Materials and software
This section of the website is divided into 3 main parts:
1. advice on selecting materials and software for language learning,
2. products to buy, and
The products to buy section also contains:
- multi-lingual proofing tools
- multi-lingual wordprocessors
- multi-lingual speech recognition/dictation software
Translation software and dictionaries are found in other sections of the website.
Advice on Selecting Materials
Nowadays, there is a wide variety of materials available for learning languages. Modern materials and software such as CD ROMs, DVDs, cassettes, and videos, provide colour, variety and sources of authentic input (examples of real language used by native speakers). Traditional materials are mainly text-based and tend to focus more on reading and writing skills e.g. course books, work books, text books, graded readers, and grammar exercises - these can also be very useful. All these materials are designed for language learners, but we should not forget that there is a huge amount of authentic material designed for native speakers which can be used for advanced learners, and adapted for those who are less proficient: books, magazines, newspapers, games, music, films, radio, and tv.
When selecting materials for language learning you should try to find those that match your:
- language level e.g. advanced level
- age group e.g. adult
- reason for learning the language e.g. to improve your letter writing ability
- preferred approach e.g. like to do repetitive exercises
- mode of learning e.g. self-study
- price range e.g. £15 to £25
- equipment available e.g. using Windows 95+
Look for attractive materials, which you find interesting, colourful and useful. They should be clearly laid out and well-structured. Borrow materials from a friend or a library first, if you can, to make sure that you can get on with them. You can also ask your teacher or fill in a short online form to use our advisory service.
You can also consult the CILT resources library . Another possibility is the Hull CALL software database.
Global Office - an enhancement to Microsoft Office for 100+ languages
Global Writer - a word processor with a wide range of languages
Microsoft Office Proofing Tools - allows users to proof documents in 50+ languages
CD ROMs and DVDs from Eurotalk for learners of most languages and all levels
German materials to buy
for beginners, beginners - intermediate, intermediate-advanced, advanced, children & all levels
Selected Products
Beginners |
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Michel Thomas German Foundation Course: German (Michel Thomas) [Audiobook] (Audio CD) |
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Michel Thomas |
Our Price: £69.99 |
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Availability: Usually dispatched within 2-3 days, but click on the image for our latest price and availability Michel Thomas's approach to language learning aims to provide in a few hours a functional working knowledge of a language without books, note-taking or conscious memorizing.
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Beginners |
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For more details on "All Talk" - the new audio course on CD click here |
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Linguaphone |
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Beginner - Intermediate level |
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EuroTalk |
Our Price: £29.99 |
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Learn words and phrases that matter to you with this new language learning CD ROM for under eighteens. From "I'll send you a text message later" to "we won the game on penalties", Talk The Talk really gets you talking. Aimed at people who are beginning to get to grips with a new language or preparing for school exams, it gives you more than 200 phrases in your chosen language. More than ten million people worldwide have already learnt a language with EuroTalk. EuroTalk gets results fast and is fun! Includes Talk More Extras disc with additional help languages
and bonus material. |
Beginners |
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Earworms |
Our Price: £11.99 |
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Beginner - Intermediate level |
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Transparent Language |
RRP: £49.99 |
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Usually dispatched in 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability
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Intermediate - advanced level |
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Authentik- resources in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and English for intermediate and advanced level language learners |
Intermediate - advanced level |
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Schau ins Land: Audio-magazine about Germany and the German language |
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Advanced |
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Michel Thomas Advanced Review Course: German (Michel Thomas) [Audiobook] (Audio CD) |
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Michel Thomas |
RRP: £10 |
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The Reviews can be used in many ways: when the student reaches the end of the main course to check or consolidate learning; as a quick refresher when the student returns to the main course after a lapse of time; for the newcomer to Michel Thomas looking for an overview of what the main courses contain. All the main teaching points have been lifted from the corresponding
Advanced course and are contained on just 1 CD. |
For children |
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German for Children (Language for Children Series) (Audio CD) |
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McGraw-Hill Professional |
RRP: £15.00 |
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This unique program is makes learning a language and understanding another culture an enriching and fun experience. The fully integrated program contains: - An 80-page Activity Book, charmingly illustrated in full color, presents carefully structured explanations and activities.. - Two 60-minute CDs, for use by the child with the activity book, explain numerous activities and contain all the songs. The on-going episodes of SuperCat are also included. - An additional Parent/Instructor's CD provides tips for helping children get the most out of the program, additional games and activities, and all the program songs collected together. The program covers basic language skills, such as introducing yourself, counting numbers from 1-20, talking about family, talking to friends, describing things, expressing likes and dislikes, and more.
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All levels |
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German Dialogue Course by Linguaphone on cassette |
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Also available on CD |
RRP: £249.90 |
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All levelsBeginners, intermediate & advanced |
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Auralog |
RRP:£49.99 |
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Usually dispatched in 24 hours, but click on the image for our latest price and availability
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LINKS (in alphabetical order)
Accent-click to help students/teachers etc. with inserting accented characters into Word docs when not using a 'native' keyboard.
DEUTSCH Links to German software.
New English-German Dictionary English-German dictionary which helps you to find translations to a specific term including several examples for context usage. (shareware), R. Werner 2000
Teach Yourself Courses - over 1 million people buy these courses each year!