Busuu.com has joined the world of online language learning communities, offering free instruction in four languages. The website also incorporates a social networking component that encourages members to speak with others online and practice their new language.
What Busuu.com Offers its Members
Busuu.com, based in Madrid, Spain, reaches out to people all over the world who want to learn English, Spanish, French or German. The basic membership is free. A premium (fee-based) membership adds on several more interactive components.
The basic membership includes picture-based vocabulary instruction in the target languages, writing exercises, reading comprehension, interactive exams, and a video chat application for live talk with other members. The premium membership fee varies depending on length of commitment to the program. The premium membership includes everything in the basic program, plus audio for more than 3,000 key phrases, listening comprehension exercises, access to grammar units, and printable PDFs and audio podcasts for offline study.
The free language study modules in busuu.com appear to be well thought out. Multiple modalities for learning are addressed: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Courses are organized into four levels: two beginner, two intermediate. The design of course structure allows users the flexibility to enter at any level and to move around to meet personal language needs. Regular reviews/tests keep the language learner informed about progress. Users can create individualized vocabulary lists, and mistakes in review sessions are tagged for extra study.
Busuu Language Gardens Track Progress
The graphics on the busuu.com site are bright, fun, and in many cases animated. On each member’s home page is a graphic called “My Language Garden” that allows the user to compare his/her language progress with that of the community at large, utilizing a visual metaphor of a tree. The individual learner’s tree grows in comparison with the community’s tree. This offers a bit of a competitive edge, which many enjoy.
Learners can also earn virtual “gifts” to reward progress. These animated icons are stored in the Language Garden. As an adverse incentive, animated “bugs” attack the learner’s tree when mistakes are made, requiring vocabulary study to correct the situation.
Busuu.com Encourages Reciprocal Learning/Teaching through Online Social Networking
Busuu.com members can interact with other members who speak the language they are learning. They can also interact with people who wish to learn the member’s native language. This enables the learner to help others by becoming, in essence, a teacher or mentor, or perhaps just a conversationalist.
Communication on busuu.com can occur via live chat, speaking (utilizing a microphone), or even video conferencing. Of course, the last two options will require appropriate peripheral add-ons. A friends list can be built for a more personal and consistent language experience
A disconcerting experience for some may be the swiftness with which other members try to connect up for conversation. One new member reported receiving an invitation to chat just moments after joining. On the positive side, members know who is online at any given time, including the individual’s name, sex, age, and sometimes a photo.
Busuu.com is fun site with lots of potential for real language learning. The price is right, offering both instruction and social interaction for free. The option of added lessons and services for a fee gives members added flexibility. At this point, only four languages are offered for instruction. However, according to Bernhard Niesner, co-founder of busuu.com, plans are in the works to add more languages. Busuu.com is definitely a language experience worth trying.
Margaret M. Williams - Margaret M. Williams (Peggy) has been a teacher for over 25 years. She currently teaches first grade in a classroom that combines native ...
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