Other
Omniglot: A Guide to Written Language
A deceivingly complex Web site dedicated to all forms of written language -- includes hundreds of alphabets, tips on learning languages, foreign phrases, a catalogue of links. The site even includes a section of language mysteries the...
Other
Ancient Scripts: Writing Systems
History and definition of writing, plus extensive information on the types, families, and regions of written languages. For each language, you'll find information on when and where it was used, the people who used it, and what it looked...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Russian Language
A very comprehensive site about the Russian language. Includes information on countries where Russian is the primary language, the history of the language, different dialects, derived languages, the writing system, and the phonological...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Write and Read Braille
There is a special writing system for the visually impaired called braille. This activity will show you how to read with your fingers.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Urdu Language
A Wikipedia encyclopedia entry with detailed information on Urdu, the language of more than a 100 million people living in Pakistan, India and other parts of the world. Includes a clear explanation of the relationship between Hindi and...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of African Art: Inscribing Meaning: Writing and Graphic Systems
These works of art reveal symbols and graphic systems that help to communicate values and ideas of the African people.
BBC
Bbc: Operating Systems, Application Software and Programming Languages
Read about modes of operations and operating system functions. Then take an interactive quiz to test your understanding.
Other
Amigos De La Egiptologia: Escritura
This Spanish-language Friends of Egypt page surveys the hieroglyphic writings of the ancient Egyptians.
Read Works
Read Works: Talking Leaves
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about a Native American named Sequoyah who created a writing system for the Cherokee language in 1809. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Exploring Customs and Cultures Part 2
Students meet both language arts and social studies objectives in this interdisciplinary unit on customs and cultures. In part 1 of the unit students practice research and writing skills to create a slideshow. In part 2 of the unit...
Other
Zut!: Interactive French Activities
This site provides activities for teaching and learning French organized by level. Basic lessons include learning to talk about oneself and numbers; more advanced lessons cover contemporary France, immigration, the distribution of wealth...
Other
Hieroglyphs and Art
This site has colorful and detailed pictures of hieroglyphics and an explanation and brief history of hieroglyphics. From this link, students can explore frequently used hieroglyphics, how the system works, how to pronounce ancient...
DLTK
Kids Zone: Crafts for Kids
This site offers young students a look at how hieroglyphics were used in Ancient Egypt. Also, gives students an opportunity to write their names and other short messages in Ancient Egyptian. Best suited for grades 3-6.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Maya Script
Detailed information on the Maya system of writing. The article explains the history of Maya script and how it was deciphered.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Braille Was Invented: Moments of Vision 9
Today, Braille is the universally accepted system of writing for the blind, translated into almost every language in almost every country across the globe. But it didn't actually start out as a tool for the blind. Jessica Oreck details...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Jews of Yemen
Jews have lived in Yemen, a large and rugged country in the southwest part of the Arabian Peninsula, for at least 1,500 years. They identify themselves and are identified by others, as part of the widespread Jewish people. They...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Cracking the Mayan Code
Discusses the Maya system of hieroglyphic writing. It was viewed by Spanish invaders as the work of the devil and most of the written materials were destroyed under the orders of a Spanish priest whose goal was to convert the Mayans to...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Does It Work? Test and Test Again
Testing is critical to any design, whether it be in the creation of new software or building a bridge across a wide river. Despite risking the quality of the design, the testing stage is often hurried in order to get products to market....