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Independent learning and the Internet\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n This post is about online learning resources, but before giving a few examples of the seemingly infinite possibilities out there I want to give a bit of context:<\/p>\n Commitment to improvement<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n To improve English use quickly and noticeably when not living in an English-speaking country it really isn\u2019t enough just to attend a class twice a week (and disconnect over the summer).\u00a0 Learning a language is not something which is done in class and only recalled later on in order to do homework!<\/p>\n Here are a few points to keep in mind:<\/p>\n Becoming a good communicator in another language is a lifestyle choice, not just a question of study<\/strong>: allow English to become part of your life.\u00a0 Don\u2019t keep it separate from the other things you do.<\/p>\n I am responsible for my own learning<\/strong>: your teacher is only partially responsible for your learning.\u00a0 It is fundamental to give her feedback and suggestions to ensure your learning objectives are met in class.\u00a0 Equally, it is vital to ensure that you take relevant and well organised notes which you then revise thoroughly in your own time, as well as doing self-study.\u00a0 In addition to this, it is so important to look actively for independent learning opportunities as these are the magic ingredient which will accelerate your improvement<\/u>.<\/p>\n Your teacher is your mentor and guide<\/strong>: although you have the responsibility for your independent learning, talk about it with your teacher.\u00a0 Ask for ideas and brainstorm possibilities to improve outside class.\u00a0 Organise strategies and set realistic targets for contact with English whenever possible in your daily routine.<\/p>\n Learning comes in many forms<\/strong>: Watch TV in English; listen to radio and podcasts when going for a run; read the press, novels, abridged readers and online magazines; take advantage of the possibilities to speak English in your day-to-day life, read this post in English.\u00a0 Be imaginative about how you let the language into your life<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 learn on the bus, learn with your kids, make it fun!<\/p>\n Motivation is everything<\/u>: <\/strong>focus on what interests you and what you enjoy.\u00a0 Whether you like music, cycling or the natural world; whether you prefer to learn by listening, reading, focusing on vocabulary or on grammar, you can engage with the language in ways you look forward to \u2026 especially online:<\/p>\n Take advantage of the vast online resources available<\/strong>: There really is something for everyone.\u00a0 Below is a list of possibilities, separated into categories, which you can explore, experiment with and find the perfect blend for you!<\/p>\n (The vast majority of sites and apps here are free)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A starting point for exploring online English language learning opportunities<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Activities, exercises, podcasts, video etc.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/lyricstraining.com\/<\/a> great song based competitive listening concept!<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.tubequizard.com\/<\/a> excellent video quizzes to focus on different learning objectives<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.breakingnewsenglish.com\/dictation.html<\/a>\u00a0 Fantastic dictation practice!<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.newsinlevels.com\/<\/a> Scripted news videos<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/learningenglish\/<\/a>\u00a0 Extensive and up-to-date resources<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.businessenglishpod.com\/<\/a>\u00a0 Very useful for business English<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.quickanddirtytips.com\/grammar-girl<\/a>\u00a0 Bite-size grammar rules, punctuation advice and vocabulary explanations, for teachers and students alike!<\/p>\n http:\/\/tu-ingles.com\/<\/a>\u00a0 Structured listening practice<\/p>\n http:\/\/zappenglish.com<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 More structured listening practice<\/p>\n http:\/\/esl-lab.com<\/a> Dozens of listening activities for classroom use or by students at home.<\/p>\n http:\/\/dreamreader.net\/<\/a> free reading practice and quizzes for students<\/p>\n http:\/\/learningenglish.voanews.com\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 video content at different levels.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HdwJVlHoaik<\/a> VOA news without images and subtitled every day on Youtube<\/p>\n https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/effortless-english-podcast\/id188333691?ign-mpt=uo%3D8<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 English learning podcast<\/p>\n https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/podcast\/english-a+-finally-learn-english\/id209732262?ign-mpt=uo%3D8&mt=2<\/a>\u00a0 English\/Spanish language learning podcast<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Online tools and apps<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.duolingo.com\/<\/a> good for lower levels<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.memrise.com\/home\/<\/a> uses humour to help remember vocab<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.speakingpal.com\/hi<\/a> speaking\/pronunciation practice (limited free content)<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.busuu.com\/en<\/a> app course offering social media dimension (limited free content)<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.funeasylearn.com\/<\/a> vocabulary app<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.talkenglish.com\/extralessons\/english-learning-apps.aspx<\/a> a variety of app options<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.cambridgemobileapps.com\/vocabulary\/phrasalstein.html<\/a> fun phrasal verb app<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.macmillaneducationapps.com\/soundspron\/<\/a> pronunciation app<\/p>\n http:\/\/soundsofspeech.uiowa.edu\/<\/a>\u00a0 phonetics\u00a0 app<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.phonemicchart.com\/<\/a> allows transcription from word to phonetic script<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dictionaries<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.online-languages.info\/english\/picture-dictionary.php<\/a> great visual reference<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.learnersdictionary.com\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 monolingual dictionary<\/p>\n http:\/\/visuwords.com\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 visual dictionary<\/p>\n http:\/\/dictionary.reverso.net\/english-cobuild\/<\/a> bilingual dictionary<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Exam preparation sites (mainly Cambridge exams)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.examenglish.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.flo-joe.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.english-online.org.uk\/exam.htm<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.cambridgeenglish.org\/learning-english\/exam-preparation\/<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.englishrevealed.co.uk\/index.php<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Conversation partners and chat rooms online<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.conversationexchange.com\/chat-search.php?lg=en<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.speaky.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.lingoglobe.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Anglophone culture<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/<\/a> Printed media online<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.loyalbooks.com\/<\/a> free audio books<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.openculture.com\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 Lots of links to interesting resources<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.watchallchannels.com\/british-tv-html\/<\/a>\u00a0 Access to British TV<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.project-syndicate.org\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 Opinion-based news coverage<\/p>\n Economist videos: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/EconomistMagazine\/videos<\/a>\u00a0 Short videos on varied subjects.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.ted.com\/<\/a> a modern classic<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.listenlive.eu\/uk.html<\/a> listen to live radio<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n El Aprendizaje Independiente e Internet (Versi\u00f3n en Espa\u00f1ol)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Este post trata de recursos y oportunidades de aprendizaje online, pero antes de presentar unos ejemplos de las aparentemente infinitas posibilidades de la web quiero darle al tema un poco de contexto:<\/p>\n Compromiso de mejora<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Para mejorar el uso del ingl\u00e9s de una manera r\u00e1pida y significativa cuando uno no vive en un pa\u00eds angl\u00f3fono no es suficiente con simplemente asistir a una clase dos veces por semana (y desconectar durante el verano)\u00a0 \u00a1Aprender un idioma no es algo que se realiza dentro de un aula de estudio y que se recuerde solamente para completar los deberes!<\/p>\n Aqu\u00ed tenemos unos puntos importantes para tener en cuenta:<\/p>\n Hacerse buen comunicador en otro idioma es una elecci\u00f3n de estilo de vida, no una mera cuesti\u00f3n de estudiar<\/strong>: hay que permitir que el ingl\u00e9s forme parte de tu vida.\u00a0 No lo separes del resto de tus actividades.<\/p>\n Soy el responsable de mi propio aprendizaje<\/strong>: tu profesor es solo parcialmente responsable para tu progreso.\u00a0 Es fundamental darle a tu profesor feedback y sugerencias para asegurar que tus objetivos de aprendizaje dentro de la clase se cumplan.\u00a0 Igualmente, es vital tomar buenos apuntes y repasarlos fuera de clase, adem\u00e1s de completar los deberes.\u00a0 Aparte de esto es important\u00edsimo buscar oportunidades de aprendizaje independiente porque estas mismas forman el ingrediente m\u00e1gico para acelerar tu progreso<\/u>.<\/p>\n Tu profesor es tu mentor y gu\u00eda<\/strong>: aunque t\u00fa tienes la responsabilidad de tu propio aprendizaje independiente, hay que comentar y explorar el tema con tu profesor.\u00a0 P\u00eddele opciones y haz tormentas de ideas para impulsar tu mejora fuera de la clase.\u00a0 Organiza estrategias y ponte metas realistas para aumentar tu contacto con el ingl\u00e9s cuando sea posible en tu d\u00eda a d\u00eda.<\/p>\n Hay muchas formas de aprender<\/strong>: ver la tele en ingl\u00e9s; escuchar la radio y podcasts cuando vas a correr; leer la prensa, novelas, libros editados por nivel o revistas online; aprovechar oportunidades para hablar ingl\u00e9s en tu vida normal; leer este post en ingl\u00e9s (ver abajo).\u00a0 S\u00e9 imaginativo sobre c\u00f3mo puedes dejar entrar el idioma en tu vida \u2013 aprender en el autob\u00fas o con tus ni\u00f1os – \u00a1haz que sea divertido!<\/p>\n La motivaci\u00f3n es todo<\/strong>: enfocarse en lo que te interese y lo que disfrutes. \u00a0Si te gusta la m\u00fasica, el ciclismo o el mundo natural; si prefieres aprender escuchando, leyendo, estudiando la gram\u00e1tica o el vocabulario, puedes encontrar formas de empaparte en el idioma que realmente te estimulen\u2026 sobretodo online:<\/p>\n Aprovechar los inmensos recursos disponibles online<\/strong>: realmente hay algo para todos.\u00a0 Abajo se ofrece una lista de posibilidades, separada en categor\u00edas, la cual puedes explorar, experimentar y encontrar la mezcla perfecta para ti!<\/p>\n \u00a0(La gran mayor\u00eda de sitios web e apps aqu\u00ed son gratuitos)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Un punto de partida para explorar oportunidades de aprendizaje del ingl\u00e9s online<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Actividades, ejercicios, podcasts, video, etc.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/lyricstraining.com\/<\/a> Un concepto fant\u00e1stico y competitivo basado en canciones.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.tubequizard.com\/<\/a> excelente recurso de concursos basados en videos con distintos objetivos de aprendizaje<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.breakingnewsenglish.com\/dictation.html<\/a>\u00a0 Pr\u00e1cticas de dictado muy efectivas.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.newsinlevels.com\/<\/a> videos sobre la actualidad con gui\u00f3n.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/learningenglish\/<\/a>\u00a0 Recursos extensivos y actualizados<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.businessenglishpod.com\/<\/a>\u00a0 Muy \u00fatil para el ingl\u00e9s de negocios<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.quickanddirtytips.com\/grammar-girl<\/a>\u00a0 Datos y consejos sobre la gram\u00e1tica, el vocabulario, la puntuaci\u00f3n y muchos temas m\u00e1s.<\/p>\n http:\/\/tu-ingles.com\/<\/a>\u00a0 Pr\u00e1cticas de audici\u00f3n estructuradas<\/p>\n http:\/\/zappenglish.com<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 M\u00e1s pr\u00e1cticas de audici\u00f3n estructuradas<\/p>\n http:\/\/esl-lab.com<\/a> \u00a0Docenas de actividades de audici\u00f3n.<\/p>\n http:\/\/dreamreader.net\/<\/a> Pr\u00e1cticas de la lecci\u00f3n y concursos de preguntas<\/p>\n http:\/\/learningenglish.voanews.com\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 Contenido de video en distintos niveles.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HdwJVlHoaik<\/a> \u00a0Noticias de VOA sin im\u00e1genes y subtitulado todos los d\u00edas en Youtube.<\/p>\n https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/effortless-english-podcast\/id188333691?ign-mpt=uo%3D8<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Podcast de aprendizaje de ingl\u00e9s<\/p>\n https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/podcast\/english-a+-finally-learn-english\/id209732262?ign-mpt=uo%3D8&mt=2<\/a>\u00a0 Podcast de aprendizaje de ingl\u00e9s\/espa\u00f1ol<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Herramienta\u00a0 y apps online<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.duolingo.com\/<\/a> Muy efectivo en los niveles m\u00e1s bajos.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.memrise.com\/home\/<\/a> Utiliza el humor para fijar el vocabulario en la memoria.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.speakingpal.com\/hi<\/a> \u00a0Pr\u00e1cticas en comunicaci\u00f3n oral y la pronunciaci\u00f3n (contenido gratuito limitado)<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.busuu.com\/en<\/a> aplicaci\u00f3n que ofrece un enfoque \u00a0de medio sociales (contenido gratuito limitado)<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.funeasylearn.com\/<\/a> Aplicaci\u00f3n de vocabulario<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.talkenglish.com\/extralessons\/english-learning-apps.aspx<\/a> Con una variedad de posibilidades de aplicaciones.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.cambridgemobileapps.com\/vocabulary\/phrasalstein.html<\/a> aplicaci\u00f3n divertida de phrasal verbs.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.macmillaneducationapps.com\/soundspron\/<\/a> aplicaci\u00f3n para la pronunciaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n http:\/\/soundsofspeech.uiowa.edu\/<\/a>\u00a0 aplicaci\u00f3n para la fon\u00e9tica<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.phonemicchart.com\/<\/a> Permite la transcripci\u00f3n de la palabra al alfabeto fon\u00e9tico.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Diccionarios<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.online-languages.info\/english\/picture-dictionary.php<\/a> Una referencia visual muy \u00fatil.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.learnersdictionary.com\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Un diccionario monoling\u00fce.<\/p>\n http:\/\/visuwords.com\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 Un diccionario visual.<\/p>\n http:\/\/dictionary.reverso.net\/english-cobuild\/<\/a> Un diccionario biling\u00fce.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sitios de preparaci\u00f3n de examen\u00a0 (principalmente ex\u00e1menes Cambridge)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.examenglish.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.flo-joe.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.english-online.org.uk\/exam.htm<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.cambridgeenglish.org\/learning-english\/exam-preparation\/<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.englishrevealed.co.uk\/index.php<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Parejas de conversaci\u00f3n y chats online<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.conversationexchange.com\/chat-search.php?lg=en<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.speaky.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.lingoglobe.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n La cultura angl\u00f3fona<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/<\/a> medios impresos online.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.loyalbooks.com\/<\/a> libros en versi\u00f3n audio online.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.openculture.com\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 Muchos enlaces a recursos interesantes.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.watchallchannels.com\/british-tv-html\/<\/a>\u00a0 acceso a la televisi\u00f3n brit\u00e1nica.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.project-syndicate.org\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 Opiniones sobre la actualidad.<\/p>\n Economist videos: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/EconomistMagazine\/videos<\/a>\u00a0 Videos cortos sobre temas variados.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.ted.com\/<\/a>\u00a1Un cl\u00e1sico moderno!<\/p>\n