You know the whole thing about old dogs and new tricks? Yeah, we don’t really believe in that. It’s never too late to learn something new, and when, according to the ACPS homepage, there’s 85 languages spoken in Alachua County alone, a new language is the perfect thing to satisfy that itch for knowledge you might be feeling. It's also a great way to connect with the people around you, learn about your family culture, and help you out on that vacation you've been turning over in your mind for way too long.
Trust us when we say that we understand how difficult that sort of thing can be. That’s why the library has a variety of resources to help you out in your language learning journey.
One option to start with is Transparent Language, a desktop and mobile app that you can access with your library card. Think Duolingo but free, better quality, and with over 100 different languages including regional dialects, child-friendly vocabulary, and the newest addition of American Sign Language. A great thing about Transparent Language is that it sorts lessons by how important they are in terms of everyday conversation and needs. That means no more learning how to say that you like drinking milk before you learn how to say hello.
Once you’ve got the basics down, check out one of our adult Conversation Clubs. They function at an intermediate level, but beginner speakers are encouraged to join to get used to the sounds of the language. No prior registration is required, so we encourage you to come to one of the below classes.
- Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Millhopper Branch
- Every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Headquarters Library
- Mondays from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Tower Road Branch
- Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Zoom
- Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Millhopper Branch
For kiddos and adults, we offer Bilingual Story Time:
- Every 2nd Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Center
- Every 3rd Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Headquarters Library
And if you’re an adult English language learner looking for individual help, the library offers a free English tutoring service available at all 12 locations in the Library District. You can register by contacting the Literacy Department by phone or email.
Want to get involved? The Literacy Department is always looking for new volunteers to help adults learn and practice English through one-on-one tutoring or hosting small group sessions such as Conversation Clubs or ESOL classes. To get started, check out our volunteer page.