WA Language Week runs from 4 – 10 August to celebrate language diversity. Did you know there are over 240 languages and dialects spoken in WA? If you’re interested in learning another language – or already have some wicked skills – you’re in the right place! Read on to find out about FREE library and online language resources.
What do the libraries offer?
Cockburn Libraries stock hardcopy books in Languages Other Than English (LOTE) for adults and children. There are also language-learning CDs with accompanying texts for beginners.
If eBooks and eAudio are your thing, check out hoopla, Borrowbox and Libby for digital titles in other languages. You will need your library card and PIN to set up an account for each platform. Once logged in, do an Advanced Search to check for books in your language of choice.
For young Chinese speakers, don’t miss Rhymes in Chinese. Know some young Portuguese learners? Head to Spearwood Library for Contação de história em português.
While we’re on little ones, check out LOTE4Kids. This resource offers simple stories with audio available in over 65 languages. Popular classics like The Three Little Pigs and Cinderella are featured. English audio and subtitles are available. It’s a great tool for literacy and provides easy to understand material for adult learners, too!
Free online resources
Search Youtube for videos made by native speakers. Make it interesting for YOU by looking up things you enjoy. What are your hobbies? Do you enjoy cooking? Gardening? Rock balancing?? Then look those things up, turn on the subtitles and get viewing. The trick is to type your searches in the language you are learning. Let’s say you are learning Spanish and love making sushi. You could try typing mejores recetas sushi (best sushi recipes), or como hacer sushi (how to make sushi). If you aren’t sure of grammar, keep your search simple. Google translate is your friend and a few key words will still work fine. It’s easier to stay motivated to learn a language by watching something you enjoy. Easy Languages also make great videos with subtitles designed for language learners. Search for Easy Italian, Easy German, etc.
Duolingo is so addictive! It’s designed like a game that you can play on your mobile, or on your home computer. A cute owl and a bunch of other colourful cartoon characters (check out the image above) will praise and scold you as you go. Plus, the creators have clearly had some fun with the translations. Movie quotes and pretty random phrases really challenge your understanding of the practise words, so expect to translate sentences like, ‘My dog is unemployed and only has one eye’… ‘I am eating bread and crying on the floor’… ‘I am crying and the onion is laughing’ and ‘a bottle of wine holds more philosophy than all the books in the world.’ (Maybe don’t believe that last one!)
Have fun learning your next language!
