Ni hao!

After a week of Mission's Conference I'm sure some of you are buzzin' to get a head start on learning a language for a certain location that's been placed on your heart! Or maybe some of you are like me last semester: language "illiterate" and in Greek grammar! Whatever your desire for learning a language might be--Crowell Library wants to introduce YOU to online language learning systems! FREE THROUGH CROWELL LIBRARY! There are two different language learning systems: Mango and Transparent.

To access Mango you can go to library.moody.edu and look under the "Popular Resources" for a link to Mango Languages. For Transparent--which is still pretty new! You need to go to library.moody.edu and then click on Chicago under "eResources by Campus";And then scroll down to click on Transparent Language Online.

With a motto like "Start a Conversation"--Mango Languages tends to be a bit more (and obviously so) conversational. In this language learning system there is a bit less functionality in comparison to Transparent, but! It does include the Biblical Languages! Along with other languages such as: Chinese (Mandarin), Italian, German, Russian, French, and the list goes on! The way Mango is set up there is no need to create an account--you can just click "Start Learning" if you'd like. And if you want to track your progress you can create a free profile with Mango! Mango teaches you "lesson by lesson" with the language of your choice--beginning with "Greetings, Gratitude  Goodbyes" (the creator must have learned their alliteration from the Baptists!)

For Transparent you are required to make a free account--and don't worry it's not tedious! Essentially all you need to do is create a username+password in order to get started! Because you have to create an account this already shows the "commitment" Transparent has in being a formal language learning system. Transparent has units for learning the "essentials" of your chosen language, but there's also an option for "quick learning" if you happen to decide last minute on a mission's trip to Mexico! Another neat feature of Transparent is the "explore" button--where Transparent helps you connect via social networking to others who are studying the language of your choice!

Whether you choose Mango or Transparent, both are wonderful language learning systems provided by Crowell Library to help suite whatever your purposes might be! I mean, I live in Logan Square! Maybe it's time for me to brush up on some conversational Spanish so I can join my roommate in ordering in Spanish at the diner down the street =)