Learn a language - free

Want to learn a language but lack the time or money to take a class? Do it at your own pace, free of charge, and right from home, courtesy of Coeur d'Alene Public Library.

Since October, the library has offered the highly rated Rosetta Stone online language learning programs to library card holders. At first only a few languages were offered, but now anyone with a Community Library Network card (free with proof of local residence at any Kootenai County library) can choose from among 30 languages. It's like taking a course on your own flexible schedule; each interactive language program provides 50 hours of instruction for initial language learning, including writing, reading, and speaking exercises.

Want to practice with lessons on the go? No problem. There's a free app for that.

As technologies bring the world closer together, multilingualism is no longer mere luxury for casual travelers. It's become an essential element of high school and college education, because it's increasingly necessary to communicate and do business.

Plus, it's fun to speak in other languages. And good for you.

Studies strongly indicate that learning a new language actually grows the brain. A 2012 study at the Swedish Armed Forces Academy compared MRI scans of cadet interpreters learning new languages, to those of cadets learning medicine and cognitive science. What they discovered after only three months was that the cerebral cortex and hippocampus areas of the language learners' brain grew bigger in size than did the other students'. Other research has indicated that language learning can help improve the condition of brains suffering from Alzheimer's, improving brain function.

So what languages might you learn? The more common Spanish, French, German, or Italian, sure. How about Arabic, Filipino, Dutch, or Hindi? Mandarin, Irish, Korean or Farsi? Vietnamese and Urdu, Swahili and - for you lovers of ancient things - Latin. All and more available by clicking "elibrary" at Communitylibrary.net, or "explore" at Cdalibrary.org. You'll need your library card number for access.

Buona fortuna!

Sholeh Patrick, J. D. is a multilingual columnist and language-lover who thinks she'll try Italian next. Contact her at [email protected].