• materials and software for language learning and language teaching
• multi-lingual proofing tools
• multi-lingual wordprocessors
• multi-lingual operating sytems
• multi-lingual voice recognition software
• multi-lingual web design tools
• multi-lingual desktop publishing

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 is 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+

Chinese Radical Exam
A study aid and test for beginners that covers 108 of the most common radicals (demo version). It also teaches and tests 48 Pian Pang (12 in demo) - common radicals that take on a different shape when they are found in a character. The test covers English meaning and/or pronunciation (including audio), and the user can select PinYin or Practical Tone Spelling for input. It's a polished, useful Windows program (and doesn't require any Chinese font to be installed). V2.1 (shareware), M. Bosley 1995.

Chinese Software Web Site  Downloadable KuaiXue software for learning Chinese. 

DingDang Write
Simple Chinese WP for Windows with entry via PinYin, CangJie, QuWei, LianXiang or QuanPin methods, using GuoBiao file format (or can save as bitmap graphics file). There is a speech facility (although the sound quality is poor in the shareware file) which may be downloaded separately to read any GB file aloud. (shareware), Y. Ding 1999.

Dr Do Chinese Multimedia Language Trainer Multimedia games alongside drills, flash cards and listening comprehension. You can use your own vocabulary list or the selection provided, and the program tracks your performance so exercises can be restricted to words that need further training. Displays more than 7,000 Chinese characters and has support for Unicode and Microsoft's Global Input Method Editor. Includes sound files for ten chapters of the "Practical Chinese Reader"; the rest can be downloaded separately. (Windows 95 and above)(shareware), ThinkRed 2000.

Global Office - an enhancement to Microsoft Office 97/2000 for 100+ languages

Global Writer -  a word processor with a wide range of languages

HyperChina software

Multi-media Project for the Teaching and Learning of Chinese at the University of Hong Kong. This project is developing software for learning Chinese (dowloadable shareware version).

NJStar Chinese WP for Windows 95/NT Very comprehensive Chinese word processor with proper formatting features. Support for thousands of character sets and many entry methods; reads and writes GB, Big5 and HZ. Includes extensive dictionary and features such as conversion from Chinese to Pinyin text (with tone marks). The more expensive registered versions have extra fonts.(shareware), Hongbo Data Systems 1997.