December is National Learn a Foreign Language Month! To celebrate, Languages and Learning, the adult learning department of the Free Library, is highlighting some of the resources available with your library card.
Learning a new language can open up a whole new world, regardless of age. Some advantages include cultural enrichment, cross-cultural communications, and professional benefits. The Free Library can help you with your learning goals. In Languages and Learning, we promote world language learning for adult learners, including conversation circles. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about all of our upcoming language-learning programs.
In addition to the many print and audio resources the Library offers for language learning, we want to highlight two of our electronic resources:
- Mango Languages offers 70+ languages, including American Sign Language and English for Speakers of Other Languages. You can learn more about using Mango by watching this tutorial video.
- Transparent Languages is another online language learning resource, offered through POWER Library. Transparent offers lessons in 120+ languages, including several currently endangered languages. Transparent Languages is available under the Language Learning menu on the main page of POWER Library.
Both Mango Languages and Transparent Languages offer mobile apps for learning on the go so you can learn anywhere and anytime. Unlike many other language-learning apps, these are completely free with your library card! Be sure to sign up for an account on both sites so you can track your progress and keep your lessons going.
We hope you take advantage of the Free Library’s resources for language learning. Between electronic resources, print books, and instructional CDs, there’s something for everyone this Learn a Foreign Language Month.
Do you speak a language other than English and would like to help your fellow Philadelphians looking to learn that language? We are seeking volunteers, particularly Spanish speakers, to lead informal conversation groups at branches around the city. Interested applicants can apply through the Volunteer Services Office. Email [email protected] to learn more about this opportunity.
Have a question for Free Library staff? Please submit it to our Ask a Librarian page and receive a response within two business days.
