End the Year With a New Adventure: Learn a Foreign Language

Written By: Josey at the Atherton Library

Allow the spirit of National Learn a Foreign Language Month inspire your remarkable quest to learn something new and grow with your community. It’s a remarkable annual event each December that showcases an opportunity for people to encounter the complexity of different cultures, traditions and customs. 

As well as cultural enrichment, the intellectual advantages of learning a foreign language are simply incredible. The critical thinking developed through this pursuit widens the reach of one's openness to a person and culture, thereby enabling an individual to view things from a more global perspective. 

Celebrate Learn a Foreign Language Month With Us!

Whether you're looking for others to converse with, or want try things on your own, San Mateo County Libraries has many resources to help you along this journey.

We host many bilingual events at our libraries, including conversation clubs, ESL events, bilingual storytimes and more. Check out all our foreign language events to learn more. Connecting with fellow learners provides a supportive community and opportunities for practice.

Free Online Resources

Pronunciator offers 163 languages for self-directed lessons, live teachers, movies, music and more, allowing users to learn at their own pace or join a live teaching session.

Cell-Ed allows you to learn English, citizenship, math and job skills from your phone with live coaches available to help. Enroll in language classes, either in person or online. Structured courses led by experienced instructors provide a systematic approach to learning grammar, vocabulary and cultural nuances. 

Kanopy offers more than 30,000 films available virtually. There is a plethora of films waiting to be seen. Immerse yourself in a good foreign-language film with subtitles!

The Shelf is a Spanish language streaming service for movies, telenovels, content for kids and so much more. Check it out for free with your library card today!

Free Physical Resources

Our libraries carry many books to help you learn a foreign language. Here are some of our recommendations!

Learn a Foreign Language this December




View Full List