Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

we are still adding a lot of content but if anyone wants help learning a
foreign language visit our blog.

http://www.letutor.com/blog

How come it doesn`t give a list of the languages? (I`d sure like to learn how to say "thank you" in Korean," but can`t find anyplace that offers phonetic teaching.)

:-)
craig

Craig,

We just started the blog but will be adding content rather quickly.  So check back often for those types of tips. 

Phonetic learning however is something that is best done by copying a native speaker.  There are several ways you can do this.  One you can find a pen pal, speak with someone you already know and tape them.  Then copy and replay the recording over and over.  Also, you can watch movies that have been dubbed in Korean, listen to audio language discs or tapes, and last look at a standard Korean to English dictionary and it should have the phonetic spelling explained in the dictionary.  If you don`t understand the phonetic spellings look at the front of the dictionary where they explain the phonetic symbols.

Thanks for the suggestion.  I will add your request to our list of content to add.

Actually, I had in mind a radio ad I hear all the time around Chicago, and I think they have a TV ad too. It`s some new system, particularly to teach English to Spanish and vice versa, but includes other languages.

I can`t remember the company, but they have a 3-column, large font layout. (Going English to Spanish) they give you a word in English like "where." Then they give you the spanish word "donde" or something. Then they give you the English phonetic "dun day."

We saw the same in the TV program, "Lost," where the Korean guy was leaving the island. His wife, left-behind, gave him a sheet of paper with common English phrases, using Korean words for the "sounds like" phonetics. He had no idea what he was saying, but by pronouncing the common Korean words, we, the viewers heard him clearly say, "Can you help me?" and things like that.

I`d like to see more of this type of thing, for very beginning language access. From there, it would be good to have a scaled process where I could then get practice audio tapes, and eventually end up with a live teacher.

I also think you might consider partnering, or offering as a redistributor, some of these handheld language translator electronic devices. Sort of a one-stop shop type of thing, even if you only link to what YOU consider to be quality devices. When I look at them, I have no idea what constitutes a good from a bad electronic language translator, and would welcome the advice from a site like yours.

Craig,

I am in the process of developing another site similar to what you described.  I already have the domain name reserved and will begin working on it in a couple of months.

If anyone reading this is interested in writing for a online language / culture column please send me a message.

Two things occurred to me, earlier. First, you should maybe not call it a "blog." Maybe you`re using blogging software to build a site, but if you`re a business, it should be a "web site," not a blog. Blogs are personal things people do for a lark.

Secondly, I`d like to see your Services tab more direct, without empty space and menu items for further info. The less clicks, the better. One such service would be teaching immigrants the language, for citizenship classes, and all that`s related with learning a new language.

As a writer, I wonder what would be the benefit to you of having someone write for online language/culture columns, other than as a way to get your site mentioned on other locations? Is that the case?