Web sightings: Lyrics game for learning a language

NAME: LyricsTraining (lyricstraining.com)

WHAT: Can be used to improve foreign language skills or just played as a game.

HOW MUCH: Free

COMPATIBLE WITH: Computers

WHAT'S GOOD: The website bills itself as a way to strengthen foreign-language skills by typing in missing words in the lyrics of YouTube videos, claiming that "Recent studies have shown that simple exposure to the sounds of another language sets up in our brain the structures and connections necessary for learning it." Choose from 10 languages, then select a song from more than 30 genres ranging from pop and rock to classical and Christmas. Next, pick your game mode, which will determine how many missing words you'll have to type in (from 10 to 100 percent). You receive points for each correct word you get, but miss a word or wait too long and the music stops. You can back up to listen to the word again or continue without it, but either way, you lose points. Lose too many and the game ends. If you get tired of guessing and just want to sing-along, click karaoke mode. Another nice feature is the Print Lyrics button, which provides either the complete lyrics or allows you to create word blanks within the lyrics, as in the game.

WHAT'S NOT: We're skeptical about how much this will enhance your foreign-language proficiency, but non-English speakers have used U.S. television as a language learning tool for decades, so it could help.

BOTTOM LINE: It's a fun game and easy way to learn lyrics even in your native tongue