Languages

Living in the Bay Area, we are blessed with many opportunities to learn and practice languages. Libraries offer free access to programs such as Mango and Pronunciator, and many libraries have a growing foreign language selection. Then, there are language meetups and specialized language libraries. Here are a few we have found.

Chinese (Cantonese)

• Music with Clara - teacher is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. 
• Forevermore Worship - South Bay church ministry publishing Cantonese praise songs

Chinese (Mandarin)

• Baba Mama Mandarin Community
• Mandarin storytimes in various libraries, e.g. Burlingame, Redwood City. 
• Joy Culture Foundation, Menlo Park
• Chinese lending library in Menlo Park, also has storytimes and activities. 
• Bay Area Chinese Books Facebook group
• Describes Chinese books which can be borrowed in South Bay Chinese libraries, frequently updated as new books are constantly added.
• Books and Me (ZhaoYu) Lending Library
• Specializes in children's books/media, currently at Emerson School ( 2800 West Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303).  2024 UPDATE: Due to a fire, they are rebuilding the library but you can follow the page as they rebuild. 
• Free membership allows checking up to 6 books. Option to upgrade to VIP membership for $30/year.
• Classes in Mandarin and Cantonese, with fees.
• Gloria's Bookstore
• Local (Sunnyvale) bookstore which imports books in bulk from Taiwan. 
• If you join her Facebook group, she occasionally posts discount codes.  
•  Hong Hai Er Facebook group
• Facebook group posting activities led by parents or children in Mandarin immersion style. Based in Redwood Shores.
•  Hua Kuang Reading Room (Library)
• Large library, specializing in adults' books but also has growing children's collection. Palo Alto.
• $25/year allows you to check out 10 books for 4 weeks. 
• Friendly volunteers who run classes, practice conversation. 
• Live Love Learn Chinese
• Non profit which runs enrichment classes, e.g. art, robotics.
• Some classes are immersive while some offer a bilingual option, so check course descriptions. Classes taught in English still have teachers who are fluent in Chinese, so you may be able to request bilingual accommodation. 
• Millbrae Library
• Updated Chinese children's collection and weekly Mandarin storytime.
• Motherly Notes Chinese
• Online classes offered by native teachers. Variety of topics, e.g. manga, art, science. Their Chinese immersion classes which meet 4 times a week are low pressure and effective. 2024 UPDATE: They now have a homeschool class option.
• Palo Alto Mitchell Park Library
• Large foreign language collection in children's room
• Next to Magical Bridge playground, convenient to browse and play. 
• Free to obtain library card (don't have to be Palo Alto resident)
• YesAsia
• Source for Chinese, Cantonese (and other Asian languages) DVDs.

Nordic Languages (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish)

• Scandinavian School: kids and adults' classes in Menlo Park

Spanish

• Bilingual story times - various San Mateo county libraries
• Kids Club Spanish: online Spanish class with native speakers
• Up Academy Spanish (San Mateo): Homeschool class, accepts Ocean Grove