Learning German

Hi,

I'm busy learning some youngsters German. However, I'm no teacher of any format and was wondering, if there is help available from the open source community.

The youngsters have access to a Ubuntu machine.

If you can sink of anyzing in zat direction - pleeze let me no....;)

greetings

longtom

http://www.sprachnudel.de/ You can search for unknown words there. I have tried some expressions, seems to work okay.

There is a language learning programme in the repos, it is called lingo teach. I have never tried it out myself, though, and do not know how appropriate it is for children.

Maybe the easiest way to get them interested in learning the language would be by introducing them to foreign language comics... the pictures help the understanding greatly..

eljalill said: There is a language learning programme in the repos, it is called lingo teach. I have never tried it out myself, though, and do not know how appropriate it is for children.

Maybe the easiest way to get them interested in learning the language would be by introducing them to foreign language comics... the pictures help the understanding greatly..

It isn't in the repos - well - not in mine anyway. Some research showed it last updated in 2005 - and it appears to be an alpha version. Or is there an update someway I missed.

I remember in Windows I had a program called "Pauker"...if my mind still serves me. I might be wrong so...

I agree with the comics so - I am already on that one. But since I regulate PC time for the kids some extra time - albeit learning German - might serve as an extra motivation.

greetings

longtom

I'm trying to self teach myself some German as well, and since I spend a lot of time on the computer, I'm wondering too of what programs to use?

Lingoteach is in the universe repo.. at least with me.

I know in windows there are a few more programms, although usually not even beerlike free. I've heard Rosetta stone is good, and I've heard that some people use it with wine, although it seems to be a complicated matter. (I think there is a least one thread about it... )

I see the computer time and extra learning time issue... Well, there are always webcomics and German you tube things and such. I personally read the comics at nichtlustig.de, but there are not necessarily suited for young children (and the humor might be very German, not sure).

I recommend you use a good audio-based German language course to master the basics.

Rocket German consist out of audio lessons and software games. They also have their own members forum where you can post all your learning questions not covered by the complete course. They sell their complete course for 100% less than the other big names out there. I must admit I didn't like their site design but heir product is top notch.

You can also have a look at the audio-based Pimsleur German course. It's more expensive but also a very good program to learn German with.

Also read the article "How to Learn German Fast" for some more ideas.

Good luck!;)

languageZ said: They sell their complete course for 100% less than the other big names out there.

You mean it is free? :P

hubie said: You mean it is free? :P

Seeing that this was languageZ's first post I guess we should take it as for what it is...;)

hubie said: You mean it is free? :P

No these two courses are not free, however you can take the free Rocket German 6-day course.

This is an commercial program, but you can still take the free course without having to buy anything. (You will actually receive more than 6 lessons if you keep reading their free newsletter after the course.)

I just created a free video that will teach you how to count from Zero to Twelve in German. You can view it on YouTube here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEkufD12UqA

I hope it helps you with your German learning! :)

Hi LongTom,

I'm a little late to this thread, but I have also been learning German for the last 3 years. Here are a couple of good resources that I use:

http://www.livemocha.com (social site for language learning, free account, registration needed)

http://dict.leo.org LEO Dictionary - best I've found for translations and phrases. Based out of Chemnitz Uni I believe.

The LiveMocha site is very similar to the software you get from Rosetta Stone (did that too) but it is free and available on the web. It tries to use the same phrase/immersion principles as Rosetta Stone. Not sure if that would be useful for young kids, but who knows.

Viel Glueck!