Language travel guide - Blog

photo: procsilas

Cruising, top down, along a winding Sardinian road, lemon and olive groves on one side, glistening Mediterranean Sea on the other, your partner shoots you a longing stare from behind those designer sunglasses as your graceful, flowing Italian dances through the evening air…

Well, maybe not. Or not yet.

Italian is a beautiful language spoken in a beautiful country. By far the best way to learn Italian is through an immersion course in Italy where you can combine language learning with a memorable holiday. What could be better than practising over a long dinner with great company, accompanied by plenty of wine?

Not sitting around at home (or work) on the internet, but there are plenty of resources out there on the web to help you develop or refresh your skills, so that when that moment on the Amalfi coast arrives, you won’t be lost for words!

(the titles are links)

In Italia (all levels)

Italian state broadcaster Rai’s educational site. Loads of videos, exercises and articles. Highly recommended.

BBC Italian (beginner/intermediate)

The BBC’s site for learners of Italian. The Steps programme is a nice way to keep your enthusiasm up – you will be sent an email each week with useful information and encouragement.

Utoronto (beginner)

Great site with plenty of exercises and materials. Originally designed for students at the University of Toronto (some time in the mid 1990s… but the language hasn’t changed much since then), you can enjoy exercises and articles like this one.

Oggi e Domani (beginner/intermediate)

20 online Italian lessons on a range of topics, each linking a theme with an element of grammar. For example, learn about the conditional with such phrases as “Comanderei i miei soldati con saggezza e intelligenza e sarei amato da loro” (I would lead my soldiers with wisdom and intelligence and I would be loved by them).

One World Italiano (beginner/intermediate)

Nice, modern site with plenty of activities, videos and interactive content. It is run by a language school based in Cagliari.

L’Italiano in Famiglia(intermediate/advanced)

20 episodes of an Italian language sitcom accompanied by exercises, scripts and podcasts. A really in-depth site.

Giochi e cruciverba (intermediate/advanced)

Games and crosswords in Italian. Perfect for a quick fix on your lunchbreak. Crosswords really make you think about vocabulary.

Utoronto (advanced)

Like the beginner and intermediate exercises, it’s not beautiful (unless you are feeling nostalgic for 90s web design) but the content is great to help you test your Italian skills.

Traveling to Latin America is an exciting prospect for anyone but does anything about it make you just a little bit nervous? Even experienced travelers get the jitters before some trips, and one of the big reasons you might be feeling this way is that you are going to a region where a foreign language is spoken.

There is something strangely exhilarating about being surrounded by people who speak what sounds – to you at least – like complete nonsense. Of course, they are probably making the same kind of everyday small talk which you can hear in any city in any country in the world. However, if you don’t understand a word of Spanish then it can sound incredibly exotic.

That’s the really good bit out of the way though, isn’t it? Exhilarating and exotic are great concepts but how do I greet someone or get some medical help if I am sick?

Buenos Días / Buenas Tardes
Sometimes just saying “hola” might be too informal. For example, if you are going to be a business meeting then you will want to greet your colleagues with a hearty “good morning / good afternoon / good evening”. Buenas tardes is used for both the afternoon and evening in most places, instead of buenas noches, which sounds more as though you are just heading off to bed.

¿Como Esta? / ¿Como Estas?
One of the confusing things about the Spanish language is that there are two ways of saying a lot of things; formal and informal. In this case we are asking someone how they are when we first meet them. The informal way usually always ends in an “s” and if in doubt you should stick to the formal one.

¿Cómo Se Llama? / ¿Cómo Te Llamas?
The same formal / informal principle applies here but we are just asking their name, which is always a fine way to get to know someone really. If you get asked this question you reply “Me llamo..”
No Hablo Español
If you are in a meeting or a crowd of people then you might want to point out to them that you don’t speak the local language. If you want to ask whether someone speaks English then say “¿Habla inglés?”

¿Cuánto Cuesta?
Buying gifts and trinkets is one of the big highlights of a trip to Latin America, but you won’t want to splash out on anything until you know how much it costs. Of course, if you are going to ask this question you need to know your numbers in order to understand the answer. Learn up to maybe 10 if you can. If it costs more than that then it’s probably too expensive anyway.

¿Donde Está El Baño?
Some travelers to Latin America find that they spend a fair bit of time in the restroom, for want of a better expression. Knowing how to ask where this is located is therefore important. Don’t worry about the ñ letter too much, as it just sounds like the first n in onion.

Perdí Mi Pasaporte / Dinero
The majority of trips go smoothly but what if you get robbed or misplace your belongings while you are away? If you want to say that you have lost your passport or your money then this phrase will help get people’s attention.

Necesito Un Medico
Hopefully you never need this phrase either, but it is worth knowing in any case. If you are sick (”enfermo” for a man and “enferma” for a woman) then this is how you can let people know that you need a doctor.

Tengo Una Reservación
If you have already booked your hotel before you set off then you just need to turn up at the place and tell them that you have a reservation. If you don’t then try asking if they have any spare rooms by saying, “¿Hay habitaciones libres?” Don’t get confused with “gratis” and “libre”, by the way. They both mean “free” but in different contexts. You certainly won’t get a hotel room without paying.

Author: Ripley Daniels writes for Passports Without The Stress, a customer-friendly passport expediter specializing in same day passport services. With affiliates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia and New York, the company provides convenient local passport processing services for US travelers across the nation.

I recently spent two months in Thailand in Klong Six of Pathum Thani province — one hour north of Bangkok. My Mexican-American wife taught English to children at a government school, and to adults at a private school, while I ran my airfares website from our rented, three bedroom house on this street (below).

We had wild frogs hopping into our yard and lizards sticking in Mission Impossible poses on our ceiling. We started each day with a cold shower, because there was no water heater. I only saw another Westerner about once a week. I think you get the point – we were in the Thai boonies.

I anticipated the Thai language to twist my tongue due to its tonal nature, and this was initially the case. If you weren’t aware, essentially the same Thai word can have a completely different meaning depending on how you emphasize its vowels. The five different tones are low, mid, high, rising and falling. For example, “mai” has five different meanings:

mai = new (low tone)
mai = wood (high tone)
mai = why (mid tone)
mai = no / burn (falling)
mai = silk (rising)

Take a listen to the different pronunciations: Thaiworldview

Since different pronunciations can render the same word into a different meaning, you need to be spot on with your vowel tones.

Typically, when traveling to foreign countries, I learn several dozen popular words and expressions. For example, my linguistic journey to Japan was seamless because the pronunciations were a piece of cake, since each Japanese vowel has only one possible sound. It was pretty straightforward and reminded me of Spanish. However, Thai was a different story.

Here are 20 words and phrases along with my best attempt at an English transliteration to help your pronunciations. I highly recommend learning these before your next Siamese rendezvous (they are intentionally lower case to look less intimidating):

1. sawa dee kahp/kah = hello / good bye
This is the mahalo of Thailand — it construes hello and goodbye. Note: Men say “kah” at the end, while women say “kahp”. Say this word while doing a “wai” (see Ronald McDonald photo below), which is a bow with hands in prayer position. You will get very far with this expression.

2. sabai dee = i am good

3. kob koon kahp = thank you
This is the second most important phrase for a tourist, because you are usually finding yourself asking someone for something, such as directions, ordering food or buying tickets.

4. my pehn rye = no problem
This is said in response to kob koon kahp. This is a very popular phrase and was even the title of a pop song while I was in Thailand, so it was ingrained in my head. However, I rarely had a chance to use since I was usually the person giving thanks, not the other way around.

5. falang-set = foreigner
It’s a similar concept to the word “gaijin” in Japan. Falang, also pronounced “farang”, is the term that Thais refer to foreigners from the West as. The origins of this word are up for debate. It could be derived from the French word “Francais”, the Persian word for foreigner which is “farangi”, or some other unknown derivation.

6. kah tote = excuse me
Perfect for calling a waiter, or stopping a pedestrian for directions.

7. aroy = delicious
I said this often to wait staff or whoever prepared my meal. Using this often, along with generous tipping, will make you a very popular farang.

8. sway = beautiful
Sway describes something or someone this is pretty, like a sunset or a woman. Repeat the word twice in succession to signify “very beautiful”, as in “sway sway”.

9. ahan = food

10. naam = water

11. kow = rice

12. kow pad = fried rice

13. naam kahng = ice

14. chah yen = iced tea

15. som tom thai = papaya salad
This is the staple to any Thai meal. Get used to saying and eating this often.

16. peht = spicy

17. mai peht = not spicy

18. nit noy peht = a little spicy
After you nail down all 20 phrases, you can simply responded “nit noy”, when asked if you speak Thai.

19. hong naam = rest room

20. same same, but different = similar
Great English word phrase that most Thai people know. Perfect for telling a tuk tuk driver that he’s turning into the wrong hotel driveway.

The people of Thailand had beautiful personalities and easy smiles, and quickly embraced my attempts to speak Thai. Any gesture I made to a stranger was met with a beaming smile. However, desptie those positive vibes I felt uncomfortable delivering some of the Thai vowels tones. It wasn’t so much that the five different pronunciations were difficult, but I just felt like a giraffe trying to meow like a cat. I guess it was the embarrassment factor, initially. It just takes getting laughed at sveral times before you develop the appropriate strength and confidence — it’s worth it in the end. And, you will get laughed at, but at least you’ll be engaging and communicating with the locals.

Author:   FC Rau is an affiliate marketing veteran and born again soccer hooligan based in Gridlock Angeles, CA.

BATH, UK

Younilife.com is a first in social-media connecting for eager undergraduate students. Created in 2006 by Bath Spa University MA Branding and Design graduate Hagen Christoph, Younilife encompasses several grading criteria to ensure prospective students get the best overall University picture before they attend an institution. Unlike traditional university ranking methods based on self-promoting qualities and merit, at Younilife, the students deliver the message based off their own university experience.

The implications for direct access of information for potential students, by the current students, are staggering. Hagen Christoph explains; “I wanted to get independent advice on Universities to help prospective students.” Gone are the ‘bells and whistles’ approach on open days that institutions typically promote to garner their increasing student bodies. With a simple log online, any prospective UK student can access university information provided by students attending the academic institution. Hagen Christoph continues; “I felt students should be given a chance to share their views about their University of choice, and the information you get here is unique – you won’t find it anywhere else.” So far, many web browsers are checking it out, with Younilife receiving over 31,000 hits a month, and students expressing themselves online at the website; http://www.younilife.com/.

But there’s more to Younilife than service as a Uni-Watch. Several applications make a current student’s life easier, such as Accommodation Service and Student Job Search, which list vacant student properties and high-in-demand part-time jobs, respectively. Younilife also contains several recreational sections such as a Student Deal section, for budgeting, and a Student Music application, where students upload and rate fellow student songs. Additionally, Younilife currently works cooperatively with small private student radios, but has further goals to get connected all over the country. Hagen Christoph elaborates; “Our aim is to get some of the bigger radio stations involved, and to air Younilife’s top songs all across the UK.”

Obviously, given the web brands target demographic, young university-bound undergrads, it’s a case of whether these prospective students will ultimately consider taking their peers word over more informative and traditional means. But why wouldn’t they?? To assume that prospective students choose their university based solely on university academics is widely inaccurate- most students come to a conclusive decision after considering other factors, many of which universities may be unforthcoming with; industry connections to jobs, student facilities, teacher/student working ratio, etc. Additionally, there is a current void for a university’s consensus of approval outside of their own academic or athletic merit, one which Younilife could gladly fill. Finally, and perhaps most beneficial for Younilife’s case, young people simply do make decisions by word of mouth or by listening to their peers. It may well be that Younilife, with it’s shed-load of ‘insider’ information, may radicalise a few preconceptions about how to select a university, and ultimately the university itself. Ultimately, both time, and the students, will tell. For more information, check out Younilife at http://www.younilife.com/

If you’d like more direct information about this topic or to schedule an interview with Hagen Christoph, he is best contacted by number: +44789-434-1912 or at hagen@younilife.com.

photo: india kangaroo

So, you are learning French but struggling to find inspiration? Number one on your to-do list should be a trip somewhere in the French-speaking world. There is no substitute for being immersed in a language you want to learn. By studying in immersion, you have to use your language skills all day every day in a wide variety of situations.

Alas, an extended stay in a French-speaking country may not be possible. Or perhaps you have already come back from a trip and feel your French slipping away now you have returned to your comfort zone, watching endless “How I Met Your Mother” re-runs or aimlessly surfing the web as those long afternoons discussing black and white movies, cigarette nonchalantly drooping from the corner of your mouth, fade into sweet memories. (We don’t condone smoking, BTW)

Be productive! There are loads of free resources for learners of French available online, including:

(the titles are links)

About.com’s French section (all levels)

It’s ugly but it’s effective. Plenty of features on all aspects of the French language and French culture. There are plenty of audio samples of people speaking French, which is very useful in a language where pronunciation is one of the trickier challenges.

Phonétique (all levels)

Improve your French pronunciation with this useful website.

Le pont du FLE (beginner)

Lots of free audio resources and interactive tests to help you improve your French.

BBC Languages French (beginner/intermediate)

There’s plenty on this site to help you practise your French basics, including programmes to watch, interactive exercises and information about Francophone culture.

Verb2verbe (intermediate)

Conjugate verbs in French and English. Hours of fun if you are into verb conjugation, otherwise just a helpful learning tool.

Tex’s French Grammar (intermediate/advanced)

Loads of grammar tools and tips for learners of French. Click on the link in the top left corner of the page (Tex’s French Grammar) to get started. Includes exercises and audio files to get you going.

RFI – Radio France International (advanced)

Loads of documents and audio aimed at learners of French. A great, free resource.

From time immemorial, humans have felt the drive to travel around and explore the world. Even today, in the fast-paced global village the world has become, traveling is something that nearly everyone likes doing. But the definition of “travel” is sometimes quite different depending on who you ask!

For some traveling means being pampered in an exotic resort, for others it means diving head-first into another culture. For some it means spending time in a nice hotel, while others will much rather rent a holiday cottage somewhere quiet.
We believe there are essentially 7 types of travelers. Which one are you? Add your comments after the post and let us know!

The Vagabond

You may be surprised to know there are still active vagabonds in this day and age, but there are actually many folks who favor this lifestyle. They are often people with next to no money, but with real a thirst to see the world! This kind of traveler will usually take odd jobs to get something to eat, make street performances or simply ask for spare change. It may not seem like a glamorous option, but you’ve got to hand it to them: they have genuine traveler’s spirits!

The Roamer

Unlike genuine vagabonds, who usually have no desire or intention to lead a “regular” life or “settle down”, the roamer is usually more participative of standard social practice. They are usually retired people or part-time/seasonal workers who own a home somewhere, but don’t spend that much time in it. They’ll rather spend most of their time travelling around in RV or mobile caravans, and they will often choose their next destination on a whim.

The Digital Nomad

This is a new breed of traveler, which has exponentially grown with the advent of the Internet. They are people who make a good living exclusively on-line, and who as such are often able to live anywhere they like. Unlike the Vagabonds or Roamers, they will usually rent a holiday home for a few months, or settle down anywhere they like for extended periods of time. Why not? It’s actually easy to do so when you are not bound to a regular office/workplace.

The Escapade Artist

Some people plan their holidays for months, or even years. But others will much rather play by year and just wing it. They are the kind of traveler who will suddenly take off for the weekend somewhere exotic, or take advantage of a last-minute low cost flight to go have lunch in another continent and come back for the night. The escapade artist is usually a person who follows their instincts, and they are happiest when they manage to break their daily routine.
The Tourist

This is quite possibly the most “mainstream” type of traveler. You’ll see then hanging around historical monuments, shooting lots of pictures, and feeling all around smitten about the local landscapes. These touristic people are all about making extensive plans and hiring travel agencies, and they’re usually not too keen on improvising as they go along. They may not be the most adventurous type of travelers, but they know how to cherish their excursions.

The Luxurist

Some people travel to see the world and meet other cultures; not the luxurist. This is the type of traveler who has lots of money and is unafraid of spending it. They will usually be more concerned about making an impression than anything else, and often they’re concerned with making their luxurist friends envious. This type of traveler is usually driven only by the prospect of experiencing the most fashionable destinations and escapades.

The Linguist

There are also many travelers who are driven by the prospect of learning a new language or joining a new culture. The linguist is usually a younger, academic minded individual, looking to improve fluency and proficiency in the use of foreign languages by going somewhere those languages are native. Quite often, this type of traveler will spend years abroad and sometimes even settle down in their favored country, and become an emigrant.
What type of traveler are you? Join the conversation by adding your comments below this article. Also…no matter which type of traveler you are, you may want to use the UK holiday places website when looking for holiday accommodations!

Your choice of destination for you language study trip will make a huge difference to the experience you have. One of the most important questions you can ask yourself is whether you would rather study in a small town or in a big city. There are advantages and disadvantages to both and it really comes down to personal preference.

Your choice of destination will help you find likeminded people. What’s that old saying, “Birds of a feather flock together?” But beyond that, you will also find a completely different range of activities on offer in different destinations.

For example, the best surfing opportunities are usually (not always) found in smaller towns where surfing is an important part of local culture. Similarly, if you want to ski, there are some cities where resorts are within an hour’s travel, but there is no substitute for the atmosphere you get up in the mountain resorts.

The bigger the better?

In a big city, you will never run out of new places to discover. You can eat in a different restaurant every day (budget permitting!), find new and exciting music venues and nightclubs, enjoy diverse shops and much more.

Larger cities also usually have larger language schools… there are pros and cons to learning in a large school. But you will often find smaller schools in large cities too, so the choice is yours.

One factor that many big cities have in common is that many of the residents did not grow up in the city itself. This means that, not only can you meet a hugely diverse variety of people from all corners of the Earth, but they have all had the experience of arriving in a big city and many will have experienced learning the language there, one way or another. On the flipside, people can be more defensive and tougher in cities.

Another benefit of studying in a big city is the range of transport available to you. This means that you can easily get out of the city for a short trip elsewhere. Smaller towns are rarely as well connected.

But big cities can be lonely too. People come and go, relationships can be fleeting and you will never get to meet everyone. Some people find large cities overwhelming and impersonal. Others wouldn’t have it any other way!

Small is beautiful!

Big cities are not for everyone. Despite the sheer volume of people in a city, it can actually be easier to meet people in a smaller place as the action is concentrated around fewer hotspots. This means you are far more likely to actually get to know people properly.

Smaller towns can also be more welcoming. Living in the city, you naturally put up defences, which is not true in smaller, closer communities. You are less likely to feel like “a number” in a small town, where the pace of life is slower and the appearance of a foreigner is still something of a novelty.

Another advantage of studying in a small town is that you will be closer to nature. Relax in a beach paradise, where you can spend your afternoons lazing on the sand or snorkelling, or in an Alpine town where the mountains can be climbed up, skied down and generally admired after a long and active day… who needs the hustle and bustle of a city metro anyway?

From a language learning point of view, you are likely to find fewer English speakers in smaller towns than large cities.

There are naturally some downsides to smaller towns. For example, you won’t get the same opportunities to see major events like concerts, sport tournaments and exhibitions that can only be found in the city. If you are into music, you are less likely to find musical inspiration in a small town:  cities are like magnets for musicians.

So, what’s it to be?

Choosing the right destination for your language study trip is an important decision. You could start by searching blogs or reading forums for an overview of what is out there and an idea of destinations that may suit your style.

If you book your trip with an agency like ESL, you will receive free, impartial advice about destinations from staff with plenty of experience.

photo: Christian Kadluba

Deutshe Sprache, Schwere Sprache? Not if you have the right resources to hand!

The best way to practise your German, apart from marrying a German/Austrian/Swiss person, is to immerse yourself in the language during an extended stay in a country where it is spoken. That way, you will see the language in its own context and will use it in everyday situations. You will also discover the joy of bakeries in that part of the world. And maybe the dubious pleasure of the currywurst.

In the meantime, here are some websites that will help you fine tune your German skills:

(the titles are links)

About.com German (all levels)

Lots and lots of help for learners of German. The pages about grammar are especially useful and explain the many intricacies of German grammar remarkably clearly. The pages on German prefixes are superb.

BBC German (all levels)

The Beeb provides a great range of materials and exercises for learners of German, including interactive series, online tests and plenty of cultural background stuff to help your learning.

Deutsche Welle (all levels)

Truly impressive resource with videos, podcasts and loads of activities for you to try. Deutsche Welle is Germany’s international broadcaster and produces television, radio and online content to “promote understanding of Germany as an independent nation with its roots in European culture and as a liberal, democratic, constitutional state based on the rule of law.”

On the Deutsche Welle site, you will also find Marktplatz, a free online course on German in the workplace.

Portsmouth University Beginners‘ German (beginners)

A beginners’ German course with twelve chapters of dialogue and exercises. Nice and clear content aimed at learners in the first stages of German. Includes nice regional examples as well as standard “Hochdeutsch”.

Deutsche Grammatik – Übungen (intermediate)

No-nonsense Grammar tests for learners of German. Lots and lots of tests for your pleasure.

Jetzt Deutsch Lernen (advanced)

The Goethe Institute’s interactive online German learning resource. One of the coolest features of the website is the “Jetzt Chat” which allows users to speak with native German speakers at various times of the day. You can even find them for a chat in Second Life!

And last but not least…

LEO German-English dictionary

LEO is a superb online dictionary. Really comprehensive, with well-presented results and suggestions, you will probably need this a lot during your studies. It can be a little disconcerting when you enter an English word and receive 15 German options in return but, hey, that’s German…

We all know about false friends. The moment you turn your back, they are drinking your beer, flirting with your partner and… no, hang on a minute… not that kind of false friend. When learning a language, a false friend is a word that appears familiar from a language that you already know, but the meaning is quite different.

For example, if a smiling German offers you a little “Gift” with your coffee, run away; Gift translates as “poison”.

English is full of words that started their lives in other languages and not all of the words kept their original meaning when they came over. What’s more, meanings change over time. For example, the word bird originally meant “young bird, nestling” but later came to mean all winged mammals through a process known as semantic broadening.

So, which words can trip learners up?

Spanish false friends – Amigos Falsos

embarazada = pregnant, not embarrassed (when you are embarrassed, something “gives you shame”: dar verguenza)

molestar = to bother, not to molest like an aging popstar

preservativo = condom

simpático = nice

desgracia = misfortune

German false friends – Falsche Freunde

Gift = poison

bekommen = get (not become, which is werden)

komisch = odd (not comic)

hell = light (asking for “ein Helles bitte” in Munich, you will receive a lovely, light beer)

After  =  rectum

Mist = manure, dung

Tripper = gonorrhoea (hopefully you will not have to use this one)

Beamer = overhead projector (not BMW)

French false friends – Faux Amis

comédien(ne) = actor

injure = an insult (an injury would be une blessure)

librairie = bookshop

user = wear out (to use would be utiliser)

supporter (verb) = to put up with

Italian false friends – Falsi Amici

camera = room

genitori = parents

parente = relative

tastare = to touch, to feel

So, if for some reason a parente tells you they want to tastare your genitori, it’s no reason to leave the camera. Ahem.

Have we missed any good ones?

The best way to learn a language is in full linguistic immersion, when you are having fun and enjoying an authentic cultural experience. When you learn in immersion, you are surrounded by the language and need to use it in everyday situations to make yourself understood. It can be a challenge but it is a hugely rewarding one and assures fast progress.

When you are not in linguistic immersion, it is important to stay in touch with the language. This can be before your trip of after you come home. This post features some of the best online tools for learners of Spanish.

(click on the titles to visit the sites)

About.com’s Spanish section (all levels)

About.com’s language sections may not be beautiful, but they are full of excellent information and lessons for language learners. They cover all of the grammatical challenges that English speakers have when learning the language, including verb tenses, irregular verbs and the subjunctive.

Notes in Spanish (all levels)

Podcasts at all levels including real Spanish conversations. Good stuff.

Más arriba – Trent University (beginners)

“An interactive workbook of introductory Spanish language exercises, based on the pictorial contextualization of fundamental vocabulary and language points”. Basically a load of useful beginners exercises that will help you improve your skills. Using the exercises on this website in Google Chrome can be a harrowing experience.

BBC Languages Spanish section (beginners/intermediate)

Does anyone in Britain really begrudge the BBC license fee? Free online resources such as their language learning sections are great for beginner language learners and include tons of interactive content.

Videos that would previously have been buried late at night on BBC2 are available to access free at any time of day. Mi Vida Loca is an interactive series for beginners that takes you on a whirlwind tour of Spain with new Spanish friends and their dramatic lives. It’s not quite the same as real immersion, but it’s great fun!

Verbling (intermediate/advanced)

This is a new online project run by a pair of Swedish entrepreneurs based in Silicon Valley. The idea is that you can find a “study buddy” who speaks Spanish fluently and take turns to speak Spanish and English. It’s free; all you need is a decent internet connection and headset so you can hear the other person.

Gramática by Enrique Yepes (intermediate/advanced)

Plenty of useful interactive exercises that will really get you thinking about the language.

Lo Mas TV (advanced)

Get access to a wide range of Spanish language television programmes. For individuals, the service costs $9.95 per month and there are also packages available for schools. Alternatively, you could always just search on YouTube and you will find a tremendous array of Spanish language material.

Spanish.language&culture (advanced)

Barbara Kuczun Nelson’s free online resources for learners of Spanish including a wide range of videos and exercises.