Learning Spanish and helping the world.

One of the preparations Lori and I want to make is to learn Spanish, at least enough to get by when we are walking the Camino.  I don't want to be "one of those" Americans who expect Spaniards, in Spain, to all speak English.

Our efforts have been pretty inconsistent up to now.  Looked at language programs like Rosetta Stone or the Pimsleur approach, but they seem expensive.  There are lots of You Tube videos, which are free, but while helpful don't seem to have a coordinated approach.  Then we discovered duolingo.

Duolingo is a cool, easy to use web-based program that you can use for FREE.  There are also apps for iOS and Android so you can follow the program on your smartphone.  It employs several modes of learning and provides immediate feedback.  You practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking Spanish.  It is like a game, with different levels and challenges.  And it seems to be working for Lori and I, and IT'S FUN.

How do they provide such a cool program for free?  That's the coolest part.  While you're learning Spanish (or many other languages) you are helping translate the internet into other languages.  What a cool idea.  I can't explain it and do it justice, but the creators of duolingo can.  Go watch this TEDx talk and then create an account.  Learn to speak Spanish and help the world!

Duolingo: the next chapter in human computation: Luis von Ahn at TEDxCMU 2011