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Cellular phones, Voice Over IP phones, Internet phones. Wow, so many choices that now provide you with opportunities to learn languages while you're on the go (Mobile Learning). In the past, students were either limited to learning languages in a classroom environment or from their computers; however with the development of different phone services, students can surf the Internet, download music or audio files, or even language-learning modules, or content, that they can view and hear from their cell phones. This is all part of distance education.

If by chance all of these services haven't reached you yet, you can do simple things with a conversational partner or teacher to make the most of your situation and the cellphone you have. Here are two ideas:

• Plan a regular conversation with a friend in English, two or three times a week. Think of a topic of conversation beforehand (e.g., free time activities, shopping, family, entertainment, etc.) and speak with this person for 10 to 15 minutes. If you plan the basic topic in advance, you and your partner will have time to consider the language structures, vocabulary, and expression you can use.

• Send a picture to a friend and have him or her describe in your next conversation. For instance, if you have been talking on eating out, send a picture of your favorite restaurant and be prepared to describe it in your next conversation.

The cellular learning craze has only just begun, and more and more innovative learning ideas are certainly just around the corner.