Borland Educational

Learn Online

Language Reactor
"Chrome browser extension that helps you translate Youtube or Netflix subtitles into powerful language lessons to help you get fluent." Download here. Pro version costs money.

Bing AI Just KILLED Traditional Language Learning
"Bing AI just turned language learning on its head … changing the way we learn languages …" Microsoft's AI chatbot offers language learners powerful new tools.

Rosetta Stone
Famous language learning software uses images, text, sound to teach words, grammar by spaced repetition, without translation. 30+ languages.

Language Learning Tips
The administrator of Omniglot (who knows 20 languages) provides his personal suggestions for learning languages, favorite learning sites, etc. More tips here.

Tandem
Engaging in conversations with native speakers of the language you're learning is critical. This site introduces language learning partners. Just ten languages, unfortunately.

Busuu
Join millions of registered native speakers teaching each other languages of the world! Extra resources for paid members. Courses in six stages recognized by CEFR.

Duolingo
Popular free site and app that teach languages through reading, writing, speaking, and listening drills, article translation, and more.

Babbel.com
Similar to Rosetta stone, but much less expensive. Limited number of languages. Sort of a cross between Rosetta Stone and Duolingo. Excellent program.

Yojik
U.S. government language resources designed by professionals for U.S. Foreign Services. Huge number of languages. Privately maintained. Original site here.

About Language

Linguistics
The scientific study of language: form, meaning, context, grammar, stylistics; role in cognition, psychology, biology, ontology; etc.

Language Families
Trees and charts show the familial relationships between world languages. Includes information on a conjectured human Mother Language. More here.

Ethnologue
Rigorous, in-depth, authoritative, searchable information on all known human languages (more than 7000). Regularly updated.

Omniglot
“The online encyclopedia of writing systems and languages.” Details on 1000+ languages, 180 writing systems. Overflowing with tantalizing info. Amazing site.

Other

Google Translate
Amazing AI that translates just about any major world language into any other in real time. Great for formal translations (important documents, etc.).

BBC: Languages
“A taste of the 20 languages most widely spoken in the world to help you decide [which one(s) to study].” Good place to start. No longer updated, unfortunately.

Lexicool
Database of links to 8000+ language dictionaries, translation sites, and subject-specific glossaries. Includes quick translation page.

Reviews

“Standardized tests are a necessary step in applying to colleges, and, with his support, I was able to achieve the scores I needed to be competitive. I am currently finishing a degree in physics at the University of Chicago and am immensely grateful for his help four years ago. His test taking strategies have also been very useful on the GRE while applying to graduate school physics programs. Thank you again, Chris!”

Ben F. (Student: 2013)

"[Chris’s] methods are extremely effective and he is one of the kindest, most supportive men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

"Working with him has been one of my best academic experiences and I congratulate Chris on his hard work and dedication to the success of his pupils."

Harrison M. (Student: 2017)

“His competence, compassion and ethics as a tutor are exemplary.

"Chris is a wonderfully friendly, sincere and caring human being. His personality is delightful, making the sessions enjoyable.”

Judy S. (Client: 2006)

"The students benefited from [Chris's] assistance, and we found him very personable, helpful and eager to learn new teaching techniques and philosophies.

I feel he would be an excellent addition to any tutoring staff."

Linda N. (Employer: 1980)

"I enjoyed working with Chris because he could explain things I did not understand and make them clear to me. Chris was very patient when it took me a while to understand things."

Martha S. (Student: 1993)

“Chris is a phenomenal math, PSAT, and SAT tutor. I studied with him for over three years and am so grateful for all of his invaluable knowledge and the confidence that he instilled in me as a math student.

"Now, years later, the same standardized test-taking skills that he taught me for the PSAT and SAT are helping me immensely in my LSAT prep.

"Chris is patient and efficient in his teaching. I would highly recommend him to everyone!”

Gary C. (Client: 2016)

"Chris Borland tutored my son and did an excellent job. He obviously is a very well qualified teacher and I recommend him without reservation."

David C. (Client: 1980)

Chris is also incredibly supportive, and recognizes when confidence is lagging. He holds his students accountable by giving them specific work and challenges and also rewards their gains, and is able to pivot his teaching style if a certain way of explaining things isn't working.

"I highly recommend Chris to any student who is studying for a standardized test ..."

A.S.M. (Client: 2021)

Most importantly, you taught Joey to understand that hard work does reap its own rewards. Joey did well enough in school and on the SATs to gain acceptance to a number of UC Schools, of which he chose UC Davis to attend. Thanks Chris for you effort and diligent tutoring of Joey the last three years, we really appreciate all that you did for him.

Larry L. (Client: 2005)

"Chris tutored my son for the SSAT test and … it was worth every penny. My son responded very well to him and developed learning strategies that [he's] using to this day."

Michal V. (Client: 2014)

"[Chris] has a keen sense of the orderly nature of learning, and did a particularly good job of helping students with the organizational work needed to excel at math ... one of the best young teachers I've seen."

Bruce S. (Administrator: 1985)

"[Chris] is patient, understanding, enthusiastic and always guides Andrew in the learning process with a very positive attitude. If Andrew gets distracted, Chris is able to guide him back to the subject at hand by being assertive, yet respectful. His focus on Andrew's progress has resulted in a very noticeable improvement in Andrew's skill level in Algebra, his attention to detail, his neatness, and his self-esteem..."

Karen C. (Client: 1999)

"Chris Borland has provided test prep tutoring for two of our three children, one for the SSAT and then the ACT, and the other for the SSAT. They both dramatically improved their scores as a result of his tutoring and were accepted to their first-choice schools.

Jennifer C. (Client: 2020)

"Fantastic tutor. We set a goal for my SAT score, and with Chris's help I got there. Has years of experience and knows the test inside and out. Cannot recommend more highly."

Jack R. (Client: 2014)

Chris is patient, knowledgeable and was helpful in identifying my weaknesses and addressing them. My work with Chris on test prep also helped me in the classroom resulting in improved grades both my junior and senior years. He is easy to work with and never made me feel stupid. I highly recommend Chris Borland for test prep and math tutoring.”

T J (student: 2018)

"Chris Borland tutored my l4 year old twins for several weeks before they took the SSAT test for entrance into private schools. He has a very good rapport with kids and makes the sessions fun and interesting.

Chris's strategies about standardized test taking proved to be excellent. Both boys improved their scores significantly and openly attributed their success to their work with Chris..."

Anne C. (Client: 2003)

“Worth every penny!

"As the high school application process in SF is already stressful and time consuming, I was looking for an efficient strategy for my B/G twins to prepare for the SSAT. Chris has deep experience with test prep and presented a very clear, efficient, and effective strategy for the twins to follow. His approach resulted in a huge increase in test results.

"We would highly recommend him to anyone for standardized test prep!”

Irene L. (client: 2018)

Knowledge is Power