From a Laramie County Library System blog post by Kaci Nicks, Reference Assistant
Adapted and reposted with permission
According to a very unscientific Google search, bilingual people are… “smart, creative, and better lovers,” “brain ‘bodybuilders,'” and simply “smarter” than their monolingual counterparts.
We here in Wyoming’s libraries want to help our patrons become the beautifully brilliant bilinguals they wish to become in 2017.
Here are six resources available through Wyoming libraries to help get you started:
- Mango turns language learning into a game. The digital lessons are interactive and build your conversation skills from the ground up. If you get tired of lessons, Mango also has a movie mode similar to Netflix. In this mode you can test your language skills while watching a foreign film. Currently, there are 72 languages available on Mango. This service is free for library patrons and can be accessed via GoWYLD.net.
Color coding to help simplify even the most difficult of languages!
Movie Mode: Features subtitles in both the language you are learning and English. Be prepared, this mode also quizzes you about the film!
- Speaking of movies, did you know Wyoming libraries have a diverse selection of foreign films available on DVD? A few of my favorites are Snowpiercer, Spirited Away, and anything starring Gael García Bernal.
- Even busy people can squeeze in time to learn a foreign language! Using Books On CD you can turn your morning commute into a classroom on wheels. Our digital audiobook service, OneClickdigital, also has several audiobook courses based on the studies of linguist Dr. Paul Pimsleur.
- Learning Spanish? Find Spanish language materials at your library.
- Of course, many libraries also have a robust selection of foreign language study books and dictionaries in the nonfiction collection. These items live in the 400s. However, if you want to learn more about the culture and geography behind the language you’re studying, be sure to check out the 800s (literature) and 900s (travel and history) as well!
- If you can’t make it into the library then check out the latest addition to our e-book services, TotalBoox. With just a few clicks you can access titles such as The Everything Spanish Phrase Book for Health Care Professionals or 1001 Easy German Phrases.
As always, be sure to ask your favorite library employee for help if you have trouble accessing these resources. We love to help!
Further Reading:
I love Benny Lewis’ Lifehacker article “How to Successfully Learn a New Language This Year.” Lewis has practical advice and links to some extremely helpful apps.
Nervous? Here are a few TED Talks to help inspire your language learning in 2017!