Learning languages online General principles and library resources Consider your goals

TRAVEL MOVING ENTERTAINMENT WORK ABROAD Apps and self- Have realistic paced courses won't make you fluent on their expectations own Take it easy

Better to start off slow than to burn out early Get ready to embarrass yourself There is no shortcut to fluency - it takes time! The Most Important Factor is Motivation (so have fun!)

• Intrinsic motivation is strong • Do fun things in your target language! • Extrinsic motivation is weaker, and comes from external factors • Work • School Expect to plateau Free & Library Resources Tools for formal study

• Self-paced study programs, apps • Pronunciator • • Foreign Service Institute courses • Textbooks, audiobooks • Many on OverDrive • 'For Dummies' series free on Enki • / • Anki – Windows, Mac, , Android, iOS Pronunciator

• Free with library card • Web version on computer or app on iOS, Android • Similar to Rosetta Stone – tries to associate new words with images • Has spaced repetition features to cut down on review time Duolingo

• Free in browser, plus app for Android, iOS • Freemium model, with additional features for paying members • Gamified • Incentives for using the app every day • Earn points by completing lessons, enabling you to unlock optional content • New words are associated with words in a language you already know • Text and audio Foreign Service Institute courses

• Created by US Government in 1960s-1970s for diplomats • Free & in the public domain • Some courses are the only or most comprehensive course for a language • 40+ languages available • However: • Dated • Specifically geared to diplomats & their staff • Scanned from old print materials—visual quality, formatting is often lacking OverDrive/Libby

• Free with your library card • Read eBooks or listen to audiobooks on PC, Mac, Kindle, iOS, Android • Many books available, including language textbooks and foreign- language fiction • Single use, so you may need to wait for holds Enki collection on Biblioboard

• Free to all California residents • Read eBooks on PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Kindle • 'For Dummies' language learning books available • Simultaneous use – no waiting! • Use as long as you want Anki

• Spaced repetition system – timed so you get the most benefit with the least study time • Free for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android • iOS app is $25 but the free browser version works on iOS • Embed audio, video, or images into flashcards • Premade 'decks' exist for many popular subjects • Great for learning vocabulary, studying for multiple choice tests Learning while having fun

• TV, movies, books, podcasts, radio in the target language • Can use alongside formal study • As a beginner, pick simple or familiar content • Pictures, video > audio or text only • Transcripts or captions Streaming Video in other languages

• Kanopy • All libraries • 10 videos per month, plus unlimited kids' content and Great Courses • International films with English subtitles • Video language courses • English, Spanish, French, Greek, Latin • Pongalo • South San Francisco only, through RB Digital • Spanish-language telenovelas • Seven-day checkout (but check it out as often as you want) RB Digital Magazines

• Free with your library card • Read in your browser, or use the app for Android and iOS • Digital magazines in multiple languages • Especially English, Spanish, Chinese • Simultaneous use – no waiting! • Use as long as you want Tips for finding more

• Government sites may host learning materials for local languages • Some news sites create simple or short news podcasts • Adjust your language settings in your browser, search engine • User-created content on sites like YouTube • Variable quality Thanks for coming!

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