Powerspeak--Online Language Learning Database

Have you ever wanted to learn a foreign language but didn’t know how to start? Or were you once nearly fluent in another language but haven’t spoken it for so long you’ve forgotten almost everything you knew? Do you know any native Spanish speakers who want to learn English? Here’s a convenient solution: With a Worcester Public Library card, you can access a comprehensive online language learning curriculum with Powerspeak Languages. For FREE! 

First, visit the library's website at www.worcpublib.org and click on Online Databases in the left column. You will then see a long list of online resources available to you, categorized by subject. Scroll down to Language Learning and select Powerspeak Languages. To use Powerspeak in the library, click on the library icon. If you are not in the library, no problem. Anywhere you have an internet connection, you can log in remotely by clicking on the house icon and entering your library barcode. It’s like having your own personal language tutor available 24/7. 

Geared for adult students, Powerspeak offers training in Spanish, French, German, Mandarin and ESL for Spanish speakers. Up to 1000 interactive exercises per language are divided into six units, and each unit is comprised of interactive lessons organized into Sections entitled Activities, More Practice, and Dig Deeper. Exercises include mix-and-match vocabulary drills, grammar instruction, conversation teaching, and pronunciation practice in which you can record your voice and then compare it to how it should sound. At each lesson’s conclusion, any errors you made are reviewed. Colorful graphics abound, but the user interface is clean and simple to navigate. Your progress through the course is tracked by Powerspeak, which is encouraging; by completing a few lessons per day, anyone can greatly improve their proficiency in months or even weeks. ¿Interesado? Haga clic aquí.