Tag: Language Learning

LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 10 — ESL / EFL

- Jill Leave a comment

English is considered the global language, or lingua franca, which means it is often used as a common language between speakers of different native languages in business, education, and international communication. Because of this, both children and adults around the world invest significant time and resources into mastering the language for many reasons, but particularly for better educational and professional opportunities. Learning English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) has become increasingly important in today’s interconnected world. According to the British Council in 2023, over 1.5 billion people globally are currently learning English, making it the most widely studied language on the planet. As English continues to dominate international media, science, and diplomacy, learning the language provides valuable advantages.

In the United States, the demand for English language learning continues to grow, reflecting our nation’s increasing diversity, especially among immigrant communities. According to a 2023 report by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 5.1 million students in U.S. public schools were classified as English learners (ELs) in the 2021-2022 academic year. This represents about 10% of all students. These students speak a variety of native languages and come from diverse cultural backgrounds. Enrolling in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs helps them to improve their English proficiency and succeed academically. ESL programs are essential to helping them to succeed in school, access higher education, and participate fully in society. In addition to school-aged learners, many adults in the U.S. participate in community-based ESL classes offered by community colleges, libraries, and nonprofit organizations to improve their language skills for work or citizenship.

In Iowa, the percentage of English learners has also risen. According to the Iowa Department of Education in 2022, approximately 6.5% of Iowa’s public school students were identified as English language learners (ELLs) in recent years, with Spanish being the most common first language. But it is not limited to Spanish-speaking populations. Students come from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including Hispanic, African, Asian, and Eastern European communities, including children of immigrants and refugees who have settled in the state. Iowa has developed several ESL programs to support these learners, often working with local school districts to help students gain language skills, integrate into the school system, and prepare for success both academically and beyond the classroom. Many schools offer targeted ESL instruction, bilingual support staff, and resources to assist these students. Adult ESL programs are also available in many Iowa cities and rural areas.

Narrowing in locally, Scott County, has also seen a growing number of English learners due to increasing diversity in the region. Based on 2023 data from the Davenport Community School District, roughly 7–8% of students in the district are enrolled in ESL programs. The growing need for ESL instruction has led to the further development of these programs that focus on integrating language development with academic content. These programs help non-native English-speaking students to transition into mainstream classes through developing their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Eastern Iowa Community college (and other educational institutions in the Quad Cities) as well and local nonprofits in the area also offer adult ESL classes, supporting non-native speakers in improving their English for employment, education, and daily life through language acquisition and community integration. With targeted support, English learners in Scott County and beyond are gaining the tools they need to thrive.

Do you know someone who is learning English as a Second Language or perhaps someone who teaches ESL in the classroom? Maybe you’re just curious about ESL?  Check out some of the FREE resources available to you at The Library. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

 

FOR VISUAL LEARNERS:

   

English made easy. Volume one : a new ESL approach : learning English through pictures (volume 2 is also available)

5 language visual dictionary.

English for everyone. Illustrated English dictionary

English for everyone. Everyday English

English for everyone : English vocabulary builder

English for everyone. Junior.

 

MORE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS:

 

Easy English step-by-step for ESL learners

Complete English all-in-one for ESL learners

English.

MY ENGLISH PROF.: A COMPREHENSIVE ESL GUIDE

English essentials : your ESL toolbox

Easy English : [basic English for speakers of all languages]

English for everyone : course book. Level 1 beginner (levels 2-4 also available)

Learning English steps 1-2-3.

English levels 1, 2 & 3.

Easy pronunciation

And, as a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages.

 

CULTURE / NEW AMERICANS:

English U.S.A. every day : a fun ESL guide to American culture and language

English for new Americans. Health, home, and community

English the American way : a fun ESL guide to language and culture in the U.S.

English for the real world

 

WORK / BUSINESS RELATED LANGUAGE:

 

English for everyone. Business English : course & practice books.

Workplace vocabulary for ESL students : with exercises and tests

Perfect phrases for ESL : everyday business life : hundreds of ready-to-use phrases that help you navigate any English-language situation in the workplace

Medical English clear and simple : a practice-based approach to English for ESL healthcare professionals

Medical English dialogues. Clear & simple medical English vocabulary for ESL/EFL learners

Everyday English for hospitality professionals

Professional spoken English for hotel & restaurant workers: most practical spoken English guide for non-native English speaking hotel, restaurant & casino workers and hospitality students

 

TEACHER LESSON PLANS & ACTIVITIES:

 

The ESL/ELL teacher’s survival guide : ready-to-use strategies, tools, & activities for teaching all levels

ESL for teachers and students

A guide for ESL teachers : how to teach the historical background of English irregularities in modern English

ESL lesson plans for teachers

My dear English : over 100 ESL games and activities to make learning easy and bring fun in the classroom

101 ESL activities : for teenagers and adults

English-as-a-second-language (ESL) teaching and learning : pre-K-12 classroom applications for students’ academic achievement and development

49 ESL writing activities and games : for teachers of kids and teenagers

Handbook for teaching Bible-based ESL

ESL speaking activities : the ultimate book for busy English Teachers

English flash cards

 

STORIES / READING FOR LANGUAGE LEARNERS:

At the lake : and other stories for adult emergent readers

Short stories in English : read for pleasure at your level and learn English the fun way! (intermediate level also available)

English short stories for beginners : learn English with stories from an American life.

English short stories for beginners and intermediate learners : learn English and build your vocabulary.

Easy reading for ESL students. Book 1 : twelve short stories for learners of English  (levels 2 and 3 also available)

 

CONVERSATION, PHRASES & PRONUNCIATION:

 

Perfect phrases for ESL : conversation skills

Perfect phrases for ESL : everyday situations

English conversation for ESL students

The best ESL conversation questions : 100 at-a-glance lesson plans for the ESL classroom

67 ESL conversation topics with questions, vocabulary, writing prompts & more : for teenagers and adults

101 conversations in simple English : short natural dialogues to boost your confidence & improve your spoken English

50 English coffee breaks : short activities to improve your English one cup at a time

Perfecting your English pronunciation

Speaking clearly pronunciation and listening comprehension for learners of English : audio CD set

American accent training book : a guide to speaking and pronouncing American English for everyone who speaks English as a second language

Mastering the American accent

 

WRITING:

 

The five step essay writing process: practical English writing skills for ESL students

Writing better English for ESL learners

Learn English paragraph writing skills : ESL paragraph essentials for international students

71 ways to practice English writing : tips for ESL/EFL learners

 

ESL IN SPANISH:

       

Inglés = English : complete edition.

Inglés para latinos. Primer nivel : un camino hacia la fluidez…

Pensando en ingles

Inglés para latinos : curso completo : ¡Énfasis en la conversación!

Inglés/English for Spanish speakers. O curso de introductorio.

Inglés práctico : ejercicios, pronunciación, ciudadanía en tu smartphone, ¡gratis!.

Inglés express.

Inglés en 5 minutos : ¡aprende inglés a tu ritmo! : ¡cada lección sólo toma 5 minutos!.

Inglés instantáneo

Inglés básico súper rápido : el curso imprescindible para hablar bien inglés, ¡para siempre! : ¡cientos de videos, audios y ejercicios online!

Curso de inglés America

Conversando en inglés

Inglés completo : repaso integral de gramática inglesa para hispanohablantes = Complete English grammar review for Spanish speakers, Kendris, Theodore | Davenport Public Library

 

ESL IN SPANISH – FOR VISUAL LEARNERS

English for everyone. Libro de estudio. Nivel 1 inicial

English for everyone. Inglés para el día a día

ENGLISH FOR EVERYONE JUNIOR NIVEL INICIAL (BEGINNER’S COURSE)

Bilingual visual dictionary. Spanish English.

Merriam-Webster’s Spanish-English visual dictionary

Spanish English illustrated dictionary

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 11 — SIGN LANGUAGE

 

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LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 9 — CHINESE

- Jill Leave a comment

Learning Chinese opens doors to understanding a rich and ancient culture and a language that is increasingly relevant in our globalized world. Mandarin Chinese, the most widely spoken language in the world, boasts over 1.1 billion native speakers, primarily in China, Taiwan, and Singapore, along with Macao, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia (worlddata.info). Mandarin Chinese is also spoken in at least 21 other countries as a mother tongue by a part of the population. The Wu and Min dialects of Chinese each have upwards of 80 million native speakers, and both languages are only spoken in Taiwan and some regions of China. There are many vibrant Chinese-speaking communities or “Chinatowns” across the world, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and Madagascar (worldpopulationreview.com).

The history of the Chinese language dates back over 4,000 years, with the earliest written records found on oracle bones from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE). Over centuries, the language evolved through various stages, including Old Chinese, Middle Chinese, and Modern Standard Chinese. The development of a standardized written form, based on the Beijing dialect, was a significant step in unifying the languages spoken in China – a family of dialects with significant regional variations. Mandarin, the official language of China, is the most widely spoken, with approximately 70% of the population using it as their primary language. Other major dialects include Cantonese (spoken in Guangdong province and Hong Kong), Wu (including Shanghainese), Min (including Hokkien), and Xiang. Each dialect has its own unique phonetic, lexical, and grammatical features, and many are not mutually intelligible (fluentu.com). Other than in China, the Chinese language is spoken in 21 other countries as a mother tongue by at least a part of the population including many neighboring countries in Asia and surrounding regions (listed above), but also further south to Australia and New Zealand and parts of Oceania. The language is also spoken in Chinese communities or “Chinatowns” across the world, including in the United States and Canada, the United Kingdom and other locations in Europe, along with a small number of countries in Central and South America as well as some African nations like Nigeria and Madagascar.

In the United States, approximately 3.5 million people speak a form of Chinese, including Mandarin and Cantonese, making it the third most spoken language in the country (after English and Spanish). The Chinese speaking population of the U.S. is highly concentrated in the New York (549,000), Los Angeles (399,000) and San Francisco (334,000) metro areas (Census.gov). Chinese has influenced various aspects of society, particularly in areas with significant Chinese-speaking populations. Chinese Americans have established schools and cultural institutions to preserve language and heritage. Additionally, the growing economic and political ties between the U.S. and China have increased the demand for Chinese language skills in business, diplomacy, and academia. This trend reflects the broader global importance of Chinese as a key language in international relations and commerce.

In Iowa, there are approximately 6,600 speakers of Chinese, mostly in cities like Des Moines, Ames, and Iowa City, as well as Cedar Rapids, indicating a growing population particularly in areas with academic institutions and businesses with an international footprint (Language Map Data Center). There are several colleges and universities in Iowa that offer Chinese Language Programs as well as a number of student associations with a focus on China and Chinese culture. In Johnston, Iowa, just northwest of Des Moines, the Iowa Chinese Language School (ICLS) offers Chinese language classes and cultural activities for ages 4-adult, focusing not just on the Chinese language but also aspects of Chinese culture like art, dance, and sports, for a well-rounded learning experience. Iowa is also home to the Chinese Culture Center of America (cccaiowa.org) and the Chinese Association of Iowa (iowachinese.us), which offers a connection to various events including Chinese New Year celebrations in the region. And, the Iowa City Area Chinese Association is active on Facebook.

In Scott County, there are fewer than 500 speakers of Chinese, with about 130 speakers of the language residing in Davenport (IowaDataCenter.org). Davenport even has a “sister city” relationship with Langfang, China. Des Moines, Dubuque, and Cedar Rapids also have Chinese “sister cities”. Beyond Davenport, but in the Quad Cities region, Augustana College offers a Chinese minor and Asian Studies major, including four years of language instruction. Rivermont Collegiate (Upper School/High School) in Bettendorf has offered Chinese language classes to its students since 2003. And, recently, Muscatine High School began offering a Chinese language (Mandarin) class as well.

Learning Chinese offers numerous benefits. Professionally, it can enhance career opportunities in international business, diplomacy, and translation, especially given China’s significant role in the global economy. Culturally, it provides access to a vast array of literature, philosophy, and art, enriching one’s understanding of Chinese heritage. Additionally, as China continues to expand its influence, proficiency in Chinese can facilitate communication and collaboration in various fields. With millions of speakers both globally and within the United States, including Iowa, and a rich tapestry of dialects to explore, the Chinese language offers a unique and rewarding linguistic journey that will give you a strategic skill in an interconnected world.

Would you like to explore learning Chinese? Check out some of the FREE resources available to you at The Library. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

FOR A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO THE LANGUAGE:

Get started in Mandarin Chinese

How to learn Chinese : without even trying!

Mandarin Chinese the easy way

 

FOR A MORE LAID-BACK APPROACH:

Chinese stories for language learners : a treasury of proverbs and folktales in Chinese and English

Chinese short stories for beginners : 20 captivating short stories to learn Chinese & grow your vocabulary the fun way!

 

IF YOU ARE A VISUAL LEARNER:

 

Mandarin Chinese picture dictionary : learn 1,500 key Chinese words and phrases

Hanmoji handbook: your guide to the Chinese language through emoji

Chinese-English Bilingual visual dictionary

Chinese character writing

Chinese characters : learn & remember 2,178 characters and their meanings

Learning Chinese characters

 

MORE COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES:

 

Beginner’s Chinese

Essential Chinese grammar : write and speak Chinese like a native!

And, as a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages. Please check back for more resources including a more complete language learning course (in book form) for Chinese that will soon be added to our collection. In the meantime, Mango Languages is a great place to start.

 

FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL:

   

Traveler’s language guides. Mandarin

Rough Guide Mandarin Phrasebook

Lonely Planet Mandarin phrasebook & CD : read, listen and practise

Chinese PhraseFinder and dictionary

Cantonese Chinese phrasebook & dictionary

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 10 — ESL

 

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LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 8 — VIETNAMESE

- Jill Leave a comment

The Vietnamese language has been shaped not only by Chinese rule, but also by periods of independence as well as periods of French colonization. Closely affiliated with Cantonese, Vietnamese is a “tonal language” having six different tones. While it used to rely on the Chinese script, in the 20th century that was replaced with the Latin alphabet, making Vietnamese look more similar to English but with several diacritical marks. In its modern form, Vietnamese is now spoken by approximately 86 million people worldwide which makes it the 21st most spoken language globally (babbel.com). While it is the official language of Vietnam, there are about 4.5 million Vietnamese speakers living outside Vietnam. These speakers contribute to a vibrant diaspora in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and France.

In France, where over half of the Vietnamese population of Europe resides, there are approximately 400,000 people of Vietnamese descent. Another notable population of Vietnamese speakers in Europe is in Germany which has about 111,000 speakers of the language. In the Czech Republic, Vietnamese is recognized as an official language even though the population of speakers is roughly half that found in Germany. Australia, on the other hand, has a significant Vietnamese community with around 321,000 people speaking the language and another 281,810 claiming Vietnamese heritage (2021 Australia Census). In Canada, Vietnamese speakers total roughly 240,000 and reside mostly in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. But the largest population of Vietnamese speakers outside of Vietnam is in the United States.

After the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, large numbers of Vietnamese people migrated to the United States. In the U.S. today, there are an estimated 2.3 million people of Vietnamese descent. And, with over 1.5 million speakers, Vietnamese is the sixth most spoken language in the United States (census.gov). The Vietnamese-speaking population is predominantly concentrated in California and Texas, which together account for more than half of all Vietnamese speakers in the country. In fact, San Francisco recently made Vietnamese one of the official languages of the city. With nearly 6,800 speakers, it is the fourth largest language population (after English, Chinese and Spanish). Other states with significant Vietnamese-speaking communities include Washington, Florida, and Virginia.

In Iowa, there are approximately 8,500 speakers of Vietnamese, making up about .3% of the population. Almost half of the Vietnamese speakers in the state reside in and around the capitol of Des Moines. In Scott County, there are about 1,300 speakers, which is the second most spoken foreign language in the county after Spanish (4,700) and more than twice as many as the number of German speakers, which is just 600 (MLA Language Map). Just over 800 Vietnamese speakers reside in Davenport.

Acquiring a new language like Vietnamese can improve cognitive abilities, such as memory and problem-solving skills, and increase cultural awareness and empathy. Learning a new language can be a rewarding endeavor, offering insights into a rich cultural heritage and enhancing communication within diverse communities. And, unlike some other foreign languages, you don’t need to learn a new alphabet when learning Vietnamese. However, the grammar and sentence structure do differ significantly from English and you will need to factor in learning the six different tones.

If you are interested in learning the Vietnamese language, check out some of the FREE resources available to you at The Library. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

 

FOR A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO THE LANGUAGE:

Learn Vietnamese vocabulary

 

FOR A MORE LAID-BACK APPROACH:

Vietnamese stories for language learners

69 more short Vietnamese stories for intermediate learners

 

IF YOU ARE A VISUAL LEARNER:

Vietnamese picture dictionary

The Oxford picture dictionary. English/Vietnamese

 

MORE COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES:

 

 

Beginner’s Vietnamese : with online audio

Elementary Vietnamese

Teach yourself Vietnamese

Essential Vietnamese : speak Vietnamese with confidence!

Essential Vietnamese grammar : speak and write Vietnamese like a native!

And, as a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages.

 

FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL:

Vietnamese phrase book & dictionary – Berlitz

Vietnamese phrasebook & dictionary – Lonely Planet

Essential Vietnamese phrasebook & dictionary

Tuttle pocket Vietnamese dictionary

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 9 — CHINESE

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LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 7 — KOREAN

- Jill Leave a comment

Globally, the Korean language is spoken by over 80 million people, primarily in South Korea (51.7 million) and North Korea (26.4 million). Beyond the Korean Peninsula, significant Korean-speaking communities exist due to historical migration, notably China with approximately 2 million speakers. Japan hosts about 500,000 Korean speakers, mainly descendants of Koreans who migrated during the early 20th century. Further abroad, the United States is home to around 1.8 million Korean speakers, with large communities in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C.  Other countries with notable Korean-speaking populations include Russia, with approximately 250,000 speakers, and Canada, where around 218,000 individuals speak Korean (worlddata.info). Australia has a Korean-speaking population of about 102,000, primarily residing in New South Wales. Smaller communities are also found in countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and various European nations. These global communities maintain the Korean language through cultural institutions, schools, and media, preserving their linguistic heritage and contributing to the worldwide spread of Korean culture (britannica.com and pathtokorean.com).

In the United States, approximately 1.8 million people speak Korean at home, accounting for about 8% of the Asian American population. This figure includes both U.S. citizens of Korean descent and South Korean nationals living in the U.S (pewresearch.org). Korean is one of the top 15 non-English languages that is spoken in every US state making it to number four on the list of Asian American languages (gala-global.org). The Korean American community is primarily concentrated in metropolitan areas with significant immigrant populations. Notably, about 30% of Korean Americans reside in the Los Angeles and New York metropolitan areas, reflecting historical immigration patterns and the establishment of vibrant Korean communities in these regions. These communities often form tight-knit neighborhoods where Korean is commonly spoken, and cultural traditions are maintained through local businesses, schools, and community centers. Besides California and New York, other states with significant Korean-speaking populations include Hawaii (368,734), Texas (214,854), Washington (187,513), Nevada (178,655), Florida (171,931), Illinois (169,520), New Jersey (150,084), and Virginia (119,925). The growth of the Korean-speaking population in the U.S. has been substantial in recent decades increasing by about 330% between 1980 to 2010.

In the State of Iowa, the Korean-speaking population is somewhere around 3200 speakers and is concentrated in Des Moines and Ames, with Des Moines having the largest community at 860 speakers (census.gov). While both Iowa State University in Ames and The University of Iowa in Iowa City both have Korean Student organizations on campus, the latter educational institution is the only one in the state that provides Korean language and culture courses. And, since 1979, the Korean American Society of Iowa (KASI) in Des Moines has stood “as the sole nonprofit organization dedicated to representing and empowering the Korean and Korean American community within the state of Iowa” (kasiorganization.org). Finally, Scott County, Iowa has only 225 speakers (iowadatacenter.org).

But, according to a 2021 report from the language learning app, Duolingo, Korean is in the top 6 most popular languages to learn around the world (English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Italian, and Korean). The surge in interest in learning Korean is largely attributed to the global phenomenon known as the Korean Wave, or “Hallyu,” which encompasses the international popularity of Korean music, films, and television dramas. This cultural movement has significantly increased the number of non-native speakers learning Korean, as individuals seek to engage more deeply with Korean media and culture (linguakorean.com and asiasociety.org). Learning Korean opens doors to various career opportunities, especially in fields like international business, technology translation, and diplomacy. South Korea is home to global giants like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, making knowledge of the Korean language an asset for professionals looking to engage in the East Asian market (koreatimes.com). Moreover, the U.S. government considers Korean a critical language, offering scholarships and career opportunities in agencies such as the CIA, Department of State, and NSA for individuals with Korean language skills.

Beyond professional advantages, learning Korean allows for a deeper appreciation of Korea’s rich history and cultural traditions. Understanding the language enhances one’s ability to enjoy Korean literature, cuisine, and festivals, fostering a more meaningful connection with the culture. Additionally, as Korean is written using the Hangul alphabet, which is phonetic and logical, it is considered more accessible for English speakers compared to other East Asian languages like Chinese or Japanese (ethnologue.com). So, whether for personal enrichment, cultural exploration, or professional advancement, learning Korean offers a rewarding and enriching experience.

Check out some of the FREE resources available to you at The Library as you begin (or continue) learning Korean. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES:

  

Learn, listen, & speak Korean

Beginner’s Korean with online audio

Mastering Korean. Level one

And, as a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages.

 

FOR A MORE LAID-BACK APPROACH:

 

Korean short stories for beginners: Improve your Korean

Korean short stories for beginners: 20 Captivating Short Stories

Korean folktales for language learners

Korean stories for language learners

Intermediate Korean short stories

Short stories in Korean for intermediate learners

 

IF YOU ARE A VISUAL LEARNER:

Korean picture dictionary : learn 1,500 Korean words and phrases

Korean Hangul for beginners

 

IMPROVING YOUR GRAMMAR:

Korean grammar for beginners

Korean grammar : the complete guide to speaking Korean naturally

 

FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL:

Korean phrase book & dictionary

Korean at a glance

Korean phrasebook & dictionary

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 8 — VIETNAMESE

 

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LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 6 — ITALIAN

- Jill Leave a comment

Italian is a Romance language rooted in what is known as Vulgar or “Common” Latin. It shares a lot in common with the other main Romance languages of Spanish, French, Portuguese, and less so, Romanian, but more closely resembles Latin than do the others (babbel.com). Owing in part to its structure, Italian is not an overly complicated language. In fact, it made the list at Babbel.com for being one of the easiest languages for English-speakers to learn. Italian ranks as the 7th most useful language to learn worldwide (fluentu.com and gooverseas.com), taking approximately 24 weeks (or roughly 600 hours) to learn. When it comes to sheer numbers of speakers, Italian can’t compare with languages like English and Chinese, and yet it’s one of the most popular and influential languages in the world. It is estimated that almost 85 million people speak Italian worldwide. Nearly 64 million people speak Italian as their first language – which is more than the population of Italy itself, which is about 60 million (protranslate.net). Due to Italy’s important contributions to global culture on a wide array of fronts from music, art, and literature, to architecture and cuisine, Italian is a highly desirable and useful language to learn – not to mention beautiful, with a musical and lyrical quality.

As the epicenter of the Renaissance, Italy is home to important historical and cultural heritages and is the world’s most toured nation attracting millions of visitors each year. Many of these visitors wish to learn the language – at least in part to more fully immerse themselves during their visit. In addition, due to its impact on the business world from automotive to fashion and design, Italian is also a proper language for business and is one of the working languages of the European Union. The Italian language is the third most common native language in the EU (unitedlanguagegroup.com). According to Babbel.com, 3 million people speak Italian fluently as a second language and it is spoken in more than 30 countries worldwide. While Italian is the official language of only a few countries (Italy, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican City, and some parts of Croatia and Slovenia), there are a sizeable number of Italian speakers in many more countries (and not just in Europe) these include: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Malta, Egypt, Eritrea, France, Germany, Israel, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Paraguay, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela.

The Italian language has a long and rich history in the United States. For centuries, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, large numbers of Italians immigrated to the U.S. in search of a better life. They tended to settle in large cities where they established thriving Italian communities. Today, many of their descendants continue to speak Italian and maintain their cultural heritage. Roughly 764,000 people in the U.S. speak Italian at home according to the U.S. Census Bureau. New York and New Jersey have the highest number of native Italian speakers (294,000 and 116,000, respectively), but communities of Italian speakers can also be found across the country, especially in large cities like Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia, Boston, St. Louis, and Buffalo, among others. Italian is still an essential regional language in many American communities. Depending on the source, Italian is listed as high as the 4th (and as low as the 12th) most-studied foreign language in the United States. Since much language learning now occurs online or casually through an app, and not in a formal classroom setting, these numbers are difficult to confirm.

The population in the State of Iowa is overwhelmingly English-speaking (97.0% speak only English), and therefore has relatively low numbers of foreign language speakers, including Italian. In 2010, statewide there were only 1,140 speakers of Italian, and only 151 in Scott County (apps.mla.org). But, please don’t let this deter you!  Italian is still a very sought after language with many reasons to desire learning it. And, since it is relatively easy to learn, compared to other languages, why not give it a try?  Whether or not you are planning to travel to Italy – a country rich with culture and history – Italian is a beautiful language (and my personal favorite). Check out some of the FREE resources available to you at The Library as you begin (or continue) learning Italian. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

FOR A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO THE LANGUAGE:

 

15-minute Italian : learn in just 12 weeks

Fast talk Italian : guaranteed to get you talking

Five minute Italian short stories for beginners

 

FOR A MORE LAID-BACK APPROACH:

 

50 Italian coffee breaks : short activities to improve your Italian one cup at a time

Italian short stories for beginners : learn Italian fast, improve your reading and grow your vocabulary the fun way

Short stories in Italian : read for pleasure at your level and learn Italian the fun way!

Short stories in Italian for intermediate learners : read for pleasure at your level and learn Italian the fun way!

Italian short stories for beginners and intermediate learners : engaging short stories to learn Italian and build your vocabulary.

101 conversations in intermediate Italian

 

IF YOU ARE A VISUAL LEARNER:

Italian English illustrated dictionary

5 language visual dictionary.

Speak Italian : the fine art of the gesture

 

MORE COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES:

 

Read & think Italian

Learn Italian – level 1: introduction to Italian

Basic Italian

Master the basics–Italian

Say it right in Italian : easily pronounced language systems

The next step to Italian fluency

Italian tutor : grammar and vocabulary workbook

And, as a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages.

 

FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL:

 

Rough Guides Phrasebook

Italian phrases for beginners

Rick Steves’ Italian phrase book & dictionary.

Easy Italian phrase book : over 1500 common phrases for everyday use and travel.

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 7 — KOREAN.

LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 5 — JAPANESE

- Jill Leave a comment

Not surprisingly, Japan is home to 99% of first-language Japanese speakers. But, as is the case with most languages, the Japanese language is not limited to the people of the archipelago nation. Japanese (also known as Nihongo) is the 9th most spoken language in the world with about 126 million speakers. There are another 5 million people outside of Japan who speak Japanese with some proficiency (todaytranslations.com). At least part of the populations in a number of countries and about 18 territories speak the language including in the United States, the Philippines, and Brazil. Japanese is also spoken in other parts of Asia and the Pacific: Guam, American Samoa, People’s Republic of China, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, and Australia. Japanese speakers can also be found in Canada, Mexico, and Europe – notably the United Kingdom – and many major world cities have Japanese speaking communities as well (worlddata.info).

The origins of the Japanese language are not fully understood. It is believed that Japanese began to emerge and develop into its own unique language somewhere between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC when the Yayoi people migrated from the Korean peninsula to the Japanese islands. The language was exclusively oral until contact with China in the 4th century and the development of the Kanji writing system. Chinese characters were adapted, expressing Japanese words as well as grammatical elements. This led to the further development of both the Hiragana and Katakana kana writing systems, both around the 9th century (dynamiclanguage.com).

In the United States, there are nearly a half million Japanese speakers, mainly concentrated in the states of California (141k), Hawaii (45k), New York (35k), Washington (26k), and Texas (18k). However, Hawaii has the highest percentage of Japanese speakers with about 17% of Hawaiian residents speaking it at home (statisticalatlas.com). While not as commonly spoken in Iowa as are Spanish, German, or Chinese, Japanese is also spoken here. Japanese affiliated organizations in Iowa, such as the Japan America Society of Iowa (JASI), offer language and cultural programs including drumming workshops and demonstrations (Soten Taiko) and even a Japanese language school (Kanaijuku) for both beginners and advanced learners. The Iowa State Japanese Association (Japanese Club) offers language and cultural programs as well.  And, the University of Iowa supports a four-year Japanese program offering comprehensive language classes and courses in linguistics, communications, visual culture, popular culture, literature, film, theater, and translation. There is even a Kimono club which gives those interested in Japanese traditional wardrobe an opportunity to share their interests through fashion shows and workshops. Annual events such as Anime demo ii and Tanabata (star gazing festival) are also popular cultural activities.

While there are not very many Japanese speakers in Davenport or Scott County, there are many reasons to consider learning the language. In the US alone, there are nearly 162,000 people learning the Japanese language (babble.com). This includes almost 67,000 students in higher education, along with another 56,000 in grades K-12 (asiasociety.org). According to nippon.com, there were nearly 3,800,000 students worldwide learning Japanese in 2021. Popular culture has spurred the interest in all things Japan. From Anime series to catchy J-pop tunes, there are many intriguing reasons to explore the unique Japanese language and culture.

Would you like to give the Japanese language a try? Try some of the FREE resources available to you at The Library as you begin (or continue) learning Japanese. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

 

FOR A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO THE LANGUAGE:

15-minute Japanese : learn in just 12 weeks by Mitsuko Maeda-Nye

Fast talk Japanese : guaranteed to get you talking.

Japanese for beginners : mastering conversational Japanese by Sachiko Toyozato

 

FOR A MORE LAID-BACK APPROACH:

Japanese step by step  by Gene Nishi

Learn Japanese with manga : a self-study language book for beginners by Marc Bernabé

Japanese short stories for beginners : 20 captivating short stories to learn Japanese & grow your vocabulary the fun way!

Japanese folktales for language learners = 昔ばなしで学ぶ日本語 |  by Eriko Sato

Intermediate Japanese short stories : 10 captivating short stories to learn Japanese & grow your vocabulary the fun way! : intermediate Japanese stories.

 

IF YOU ARE A VISUAL LEARNER:

       

Japanese English visual bilingual dictionary

Japanese picture dictionary : learn 1,500 Japanese words and phrases by Timothy G. Stout

Basic Japanese kanji. Volume 1 : high-frequency kanji at your command! by Timothy G. Stout

Mastering Japanese kanji. Volume 1 : the innovative visual method for learning Japanese characters by Glen Nolan Grant

Japanese hiragana & katakana for beginners : first steps to mastering the Japanese writing system by Timothy G. Stout

Guide to reading and writing Japanese by Florence Sakade

Let’s learn Hiragana by Yasuko Kosaka Mitamura

Hiragana from zero! by George Trombley

 

MORE COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES:

 

Complete Japanese grammar by Eriko Sato

Japanese by H.J. Ballhatchet

Langenscheidt Japanese at your fingertips by Tien Tammada

Unlocking Japanese with Paul Noble by Paul Noble

And, as a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages.

 

FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL:

  

Japanese phrase book & dictionary (Berlitz).

Japanese phrasebook & dictionary (Lonely Planet).

Japanese : (Rough Guide Phrasebook).

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 6 — ITALIAN

 

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LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 4 — GERMAN

- Jill Leave a comment

Continuing in our monthly series of language resources offered by The Library, our focus in April is GERMAN. While the German language is on the decline in the United States (according to census.gov), it is still in the top ten languages (other than English) that are spoken at home. And, while it is spoken in just over 900,000 homes across the nation, North Dakota is the only state in which German is the second most commonly spoken language according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. If you remove the Spanish language from the mix, 16 mostly Midwest and Western states emerge, revealing their German influence. The bulk of these German speaking populations are in Midwestern states, but the spread is from Alabama and Tennessee to the south and as far west as Idaho and Utah. Notable exceptions on the list in the Midwest are Minnesota (Hmong language), Michigan (Arabic), Illinois (Polish), South Dakota (Dakota), and Nebraska (Vietnamese), demonstrating our country’s diverse populations and the influence of immigrants from other nations.

In Iowa, German is the third most commonly spoken language. The Amish population in southeast Iowa accounts for some of that finding, although that does not completely explain the fact as German is the third-most spoken language in a lot of states that don’t have a significant Amish community. According to IowaPBS.org, “German immigrants historically were the second largest immigrant group (behind people from the British Isles) to settle in Iowa”. Beginning around 1840, millions of Germans began immigrating to the US. The entry point for many of these immigrants to the upper Midwest region and points west was Scott County (IA) where the first passenger railroad crossed the Mississippi River. In 1900, Joseph Eiboeck, a veteran German newspaperman, described Davenport as, “the most German city, not only in the State, but in all the Middle West, the center of all German activities in the State.”

These German immigrants spread widely into every county across the state – more than any other immigrant group – and by 1900, the US Census indicated that over half of the citizens in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota were German immigrants or their descendants. By 1920, at least half of all farmers in Iowa were of German ancestry as well. Many of these Germans who settled in the Davenport area attempted to maintain a close-knit German community. They continued to speak their own language, published a local newspaper “Der Demokrat”, and formed their own social club, Turn Germeind, or Turnvereins (turner halls), which were an athletic and social gathering place for their community.

These immigrants also established the practice of going to parks for picnics, where they would listen to band music and drink beer. This brought alcohol consumption out of the saloons (that were typically only frequented by men) and perceptions slowly changed such that by 1900 the City of Davenport had over 100 taverns and beer gardens (Biergarten). Many orchestras and bands were formed within the city as well and they regularly played venues such as Schuetzenpark (which during its heyday, in addition to a music pavilion, also consisted of an inn, dance hall, shooting range, refreshments, bowling alleys, a roller coaster, and a zoo).  Music was such an important facet of German immigrant culture that their influence helped begin one of the oldest continually operating symphonic orchestras in the United States, The Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra. These are just some of the many cultural facets German immigrants brought with them from their homeland, becoming an integral part the “history and fabric of life in Iowa” as well as in the region and the country as a whole.

The decline of the German language is due to many factors including, among other things, the growth of industries in the area which draws in a talented and diverse workforce and impacts population growth. We also continue to see an influx of immigrants in the Quad Cities Area. We have a long history of welcoming immigrants, and our cities today continue to be a sanctuary for immigrants and refugees from around the world. Certainly, one factor that has impacted the decline was the Governor of Iowa’s ban on speaking the language in public near the end of World War I. Since the U.S. was at war with Germany, many Iowans became suspicious of their German neighbors. The governor issued a proclamation in May 1918 that prohibited anyone from speaking a foreign language in public, specifically German. German books were also removed from the library, and citizens of German birth were interrogated. After the war, many German descendants tried to hide their heritage and assimilate more closely with their neighbors. With the use of the German language declining, German names were removed from streets signs and towns, turner halls lost their popularity, and German businesses changed their names. Even Schuetzenpark was renamed Forest Park, for a time.

But, it’s not too late to reinvigorate the German language in our area!  In 2010, there were over 600 speakers of German in Scott County alone, with another 13,000+ statewide (MLA Language Map Data Center). Perhaps you have German heritage or have been influence by the culture that these immigrants have brought to our area. Maybe you have always wanted to travel to Germany and spend time in some of the beautiful alpine regions or see the architecture and museums of the Capital, Berlin. Whatever the reason you want to learn, we have lots of resources to help introduce you to the language.

Here’s just a sampling of the FREE resources available to you at The Library as you learn German. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

FOR A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO THE LANGUAGE:

15-minute German : learn in just 12 weeks by Sylvia Goulding

Fast talk German : guaranteed to get you talking (Lonely Planet)

Intermediate German for dummies

 

FOR A MORE LAID-BACK APPROACH:

101 conversations in simple German : short natural dialogues to boost your confidence & improve your spoken German  by Olly RIchards

Short stories in German for intermediate learners : read for pleasure at your level and learn German the fun way by Olly Richards

50 German coffee breaks : short activities to improve your German one cup at a time

German short stories for beginners and intermediate learners : engaging short stories to learn German and build your vocabulary

 

IF YOU ARE A VISUAL LEARNER:

German visual dictionary for dummies

5 language visual dictionary

 

MORE COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES:

 

Complete German by Paul Coggle

Langenscheidt German at your fingertips  by Tien Tammada

German by Paul Coggle

Basic German by Jolene Wochenske

Teach yourself German by Paul Coggle

#Language hacking German : a conversation course for beginners : learn how to speak German–with actual people–right from the start! By Benny Lewis

And, a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages.

 

FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL:

German phrase book & dictionary (Berlitz)

Rick Steves’ German phrase book & dictionary by Rick Steves

German (Rough Guides)

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 5 — JAPANESE

LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 2 — SPANISH

- Jill Leave a comment

Last month, we introduced you to some of the more general language learning resources that The Library offers. Take a look at those if you’re not sure what language you want to learn. This month, we’ll focus in on the most commonly spoken foreign language in Davenport, the Quad Cities, and the U.S. – SPANISH!  This is also the language that most people around the world indicate they want to learn.

There are over 493 million native Spanish speakers, making it the second most-spoken language in the world. Including everyone who speaks Spanish as a second language (at least decently), Spanish can be used to communicate with 591 million people around the world! This makes Spanish the third most-spoken language in the world, behind Chinese and English, and on par with Hindi. Spanish is also one of the most-used languages on the internet. The Spanish language continues to grow in traditionally non-Spanish speaking countries as well. In the U.S., 60 million people identified as being of Hispanic origin – about 18% of the population (in 2019). The Spanish language has by far the most native speakers, with 12% of the American population using it as their primary language (2021). And, Spanish is the official language in 20 countries and one U.S. Territory (Puerto Rico) and has widespread use in other regions. Besides Mexico and Spain, Spanish is the official language in many Central and South American nations, including: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. It’s even spoken in Equatorial Guinea (in Africa). So, if you are planning on visiting any of these places, learning at least some basic conversational Spanish or common phrases would be helpful.

According to US Census Bureau data in 2022, the Hispanic population of Davenport, Iowa was at just over 9% or 9,200 people. When expanded to include the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL communities, the total number of people identifying as non-white Hispanic rose to 9.31% or 35.6K people. In Iowa, nearly 216K people self-identified as Hispanic or Latino (about 6.8% of Iowa’s total population, according to a 2022 report from the State Data Center of Iowa – a program of The State Library of Iowa.) Currently, 128K Iowa residents age 5 and older speak Spanish at home. Of this number, over 21K are Spanish speaking English Language Learners in Iowa’s public schools (2021- 2022). This represents a 240% increase from the previous year (Iowa Department of Education). Based on growth over the last 20 years, the projected total Latino population of Iowa as of July 1, 2050 will be around 518K (about 14.8% of the total state population). The numbers are even greater for Illinois, where some schools are even offering Dual Language Immersion Programs.

Hispanic businesses are on the rise nationwide, growing 8.2% from 2019-2020 (US Census Bureau). Hispanic-owned businesses yielded about $472.3 billion in annual receipts and employed about 2.9 million workers. According to the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, this is reflected in the Quad Cities as Latino owned business are on the rise, along with Hispanic cultural enterprises such as Mercado on Fifth, an outdoor summer market in Moline, IL which had a record 115 vendors and almost $600K in revenue in 2022. The chamber also indicated that immigrants and refugees are among the biggest drivers of the population and economic gains in the Quad Cities. Newcomers to the region tend to be of working age (between the ages of 25 and 64). Immigrants also are more likely to open and operate their own businesses and employ others than U.S.-born Quad-Citians.

Learning Spanish will undoubtedly give you an edge in the Quad Cities Job Market. Being bilingual in a market where the Spanish language speaking population is growing can be a major asset. Many employers are actively looking to hire people who can communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking customers, colleagues, and community members. Having at least a working knowledge of Spanish in your skill set can open up job opportunities you might not have otherwise. From healthcare, hospitality, and customer service to manufacturing, Spanish proficiency enables workers to engage with the area’s Hispanic community. Increasing the number of Spanish speakers in the workforce will facilitate everything from better patient communication to more targeted marketing and improved workplace collaboration across language barriers. Salaries also tend to be higher for bilingual employees. Studies show the “bilingual bonus” can lead to thousands more in annual pay, providing not just a practical communication benefit, but also a financial one. A growing number of job postings now list Spanish as a requirement or preferred qualification, but even a baseline conversational ability will give you an advantage. As the Hispanic community continues to rapidly expand across the Quad Cities area, mastering the Spanish language will only become more valuable to employers across diverse job sectors. For those entering the workforce, as well as experienced professionals, the ability to communicate and work effectively in both English and Spanish can give you the competitive edge.

Will you consider learning a foreign language?  If you’d like to get started learning Spanish, here are just a sampling of some of the FREE resources offered by The Library. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

FOR A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO THE LANGUAGE:

15-minute Spanish : learn in just 12 weeks by Ana Bremón

Spanish in 3 months : your essential guide to understanding and speaking Spanish by Isabel Cisneros

Spanish in 100 days.

 

FOR A MORE LAID-BACK APPROACH:

    

Spanish for the rest of us by William C. Harvey

Drive time Spanish. Beginner level.

#Language hacking Spanish : a conversation course for beginners by Benny Lewis

Becoming a bilingual family : help your kids learn Spanish (and learn Spanish yourself in the process) by Stephen G. Marks

50 Spanish coffee breaks : short activities to improve your Spanish one cup at a time

Teach your dog Spanish by Anne Cakebread

 

IF YOU ARE A VISUAL LEARNER:

 

Merriam-Webster’s Spanish-English visual dictionary

Spanish English illustrated dictionary by Thomas Booth

Spanish visual dictionary for dummies.

Bilingual visual dictionary. Spanish English.

 

COMPLETE LANGUAGE COURSES:

   

Berlitz Spanish all-in-one

Complete Spanish step-by-step : the fastest way to achieve Spanish mastery by Barbara Bregstein

Spanish complete edition

Basic Spanish by Dorothy Devney Richmond

Instant Immersion Spanish deluxe v3.0

And, a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages.

 

FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL:

 

Spanish: Rough Guides Phrase Book

Rick Steves’ Spanish phrase book & dictionary  by Rick Steves

Mexican Spanish phrase book & dictionary

Fast talk Latin American Spanish : guaranteed to get you talking.

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 3 — FRENCH

LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 1

- Jill Leave a comment

Happy New Year!
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!
Alles Gute Zum Neuen Jahr!
Bonne Année!
新年快乐! (xīnniánkuàilè!)

Did you know that there are over 41 different languages spoken by students in Scott County, Iowa?  The top 6 languages are represented above: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, German, French, and Chinese. Across the state, over 177 languages are spoken (according to the 2022 report by the Iowa Department of Human Rights and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach). This is a nearly 60% increase in the foreign language speaking population since the last report in 2010. All languages (other than English) spoken in Scott County account for over 9,200 speakers – which is more than 6%. Spanish speakers account for greater than 3% of that. And combined, Vietnamese, German, French, and Chinese, add up to another 1.68% of speakers, leaving 1.44% to account for another 35 languages. These are roughly the same numbers when you compare Scott County with the State of Iowa as a whole.

While English is the most commonly spoken language in the United States, according to a 2019 U.S. Census Bureau Report about 22 percent of the US population (308.8 million at the time) speaks a language other than English when at home. Roughly 62% of these individuals speaks English “very well” such that they can be identified as fluently bilingual. According to the Journal of Neurolinguistics, 43% of the world’s population is bilingual, using two languages daily. 40% is monolingual, and the remaining 17% are multilingual.

Among U.S. students studying a foreign language, roughly 72% are studying Spanish, 14% French, 4.5% German, 2.5% Latin, and almost 1% Japanese. And, according to a 2021 report from the language learning app, Duolingo, the top 6 most popular languages to learn around the world (after English, which ranks #1) are: Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Italian, and Korean. The 5 most commonly spoken languages in the world in order are English, Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish and French.

Would you like to learn a foreign language to communicate better with others in our diverse community?  Perhaps you have always wanted to learn a specific language of your family heritage or to prepare for a long-awaited bucket list trip? The Library has an array of language learning resources. From complete courses (including an online program), to phrasebooks for travelers, visual dictionaries, and bilingual short stories, we have what you need to get started on your foreign language learning or ESL path. We even have Sign Language learning resources!

Over the next months, we will highlight resources for each of the top 6 most popular languages to learn: *Spanish, *French, *German, Japanese, Italian, and Korean. And, we will also include the most commonly spoken foreign languages in the Quad Cities Region: *Spanish, Vietnamese, *German, *French, and Chinese. ESL and Sign Language will also be included.
*We’ll only cover Spanish, German, and French once as they appear on both lists.

First, we’d like to point you to resources that will assist you in any language you want to learn. You can browse the online catalog for a specific language:  Davenport Public Library Catalog.  If you don’t see what you’re looking for there, reach out and let us know what language you’d like to learn or what resources you need.

As a Davenport Library card holder, you have FREE access to the language learning program Mango Languages found on our Online Resources page. Mango offers instructional courses for over 70 languages and ESL (English as a Second Language) courses for over 20 languages.

We also have these books that would be helpful no matter which language you choose to learn:

Fluent forever : how to learn any language fast and never forget it by Gabriel Wyner

Fluent in 3 months : how anyone at any age can learn to speak any language from anywhere in the world by Benny Lewis

How to speak any language fluently by Alex Rawlings

Bilingual families : a practical language planning guide by Eowyn Crisfield

 

Finally, you might find these two books useful as you begin planning your language learning adventure:

 

The first 20 hours : how to learn anything … fast by Josh Kaufman

Limitless : upgrade your brain, learn anything faster, and unlock your exceptional life by Jim Kwik

Stay tuned over the next months for language learning resources for specific languages!  First up, next month:  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 2 — SPANISH.