Digital flashcards, and other memory/learning systems

So I'm currently learning a language and having no fundz for the time being I'm starting with some vocabulary on this free site called memrise. Basically it puts up a word in the two languages then tests you. You 'plant seeds' and then 'water' them with more tests until they 'flower'. It's a nice system and it gives you a fun incentive. Some of it at least is definitely going in.

Wondering if anyone else is using or interested in using anything similar, if there's any must-have flashcard type systems out there I've missed? I'm aware of the limitations of this method as opposed to a classroom with people and books, but as far as free ways to learn go it seems quite effective.

anki is the main one. it is incredibly rough around the edges, expensive ON IPHONE, but it's where the user community is

it is incredibly effective though

Might be worth checking Livemocha.

Kinda depends on what your language learning goals are. Are you learning a lg you hope to use irl? Are you learning a lg that people around you speak or one whose speakers live v remotely to you. Is it a lg you can communicate in yet or are you learning basic syntax in addition to vocabulary?

Are you learning a new alphabet? Are you learning morphology in addition to vocabulary?

Hoping to use it but mainly for reading. Starting almost from scratch. Same alphabet. Hoping to learn some morphology/structure.

Is it a secret what this language is?

I'm a language teacher, that's why I have all of these questions. Cannot offer help without more information.

Yes sorry, slipped my mind. Italian.

Ah ok. Is this your first foreign language or L3, L4, etc?

Second, have some French. First language is English.

Don't know if this is TMI/makes me sound like a monster, but I'm doing this in the hopes of being able to read books 2 and 3 of the divine comedy in italian more comfortably. Forced myself through the first one by referring every line of every canto to a dictionary and english crib, which was worth while (and helped learn some of it by heart) but proving impossible another two times.

It isn't even in modern italian, of course, but I was told by an Italian that knowing the modern language would help; and also to read criticism and scholarship in modern italian. I realise this is a hell of a lot of work but I've got an infinite deadline

Ok in that case, is there an Italian cultural center near where you live (if you are in a big city there should be something -- I know my city has a place because I have walked past it)? If so, maybe they have intro classes? That might help you get a handle on structure and/or practice a bit with others. Also you would have access to a native speaker, which is always handy.

I dunno, I don't really believe that one can learn a language through vocabulary study alone, but I'm obvs biased toward classes and interactive language learning environments.

Also check the public library for A/V language learning materials -- most public libraries should have a small section at least. Dunno if you are US/UK but this is true in the US.

i use traditional paper index cards for both languages i'm learning (icelandic and japanese) — i would imagine a boilerplate approach to every language wouldn't work as well as an individualized approach.

for japanese i use index cards to remember kanji and their readings (with some example compounds and sentences on the back)

for an indo-european language with a case system (like icelandic and italian) i use cards to remember dictionary forms of vocab. for verbs i take note of the conjugations. for nouns i make note of the gender.

probably the one thing that made the biggest improvement in my language learning is just spaced repetition — if you have several stacks of note cards i would cycle through them so that they stay fresh in your mind.

i started an excel spreadsheet so i could keep track of which vocab/kanji groups i've studied on what day, when i added new ones, which ones i should review, etc. i would say the ratio of "old" material to "new" material i study on any given day is about 50/50.

Are there online chat instructional swaps? (People proficient in x trying to learn y chatting with y/x?)
It would alarm me if no ones figured out how to make this by now.

Livemocha is kinda like that afaik

Unless you are talking about a dilettante's paradise where people give away their expertise for free?

yeah livemocha, although the courses on the site are of varying quality.

I'm thinking more of a chatroulette situation but less dongs and more dipthongs

As I said, I'm biased but I strongly advocate seeking out professional language teachers and/or learning materials whenever possible. If you are learning Italian, finding materials and/or irl instruction shouldn't be all that difficult. (Not so for Icelandic, obvs) I dunno, I get paid to teach people -- it's my professional profession, my job. It's not an avocation and not a hobby. I wouldn't do it in my off hours. Not sure you would get many quality dongs/diphthongs with that chatroulette scenario, but who knows.

As I said, I'm biased but I strongly advocate seeking out professional language teachers and/or learning materials whenever possible.

otm at least until you get up to european framework B1 or maybe even B2

Absolutely, and I'm aware that all these 'free' things on the internet are sort of a piss-take if it's your job. This is just bare bones, basic, useful things to do until I can pay someone real

Ok then, I've offered what I have! I wish you the best of luck!

(not being an asshole -- i sincerely wish you the best of luck)

but yeah for flashcards check out anki

have you tried watching English-speaking movies with Italian subtitles?