ESL Reader

This is a great time-saver that makes reading even difficult texts in English very easy.

Just copy any English text into the box and click on Read Text.
You can then easily get definitions and/or translations for any words in that text since each word is automatically turned into a link.

I suggest you look up new words in the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary first to get an understandable definition and a few example sentences. Use the drop-down menu under References.

If you want a translation, just choose the English-German dictionary under Languages. German I links to BeoLingus and German II links to dict.cc

Abbreviations (like ESL) can be looked up under Specialty.

If it's a place or a person you can look it up in Google or Ask.com.

What makes this tool so convenient is that you just paste the text in once and then if you want to learn more about the word, just change the reference source and click on the same word to look it up again. Very convenient!

(The only trick is having several windows open at the same time, but that shouldn't be a problem...!)

http://www.esldesk.com/esl-reading/esl-reader.aspx

If you want to start reading right away, try this link to one of my favorite classic books, already pasted into the ESL Reader...
http://www.esldesk.com/english-reading/reading-help.aspx?f=alice-adventure-in-wonderland

How to Invent a Language

If you're sick of trying to learn English, then why not invent your own damn language.

Good luck trying to get other people to speak it!

Seriously, this is a topic that interests the linguist in me.


And I also found WikiHow, a wiki that has lots of HOW TO information
Great potential for us to share what we know about how the world works.


Actually, that's exactly what sites like videojug, for example, state as their mission:

VideoJug (http://www.videojug.com) is every aspect of life explained and illustrated through an ever-growing number of straight-forward, informative, helpful and (often) entertaining videos. It’s like having an army of top-class experts at your fingertips 24/7 to “show you how” and to help you out. And you can contribute your own knowledge, experience, wisdom and tips too - we’re aiming to create a place that people come to share - as well as find - knowledge.

Videojug is great practice for listening comprehension!
http://www.videojug.com/tag/careers-airline-pilot

TASK: Turn this HOW-TO business into a language learning task by writing or talking about what you think of the advice given or what alternatives you can think of, perhaps even improving the method given.