Language Learning

Are you learning English, or travelling, studying or working abroad and need to pick up another language? The Library has many resources to support your language learning.

Last updated: March 27, 2024

LIBRARY DATABASES

Access these resources using your WVML card.

Mango Languages

Lessons in over 70 languages (including English). Sign up for an account on our website, or download the Mango Languages app on your mobile device.

Access Information: Licensed for West Vancouver residents only

Click here for an online tutorial on how to use Mango Languages.

A practice resource for IELTS. Track your progress on practice exams and use more than 100 hours of interactive activities including advice, hints, and tips on question types. You need an up-to-date version of one of the following browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Please note: Road to IELTS does not work with Internet Explorer.

Access Information: Licensed for West Vancouver residents only

ON THE SHELF

Check these out the next time you’re in the Library.

English language self-instruction

Study guides to improve your English conversation and writing skills.

Language kits for self-instruction

Multimedia language kits consisting of a book + audio CD or book + DVD. Available in over 20 languages!

Readers – Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Novels for English language learners.

Short stories with parallel texts

Read Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish stories that have parallel English text.

Spanish language – self-instruction

Master Spanish with our self-guided learning resources. Find courses for other languages by searching Persian Language -- Self-instruction, Japanese Language -- Self-instruction, etc.

on the web

These recommended websites are free and easily accessible! All you need is an internet connection.

BC Disability Sign Language Resources

Interested in learning sign language? Check out these resources in BC and online!

BC Provincial Outreach Program : Deaf and Hard of Hearing

POPDHH serves a growing number of children, many with cochlear implants and many using ASL, who live at home and are served by their home school districts, First Nations Programs and Independent Schools.

They host ASL Programs and Services including ASL Chat and Play-Based Learning of ASL for Young Children.

Duolingo

A highly rated free language learning program. Choose a language, create an account, take the placement test and get started learning. Languages include: English, Arabic, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.

English Language Learning Materials

Curated by NewtoBC, this is a comprehensive tool to help you find print and web-based resources that will help you improve your English.

First Voices

FirstVoices is an online space for Indigenous communities to share and promote language, oral culture and linguistic history. Language teams work with elders to curate and upload audio recordings, dictionaries, songs and stories. Search over 75 language sites, many of which are accessible for public learning.

Featured Collections

Language Learning