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Language Learning Resources

As many patrons have been finding out, our subscription to the Rosetta Stone Language Learning database runs out at the end of August. Rosetta Stone will no longer be available through libraries, but there are other language resources that are available to you:

Books & Videos
The Chelmsford Library has a large collection of both books and videos to help patrons learn English or other languages. Most books are downstairs, the videos will be upstairs, and they will all be shelved according to the Dewey Decimal System. Here’s the Dewey numbers for some of the popular languages:

420-429 – English
430-438 – German
443-448 – French
453-458 – Italian
463-468 – Spanish
469 – Portuguese
491.73 – Russian
492 – Arabic
495.1 – Chinese

Also, “Early Reader” books are located in the Childrens Room, for those looking to practice or build their English reading skills.

Conversation Circles
Three different conversation circles meet at the library, to give patrons a supportive forum for practicing their English, French or Spanish. These circles are run by library volunteers are are not classes, but instead are groups of learners that meet to help each other improve their language skills.

• English Conversation Circle (beginners) meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.
• English Conversation Circle (advanced) meets every Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.
• French Conversation Circle meets the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
• Spanish Conversation Circle meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Please check the Library event calendar for changes or cancellations.

Resources from the Boston Public Library
All residents of Massachusetts are entitled to the resources offered through the Boston Public Library. You can sign up for a library card in person at any of the BPL branches, or get an eCard online to use their online resources.

To learn a language online, the BPL offers the Auralog – Tell Me More database (similar to Rosetta Stone). After creating an account, patrons have access to multimedia activities to learn grammar and vocabulary for both oral and written communication for the German, American English, Dutch, Spanish, Spanish (Latin American), French, and Italian.
languages.

In addition, the BPL offers other online language resources, such as dictionaries and general reference, and also a large collection of books and videos.

Internet Resources
There are many websites designed to aid in learning languages. Some are free and some charge a fee, and offer both individual practice as well as foster social connections to collaborate with other people learning the same language.

Two of the options are Live Mocha and Mango Languages. Live Mocha is a free service for learning a variety of languages, and uses visual tools to teach vocabulary and grammar. There is also an opportunity (which is optional) to connect with other people also learning a language. Mango Languages offers a free introduction, but does charge for extended or advanced lessons. It offers a learning interface based on side-by-side translations, phonetic pronunciation guides, and narrated lessons.

Read a review of popular language learning websites.

For help with any of the resources listed above, please contact the Reference Desk.

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One Response to “Language Learning Resources”

1. steph Says:
   August 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 am

   Hello,

   Wanted to give you another online language learning resource to look into… http://www.edufire.com!! I’m currently a community manager with eduFire and I think you will appreciate all that this site has to offer.

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