Learning a Second Language Question
 

Has anyone had any experience with My Personal Langauge Tutor - www.MYPLT.com ? This is an American company that offers second langauge tutoring via the internet that involves both writeen and spoken components. It seemed like a great way of going or perhaps you are familiar with another company that does the same thing.

ttt... anyone? anyone?

I've been wondering the same thing about this company, and would love some input as well. Robjame, I'm a French language major from college days (verrrry long time ago) so my interest and competence level is high. This company is particularly attractive as MYPLT claims to tailor itself to the specific needs of its students on an easy, self-serve basis. I'd love to brush up prior to trips aboard, so I could hit the ground running, so to speak. Otherwise, I'm always better when our week's vacation is over than on Day One. The answer is always to stay longer, but life's responsibilies alway intrude, n'est-ce pas? EJ ((#))

EJ - Thanks for the reply. Yes the individual nature of the program is very attactive. $20/ hour sonds quite reasonable. Being retired I like the idea of being able to progress at my own rate and level.
I sounds like you need to download Skype (free) and buy headphones for internet communication.
My competency is not nearly what yours is. I have been using Champs Elysees monthly CD's and booklets but it does little for the oral component but I am willing.
I would love to know if MYPLT is any good or not.

Do check out the BBC language series also. I have been spending about a 1/2 hour per day learning Italian with these user-friendly and enjoyable lessons from a very reputable source. There is no charge and there are MANY languags offered. bbc.com/italian steps. Have fun!

Jgarvey: I agree that the BBC language series is quite good for what it is, especially if you're going to have the discipline on a daily basis (Bravo!). I did the same thing myself (although not daily), trying to learn some Italian before a trip to Florence & Venice in 2004. It works well as a simple review or an introduction to basic language skills. MYPLT's claim is that the student's needs dictate the program's intensity, all in the privacy and convenience of your computer room, and at a reasonable price.
Robjame: Skype is really easy to install (& free) and the headphones are not really that expensive ($30-50 range I think. My husband is the technology guru around here, so I'm not the expert by any means). Skype is fast becoming a viable, cheap alternative to long-distance calling/viewing, where the headphones can also be used.
If anyone is interested exclusively in French, I've recently discovered a great website www.learnfrenchinboston.com, which is filled with lots of free info and lessons and just about the best review of numbers that I've ever seen. Really amazing to me what (good stuff) one can find on the internet (like these forums, for instance). EJ ((#))

EJ - That Learn French in Boston site is wonderful! I have already downloaded some of the chapters, exercises, and MP3 files. Thank you.
The BBC site is good.
Of course I keep going back to the French In Action series:
http://tinyurl.com/y5vqra
There is something about Mireille that keeps luring me back! You can view the episodes online free.
I also subscribe to the free French word a day
http://www.french-word-a-day.com/
where they send you an email daily(almost) where a French word is introduced and discussed in context. I applaud Kristin Espinasse's efforsts in this endeavour.

Thanks for the link to the French in Action series, Robjame. I also subscribe to the Kristin Espinasse Word-a-Day, which is where I think that we both heard about MYPLT in the first place. EJ ((#))

Just curious has anyone ever used rosetta stone? I just saw the commercial, looks promising but expensive.

I have the Rosetta Stone French Program. I bought it a year ago since we are going to France in April and I thought it would help. It is very different from most programs and is great for indepth learning, but if you want something to learn French in a short amount of time I would look elsewhere. I found a DVD program at Costco called French Immersion for only $30 and I play those in the car while I'm driving. It also has a workbook with it that has helped me a lot. I would only go with Rosetta Stone if you want to become a fluent French speaker and have a lot of time to put into it. As for me, I don't feel like I know enough yet to feel comfortable in France, but maybe you'll be more dedicated to studying than I have been. Good luck ;-)

Hey there HappyToTravel,

Yeah, Rosetta Stone IS super expensive. I've purchased that one several months ago and it was worth the money... but I think "Rocket French" is just as good really and is only $99. Not bad! I've written a very in-depth review of the "Rocket French" course over at http://www.rocketfrenchorbust.com if you're really wanting to learn the language. Learning French has been very rewarding and fun for me!

No idea about the above mentioned company but once I has tried learning Spanish language with the help of an Spanish language learning software program. I must say it was really very helpful and much more easier that the traditional tutorial classes.