By Public Services Librarian Marisela Garza
You have always wanted to learn Spanish, right? Or was it Turkish you were hoping to focus on this year? Whatever your choice, now you can learn a new language with your CADL library card and a learning system called BYKI-our newest language resource accessible with your home computer and an Internet connection.
BYKI is a self-paced language system that binds foreign language words and phrases into your head. It involves hearing, visualizing, speaking and typing the language, resulting in a greater ability to recall newly acquired vocabulary and sounds. For example, even though I haven’t logged into my BYKI account in several weeks, I can hear and clearly recall that “Entschuldigen Sie” means “Excuse me” in German.
Language acquisition experts call this approach “declarative learning.” According to Wikipedia, “Declarative learning is acquiring information that one can speak about.” This is in contrast to motor learning, such as driving a five speed standard shift transmission which requires eye-foot coordination and other motor skills.
It’s easy to get started using BYKI. From the library’s homepage at cadl.org, click on “Research Tools.”On the next page, choose “Databases.” BYKI is on the alphabetical list. You’ll need to create a profile, then choose a language to focus on, so that the system will have a preferred language to default to each time you sign on. However, you can easily switch to any of the languages offered. And for some learners of English, it is also possible to pick English as your foreign language of choice.
Although we often refer to BYKI as foreign language learning software, it’s really so much more. The system also offers a collection of web resources, as well as a community that lets learners create vocabulary lists and share their learning with each other. Features like the BYKI blog, self-evaluative tests and Word of the Day help keep all your learning fresh.
One of the features I especially appreciate is the turtle icon. When I get stuck with pronunciation problems, I click on the turtle to slow down the speaker’s voice. Another nice feature is special keyboard widgets built right into the program for some of the languages that require unique characters and keyboards. With an external microphone, you can also record your voice using the pronunciation feature, and then see how it compares with that of the native speaker. The dictation feature will sharpen your listening and spelling skills when you type the words and phrases that you hear.
There are over 80 languages to choose from, so start today! Perhaps you will begin reciting French poetry to your beloved by Sweetest Day, Oct. 16: Un éclair… puis la nuit! – Fugitive beauté (“A lightning flash… then night! O fleeting beauty.”)
Need more help? Stop by any CADL location, or check out our YouTube BYKI demonstration at cadl.org. From the homepage, click on “Research Tools,” then “Languages.” Buena suerte! (Good luck!)
The Capital Area District Library Reference Department is located at 401 S. Capitol Avenue in Lansing. Contact them at 517-367-6346 or by e-mail at reference@cadl.org.
This column was originally printed in the September 26, 2010 – October 9, 2010 edition.
