Old English-How can I learn it?

[Mithrandir]

I'm really interested in Old English, and I want to learn it, but I'm not sure how I could. I've never come across a class for it or even a instructional handbook. Can anyone tell me where I could find one?
~AC

[jk190778]

You can't really learn Old English. If you already speak English, try picking up a copy of the King James version of the Bible or anything from Shakespear, then define any words you don't know in a good dictionary.
A good dictionary like Merriam-Webster's 3rd New International and its collegiate version has good etymologies on current words and from there you can find the Old or Middle English origin of a word (assuming the word originates from English and not latin or french).

[foryoureyesonly]

There used to be a book published by the Oxford University Press, by the name, "King's English". Though not being a textbook of Ole'English, it will get you one step closer. You may however, like to go through the websites of the Oxford University Press and the Cambridge University Press, where you may chance upon works on Ole'English.

Additionally, and depending on your place of residence, some universities have courses on literature written in Ole'English.

[foryoureyesonly]

Now not only can you learn Old English, but you can hear it too. Here are some links I collected for you:

Ða Engliscan Gesiþas is the only major historical society devoted to the study of the Anglo-Saxon period. All aspects are covered, including language and literature, archaeology, anthropology, architecture, art, religion, mythology, folklore and material culture.
http://www.kami.demon.co.uk/gesithas/index.html

History of the English Language (HEL) Home Page.
http://ebbs.english.vt.edu/hel/hel.html

An encyclopedic compendium of resources for the study of Old English and Anglo-Saxon England.
Part of ORB http://orb.rhodes.edu/encyclop/culture/lit/Oldeng.html, the On-Line Reference Book for Medieval Studies.
http://www.georgetown.edu/faculty/ballc ... glish.html