Study New Languages Resource directory · word-roots method · tools

How we choose resources

Every listing is checked for usefulness, classroom safety, and whether it still works — so you spend less time sorting noise.

What makes the list

  • Safe for learners of all ages. Material that fails a family or classroom safety check is left out entirely.
  • Honest verification dates. A “Verified” date appears only when the URL recently returned HTTP OK and a human check is on file. Blank dates mean “not yet re-checked” — better than a false stamp.
  • Real free courseware when it exists. Public-domain government courses (FSI, DLI, Peace Corps) and community programs are featured when available.
  • Clear cost labels. Free, free-with-paid-upgrades, and paid options are marked honestly.
  • Paid tools only where they fit. Apps and courses appear when they match the job — never as the only path. Some links may earn commission; see our affiliate disclosure.
  • Community-governed languages. Indigenous and similar languages lead with official community programs; commercial listings are subordinated.

Want the method behind the vocabulary work? Read how word roots work. Fuller trust document: how we verify resources.

How we keep lists fresh

  • Weekly full-URL audit: fabrication flags, HTTP status, and strip of any date that lacks http_ok.
  • Review network: for languages outside Avery’s personal competence, teachers and heritage speakers can send attributed notes. Approved contributions can appear with your name on the language page.

Verification coverage (rolling)

133 of 1599 active listings carry a human verification date with HTTP OK (8.3%). 937 listings (58.6%) passed the latest automated HTTP check. Blank dates mean “not yet re-checked” — not a fake stamp.

Indexation

The property is verified in Google Search Console; robots.txt allows crawling; the sitemap is published at /sitemap.xml. Faceted ?type= resource URLs are noindex. Ranking and coverage still take time after verification — we treat GSC’s Indexed count as the source of truth, not external site: guesses.

Page Indexing diagnosis (owner checklist)

Open Search Console → Page Indexing. Pick the dominant state and apply the matching fix:

  • Not crawled — confirm sitemap submission, robots allow, and that important URLs are linked from the homepage and hubs (not only orphan sitemap rows).
  • Crawled — currently not indexed — look for soft-404s, thin or duplicated titles, and empty sections; fix quality signals, then use URL Inspection → Request indexing on a small set of flagship URLs.
  • Indexed — normal for a new domain; improve internal links and measure organic sessions rather than chasing more content volume.

Baselines (indexed count, organic sessions, email and shop conversion) live in admin Measurement and data/audits/measurement-baseline.json.