Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

Web has way with words: People who want to learn another language turn to the Internet. "Web-based language learning has come a certain distance," notes David Wood, an assistant linguistics professor at Carleton University. "It used to be like a big dictionary and encyclopedia of grammar rules. The older sites looked like a textbook. It looks like what people have tried to do now is integrate different methods of delivery." Every site has a different approach. Some introduce a new word with a picture—like the French word for "mother," mère, shown with a woman holding a baby. Some play videos offering dialogue, and simultaneous translation, between native speakers.