Addison residents speak English, Spanish, Polish, Urdu, Ukrainian, and many other languages. If your neighbor speaks a different language than you do, you may want to learn that language so you can talk to them. Or perhaps you’ll be traveling to another country and would like to learn a few vocabulary words in that country’s language before your trip. Learning another language also could help you get a job. Whatever your reason, the Addison Public Library has resources to help you build language skills.
Online Resources
Visit addisonlibrary.org/languages to try the resources listed below. You will be asked to enter your library card number and PIN when you use the resource outside of the library.
Resources for Adults
- LingoLITE provides basic vocabulary training in 30 different languages and is perfect for travelers and beginning language learners.
- Live Lingua provides very short language courses for over 130 world languages such as Spanish, Chinese, French, Japanese, and German, as well as less-spoken languages and dialects, such as Konkomba, TokPisin, Turkish, Mandinka, Uzbek, Wolof, and more.
- Mango Languages focuses on learning languages through native conversations that reinforce grammar, vocabulary, culture, and pronunciation in over 70 languages.
- Pronunciator offers drills, quizzes, audio lessons, movies, music, and more in over 80 languages.
- Transparent Language offers skill-building activities in the four key components of learning a language: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Resources for Kids
- LOTE4Kids allows you to practice a language by reading a children’s book in that language. Each book includes the English translation to help you develop multi-lingual reading and listening skills.
- Muzzy Club offers videos, stories, games, and other activities to help you learn a new language.
Books and Other Library Materials
Visit add.swanlibraries.net to find books, audiobooks, and DVDs that can help you learn a new language. Browse our featured lists of items in Spanish and Polish by clicking the links below:
Need Help?
If you need help, call us or visit one of our service desks, and we’ll show you how to use any of these resources. You also can schedule a 1-on-1 appointment with one of our staff members, and they will be happy to help you explore and get started: addisonlibrary.org/appointments.