
For fun!
- Visit some of the most well-known German authentic places in Southern California for bona fide milieu, food, and programs.
- Old world European village:Visit on line and in person the authentic European stores, German bakery and restaurants and German chapel. Throughout the year, Old World Village sponsors a variety of interesting festivals (Oktoberfest, Fasching or Mardi Gras) and other events (weekend sidewalk sales, dachshund races, etc.). During the year, many businesses in the village hold their own events (book signings, nutcracker singings, special appearances by a famous designer, special event sales, etc.).
http://www.oldworldvillage.net
- Alpine village:There is fun all the time, open for lunch & dinner 7 days a week. Alpine Hofbrau, the house beer (brewed on the premises) flows with abundance at the Alpine Inn. Live entertainment, good food and lots of fun and enjoyment every-night.
http://www.alpinevillage.net
- Phoenix club:The Phoenix Club is a German cultural center in the heart of Orange County. Inspired by German heritage and customs, the Phoenix Club has a European charm and warmth that has made it one of the most popular places in the region to gather for good food, conversation and special events.
http://www.thephoenixclub.com
Italian
Prego! Online Learning Center
- McGraw-Hill, the publishers of the Italian textbook Prego! An Invitation to Italian, created an Online Learning Center for students using the textbook. There are many supplemental activities to accompany each chapter. Audio files are also available to those who purchase the textbook.
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072956429/student_view0/index.html
Italian Verbs: conjugate italian regular verbs and italian irregular verbs!
- The italian verbs conjugation has many difficulties like all the neo-Latin languages due to their abundance and different uses of verbal forms. But now, the conjugation of Italian verbs isn't longer a problem, thanks to our free Italian verbs conjugator.
http://www.italian-verbs.com
Italian e-cards
- Create and send your own Italian e-cards.
- Il Postino: Select from hundreds of images from classic Italian sculpture and painting to cartoons and even the Muppets to personalize an e-card
http://www.ilpostino.net
- Diddle: provides several pages of choice Diddle images to express a variety of emotions.
http://www.ephemerides.it/cartoline/Diddle1.htm
Japanese
JapanesePod101.com
- JapanesePod101.com is an innovative, fun, and easy to use language learning system that is designed to get you speaking Japanese from the very first lesson. Learn Japanese at your own convenience and pace with short, effective, and fun audio podcast lessons and a comprehensive, state-of-the-art Learning Center that provides you with the tools to take your Japanese to the next level! (description from the web site)
http://www.japanesepod101.com
The Japan Times
- This website is just a simple link to the Japan Times. It isn’t a fantastic newspaper but the website is pretty good and it gives beginning-advanced level Japanese students a chance to check out what is going on in Japan. It is in English and therefore applicable to all levels. Another newspaper site to check out (for more advanced levels) is the Asahi Shinbun.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp
Japan Kids
- The Japan Kids page is an adorable link made by an elementary school and can be set into the languages of; French, German, Spanish, Norwegian, Dutch, English, Korean, Swedish, and Japanese. It is a great page to practice reading for beginner-intermediate levels of Japanese and provides insight into Japanese technology, culture, art, and games.
http://www.jinjapan.org/kidsweb/index-j.html
Japanese Green Tea
- Green Tea is delicious, healthy, and has an interesting background. Sounds boring but it’s not so if you’re interested in it’s history, origin, or even just the best brands to buy and where they can be located. Check out Daisan.
http://www.daisan.co.jp/cha2e.htm
The Tokyo Food Page
- This bento (lunchbox) page is great for all kinds of recipes that are eaten on a daily-base in Japan. The site has both English and Japanese language versions. For those of you who are die-hard fans of great Japanese food, this site could become very useful.
http://www.bento.com
JapanShop.com
- The site address pretty much explains it all. This is also another link to a page in English but carries hordes of information for the online shopper.
http://www.japan-shop.com
Tokyo Talk in London
- This is a free online phrase-book for all speaking and reading levels that makes a great, quick reference dictionary for students of the Japanese language.
http://www.tokyotalk.co.uk/Glossary/Term/konnichiwa
Korean
- Work in progress...
Pilipino
Tagalog: Interactive Language and Filipino Culture Resources
- This Northern Illinois University site features language exercises, learning strategies, dictionaries, and basic Philippine literature. Also included are cultural essays and presentations on wider Southeast Asian culture.
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Tagalog_mainpage.htm
Languages of the Philippines
- A long list of Philippine languages and dialects, both spoken and extinct. Each language includes its geographic information and linguistic classification.
http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Philippines
INQ7.net
- This is a Philippine news site in English featuring combined content from "two giants in Philippine media -- the Philippine Daily Inquirer Inc., the country's most widely circulated broadsheet, and GMA Network Inc., the most awarded broadcast company" (from the website).
http://www.inq7.net/index_network.htm
A Critical Survey of Philippine Literature
- A well put together survey of Philippine literature organized by category. A "resource site of sorts dedicated to all things Philippine literature" (from the website).
http://www.geocities.com/icasocot/home.html
PUPUPLATTER
- This is a scholarly blog with updates as to recent publication information and research.
http://pupuplatter.blogspot.com/
Wikipedia (Tagalog version)
- This is a scholarly blog with updates as to recent publication information and research.
http://tl.wikipedia.org/
On-line dictionaries
- Tagalog dictionary sites:
Russian
Golosa: A Basic Course in Russian
- Golosa is a communicative program designed to introduce students to Russian language and culture and help them reach an intermediate level of language skill. Components of the program include two textbooks (Book 1 and Book 2), an accompanying workbook/lab manual for each, an extensive audio program, and a robust companion website featuring interactive practice activities, authentic video, authentic readings, links to authentic Russian sites, access to the complete audio program.... (from the website).
http://prenhall.com/golosa/
Spanish
Sí Spain
- This is a favorite Spanish website. It introduces the culture, history, education, etc. of Spain in a short but clear way. The site is presented in four languages Spanish, English, French and German. So even if the student is a beginner learner of Spanish, they can still understand the material with an explanation in their native language.
http://www.sispain.org
On-line dictionaries
- Helping tools for grammar. Look up the rules of a language, dictionary, conjugation, off-line language resources (books, CD-ROMs, tapes, video, etc.).
French, German, Italian and Spanish Dictionaries
- http://wordreference.com
- http://yourdictionary.com
- http://verbix.com and www.ultralingua.net : both websites supply French, German, English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish dictionary, spelling, extensive grammar manual, definitions and automatic conjugation of verbs in all inflected tenses.
Spanish Sound Library and Articulatory Anatomy
- This University of Iowa site provides an in-depth look at Spanish and English phonetics. It is part of the MERLOT Project and is used in a Spanish pronunciation course at the University of Iowa.
http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/
Language Podcasts
Podcasts give language learners unique access to the target language. Below are several language specific podcast sites. If you have a favorite site not listed below email the link to jwinter2@csulb.edu
-
ChinesePod
- http://www.chinesepod.com/
Espace Francophone Podcasting
- http://www.espacefrancophone.org/en/audiovisuel/podcasting.htm
PodBlaster.net - l'annuaire de podcasting francophone independant
- http://www.podblaster.net/
Podcasting Italiano
- http://italian.about.com/b/a/176267.htm
PodCasting in Portuguese (Centopeia lusocast)
- http://blog.centopeia.com/?p=46
Welcome to Japanese Podcasts
- http://imet.csus.edu/imet8/hattingh/eportfolio/template3/students.html
Japancasting
- http://stevemc.blogmatrix.com/2005/08.22/0000/
German podcast - at your service
- http://useful-sounds.de/pivot/entry.php?id=169
Deutsche Welle / Podcasting
- http://www.dw-world.de/dw/0,2142,9541,00.html
Podcast Series: How to Really Learn Spanish (Greg Hughes)
- http://www.greghughes.net/rant/PodcastSeriesHowToReallyLearnSpanish.aspx
iPods Assist with Spanish Accents
- http://cit.duke.edu/ideas/newprofiles/merschel.do
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