Teach Yourself a Language - 5 Resources You Need in Your Online Toolkit

So you're learning a language and there's the whole internet at your disposal. Where do you go? What to use? There's so many resources available, but you have to start somewhere. 

Here is a list of the websites I use all the time in my studies. A decent dictionary, something fun to help learn vocab, and all the others (which are just as useful). There are definitely more websites I use too, but these are mine and my classmates' essentials for effective learning.

1. Word Reference - Or to give it another name: your vocabulary bible. Not only does it give you multiple definitions, but it gives you context, which is mightily important if you're wanting to get your point across correctly in your chosen foreign language. It may not be the most modern-looking dictionary on the web, but it's the most useful one out there for linguists. There's an app too, so if you hear a word you don't understand on-the-go, then it's so easy to type it in and get an answer on there.
2. Google Translate - the classic go-to for anyone wanting to translate a phrase quickly. If used incorrectly, then it frequently makes mistakes, but if used in the right way it can be a very handy tool. When writing long paragraphs, don't use it to write what you want to say in English and expect whatever turns up on the other side to be 100% correct. It's good, but it's very rarely completely accurate, and you need to use some intuition. I write the foreign language in first, and use the english translation on the other side to make sure whatever I put makes sense. It's easier to flick through internet tabs than to move between the web and a word document every time you want to edit something.
3. Duolingo - There's a reason its the most downloaded education app ever. It's fun, simple in its design, and just that little bit addictive. I wouldn't rely on it soley; it's very useful for learning vocabulary catagorically and key grammar points, but it doesn't go into to the depth needed to understand a language and won't make you fluent. Use this tool along with others to maximise your learning.
4. Linguee - While Word Reference provides context for individual words, Linguee provides context for any phrases that you require. It searches the web for articles containing posible translations for your desired phrase, and you can decide yourself which ones make the most sense. It's so useful.
5. Thoughtco (formerly about.com) - This website is a life-saver when it comes to learning about key grammar points, verb conjugations, culture, vocabulary - you name it. Available for French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Mandarin and even English learners. If you're tired of learning grammar, then there's tonnes of articles about culture to breeze through, which will keep you learning but give your brain a rest.

If anyone has any favourite language learning-related sites that weren't mentioned (because let's face it - I didn't mention a lot), then please let me know in the comments - I would love any recommendations.