Learn French, Italian, German or Spanish online with Muzzy, a new online library resource

Monday, July 11, 2011
by Eleanor Friedman

The Chappaqua Library has recently acquired access for patrons to Muzzy Online.  If you don’t know Muzzy, prepare for some fun interactive adventures with your children in foreign languages including French, Italian, German, and Spanish.

While the library already carries the DVD version available for check out, this online access is much more convenient and ready when you are to try a new language.  The story is simple, but the impact is strong.  My children have enjoyed Muzzy for years - it’s quite entertaining!  After watching (and listening) to an episode a few times you’ll notice yourself picking up the language quite easily as well. 

The online format is very user-friendly.  Simply go to the Chappaqua Library website, www.chappaqualibrary.org, and under “Resources” box, click on “Online Resources.”  From the list of subjects offered, click on “Language,” then “Muzzy online” in the search box. Then select a language and choose to watch the “Movie Time,” or full-length segments, of the videos online. 

Expanded online features include the option to break down lessons by level, including with or without subtitles as the student progresses through the levels. 

Level 1: 
Greetings, the Verb to Be, Saying I Have, and More
Asking for Things, Asking for and Giving Information and More
Likes and Dislikes, Saying How You Feel and More
Parts of the Body, Saying What is Happening and More
Months, Seasons, Negatives, and More
Comparatives, Why, Because and More

Level 2: 
Adverbs of Frequency, Telling Time, and More
Quantities, Describing Past Events, and More
Irregular Verbs and To Be in the Past Tense and More
Expressing Future Intentions, Questions with How, and More
Making Comparisons, Giving Directions, and More
Exclamations, Dates, Making Suggestions, and More

Muzzy Online is a terrific new addition to the library’s opportunities for online access and one in particular aimed at a younger audience.  Young patrons love using the computer stations in the Children’s Room. But this is also an opportunity for them to learn how to access library services from their home computer.  I hope you will enjoy exploring Muzzy Online with your children in all the languages available.  If you don’t have another opportunity to raise your child with a second language, consider Muzzy as a practical and fun alternative.

Check out the Chappaqua Library’s full online calendar of events for kids every week by clicking HERE.  You’ll find “Parlons francais avec Lyls” on Tuesday, July 12, at 4:30 p.m. and “Spanish beyond Hola!” on Thursday, July 14, at 4:00 p.m.

Eleanor Friedman is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Chappaqua Library.