Materials and software
This section of the website is divided into 3 main parts:
1. advice on selecting materials and software for language learning,
2. products to buy, and
The products to buy section also contains:
- multi-lingual proofing tools
- multi-lingual wordprocessors
- multi-lingual speech recognition/dictation software
Translation software and dictionaries are found in other sections of the website.
Advice on Selecting Materials
Nowadays, there is a wide variety of materials available for learning languages. Modern materials and software such as CD ROMs, DVDs, cassettes, and videos, provide colour, variety and sources of authentic input (examples of real language used by native speakers). Traditional materials are mainly text-based and tend to focus more on reading and writing skills e.g. course books, work books, text books, graded readers, and grammar exercises - these can also be very useful. All these materials are designed for language learners, but we should not forget that there is a huge amount of authentic material designed for native speakers which can be used for advanced learners, and adapted for those who are less proficient: books, magazines, newspapers, games, music, films, radio, and tv.
When selecting materials for language learning you should try to find those that match your:
- language level e.g. advanced level
- age group e.g. adult
- reason for learning the language e.g. to improve your letter writing ability
- preferred approach e.g. like to do repetitive exercises
- mode of learning e.g. self-study
- price range e.g. £15 to £25
- equipment available e.g. using Windows 95+
Look for attractive materials, which you find interesting, colourful and useful. They should be clearly laid out and well-structured. Borrow materials from a friend or a library first, if you can, to make sure that you can get on with them. You can also ask your teacher or fill in a short online form to use our advisory service.
You can also consult the CILT resources library . Another possibility is the Hull CALL software database.
Global Office - an enhancement to Microsoft Office for 100+ languages
Global Writer - a word processor with a wide range of languages
Microsoft Office Proofing Tools - allows users to proof documents in 50+ languages
CD ROMs and DVDs from Eurotalk for learners of most languages and all levels
Not sure what to buy? Why not use our advisory service and fill in a short online form?
Selected Products
Beginners |
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Michel Thomas Foundation Course: Italian (Michel Thomas) [Audiobook] (Audio CD) |
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Michel Thomas |
Our Price: £69.99 |
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Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability Michel Thomas's approach to language learning aims to provide in a few hours a functional working knowledge of a language without books, note-taking or conscious memorizing. This course provides an eight-hour course. |
Beginners |
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Earworms |
Our Price: £11.99 |
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Beginners |
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Eurotalk Limited |
Recommended Retail Price: £24.99 |
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Platform: Macintosh, Windows Features:
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Beginners, intermediate & advanced |
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Rosetta Stone V3 Italian Level 1-2-3 Personal Edition (Mac/PC) |
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Rosetta Stone |
RRP: £339.00 |
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Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability Features:
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Beginners |
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For more details on "All Talk" - the new audio course on CD click here |
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Beginners, intermediate & advanced |
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CD-ROM - Auralog |
Recommended Retail Price: £51.98 |
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Usually dispatched in 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability
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Intermediate - advanced |
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Acquerello Italiano: Audio-magazine about Italy and the Italian language |
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Intermediate - advanced level |
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Authentik- resources in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and English for intermediate and advanced level language learners |
All levels |
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Italian Dialogue Course on cassette |
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Also available on CD |
RRP: £249.90 |
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Advanced |
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Michel Thomas |
Recommended Retail Price: £50 |
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Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability Michel Thomas's approach to language learning aims to provide in a few hours a functional working knowledge of a language without books, note-taking or conscious memorizing. This course provides an eight-hour course. |
LINKS (in alphabetical order)
Global Office - an enhancement to Microsoft Office 97/2000 for 100+ languages
Global Writer - a word processor with a wide range of languages
Microsoft Office 2000 Proofing Tools - allows users to proof documents in 30+ languages
Teach Yourself Courses - over 1 million people buy these courses each year!
Transparent - lots of links and resources