The Digital Bridge: Blog Archives

Learn Spanish the Multi-Layered Way Using Library eResources

In the previous blog entry, we surveyed a variety of great subscription databases that you have access to as a library-card holder, as well as where to go for helpful tutorials on how to use those databases. In this blog, the second in the series on library databases, we will zero in on a much more specific subject: which library subscription databases to use in order to help you learn the Spanish language (or improve your facility with it).

While this post will focus exclusively on library databases that provide access to Spanish-language resources, I want to briefly call attention to the list that inspired this blog as there are additional library resources featured there in the form of traditional books, audio courses, audiobooks, video courses, and DVDs. As mentioned in that list, language acquisition is most successfully achieved via immersion—so the more resources at your disposal, and the greater the variety, the better!

To access most of the databases we will be previewing in this post, you will simply go to jcls.org, hover your cursor over Research, and click All Databases.

For a select few others (Hoopla, Library2Go, Digitalia), however, you will need to hover over Books & More and select Digital Content. I’ve also included links to each of the featured databases, and their associated resources, in the profiles listed below.

Speed Spanish (Gale Courses)

• Gale Courses offers a three-part series of courses on Spanish called Speed Spanish, all of which are absolutely free with the use of your library card. Each course lasts six weeks and is interactive in that you can get feedback from both the professor and your fellow students. What's more, you receive a certificate acknowledging your completion of the course. Yours truly just completed the second part, and I am beginning the third and final portion on July 17^th. One of the other members of the Digital Services team is starting one on the 17th too. New courses are offered monthly, so enroll in one today—perhaps you'll see us there!
• Course Links: Speed Spanish I, Speed Spanish II, Speed Spanish III
• Database Link: https://jcls.org/gcourses

Learn Spanish – Latin American (Mango Languages)

• Mango is perfect for learning Spanish on the go, and/or as a supplement to the other options listed here. It also incorporates pronunciation feedback as well. If you are more phone or tablet oriented, Mango is the way to go—for when it comes to mobile devices, Mango is probably the most user-friendly option listed here.
• Spanish (Latin American) Link: https://learn.mangolanguages.com/pathway/from/en-US/to/es-419/397
• Spanish for Librarians Link: https://learn.mangolanguages.com/pathway/from/en-US/to/es-419/470/1/1
• Database Link: https://jcls.org/mango

TumbleBook Biblioteca (TumbleBook Library)

• Can't leave out the little ones, now, can we? Perhaps one of the best ways for both kids and adults to supplement their learning of Spanish is through kids' Spanish picture books. But the books through TumbleBook Library are not just any picture books—they are interactive read-along kids' picture-books replete with audio/video components, quizzes, games, and more!
• TumbleBook Biblioteca: https://bibliotecatumble.com/BooksList.aspx?categoryID=66
• Database Link: https://jcls.org/tumblebook

Spanish-Language eMagazines (Flipster)

• Flipster—a library database that provides online access to popular magazines—also has a Spanish section. The High Five Bilingüe (a bilingual magazine for young children) is especially useful for both adults and kids learning Spanish.
• Flipster’s Spanish Magazines: Visit the database link and click “Spanish” in the left-hand column
• Database Link: https://jcls.org/flipster

Spanish-Language eBooks & Audio Courses (Library2Go)

• Library2Go offers a few eBook and Audiobook resources on Spanish that are convenient because you can play/read them very easily on your mobile devices using the Libby app. While not as comprehensive as some comparative audio courses like Pimsleur (available to borrow in CD form via our library catalog), Learn in Your Car Spanish is a good place to start if you want the convenience of playing an audio course from your phone or are waiting for the Pimsleur course to become available. Lyric Language Spanish, a Spanish sing-along program for kids, is also available through your internet browser by visiting Library2Go or through the Libby app.
• Library2Go’s Spanish Language Resources: https://library2go.overdrive.com/library2go-jackson/content/search?subject=139
• Database Link: http://library2go.lib.overdrive.com/

Language Lab (BrainFuse)

• Once you've made progress in developing your Spanish, why not try free live tutoring for help with Spanish through the library's subscription to BrainFuse HelpNow? All you need to get started is your library card. And yes, the tutor is an actual human.
• Language Lab Link: https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/fl.asp
• Database Link: http://main.jacksonhn.or.brainfuse.com/

Dover Dual Language Spanish Series (Hoopla)

• Our Hoopla Digital collection includes Dover Dual Language resources with a number of bilingual texts featuring Spanish short stories, poetry, and more. Moreover, this is a fantastic way to learn about Spanish culture and literary heritage in addition to the language! Access them by signing into your Hoopla account or by creating one using your library card.
• Dover Dual Language Link: https://www.hoopladigital.com/series/dover-dual-language-spanish/3483007558/titles
• Database Link: https://www.hoopladigital.com/

Informe Académico (Gale)

• So . . . To your ineffable delight you have found that you are nothing less than a linguistic prodigy and have become fluent in Latin-American Spanish in next to no time. In order to award your genius, you decide to conduct research in order to demonstrate just what a rare bird you are. Why not conduct said research using a Spanish-language database like Informe Académico? I’m not there yet myself, so do let me know how that goes. ;)
• Database Link: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=IFME&u=jacksonpl

What’s listed here is just the tip of the iceberg—there is a whole vista of Spanish-language online tools and fun awaiting your discovery. Don’t wait, try some of these today—and if you fall off your bicicleta, just hop back on and keep pedaleando. I know I do... =]

In the meantime, look alive for the next blog on all things techie, which will be coming your way soon….