As the semester nears its end, you may be wondering what to do over the break. There are many options, like attending summer school classes, working at a lab, or doing an internship. However, most seem to overlook the opportunity to grow as a global citizen by learning a new language. With the ongoing trend of globalization, one’s proficiency in English is being seen less as a qualification and more as a requirement. To truly stand out, you must have another language in your arsenal and, with the options that are available around, you may not have to go far to learn one.

Probably the most readily available resource you could use for learning a new language is a mobile application named Duolingo. This free-to-use application makes it easy and fun for anyone to start learning a language by incorporating gaming elements into the learning process. Vocabulary and grammar are introduced gradually, as learners must clear stages to gain experience points and level up. You lose hearts if you make mistakes - akin to game mechanics in many other mobile games - and are also encouraged to compete with friends by adding them from your social networking sites. The unique way in which the application teaches languages creates a learning dynamic that is more interactive and less mundane than a classroom or self-study environment might be. Also, there is a wide selection of languages to learn the languages based off of; for example, you could learn French using German or Portuguese from Spanish. Duolingo currently supports many languages, like Spanish, French, German, Italian, and more, with more to come.

Another popular software choice for learning a new language is Rosetta Stone. Borrowing the name of an ancient stone tablet scribed in three different archaic languages, Rosetta Stone is probably the most used program for learning a language worldwide and is often considered the global standard for learning languages digitally. It has an impressive selection of languages to choose from, including some of the more exotic ones like Hebrew, Hindi, and Urdu, to name a few. Apart from the course material of the software, the package also includes other learning tools: the proprietary speech recognition system that evaluates your speech, a one-on-one service with a native for a live coaching session, access to the learners’ community online, and support for usage on portable platforms such as smartphones and tablets to learn on the go. As comprehensive as the software packages are, one downside to the Rosetta Stone products is their price. The lowest price point of 299,000 Korean Won may be a bit too steep for a student with modest earnings, even if the price is justified by its high appraisal worldwide.

Perhaps if you are more comfortable with a classroom environment, why not utilize some of the cultural institutes situated in Daejeon? One of these institutes is the Foundation Alliance française. The Foundation is supported jointly by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Education, and is devoted to the global education of the French language and culture. The Foundation offers monthly courses of either three hours per week on Saturdays or six hours per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with fees starting from 180,000 Korean Won, and is located right next to the Yongmun Subway Station. Courses can be found for various levels of proficiency. More information can be found on their site (http://www.afdaejeon.co.kr/). Another institute is the Goethe-Institut, or the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Institut offers courses ranging from one to eight weeks, and fees start from 395,000 Korean Won. The German Cultural Institute is located in Chungnam National University, so if you are a student staying on campus over the break, it could be a convenient option to explore. Their site (http://www.goethe.de/enindex.htm) gives more information.