Easier ways to learn new languages

Tagalog, a language spoken in the Philippines, is the third-most spoken language in Nevada following English and Spanish.

DON’T DESPAIR!

Even if you feel short on time to reach

fl uency, a little effort can go a long way.

Learning a new language connects you to cultural experiences, improves your communication skills, can help advance your

career and slows brain decline. With intui

tive apps and online courses, you don’t even have to dust off your old textbooks. DON’T DESPAIR!

Even if you feel short on time to reach

fl uency, a little effort can go a long way.

Learning a new language connects you to cultural experiences, improves your communication skills, can help advance your

career and slows brain decline. With intui

tive apps and online courses, you don’t even have to dust off your old textbooks. English is the second-most spoken language worldwide, with some 982 million speakers. 2.27.20 LVW 5-MINUTE EXPERT

With more than 1 billion speakers, Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world.

Behind English, Spanish is the second-most spoken language in 48 states and Washington, D.C.

GREAT COURSES LIBRARY COLLECTION Thousands of in-depth video lectures on just about as many subjects, including languages. Access the lectures online via your public library, if available.

LINGODA Live online group or private classes, one hour each. Native-speaking teachers. Features three learning tracks.

MEMRISE Good for learning casual conversation. Videos show how native speakers express different phrases, give a literal translation and explain gender usage.

MONDLY Focus is on phrases, not individual words. Listen to native speakers. Augmented reality lessons and chatbot tool.

LIBRARIES OF BABEL Already a temple to knowledge and information, your local library is a great place to look for language-learning opportunities. Public libraries throughout the Las Vegas Valley offer several avenues of language resources, all available with the power of your library card. Check out books and audiobooks, download e-books, link up with a tutor, drop in on a conversation group, or connect to apps and online courses.

Some popular apps offer the same content without the monthly fee. All you need is your library card and a password, and you can learn a new language for F-R-E-E. Gratis. Frítt. Besplatno.

PIMSLEUR Trusted language-learning method since 1963. Heavily audio-based. Comprehensive lessons are a suggested 30 minutes a day for 30 days.

ROCKET LANGUAGES Audio lessons focus on speaking and pronunciation. Reading, writing and cultural lessons also available.

ROSETTA STONE Best-known language-learning service since its start in the 1990s. Auditoryfocused learning. Traveler phrasebook.

TRANSPARENT LANGUAGES ONLINE More than 100 languages. Speaking practice, typing activities and more.

■ Henderson Libraries: Duolingo and iLove Languages

■ Las Vegas-Clark County Library District: Great Courses Library Collection

■ North Las Vegas Library District: Transparent Language Online

CITIZEN SCIENCE Want to be a part of linguistics studies? Joshua Hartshorne, an assistant professor of psychology at Boston College and co-author of the study, is continuing his online language experiments. Check out gameswith words.org to learn more.