I would like to know of any web sites providing a subscription service
(paid or free) to learners of the languages listed below. I am
interested in any service  providing learning material such as
vocabulary, grammar tips or worksheets etc. by email or by post.
Information required will be:

Name of service
URL
Description of service
Cost and length of subscription (e.g. free; or £50 per year)
No. of issues (if relevant, e.g. 6 issues per year)

Languages I am interested in are:

French
Spanish
Italian
German
Dutch 
Russian

I am already aware of Champs-Elysees (www.champs-elysses.com).

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Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 20 Feb 2003 14:04 PST

Hi cymraes,
After some detailed research, I have been able to locate the following
sites. However, could you please let me know if your question relates
to sites which exclusively offer subscription or free services, or
would you be interested in sites similar to the one I have included at
the bottom which offer complete courses for a single payment.

World Executive Online Language Learning Center
http://worldexecutive.onlinelanguagelearning.com/en/index.php
"...Discover the fastest and easiest way to learn a new language. Our
CD-ROM and online courses provide the most effective, interactive
instruction available, anytime, anywhere."
Online Level I/II Subscription
With over 8000 real-life images and phrases in 210 lessons, Levels I
and II provide up to 550 hours of mastery instruction in Listening
Comprehension, Reading and Speaking.
Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without
lists and drills. Previews, exercises and tests accompany every lesson
with automated tutorials throughout the program.
Unlimited online access to both levels for $19.95 per month. 3 months
access is $49.95.

At the following site complete courses in your requested languages and
many others can be found in audio cassette tapes and cd formats.
Speak A Language
http://www.speakalanguage.com/speak-language/learn/learning+free-dictionary.htm

Let me know what you decide. Thanks.
rainbow-ga

---

Clarification of Question by cymraes-ga on 20 Feb 2003 15:27 PST

Hi Rainbow. 

Thanks for your post. I am primarily interested in services where
subscribers get learning material sent to them either by post or by
email on a regular basis (weekly, monthly or whatever). That learning
material might be anything, e.g. worksheets, grammar, vocabulary. I'm
interested in both free and paid services of this nature.

Having looked at the World Executive site, I am also interested in
sites that provide similar services, where subscribers pay on a
regular basis for ongoing online access to learning materials.

However, I am not interested in sites providing online courses free or
for a one-off payment; or sites selling cd-roms, videos, books, tapes,
residential or other language courses.

The key thing is that the service involves a subscription (of any
frequency monthly, quarterly or yearly payments) and some idea of
ongoing usage; as opposed to either free access for online resources,
or a one-off payment for a one-off delivery of learning material (e.g.
a cd rom or course).

I hope this makes sense! If you need more info, please do ask. 

Thanks!

Cymraes

Hello:

I have been able to compile some of the useful websites of learning
specific languages for the criteria you provided. An (*) indicates
that the website provides courses in many languages therefore you
might see a repetition of the website. At the end I am also providing
you a list of useful terms that will greatly help you in finding
hundred of sources. Here is a brief list:

SPANISH

Parlo*
http://www.parlo.com
Parlo is an interactive approach to online learning integrates Parlo
language courses with a variety of interactive and engaging language
learning experiences. Cost: Free or $39 to $69 for three months.

SeminarWorld4U Inc.*
http://www.seminarworld4u.com/spanish/default.htm
Audi Visual Online Seminars to help you learn Spanish.
Cost: $19.95 monthly subscription or $34.95 for three months.

Study Spanish
http://www.studyspanish.com
One of the top websites for learning Spanish. It offers courses,
quizzes, tests and much more.
Cost: Free and premium membership. Approx. $15 per month to $40 for
six month to special renewable offers.

The Spanish Teacher
http://www.thespanishteacher.com/Eng/html/index.htm
An interactive way to learn Spanish by subscribing to the helpful
material that is send on monthly basis to the subscriber.
Cost: approx. $29 and monthly renewal fees. Unlimited usage available.

1 Internet Courses
http://www.1-internet-courses.com/
Provides online learning and training for the various languages.
Students take classes online.
Cost: Free courses and paid courses. Prices for the paid course
depends on the type of program.

Tutorial Center
http://www.tutorialusa.com/learn/learn-french.html
Subscription to over 8000 real-life images and phrases in 210 lessons,
learn french levels I and II provide up to 550 hours of mastery
instruction in Listening Comprehension, Reading and Speaking.
Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without
lists and drills. Previews, exercises and tests accompany every lesson
with automated tutorials throughout the program. (website)
Cost: Free or $19.95 per month.

Surf Net Kids
http://www.surfnetkids.com/
Learning for kids by flash cards, quizzes and more. 
Cost: Free and $14 per year for accessing online material for wider
access.

Multi-Lingual Center
http://multilingualcenter.com/
Offers a wide variety of Spanish courses online and study guides. The
most complete resource for learning Spanish.
Cost: Free or depends upon the type and duration of the course.
Anywhere from $77 for four weeks to $127. Other prices may be lower.

Other Websites for Spanish:

Directory of online Spanish courses:
http://www.lingolex.com/learnspanish/websearch.cgi?category=onlinecourses

Other Resources
www.languageadvantage.com/features/vivaespana2003.htm


FRENCH

French Classes
http://www.frenchclasses.com/
At frenchclasses.com you'll find a complete course of French tuition,
from Beginner's to Advanced level. While you study, a personal French
tutor living in France will be just an e-mail away, ready to give you
all the assistance you need.
Cost: $180 for three month weekly lessons by email.

Optimnem*
http://www.optimnem.co.uk/French.htm
Subscribe for the ultimate in learning experience by subscribing to
the material which is than delivered to you by email.
Cost: Free Demo or $19.95

SeminarWorld4U Inc.*
http://www.seminarworld4u.com/french2/default.htm
Audi Visual Online Seminars to help you learn French.
Cost: $19.95 monthly subscription or $34.95 for three months.

Tutorial Center*
http://www.tutorialusa.com/learn/learn-french.html
Subscription to over 8000 real-life images and phrases in 210 lessons,
learn french levels I and II provide up to 550 hours of mastery
instruction in Listening Comprehension, Reading and Speaking.
Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without
lists and drills. Previews, exercises and tests accompany every lesson
with automated tutorials throughout the program. (website)
Cost: Free or $19.95 per month.

Parlo*
http://www.parlo.com
Parlo is an interactive approach to online learning integrates Parlo
language courses with a variety of interactive and engaging language
learning experiences. Cost: Free or $39 to $69 for three months.

GERMAN

College German
http://www.collegegerman.net/flash/home.htm
Learn German through email access, audio sessions, quizzes and more.
Cost: Free or Paid. Paid lessons  ($9.95 for one month and $4.95 per
month for three months)

German Tutoring
http://www.ruthenberg.com/German.html
Learn German through a professional instructor.
Cost: $50 per  month or $5 per hour.

SeminarWorld4U Inc.*
http://www.seminarworld4u.com/german1/default.htm
Audi Visual Online Seminars to help you learn German.
Cost: $19.95 monthly subscription or $34.95 for three months.

Optimnem*
http://www.optimnem.co.uk/German.htm
Subscribe for the ultimate in learning experience by subscribing to
the material which is than delivered to you by email.
Cost: Free Demo or $19.95

Tutorial Center*
http://www.tutorialusa.com/learn/learn-german.html
Subscription to over 8000 real-life images and phrases in 210 lessons,
learn French levels I and II provide up to 550 hours of mastery
instruction in Listening Comprehension, Reading and Speaking.
Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without
lists and drills. Previews, exercises and tests accompany every lesson
with automated tutorials throughout the program. (website)
Cost: Free or $19.95 per month.

Parlo*
http://www.parlo.com
Parlo is an interactive approach to online learning integrates Parlo
language courses with a variety of interactive and engaging language
learning experiences. Cost: Free or $39 to $69 for three months.

ITALIAN

Cyber Italian
http://www.cyberitalian.com/
Interactive Language Course and more.
Cost: Free initially. For advanced courses paid membership.

SeminarWorld4U Inc.*
http://www.seminarworld4u.com/itailan/registra.htm
Audi Visual Online Seminars to help you learn Italian.
Cost: $19.95 monthly subscription or $34.95 for three months.

Tutorial Center*
http://www.tutorialusa.com/learn/learn-italian.html
Subscription to over 8000 real-life images and phrases in 210 lessons,
learn French levels I and II provide up to 550 hours of mastery
instruction in Listening Comprehension, Reading and Speaking.
Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without
lists and drills. Previews, exercises and tests accompany every lesson
with automated tutorials throughout the program. (website)
Cost: Free or $19.95 per month.

Parlo*
http://www.parlo.com
Parlo is an interactive approach to online learning integrates Parlo
language courses with a variety of interactive and engaging language
learning experiences. Cost: Free or $39 to $69 for three months.

RUSSIAN

Learning Russian
http://learningrussian.com/
The largest free resource of Russian learning on the web.
Cost: Free of cost

Tutorial Center*
http://www.tutorialusa.com/learn/learn-russian.html
Subscription to over 8000 real-life images and phrases in 210 lessons,
learn French levels I and II provide up to 550 hours of mastery
instruction in Listening Comprehension, Reading and Speaking.
Systematic structure teaches vocabulary and grammar naturally, without
lists and drills. Previews, exercises and tests accompany every lesson
with automated tutorials throughout the program. (website)
Cost: Free or $19.95 per month.

Parlo*
http://www.parlo.com
Parlo is an interactive approach to online learning integrates Parlo
language courses with a variety of interactive and engaging language
learning experiences. Cost: Free or $39 to $69 for three months.

DUTCH

The Dutch Resource
http://www.learndutch.org/
The greatest resource of Dutch learning online.
Cost: Free of cost.

Search Strategy:

Learn Spanish AND “SUBSCRIPTION”
Learn Russian AND “subscription”
Learn Dutch AND “subscription”
Learn French AND “subscription”
Learn Italian AND “subscription”
Learn German AND “subscription”
Learn Dutch

Other Useful Terms:

“Learn Spanish” (replace with German, Italian etc)
“Spanish learning resource”  (replace with German, Italian etc)
“Spanish language” (replace with German, Italian etc)

I hope the above links will help you. Please clarify, if you are not
satisfied so I can look after your requirements. Thanks for asking.

Sincerely,
Leader-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by cymraes-ga on 26 Feb 2003 09:35 PST

Hi Leader, 

Just to clarify, the sites which offer to send subscribers learning
material by *email* (as opposed to the subscriber having to go online
to retrieve learning material themselves) are:

The Spanish Teacher
French Classes
Optimnem (various languages)
College German

It this list correct? 

Thanks!

---

Clarification of Answer by leader-ga on 26 Feb 2003 17:14 PST

Hello:

Yes the French Tutor has an email correspondence course with weekly
correspondence.
I think for Spanish teacher you have to pay to access the online
content. No email I think.
For optimum (various languages) either you can access online or get it
by mail. (Email tutoring is available online)
German online is an email, online and download service. 

In short, I am not sure about the spanish teacher. 

Thanks for clarifying. If still you are not clear, please ask again.
Thanks

Excellent and comprehensive answer. Very useful.