On the first day of 2013 I encouraged you to try Duolingo to learn a new language. Duolingo is a free service designed to help students learn Spanish, English, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese. The service can be used in your web browser or on your iPhone. The latest version of iPhone app now works even without an Internet connection. You can complete practice activities offline and when you reconnect to the web your progress will be synced to your online Duolingo account.

Applications for Education
A number of practice activity formats are available in Doulingo online and in the iOS app. Students can practice translating real-world texts as well as simple rote translation activities. Students can also compete with their friends to get to the next level in the language that they are learning.

To learn on Duolingo students read, listen to, and translate words and
phrases. For example, if a student wants to learn Spanish he or she will be shown Spanish
words with translations. Students can hear the words pronounced too. Then
to practice students type and or speak translations. The activities start out
with simple words and phrases. As students become more proficient, Duolingo presents them with more challenging phrases. To help them track their progress Duolingo
awards points and virtual badges to students.

H/T to TechCrunch.