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Career Tools: Learn a New Language

Use Duke’s free foreign language programs to gain a new skill

It’s been three weeks since Duke professor Stephen Kelly arrived in Kunshan, China, where he’s teaching energy security at Duke Kunshan University.  But months before Kelly even boarded the plane, the native English speaker was in a Duke classroom, auditing a Chinese 101 course. “My studies not only gave me a much deeper appreciation for Chinese history and culture, but it made Chinese names and geography suddenly accessible,” Kelly said. “I feel I have more comprehension of what is happening around me.”Whether the desire to study a foreign language is spurred by work through Duke or by personal interest, Duke helps connect staff, faculty and students to more than 100 languages through online resources and in-person courses. Opportunities for learning range from access to online software to classes in the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, but there are other free programs and apps available online.“Foreign language is a commitment,” said Luo Zhou, Duke’s Chinese Studies librarian. “You have to do it in a way that fits your lifestyle, your study style.”Learn through Duke LibrariesDuke Libraries has a Foreign Language Learning guide specifically for Duke employees and students looking to learn or revisit dozens of languages. The webpage also provides a list of Pimsleur language learning CDs that can be borrowed from the library, forums to post questions to native speakers, dictionaries and more. Duke Libraries also offers Duke community members a free online subscription to Transparent Language software, which includes vocabulary and grammar exercises, culture lessons, and more. Duke users can access the program and create a username and password to access language lessons.Practice with a podcast, app or online teacherA search of iTunes returns learning podcasts such as “Coffee Break Italian” and “One Minute Danish.” “Duolingo,” a free smartphone app, allows users to choose a language, earn points by completing language lessons, set daily practice goals, and have practice reminders sent by email or text message. The app can be downloaded to iPhone and Android phones.  For learners looking for more hands-on instruction, italki, an online language learning community, connects users to native speakers.Join a conversation at International HouseThe Duke International House, which provides cross-cultural programming to Duke and Durham, organizes the Duke Language Partners program, which matches non-native speakers with native speakers for a weekly conversation exchange. International House is also home to three conversation clubs – English, Spanish and Chinese – that meet once a week. Duke research technician Luis Vergara leads the Spanish Conversation Club and said the environment is very informal, where native speakers can help those who are just starting to learn. Participants also explore the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries, such as musical and food traditions.“People are introducing themselves in Spanish, and I can see the effort they make to express their ideas in Spanish,” Vergara said. “They are encouraged to practice.”Take a class From Arabic to Uzbek, Duke employees can sign up to take a language course at Duke. Some courses are eligible for the Special Employee Tuition Rate Program, which allows Duke employees to take certain undergraduate courses for 80 percent off the regular course fee. Durham Technical Community College also provides a catalog of continuing education language classes. Kelly, the Duke professor who took Chinese 101, said he used the Special Employee Tuition Rate Program when he audited the course. He paid $100 for one course credit, in addition to textbook costs.  He continued his studies by borrowing Chinese language CDs from Perkins Library and arranging conversation sessions with Chinese students at Duke.“I knew going in that just a few months of study would not make me anywhere close to fluent in a language as tough as Chinese,” Kelly said. “But coming back to campus here in Kunshan the other day, I proudly gave the driver directions on how to get here.”