After you've learned the basics, you're going to want to build your vocabulary, as well as talk or write to native speakers. Various Web 2.0-style sites have positioned themselves around these needs. Most combine some degree of flash card-style vocabulary drilling exercises with the ability to connect with a language partner that fits your learning profile. However, it's difficult to get both sides right.

Babbel's user-generated content helps reinforce vocabulary skills.
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Babbel has the edge on visual appeal, with user-contributed and user-rated photographs illustrating sets of related vocabulary. A series of matching exercises, plus audio, puts the words under your tongue, and then a "spaced repetition system" (SRS) ensures that you see each word again just at the point where you're about to forget it. If you're at the stage in your language learning where you need to build a working vocabulary, this approach can be helpful and enjoyable. I use an SRS for my studies in Japanese, using Reviewing the Kanji, a donation-supported Web site that tracks individual progress through the popular Remembering the Kanji method. (A Chinese version of the book is forthcoming.)

On LiveMocha, your red pencil forms the user-generated content. You can post your attempts at a foreign language and allow other visitors to correct your spelling and grammar -- or return the favor for ESL students. It's also an active social network with friend requests, live IM chat, and messaging. Other language-based social networking sites include Lang-8, xLingo; and Facebook, where there are applications for learning Spanish, and Japanese (registration required) and more.

Entirely skipping the flash card drills, SharedTalk is Rosetta Stone's language exchange network. SharedTalk has a well-designed Ajax-style interface for finding a language partner, plus voice chat and text chat. Content also is monitored for inappropriate usage, which makes it more suitable for the younger set (13+).

Find Your Language In The Wild

Once you've got a handle on your chosen language, the Web allows you to immerse yourself as never before. Whether you're looking at local-language newspapers, learning about foreign culture from YouTube clips (e.g., how to use chopsticks) or listening to foreign-language radio stations, there are countless ways to put your new knowledge to use.

And here's one of the best ways -- find or start a Meetup group near you to spend face time with other people who speak your language.

Bonne chance!