How to use foreign language learning software for iPhone and smartphone

Let’s talk about how to use such technical devices as iPhone and smartphone for language learning. We can use them at any moment of our free time – during a coffee break, at a restaurant, at a bank office, etc.  

Now we can use all this time for language learning. How? There is a lot of foreign language learning software for iPhones and smartphones which can help us to develop our language learning skills. Many of them can be downloaded in Internet – they are very useful.

1. Dictionaries. There are different dictionaries for phones, both large and small, some of them have more than 20 languages. In any case you can find many of different dictionaries in Internet and download them. Such foreign language learning software can help you during your travel abroad, as well as can give you the possibility to learn new words when you have nothing to do anymore, for example at an airport or at a plane during a flight.

2. World news. It is very comfortable to read news while going to somewhere at a bus or taxi. Do you learn French? There is French language news at your disposal. Some news applications are offered in light versions for those who are just beginners in language learning (for example, in BBC). So, you get to know up-to-date world news and develop your language learning skills at the same time.  

3. Radio. Your phone like your PC is a portal to the world. There is a great deal of different radio stations in numerous languages and genres – you can find many ones which are especially interesting to you and listen to them for use and pleasure. Special language learning software can help you to enjoy favorite radio info.   

4. Video. You can download movies to your iPhones, as well as find interesting videos in YouTube – this is a huge collection of videos in any languages and topics.

5. Music/audiobooks/podcasts. You can choose for listening anything you wish: romantic detective stories in French, scientific podcasts in German, Spanish rap music, etc.

6. Sms-messages. Do you have foreign friends? Your phone is the best instrument for talking to them then. Foreign language sms-message – without grammar schemes and tables, using the least amount of words – is an excellent exercise for vocabulary usage. You can develop your writing speech very effectively.

 

4 reasons for learning different languages

Sometimes it is not easy to start learning different languages for example in the morning, or to wake up early on weekend to read a textbook or to listen to a foreign audio. Maybe, the only advantage of language learning somewhere outside is that you have to visit there in certain time.

If you learn a foreign language by yourself you’ve got the main problem – you should find good reasons to learn a language. You shouldn’t forget them just as you face any problems in your study.

How to give reasons to learn in such cases? Try to use “the method of reverse”. What will you lose if you give up language learning now? You would have more spare time which you could waste for rest, but what will you lose herewith? Maybe, some of the following:

1. Competitive advantage when applying for a job. It is necessary to be able to speak a foreign language even in the case when you won’t need it at your work place – the fact you have learnt a language shows that you’re smart and purposeful.

2. Comfortable travel abroad. If you can speak English well it is rather easy for you to travel almost anywhere. But there are places on Earth where you would be understood only if you speak aboriginal language (for example, somewhere in Asia, Africa or South America). What is more, if you are able to speak aboriginal languages you are really respected by native people and you feel everywhere like at home.

3. The possibility of international communication. If you look around you see that there are a lot of rapidly developing communication means: Skype, Facebook, various chats and international sites. These are good ways to meet friends and to know about real living in others countries. In addition to that, the best way to learn to speak a foreign language is to speak it!

4. Business trips abroad. If you a real professional and want to develop your professional skills you should think about business trips to other countries or about studying abroad. So, why not to start learning different languages right now? Maybe, seeing your success and ambition, your bosses will help you to gain an appropriate experience abroad. It can move your career ahead!

So, when you open your foreign language textbook next time – just think about such advantages which you would have as a result of your efforts.


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