What Language Will You Learn Today?

Amaze and impress your family and friends with your ability to speak multiple languages.  It’s possible with the Alameda County Library’s new language learning database Pronunciator.  It’s totally interactive when you set it up with a microphone or webcam.  Just create a Pronunciator account with your library card and log in each time to start learning.  

Don’t forget to look through our Language Learning Guide for language books and other online resources.   Make a commitment to learn another language for your New Years resolution.  ¡Si se puede!

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Learning Express: Your Passport to Success

Need to learn a computer application quickly? Need to practice for a critical test? Need to review algebra, English grammar, or another skill? Look no further than your library.

Learning Express, one of the Alameda County Library’s databases, will get you up to speed quickly. Their extensive list of tutorials, exercises, practice tests and library of ebooks has something for everyone.

When Microsoft upgraded Word, I used Learning Express to demystify the ribbon, the office button and the quick access toolbar. And thank goodness, I could answer others’ questions after learning what to do.

To find out what Learning Express can do for you, you could browse the complete list of Learning Centers. The “Popular Software Tutorials” module contains the Microsoft Office tutorials including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and even Access.

Recently Learning Express has added a new module, “Computer & Internet Basics” to its Learning Centers – look for it at the bottom of the list. This module could help older adults with their computer questions while our teens take a break for two months.

Here’s how to reach Learning Express remotely:

1. Library Home Page: www.aclibrary.org
2. Choose A-Z Resources from the drop-down list under Resources.
3. Next, choose “L” databases and then Learning Express Library. You will be asked for your 14 digit library barcode number.

 

 

 

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Learn Something New Today!

There are over 500 online classes which may benefit you. These are classes for your personal enrichment and do not provide school credit. You will be surprised at the number of topics you can choose from.

 These classes can be accessed via the Alameda County Website at www.aclibrary.org. Under Research find A-Z Resource List from the drop-down menu. Choose U from the alphabetical list for Universal Class.

 You are welcome to enroll in up to 5 courses.  You have up to 6 months to finish each course. You have access to your course 24/7 via the Internet. Attend class and do assignments on your schedule. Each course has a real instructor who you may communicate with using email.

 Here are some examples of the variety of classes you can take:

For Business Folks

Business Applications | Career Development | Home Business | Home Ownership | How to Build Your Own Business | How to Save Your Money | Human Resources | Management | Marketing | Money Making Strategies | MS Applications | Organizational Finances | Self-Improvement | Small Business | Writing Improvement

 For those who seek Self-Improvement and Self Help

 Beauty Lessons | Behavior Management | How to Cope and Live with an Illness | Medical Skills | Money Making Strategies | New Age Studies | Reiki Studies | Religion and Spirituality | Self-Improvement | Social Science | Social Services | Therapy and Treatment | Violence Prevention Strategies | Writing Improvement

For Test Preparation

Basic Finance Skills | ESL | Exam Preparation | General Science | Medical Billing | Medical Coding | Medical Skills | Social Science | Teacher Curriculum | Teacher Resources | Writing Improvement

 There is so much more…….Explore!

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2011 Kids Library Camp at Centerville Library

The very popular Kids Library Camp at Centerville Library was held on June 21 and 23.  As some kids said in their surveys: “This camp rocks!!!!”, “I liked the camp, it was fun!”, “Library camp was very fun!”, “I like this library a lot. It is the best library ever!”

During this 1-and-half-day fun-packed camp, kids learned about how their library works for them and where to find homework resources, discovered cool Internet websites and how to keep themselves safe, enjoyed very interesting booktalks, had a very tense and exciting Jeopardy game, and made creative paper-weaving crafts.

Watch more videos of our fun moments on Centerville Library’s Facebook or YouTube Channel.

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Mango Languages

Are you planning to travel abroad this summer, and need to learn some foreign language quickly? Or are you taking a second language lesson in school and want to improve more? Maybe you want to make friends with people who speak a different language?  Maybe you just want to learn Japanese because you are a super fan of Pokemon (like my son)?  Have you been looking for a self-paced online language system so you can learn the language in an easy way? Here, check out Alameda County Library’s new database addition–Mango Lanugages.

What language courses are available?

• Brazilian Portuguese
• Spanish
• Japanese
• French
• German
• Italian
• Greek
• Russian
• Mandarin Chinese
• English for Polish Speakers
• English for Spanish Speakers
• English for Brazilian Portuguese Speakers

How do I access it?
As a member of the Alameda County Library, you can use Mango Languages FREE of charge.

• Go to Alameda County Library’s website — http:www.aclibrary.org
• Click on “Articles and Databases” under Research Guide.
• Click on the “Language Learning” topic.
• Click on “Mango Languages“.
• Enter your library card number and you are in.
• Create an individual account following the instructions.  This way you can keep track of what you’ve learned and know where to continue the next time.

Mango is very easy to use.  Sound quality is great.  Learning is flexible.  The contents are designed on real-life situations and actual conversation to help you learn how to communicate in an efficient way.  So check it out now!

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