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Thanks for reading the Multilingual Books newsletter, your source for foreign language news, information, and product information and specials from Multilingual Books. This is also available as a web page at our website, www.multilingualbooks.com. In this issue:
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Interview with Paul K. Aoki, Ph.D., Director, University of Washington Language Learning Center
Dr. Aoki has been the Director of the University of Washington Language Learning Center since 1984. He received his degrees in Linguistics (Ph.D. and M.A.) and Germanics (B.A.) from the University of Washington. He is active in developing electronic media for language learning and has worked with Microsoft, Apple Computer, the Department of Defense, and others.
The interviewer is Kenneth Tomkins, founder of Multilingual Books.
KT: Please tell us a little about your background.
Dr. Aoki: I studied at the University of Washington and received degrees in Theoretical Linguistics (Ph.D. and M.A.), and Germanics (B.A.). Later I worked in the federal government researching methods of language learning for government employees.
KT: The University of Washington is known for its language program; how many languages are offered?
Dr. Aoki: We teach over 50 languages.
KT: That's quite a few! Which are the most popular?
Dr. Aoki: Another question is, "What is the most expedient language?" Many people take Spanish because they took it in high school, and can achieve the requirements easily. Other popular languages are Russian, Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese.
KT: What are some of the more unusual languages you teach?
Dr. Aoki: Lithuanian, Navajo, and Kazakh.
KT: What are some of the unique aspects of your program? I imagine you're excited about current technology.
Dr. Aoki: The U of W language department is an evolutionary outgrowth from the old analog language labs. We now use digital technology, satellite technology, and digital video conferencing to give students more access to foreign language resources. We have daily digital downloads of news and entertainment programming in over 30 languages, and digital labs that teachers and students can use to study with.
KT: What are your thoughts on language learning software? Do you have any commercially available software in your labs?
Dr. Aoki: No. We have developed some in-house products using various authoring systems. Language software is interesting and valuable, but it is sometimes challenging to coordinate with the existing curricula and needs of our teachers.
KT: What are the future plans for the UW language program?
Dr. Aoki: We plan to integrate more digital resources into existing curricula and expand the use of video conferencing. We'd like to make some of our resources available to rural high school students in Washington, who have no language teachers in their schools. We'd also like to use the digital video conferencing to connect students and teachers from around the world for collaborative learning.
KT: As a parent, I'm interested in having my kids learn a foreign language. Could you share any thoughts on teaching foreign language to children?
Dr. Aoki: Children learn language differently from adults. They learn vocabulary in context and their pronunciation is generally more native. As they become older, I'd like for them to learn some basic linguistics to better understand the nature of language in general, and their native and second languages specifically. This will give them a solid foundation to learn subsequent languages.
Thanks to Dr. Aoki for taking a few minutes to speak with us. We hope you've enjoyed it.
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Digital Versions of Iraqi Dialect, Platiquemos Courses
If you need more portable or lower cost versions of these popular book and audio courses, our new digital versions do the job. Each digital version course consists of one or more CDs containing PDF files of the text and up to 7 hours of MP3 audio per CD. The text and MP3s can be accessed with nearly any multimedia-capable computer. Indexing makes it easy to click from page to page or chapter to chapter or print out the text as you need it. The MP3 files can played on the computer or downloaded to a MP3 player and used on the go.
The courses themselves are the same high-quality content that you would receive in the standard versions of the courses. The Iraqi course teaches the basics of Iraqi and includes three hours of audio and over 100 pages of text. The Platiquemos Spanish course has 8 levels available. The digital version consists of one disk per level which on average contains 7 hours of audio and 180 pages of text. This course continues to win accolades from reviewers and customers. The digital courses sell for $45 for Iraqi Arabic and $55 per level for Platiquemos.
Top Products for February
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Last month's trivia questions and answers: Below is "I Love You" in several languages. Please guess the languages. Te Amo - Spanish The winner of last month's contest is Basoul. Congratulations and thanks to all the entrants! This month's trivia question: Anyone hungry? Translate the following foods/beverages into English and also tell us what language they are. For example: Mleko - milk, Polish Mukate The answers and the winner will be in our next newsletter. Winner will receive their choice of one Talk Now or World Talk language CD-ROM! No purchase necessary to enter. E-mail your entry to:
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Readspanish.com
Readspanish.com offers a great page on cultural tips for various Spanish-speaking countries (see "Extras" at the site), an online Spanish crossword puzzle section, and useful and inexpensive Spanish learning aids.
Check it out at http://www.readspanish.com/.
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FREE Musical Spanish with Platiquemos Spanish Courses!
Platiquemos Spanish Course
Musical Spanish For a limited time, we are offering our newsletter subscribers FREE Musical Spanish with any order of Platiquemos Spanish courses! Offer good for one week only, so act now! Please use promo code MB-PMS-220 to receive your special. For ordering and more information, please visit our Platiquemos page. |
  
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FREE Talk Now CD Course and Multilingual Phrasebook with FSI Course Orders!
Foreign Service Institute Courses Talk Now CD-ROM Courses
Worldwide Multilingual Phrase Book Save with FREE Talk Now CD Course and Multilingual Phrasebook (a $71.95 value) with purchase of Foreign Service Institute courses for one week only! Use promo code MB-FTM-220 to receive this special. |
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$20 off PhonicsQ Phonics System! Save $20 on PhonicsQ for one week only! Use promo code MB-PQ-220 to receive this special. |
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