December is National Learn a Foreign Language Month! Maybe you’re looking for something to do over your winter break or already thinking about your 2025 goals. There’s never a bad time to start your language-learning journey. To celebrate, Languages and Learning, the adult learning department of the Free Library, is highlighting some of the resources available with your library card.

Learning a new language can open up a whole new world, no matter your age. Some advantages include cultural enrichment, cross-cultural communications, and professional benefits. The Free Library can help you with your learning goals. In Languages and Learning, we promote world language learning for adult learners, including in-person conversation circles. Sign up for the Languages and Learning newsletter to be the first to hear about all of our upcoming language-learning programs.

Starting to learn a new language can be as simple as opening a book. With that in mind, we’ve compiled book lists with resources to get you started. If something isn’t at your neighborhood library, you can put it on hold and have it sent to that branch. You can find all our book lists on the Free Library’s library community; topics include bilingual books, adult learning resources, and materials for English language learners. 

Here are a few Languages and Learning book lists to get you started: 

• Learning Spanish: If you’re looking to learn or practice your Spanish, this selection of dictionaries, common phrase/idiom guides, and short stories is a great resource.
• Language Learning Audiobooks: This list includes instructional CDs from Pimsleur Language Programs, which are available in several languages.
• Language Learning Resources: Not sure what language you’d like to learn yet? This list is a collection of foreign language materials, including visual dictionaries and 15-minute guides in a number of different languages.

Keep an eye out for our next post on electronic resources that will help you learn a new language! 

Do you speak a language other than English and would like to help your fellow Philadelphians looking to learn that language? We are seeking volunteers, particularly Spanish speakers, to lead informal conversation groups at branches around the city. Interested applicants can apply through the Volunteer Services Office. Email adultlearning@freelibrary.org to learn more about this opportunity.