With an iPod and a selection of simple programs, it is now possible to recreate a language learning environment almost anywhere.
Immersion in another language and culture is the ultimate aim of any language student. Where this is not possible on a practical level, it may now be possible on a virtual one. The iPod's portability and popularity, its large storage capacity and ease of use, has converted it into a tool that promises far more than just a music player.
The iPod's hard drive can not only download language lessons, serve as a dictionary, a translator and display song lyrics, but it can also become a visual city and museum guide for both real and virtual travellers. To employ these five iPod tips you will need to set up your iPod correctly: For this, simply connect the iPod to the computer, open up iTunes and select the 'enable iPod for disk use' feature.
Tip 1. Lyric Display
There are many programs available for both the PC and the Mac, capable of performing a lyric search for music stored in iTunes, including a simple Google search for the artist or song. However one program - Kara - will not only search the Internet for the lyrics that you are playing in iTunes, but download them to your computer and automatically transfer them to your iPod. Once the transfer is complete, you can access the lyrics in the notes folder and, by selecting the title, the song and lyrics will play together.
Tip 2. Dictionary
What happens if you find a word in your newly formed lyric data-base that you do not know the meaning of? Just switch over to a Spanish, French, German or Portuguese dictionary stored on the iPod with Ultralingua. This program also provides a key to pronunciation, verb tables and grammar rules.
Tip 3. Text to Speech
Do you have a favourite text file, relaxation exercise or guided image that you would prefer to listen to as a spoken track in your target language? For Macintosh users the voice of Miguel of Cepstral can be used to read back these texts for you. To practise your listening skills try following an exercise regime in another language.
Tip 4. Travelling
For the real or virtual traveller there are an array of add-ons, such as the phrase translator from iLingo that also includes local city guides and cultural notes. A less linguistic but very practical add--on are the city and museum tours that can be downloaded and stored on your iPod. These include tours of Versailles, the Tate Modern and even Miami Zoo. For a complete list of painters and exhibitions see the SFMOMA Artcast listings in the Podcast directory of iTunes.
Tip 5. Podcasts
Finally, the iTunes store has an ever increasing number of language learning podcasts to download, many with additional grammar notes obtainable from the associated web pages and many also offering extra tuition and help. A language list has been prepared for language learners on the Open Culture site. If, however, you would prefer shows recorded in another country for authenticity, try changing the country and language of the iTunes store and exploring the different selection of podcasts available.
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