Princeton is a top destination for people throughout the world, and this is greatly reflected in the diverse international community we have. Whether you have come to America for a temporary visit or are making it your permanent address, the library is a place you can turn to for resources to ease your transition and make you feel more at home.
Learning English as a second language? The library offers up to 15 drop-in classes a week to help you improve your skills, and everyone from beginners to more advanced speakers are welcome. Visit the library Monday through Friday at various times throughout the day to participate in our English Conversation Classes, in which dedicated volunteers lead classes that encourage speaking skills, such as vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural contexts. On most Sundays througout the year, we host a more formalized ESL class that addresses grammar, writing, and more. You can find a current schedule of all of these classes at our Welcome Desk each month.
Can’t make it to the library for class? Practice your English language skills with Mango Languages (you will need a PPL library card to access these from home). With Mango, you can take interactive English lessons in your native language through flashcards and films, practice your pronunciation, take placement tests, and more. We also have many items in our collection, such as dictionaries, workbooks, and audiobooks, that can help you in your studies. Looking to read a book or watch a movie in your native language? The library has an outstanding world language DVD collection, as well as books in over 30 languages.
Considering becoming a U.S. citizen? Every fall and spring, the library offers an 8-week course to prepare students to pass the naturalization test to become a citizen. (Our current course runs every Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. through November 19th.) There is no need to make an appointment or reserve a spot in the class; simply drop by. If you can’t make it to the classes but would like to study on your own, our Brainfuse database (available to PPL library card holders only) offers prep materials for the exam, as well as an opportunity to take practice tests and interact with a live tutor.
Immigration law can be very complex. Every few months, the library hosts an “Ask the Lawyer” session, in which several lawyers specializing in immigration law are available for brief, private consultation. The lawyers will provide free advice and make referrals when necessary; a Spanish translator is available at these sessions, too. Our next Ask-A-Lawyer evening will take place on January 25th at 7 p.m., but please visit our Information Desk on the second floor so that we can direct you to other available resources, should you desire assistance before that time.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user dvidshub.