Learn with Oliver: A Comprehensive Review for Language Learners
For avid language learners seeking effective and engaging resources, Learn with Oliver presents itself as a compelling option. This web-based audio flashcard company offers both free and premium account options, catering to a wide range of learning needs and preferences. This review delves into the features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of Learn with Oliver, providing a comprehensive overview to help you determine if it's the right tool for your language learning journey.
Discovering Learn with Oliver
Learn with Oliver came to my attention through Ellen Jovin. Intrigued by her mention of the platform, I explored their site to discover its offerings. What immediately stood out was the newsletter, a feature that has become a personal favorite.
The Newsletter Advantage
The Mandarin newsletters are particularly noteworthy. They present vocabulary in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, enabling users to compare the two writing systems and enhance their reading comprehension in both versions of the language. This comparative approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the nuances between the two scripts.
Fluency Timeline: Setting and Tracking Goals
Learn with Oliver's fluency setting is another valuable feature. Users can define a desired timeline for achieving fluency, and the platform calculates the required daily study time to meet that goal. This feature allows you to choose a timeline for when you wish to become “fluent” and it tells you how many minutes or hours you need to study per day to achieve your goal. The application then tracks progress, providing a clear visual representation of how close you are to reaching fluency based on completed activities. Once you’ve selected your goal, it keeps track of just how close you are to achieving fluency based on the activities you’ve completed within the application.
Diverse Activities and Games
Learn with Oliver offers a wide variety of games and activities to keep you moving forward along the path to fluency. The platform incorporates a range of interactive exercises, including mock dialogues, text corrections by native speakers, fill-in-the-blank writing exercises, and engaging games. This variety ensures that learning remains stimulating and caters to different learning styles. They have everything from mock dialogues to text corrections by native speakers, writing exercises like fill-in-the-lank, and games.
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HSK Integration for Mandarin Learners
For those studying Mandarin, Learn with Oliver provides excellent HSK-based word lists. Users can adjust their settings to include HSK vocabulary and sentences, and even study the HSK vocabulary lists with audio, sample sentences, and both written versions of the vocabulary. Another fantastic feature for Mandarin through Learn with Oliver is the HSK-based word lists. You can change your settings to incorporate HSK-based words and sentences and even study the HSK vocabulary lists with audio, sample sentences and both written versions of the vocabulary!
Areas for Potential Improvement
While Learn with Oliver offers numerous benefits, there are a few areas where improvements could be made. The frequency with which certain vocabulary appears in exercises is currently determined by the platform. A more personalized approach, where vocabulary repetition is based on individual performance (similar to Memrise), could be more effective. It’s up to you to decide how often you’d like certain vocabulary to appear as you work through the exercises. I would prefer if this was determined by whether I answered correctly or not (kind of like Memrise).
Additionally, the abundance of choices within the platform can be overwhelming for some users. Streamlining the options and providing more guidance could enhance the user experience. I also think that all the choices can be a bit overwhelming.
Comparison with Other Language Learning Resources
To provide a broader perspective, let's consider Learn with Oliver in relation to other popular language learning resources.
Flashsticks
Last month I reviewed the French version of Flashsticks, pre-made flashcards printed out onto sticky notes to create a fun and interactive way to study new vocabulary. While Flashsticks offer a tangible, tactile learning experience, Learn with Oliver provides a more comprehensive, digital approach with audio, interactive exercises, and progress tracking.
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Language Transfer
Language Transfer on YouTubeI am big fan of a YouTube channel called Language Transfer. For learners seeking a deeper understanding of language structure, Language Transfer is a valuable resource. I have used it for Spanish, Arabic and Italian, and I would listen to an episode mostly every morning while getting dressed or at night while cooking. Language Transfer’s method for learning is termed the “Thinking Method” which means that you are remembering grammar and vocabulary not just by simply memorizing it but by understanding the logic behind it. It does so by transferring the knowledge you already have from other languages to your target language. Remembering, then, becomes a way of following a mental process of logic steps, which both makes it easier to trace things back if forgotten and provides you with a better understanding of the language. This YouTube channel focuses on the "Thinking Method," emphasizing understanding the logic behind grammar and vocabulary rather than rote memorization. Learn with Oliver, on the other hand, focuses on vocabulary acquisition and fluency through repetition and interactive exercises.
Frequency Dictionaries
Following a list of the most frequently used words in a language is a very efficient way to learn important vocabulary. Frequency dictionaries are essential for building a strong vocabulary foundation. Learn with Oliver incorporates vocabulary lists, including HSK-based lists for Mandarin, but doesn't explicitly focus on frequency as its primary organizing principle.
Extra French
Extra French on YoutubeThis is a silly but entertaining educational series available in a couple of languages, especially designed for language learners. For supplementing language learning with engaging content, "Extra French" on YouTube provides entertaining educational content. It’s about a group of friends and their adolescent problems and attempts to find love. This series offers a fun and accessible way to improve listening comprehension and vocabulary in context. Learn with Oliver provides more structured learning activities.
Readlang
Reading in another language is effective for learning but not much fun if you have to look up every other word. ReadlangReading in another language is effective for learning but not much fun if you have to look up every other word. Readlang is a valuable tool for making reading in a foreign language more accessible. This application called Readlang is a great free addition to your browser that gives a translation simply by clicking on a word. While Learn with Oliver focuses on vocabulary and fluency, Readlang enhances the reading experience by providing instant translations.
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