English language support
Learn about the English language support we offer including Conversation Café, online language learning tools and resources in community languages.
Conversation Café
Conversation Café is an informal get-together where you can practise your English language skills in a friendly, supportive environment. One of our library staff members is there to guide each session.
If you'd like to help others by participating in conversation practice, please come along. Conversation Café is one of our longstanding regular events and everyone is welcome!
Conversation Café is held at the following times, generally during school term dates:
Monday: 10am–11am hosted on Zoom
Friday: 10am–11am at Preston Library (or on Zoom if under COVID restrictions)
Book for Conversation Café Online to receive the Zoom link.
Digital resources
There are a range of resources in our digital library that are available in languages other than English:
- The PressReader app gives you access to magazines, newspapers and journals in over 60 languages
- Film streaming platforms, such as Kanopy, gives you access to films and documentaries in a variety of community languages
- Improve your English skills or learn another language with our range of free online language tools for adults and kids
Resources in Community Languages
We have a range of fiction, nonfiction, CDs, DVDs, board books, magazines and talking books for children and adults at each of our four branch locations in the following community languages:
- Arabic
- Italian
- Chinese
- Greek
- Vietnamese
- Hindi (magazines & DVDs only)
We also have a range of Spanish and Macedonian materials, in addition to bilingual picture books in a range of languages at each branch, with a Somali children's book collection in Reservoir.