Digital Spotlight: Everyday Life in Thailand

EVERYDAY LIFE IN THAILAND is a database of images representing life in Thailand.

Contents: This collection contains nearly 500 images and descriptions related to daily life in Thailand. Users can browse the images or conduct a search.

Classroom Connections: Librarians will find these photos are useful in teaching language learning skills or connecting to the culture of southeast Asia in the social studies curriculum.

Featured Digital Objects:
Vendor Food http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lrc1ic/x-20/01020
School Cafeteria http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lrc1ic/x-37/01037
Bus http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lrc1ic/x-78/02056

To visit the collection go to http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lrc1ic.

Book Review: Juana and Lucas

JUANA AND LUCAS by Juana Medina is a new series featuring a young girl and her dog growing up in Colombia.

In her first humorous adventure, Juana shares her likes and dislikes. For instance, she isn’t excited about learning English. However when she learns about the value of language learning, she changes her mind.

Librarian will find that the short, easy-to-read chapters and comic-style illustrations will appeal to young readers. The international setting provides a unique perspective.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.juanamedina.com/.

Published by Candlewick on September 28, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

App Review: The ASL App

THE ASL APP by Ink & Salt helps users of all ages learn conversational ASL.

Containing over 800 signs and phrases, this easy-to-use app makes learning American Sign Language accessible and fun. Users begin by choosing a category such as know your ABCs, know your numbers, universal gestures, and the basics. Handshape exercises are also available. Each section provides a short video demonstration and the option to repeat, show the video slowly, or move to the next video.

Although the basic package is free, librarians may wish to add packages at a small fee associated with particular topics of interest within the curriculum. The basic app is an excellent way to get youth interested in ASL a quick and easy start.

Pair this app with the Spread the Sign website athttps://www.spreadthesign.com/ and other online resources to extend the experience.

To learn more about this app, go to http://theaslapp.com/

Tech Review: DuoLingo

DUOLINGO is a free and easy-to-use website and app for language learning. From Spanish and French to Hebrew and Klingon, users can choose from dozens of languages.

Students begin by creating a log-in so the system can track progress. Next, users can jump right into the basic lessons or take a placement test.

The first section provides tips and notes to orient learners new to the language. Each highly interactive lesson incorporates attractive visuals to support learning and reinforces text with audio support. Users are provided with detailed, corrective feedback to support learning. Interaction includes clicking, typing, and recording audio. Progress through the lesson is shown on a status bar. At the end of each lesson, weekly progress is shown and an option is provided to review.

Users are encouraged to set daily goals to keep motivated. A reward system is used to encourage participation. Users are invited to compete with their friends through Facebook.

In addition to the lessons, the tool provides other types of support including a personal word list, activities, and the opportunity for discussion. The Immersion option involves users in reading articles from the web. It’s even possible to upload documents to increase reading comprehension.

Although the format is slightly different on the app and website, they’re both equally easy to use.

Librarians will find this to be an excellent supplement to the school’s language classes.

To get started, go to https://www.duolingo.com

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/duolingo-learn-lang…/id570060128…

Website & App Review: USA Learns

Learning English as a Second Language may be a concern for both the students in your school as well as their parents. USA LEARNS is a free website that helps adults improve English skills. Low cost apps are also available.

Users go to USA Learns at http://www.usalearns.org and create a login. A pretest can help users unsure about which tutorials to complete. Three courses are available: beginning, low intermediate, and intermediate. Each course includes a series of units focusing on the use of English in everyday situations. Each unit includes lessons and activities. Users can read the screen and listen to the teacher’s voice reading the screen. The lessons incorporate both audio and video elements. Study tools are provided including a glossary with images and audio support.

ESL students may need help signing up and getting started with the program. Although the lessons are very effective, the tutorials don’t provide feedback for incorrect answers. It would be useful if a teacher or assistant was available to answer questions as users are working their way through the learning materials.

In addition to the website, four low-cost, learning apps are available. In addition to the lessons, the apps also provide the learner with opportunities to record words and hear them back. The apps contain lots of streamed videos, so an Internet connection is necessary. To access the apps for both Apple and Android devices, go to http://www.usalearns.org/apps/.

Consider how USA LEARNS could be part of an after-school library program that supports the ESL needs of both children and their parents.

The materials were developed and tested by the Sacramento County Office of Education with funding from the US Department of Education. Although the scenarios include workplace scenarios, the course materials would be very effective for high school students. For supplemental materials, check out the USALearns blog at http://usalearns.wordpress.com/. For an overview to the curriculum, go to http://www.usalearns.org/pdf/ScopeSequence.pdf.