Support for language learners

The Library holds various collections of materials supporting language learners. These collections cover the three main languages taught to degree level: French, German and Italian; and the additional languages taught within the Institution-Wide Language Programme (IWLP): Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. Some basic textbooks for learning other languages are also in stock.

Support for language learners, especially English language learners, is also provided by the Self-Access Centre for Language Learning (SACLL).

Materials available

• Textbooks
  
  
• Grammars
  
  
• Other language aids, eg. verbs lists, vocabularies , etc.
  
  
• Multimedia, eg. interactive CD-ROMs and DVDs for self study
  
  
• Easy readers
  
  
• Children's books
  

  The Bulmershe Collection on the 4th Floor of the Library includes an extensive collection of children’s literature in English, both fiction and non-fiction, which may be used by learners to improve their English language skills.
  
  

• Dictionaries - our extensive collection of printed dictionaries covers most languages, reflecting the diverse student population at Reading. The dictionaries are shelved in the Dictionaries section on the 3rd Floor. There is online access to French, German, Italian and Spanish dictionaries via Oxford Language Dictionaries Online providing enhanced features such as usage examples, vocabulary and grammar tools, phrases, templates, etc. Other online dictionaries and reference tools are provided by Credo Reference and Oxford Reference Online.
  
  
• Films on DVD and video in original languages - they can be found at 791.437 number of Dewey Classification and are arranged alphabetically by the title (the three letters after the Call Number come from the title)
  
  
• Literature in original languages or translation:
  German - Call Number 830
  French - 840
  Italian - 850
  In other languages we may have some books in the original language but more likely in translation. The numbers are:
  Spanish - 860
  Russian - 891.7
  Arabic - 892.6
  Chinese - 895.1
  Japanese - 895.6
  
  
• History and culture of relevant countries

If you are looking for a specific book or other material, use the Unicorn catalogue to see whether it is held here.

Useful Call Numbers

English

420      General books about the English language
423      Dictionaries (in the 3rd Floor Dictionaries section)
425      English grammars
428.24 Textbooks for learners, including multimedia
428.6   Easy readers

German

430      General books about the German language
433.2   Dictionaries (in the 3rd Floor Dictionaries section)
435      German grammars
438.24 Textbook for learners, including multimedia
438.6   Easy readers

French

440      General books about the French language
443.2   Dictionaries (in the 3rd Floor Dictionaries section)
445      French grammars
448.24 Textbooks for learners, including multimedia
448.6   Easy readers

Italian

450      General books about the Italian language
453.2   Italian dictionaries (in the 3rd Floor Dictionaries section)
455      Italian grammars
458.24 Textbooks for learners, including multimedia
458.6   Easy readers

Spanish

460      General books about the Spanish language
463.2   Dictionaries (in the 3rd Floor Dictionaries section)
465      Spanish grammars
468.24 Textbooks for learners, including multimedia
468.6   Easy readers

Russian
491.732     Dictionaries (in the 3rd Floor Dictionaries section)
491.75       Russian grammars
491.7824   Textbooks for learners, including multimedia

Arabic

492.732     Dictionaries (in the 3rd Floor Dictionaries section)
492.75       Grammars
492.78242 Textbooks, including multimedia

Chinese

495.132   Dictionaries (in the 3rd Floor Dictionaries section)
495.1824 Textbooks (including multimedia), grammars

Japanese

495.632   Dictionaries (in the 3rd Floor Dictionaries section)
495.65     Grammars
495.6824 Textbooks, etc. (including multimedia)

Note: Also check the same numbers in the Folio sequence of larger sized books

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