New Online Language Learning Venture from Middlebury College

Today, Middlebury College revealed plans to create online language programs for pre-college students. Middlebury, long recognized as a leader in foreign language teaching, will partner with K12, a for-profit company with expertise in online education. "We believe this initiative can revolutionize the way languages are taught and learned in the United States. " said Ron Liebowitz, President of Middlebury College.

In this video, faculty describe the innovations to be included:


The first courses, beginner French and Spanish for high school students, will be available in late summer 2010. More video and links to articles in the New York Times, Forbes, and Chronicle of Higher Education can be found on the college's web site.

Language Resource: Memidex

Take a look at Memidex, a free dictionary and thesaurus. It offers multiple definitions and suggests synonyms. English language learners will find it especially helpful.

For instance, I looked up "class" and it gave me separate links to 15 definitions, some having to do with education, elegance or social standing, biology, and the abbreviation for classified advertising. With so many synonyms and examples of specific uses, Memidex is a great compliment to OneLook or dictionary.com, a student favorite which allows users to improve vocabulary by signing up for an email word of the day.