The Best Resources For Learning a New Language From Home

Mark Preston

(amazon.com)

There are countless great reasons to begin studying a new language, and with all the resources available for purchase online, it’s never been so easy to begin this journey from the comfort of your own home.

Perhaps you’re planning a trip, and want to know how to order a cocktail in the local tongue? Maybe you’d like to take a job overseas, or expand your employment opportunities in your local area? Or, you want to give your children a headstart in life with a second language?

Whatever the purpose, or the level at which you want to study, there’s sure to be something out there for you.

Take a look at a few of our favorite language learning resources available for purchase online in 2020.

Become a Hangeul Master: Learn to Read and Write Korean Characters

(amazon.com)

The Korean language was created in 1443, and is highly unique. In fact, the Korean alphabet (hangeul) is widely renowned as being the most efficient and functional alphabet ever created.

Each of the 24 characters is created to match the movements of your mouth as you make each sound.

With a bit of practice, most students can become proficient in Hangeul within just a few days. Not only will this impress your friends, but it’ll help you out when at Korean restaurants or supermarkets, as well as when watching the Korean dramas that have become so popular across the United States in the last few years.

Get this fantastic ‘Become a Hangeul Master’ book for just $20.75.

What Features Does the Book Offer?

Each Hangeul character is covered at length, with added guidance on how best to write each character down.
Learn the most efficient and easy way to read words and sentences written in hangeul.
Discover the history of Hangeul, and other facts related to Korea, along with common Korean slang.
In addition, there are an array of free audio files to download which will help improve your pronunciation, through song, repetition, and basic conversation.

Big Chinese Workbook for Little Hands

(amazon.com)

Priced at just $11.97, the Big Chinese Workbook For Little Hands is full of practical knowledge for young language learners.

It’s suitable for children aged five and above, and as the use of Mandarin becomes ever more prominent across the global economy, early study of this language could become a huge advantage later in life.

What Features Does the Book Offer?

The main idea of this book is fun. It’s colorful, interactive, and offers great variety in the learning styles as readers make their way through each lesson.
It covers all the basics, like numbers and dates, colors and shapes, sight words, and measure words.
It includes a ton of exciting activities for kids to enjoy, focused on practicing the six basic strokes, and the 19 most widely used compound strokes in Mandarin.
Perhaps the coolest inclusion is the QR code that accompanies the majority of pages. It can be scanned with a mobile phone, which will then play the sounds of that particular page. It’s a great way to keep kids engaged and focused while learning difficult new sounds which they might not be familiar with.
There’s no need for any additional textbooks. As long as your child has a pen and some free time, this book is all that’s necessary to begin the wonderful journey of learning Mandarin.

No Nonsense Spanish Workbook

(amazon.com)

Many of us who’ve studied Spanish will know that learning the grammar can be a difficult and frustrating experience.

The No Nonsense Spanish Workbook by Caitlin H. Cuneo aims to ease these difficulties. As she notes herself, ‘most textbooks are written for teachers. This one is written for students.’

Priced at just $9.99 for Kindle, and $11.99 on paperback, this is undoubtedly a really great deal.

What Features Does the Book Offer?

It’s made with particular types of students in mind - those who struggle within the classroom, Spanish language beginners, and those looking to refresh their memory from high school study.
A variety of fun activities such as creative writing challenges, quizzes for each chapter, and holiday activities.
Each chapter includes a concise grammar practice portion. This aims to develop reading comprehension skills. There’s also a detailed answer booklet at the back, to use for reference when struggling with a topic.
It aims to help students of all ages gain a deeper grasp of how the Spanish language is formed. With this knowledge, language can be grasped more quickly. These methods have been proven to work through extensive testing with real students.