Languages around the OU
- Platform
- Your subject
- Languages - OU Community Online
Languages - OU Community Online
Latest news, views, comment, debate and links for those studying, working with or with a passion for languages and language speaking
Spanish Conversation Practise with Tapas
Hello everyone
A few of us Spanish students from L204 are getting together for a chat and a drink tomorrow night in Soho from 7pm onwards. If you would like to join us feel free to come along.
Estas bienvenido, for details click on the link below
http://www.brindisa.com/restaurants/tapas-brindisa-soho/
HP
Hello everyone A few of us Spanish students from L204 are getting together for a chat and a drink tomorrow night in Soho from 7pm onwards. If you would like to join us feel free to come along. Estas bienvenido, for details click on the link below http://www.brindisa.com/restaurants/tapas-brindisa-soho/ HP
Italian Homestay courses in Rome- Italy
Buongiorno. My name is Dr Francesca Valentini. I am a former student with the Ou and I have a Master Degree in Teaching and Promoting Italian language and culture to foreigners student.I am an Italian Professor from Rome in Italy and I am running all year around Italian Residential courses( at 6 different levels) in the countryside of Rome for 7, 10 or 12 days, which might help you with your Ou studying.Our all inclusive courses are a full immersion in the Italian language and life style and will also include trips to Rome and surrounding areas and Italian cookery lessons. Contact me kindly on francesca.valentini@btinternet.com
to find out more
Buongiorno. My name is Dr Francesca Valentini. I am a former student with the Ou and I have a Master Degree in Teaching and Promoting Italian language and culture to foreigners student.I am an Italian Professor from Rome in Italy and I am running all year around Italian Residential courses( at 6 different levels) in the countryside of Rome for 7, 10 or 12 ...
Resources: keeping you up to date
Engineering, technology and design students: discover the latest research from the ASTM Standards and Engineering Digital Library which contains full text ASTM standards, technical papers, books, manuals, data series and journals, covering a broad range of engineering disciplines.
Environment, development and international studies students: The National Geographic Virtual Library, a complete collection of the National Geographic Magazine and Traveler (dating back to 1888) with images, maps, videos and full-text books.
Health and social care students: access to Social policy and practice online which includes data from ChildData, AgeInfo, Planex and Social Care Online. The collection includes abstracts of material (with some links to full-text) and covers public and social policy, public health, social care, community development, mental & community health, homelessness, housing, crime, law & order, families, children and older people.
Language students: check out the Cairn Collections of Que sais-je? a collection of searchable, full text, French popular encyclopedias.
Law students: access the Max Planck encyclopaedia of public international law. This comprehensive resource contains peer-reviewed articles on all aspects of public international law.
Posted 23 March 2013
(5 votes)
The OU Library keeps you up-to-date in your subject by regularly subscribing to new resources. Here are the latest subscriptions available to registered OU students. Engineering, technology and design students: discover the latest research from the ASTM Standards and Engineering Digital Library which contains full text ASTM standards, technical papers, books, manuals, ...
How your old phone can help you study
Dear Platform readers
Thought you may like this one from The Gadget Show. If like me you are on a limited budget and have an old phone with a slow internet connection, it can still become a useful study tool- by simply upgrading the browser.
Since installing the Opera Mini browser (m.opera.com) my phone is much faster and the websites are now legible. Downloading and using AV content is now quick and efficient and social networking is easy .
Click on the link for more details and enjoy.
http://gadgetshow.channel5.com/gadget-show/gadget-news/how-to-make-any-p...
Henry Poole
Studying BA Modern Languages
Dear Platform readers Thought you may like this one from The Gadget Show. If like me you are on a limited budget and have an old phone with a slow internet connection, it can still become a useful study tool- by simply upgrading the browser. Since installing the Opera Mini browser (m.opera.com) my phone is much faster and the websites are now legible. Downloading and using AV content is now ...
OU Level One Beginners Chinese
Hi All,
I'm intrigued to know more about the OU's Level One course in Mandarin. In particular I wonder how much oral practice is offered. I note with some regret that the price of the course (and for 'transitional' students at that) has jumped from £400 to £520 in the past couple of years, way ahead of inflation. Is this because the course has improved with extra facilities such as day schools or a summer school?
With many thanks in anticipation of comments about the course and any recommendations.
Russell
Hi All, I'm intrigued to know more about the OU's Level One course in Mandarin. In particular I wonder how much oral practice is offered. I note with some regret that the price of the course (and for 'transitional' students at that) has jumped from £400 to £520 in the past couple of years, way ahead of inflation. Is this because the course has improved with extra facilities ...
Looking for German learners
Hi everyone,
I’m a native German living in the near of Frankfurt. I’m looking for an English native speaker who is learning German and wants to practise with a German native speaker. I want to improve my spoken English, so we both could profit from this.
I’m thinking about one “session” per week about 60-90 minutes long but I’m flexible with that. During such a session we would speak half German and half English. For communication we could use the free program Skype. You just need a headset and a reliable internet connection.
If someone is interested you might want to contact me at kafeflasch@yahoo.de.
Regards,
Marvin
Hi everyone, I’m a native German living in the near of Frankfurt. I’m looking for an English native speaker who is learning German and wants to practise with a German native speaker. I want to improve my spoken English, so we both could profit from this. I’m thinking about one “session” per week about 60-90 minutes long but I’m flexible with that. During ...
Participants needed for OCD study
The research is investigating whether the brains of people with OCD function differently to those without OCD.
Preliminary findings suggest some systematic and interesting differences between brain activity in people with OCD, and non-OCD controls, even in a relaxed state. However, to obtain a more detailed picture researchers need to find more participants with OCD.
They are looking for people between 18 and 60 years of age, who have been diagnosed with OCD and have no learning disabilities.
If you decide to participate, they will need four hours of your time. The timing of these sessions can be flexible and scheduled according to your convenience.
During this time, your brain activity will be recorded using a safe, non-invasive and painless technique known as Quantitative Electroencephalography, or QEEG. You will also be interviewed and asked to fill in a questionnaire.
The study generally takes place at the OU in Milton Keynes or in Camden in London. Travel costs will be reimbursed. In some cases researchers will be able to come to your town or a town near you to perform the scans and interviews.
By participating in this study, you will be contributing to scientific advancements in OCD research. Additionally, you will gain interesting insights about how your brain may have been affected by OCD.
You can get more information from the QEEG and Brain Research Lab project page. If you wish to take part, or have any enquiries, please contact Loes Koorenhof by calling 01908 659 472, or email loes.koorenhof@open.ac.uk
(9 votes)
The Open University is recruiting people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) to take part in an ongoing research project. The research is investigating whether the brains of people with OCD function differently to those without OCD. Preliminary findings suggest some systematic and interesting differences between brain activity in people with OCD, and ...
Is there an OU Mastermind out there?
BBC's Mastermind is looking for contestants now.
For more information, or to book a place on one of the nationwide auditions, visit the Mastermind website and click on Audition Information; or call 0161 836 0315; or email mastermind@bbc.co.uk
Posted 25 March 2013
(8 votes)
Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a quizzer? BBC's Mastermind is looking for contestants now. For more information, or to book a place on one of the nationwide auditions, visit the Mastermind website and click on Audition Information; or call 0161 836 0315; or email mastermind@bbc.co.uk Posted 25 March 2013 1.625 Average: 1.6 (8 votes)
French Courses in France
Are you studying French with the Open University? Would you like some extra practice?
Why not attend a French course in France where the language is spoken. We offer Frenchcourses for students of all ages and abilities in the following fantastic locations: Nice, Paris, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Biarritz, Lyon and Antibes. Students can choose a course of anywhere from 1 week to 52 weeks starting throughout the year. Accommodation is also arranged in French host families for that extra practise speakingFrench.
I am a student of OU myself, having studied Portales (Spanish) last year and am set for En Rumbo (Spanish) this year I know how useful it is to practice the language outside of the OU and use other resources. I will be offering 10% off French tuition to any student that is studying French or any other language with the Open University.
Contact me for details:
gemma@livelanguagesabroad.com 01736 740000
http://www.livelanguagesabroad.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/LiveLanguagesAbroad
We also offer courses in Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Greek.
Are you studying French with the Open University? Would you like some extra practice? Why not attend a French course in France where the language is spoken. We offer Frenchcourses for students of all ages and abilities in the following fantastic locations: Nice, Paris, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Biarritz, Lyon and Antibes. Students can choose a course of anywhere from 1 week to 52 weeks ...
OU academic wows Chris Evans with Latin
Chris' limited previous experience with classical languages had primed him to be an enthusiastic learner, as he explained: "I've done crosswords with my pals who've studied Latin at university, and you can guess the definitions of words."
But he was slightly stunned when Paula explained how the language functions: "You can put any order of words in a Latin sentence and get the meaning, because it is the ending that tells you what role it plays."
Paula extolled the advantages of learning Latin "the foundation of so many languages – and all great literature deserves to be read in the original" and of modern Latin teaching to the Radio 2 breakfast listeners.
Teaching is "a lot buzzier than it used to be and tries to link up with what is happening today, " she said.
In her teaching, she uses the fact that most people are already familiar with a great many Latin words and phrases to launch the study of cases and endings.
"What I've done at summer schools in the OU is just get a list of mottos and we sit looking at the meaning, and then we look at how the endings of Latin words might change. Because that is something that rather freaks people out – why is this word changing its shape all the time?"
She then talked Chris through the meaning of "curriculum vitae", telling him "you have already learnt a genitive case!"
Regarding Latin pronunciation, she told listeners: "The jury's out on what kind of accent we give it. I like to give it a bit of Italian, rather than sounding as though I am straight out from Oxford."
Finally she suggested Chris join thousands of others and sign up for an OU Latin course. "I'm yours! " he replied.
The interview took place on 28 February. It is re-playable for seven days here. The Paula James interview is at 2:10.05 into the programme.
1 March 2013
Useful links
(3 votes)
DJ Chris Evans took his first steps in Latin when OU Classical Studies senior lecturer Dr Paula James (pictured) featured as the mystery guest on his BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. Chris' limited previous experience with classical languages had primed him to be an enthusiastic learner, as he explained: "I've done crosswords with my pals who've studied Latin at ...
How do you become fluent in 11 languages?
Twenty-year-old Alex Rawlings has won a national competition as the UK's most multi-lingual student.
The Oxford University student began learning Dutch at age 14 and developed a passion that has led to him speaking 11 languages.
In this fascinating BBC report he demonstrates his skills and gives some insights into how he does it.
(5 votes)
Twenty-year-old Alex Rawlings has won a national competition as the UK's most multi-lingual student. The Oxford University student began learning Dutch at age 14 and developed a passion that has led to him speaking 11 languages. In this fascinating BBC report he demonstrates his skills and gives some insights into how he does it. 2.2 Average: 2.2 (5 votes)
Spanish in Spain & Latin America
Are you studying Spanish with the Open University? Would you like some extra practice?
Why not attend a Spanish course in Spain or Latin America where the language is spoken. We offer Spanish courses for students of all ages and abilities in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Buenos Aires, Playa del Carmen to mention just a few fantastic locations. Students can choose a course of anywhere from 1 week to 52 weeks starting throughout the year. Accommodation is also arranged in Spanish host families for that extra practise speaking Spanish.
I am a student of OU myself, having studied Portales last year and am set for En Rumbo this year I know how useful it is to practice Spanish outside of the OU and use other resources. I will be offering 10% off Spanish tuition to any student that is studying Spanish or any other language with the Open University.
Contact me for details:
gemma@livelanguagesabroad.com 01736 740000
http://www.livelanguagesabroad.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/LiveLanguagesAbroad
We also offer courses in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Greek.
(5 votes)
Are you studying Spanish with the Open University? Would you like some extra practice? Why not attend a Spanish course in Spain or Latin America where the language is spoken. We offer Spanish courses for students of all ages and abilities in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Buenos Aires, Playa del Carmen to mention just a few fantastic locations. Students can choose a course of anywhere ...
Help needed: are you studying languages?
If you have a story to share, please email platform@open.ac.uk and we will send you some questions.
In particular we are looking for those who are studying or studied German, Spanish, Chinese, Italian and Welsh.
(3 votes)
We're currently seeking OU stories from students and alumni about study experience. How you found the OU, how study has helped you, has it impacted on your career or opened up new opportunities? If you have a story to share, please email platform@open.ac.uk and we will send you some questions. In particular we are looking for those who are studying or studied German, ...
Languages: Are you ready to 'MOOC'?
The OU’s Department of Languages is planning the OT12 MOOC, a Massive Open Online Course on open translation tools and practices.
The pilot will run for eight weeks from 15 October to 7 December 2012 with the accompanying course website onow open. If you’re are interested in taking part, go to the "Get involved" tab on the OT12 website.
Not sure what this is all about?
MOOCs are free online courses, open to anybody and everybody anywhere in the world. They usually bring together large numbers of learners and instructors across a common field of knowledge. While MOOCs provide weekly topics, activities, discussions and resources, learners actively engage in all aspects of the experience, sharing ideas in forums, undertaking collaborative or reflective activities, and using a variety of social media.
Open translation tools and practices
Open translation practices rely on crowd sourcing, and are used for translating open resources such as TED talks and Wikipedia articles, and also in global blogging and citizen media projects such as Global Voices.
There are many tools to support open translation practices, from Google translation tools to online dictionaries like Wordreference, or translation workflow tools like Transifex. Some of these will be explored in the OT12 MOOC.
Bridge to success (B2S) ... in more than one language!
The content (translations into Spanish and potentially also other languages through the MOOC), includes the highly successful B2S modules available in the free, standards based OpenLearn Labspace:
There will also be captioning and subtitling activities using a variety of videos in English and Spanish.
(5 votes)
The OU’s Department of Languages is planning the OT12 MOOC, a Massive Open Online Course on open translation tools and practices. The pilot will run for eight weeks from 15 October to 7 December 2012 with the accompanying course website onow open. If you’re are interested in taking part, go to the "Get involved" tab on the OT12 website. Not sure what this is all ...
New social media handbook launched
Overwhelmed by the sheer number of blogs, wikis, social networking and information-sharing websites out there?
Help is at hand with a new Handbook of Social Media for researchers, developed by OU Computing academics Shailey Minocha and Marian Petre.
It provides a wide-ranging overview of social media sites and tools that are useful for research and includes the results of interviews with social media users.
The Handbook, funded through Vitae Innovate is aimed primarily at postgraduate and early career researchers and their supervisors.
Download the Handbook of Social Media free.
(9 votes)
Overwhelmed by the sheer number of blogs, wikis, social networking and information-sharing websites out there? Help is at hand with a new Handbook of Social Media for researchers, developed by OU Computing academics Shailey Minocha and Marian Petre. It provides a wide-ranging overview of social media sites and tools that are useful for research and includes the results of interviews with ...
New Beginnings ;-)
Hi everyone,
I am starting the L192 AND L194 language courses in October and i have just received my Bon Depart French pack today. Is anyone else starting a new language course? I cannot wait to get stuck into it now it's here. x
Hi everyone, I am starting the L192 AND L194 language courses in October and i have just received my Bon Depart French pack today. Is anyone else starting a new language course? I cannot wait to get stuck into it now it's here. x
New series: China on Four Wheels
The first broadcast of China on Four Wheels -in which the presenters embark on two epic journeys across China - is on Sunday 9 September at 8pm on BBC2 and BBC HD.
In this new two-part series Anita Rani and Justin Rowlatt embark on two epic car journeys through China, navigating congested cities and winding mountain roads to explore how the country's economic growth, symbolised by its booming car industry, is affecting people's lives.
Dr Qian Kan and Dr Daphne Chang are the academic consultants on the series for The Open University.
The OpenLearn website also offers more information on Chinese language. You can view a series of short films called ‘Chinese at the tip of your tongue’ and download the OU’s Chinese mobile app.
(8 votes)
The first broadcast of China on Four Wheels -in which the presenters embark on two epic journeys across China - is on Sunday 9 September at 8pm on BBC2 and BBC HD. In this new two-part series Anita Rani and Justin Rowlatt embark on two epic car journeys through China, navigating congested cities and winding mountain roads to explore how the country's economic growth, symbolised by its ...
L193 Rundblick - beginners' German
Hi
I'm starting the course in October 2012 and wondered if there are any other people in the West Yorkshire / Lancashire area doing the same.
Hi I'm starting the course in October 2012 and wondered if there are any other people in the West Yorkshire / Lancashire area doing the same.
OU on the BBC: The Hairy Bikers: Bakeation
The Hairy Bikers embark on a tour of Europe, sampling the baked goods of many nations attempting to get round the language barrier.
Over the last few months, Simon King and Dave Myers have cooked and tasted their way round Europe, bringing the bread, cakes and biscuits of twelve nations into our living rooms through their popular Bakeation series, developed in collaboration with The Open University.
Find out more:
- Details of the series and episodes on OpenLearn
- Explore the concept of intercultural communicaitons
(8 votes)
The Hairy Bikers embark on a tour of Europe, sampling the baked goods of many nations attempting to get round the language barrier. Over the last few months, Simon King and Dave Myers have cooked and tasted their way round Europe, bringing the bread, cakes and biscuits of twelve nations into our living rooms through their popular Bakeation series, developed in collaboration ...
Shall vs. Will ... question from a gate-crasher
Good day to you all!
I have an admission… I do not belong to the Language faculty, but that of Science. A distinct foreigner in the world of prose and grammar, I hope you can help this endeavour prove fruitful for my query lies firmly within the bosom of the English language.
Shall or will?
I will be using the word ‘will’ from now on, as this is my lecturers’ preference and perhaps more suited to the world of science; but it made me curious to which word you should use in which context. A little research has simply made things more complicated; nobody seems to truly know!
‘Shall’ seems to be dropping out of favour so it may simply be a question of personal preference. Others say it’s a question if perspective; I shall, we shall, they will. Or perhaps a question of intent, I shall do that (intending), I will do that (definite). And so the list goes on.
Can anyone help shed light on this conundrum?
Good day to you all! I have an admission… I do not belong to the Language faculty, but that of Science. A distinct foreigner in the world of prose and grammar, I hope you can help this endeavour prove fruitful for my query lies firmly within the bosom of the English language. Shall or will? I will be using the word ‘will’ from now on, as this is my lecturers’ preference and perhaps more suited ...
