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Kia ora and welcome to Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi - join online now.
Languages
Take a break with news and views in your language.
Discover a world of language resources
We can help you learn another language or improve the language skills you already have. Maybe you want to read a book, magazine or newspaper in a language other than English? We can help.
Join the library: information in community languages
Information on joining the library in community languages.
Code of Conduct: information in community languages
Read the library Code of Conduct in community languages.
World Languages
Read books, newspapers and magazines in languages from all over the world.
We have online resources as well as titles to borrow and take home. For a full list of languages available see our World Languages Collections page.
PressReader: Newspapers from around the world
Use your library to access online newspapers and magazines in 60 different languages including Chinese, French, German, Arabic and more.
LOTE4Kids
Storytime in your language! Kids can enjoy a digital collection of books in Languages Other Than English, including NZSL and te reo Māori.
Enjoy world cinema with Kanopy
Watch films in 40 languages, including Spanish, German, French, Russian, Arabic and Japanese online with Kanopy.
Read in your language with OverDrive
OverDrive has eBooks in a range of languages including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog and Italian.
PressReader: Newspapers from around the world
Use your library to access online newspapers and magazines in 60 different languages including Chinese, French, German, Arabic and more.
LOTE4Kids
Storytime in your language! Kids can enjoy a digital collection of books in Languages Other Than English, including NZSL and te reo Māori.
Enjoy world cinema with Kanopy
Watch films in 40 languages, including Spanish, German, French, Russian, Arabic and Japanese online with Kanopy.
Read in your language with OverDrive
OverDrive has eBooks in a range of languages including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog and Italian.
eMagazines from around the world
World Languages Collection
Including Afrikaans, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Polish, Rarotongan & more
FAQ: Languages available on the self-issue kiosks
Issue your own library items from our self-issue kiosks in a range of different languages, including Māori.
Learning English
Borrow English language courses, grammar titles, or books in simple English to help you learn or access online resources focused on improving your English skills.
Learning English eResources
Arrivals in English
Aimed at Beginner-level learners this resource provides practical English for newcomers adjusting to life in New Zealand.
Tense Buster
Improve your English with Tense Buster which helps learners with 33 key grammar areas at five levels.
Practical Writing
Practical Writing is for students who need to use written English both in their studies and in their personal life.
Active Reading
Improve your reading skills, Active Reading will help those learning English to read more efficiently and more confidently.
Clear Pronunciation 2 Speech
Learn to speak English clearly, after completing Clear Pronunciation 1 Sounds learn to put the sounds of English together for natural speech
Road to IELTS: General
Self-study preparation course to help you prepare for the globally recognised IELTS exam. Tests English proficiency at a general level.
Clear Pronunciation Sounds
Learn to speak English clearly, recognise and pronounce the 43 sounds of English through audio, video and interactive activities.
Mango Languages
Mango is an online language learning system that can help you learn the most popular languages in the world.
Road to IELTS: Academic
Self-study preparation course to help you prepare for the globally recognised IELTS exam. Tests English proficiency at an academic level.
In the catalogue: Learning English
Learning Te Reo Māori
Read books in te reo Māori, borrow language courses, dictionaries, phrase books and more.
Celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori / Māori Language Week at the library or find recommended resources to help you improve your te reo Māori skills.
Learning te reo Māori
Explore library resources to help with learning and improving your reo Māori.
Beginners kete to learning basic Māori
Download and print our foldable wallet card resource that was created to help beginners learn some basic te reo Māori words and greetings.
Te reo Māori reading for adults
Recreational reading in te reo Māori for more advanced or older readers - fiction, poetry, traditional stories, essays, biography & history.
Gavin Bishop in Te Reo Māori
Complete two challenges for the 24/25 Summertime Reading Challenge. Read a book by Gavin Bishop and reading a book in Te Reo Māori!
Learning te reo Māori
Explore library resources to help with learning and improving your reo Māori.
Beginners kete to learning basic Māori
Download and print our foldable wallet card resource that was created to help beginners learn some basic te reo Māori words and greetings.
Te reo Māori reading for adults
Recreational reading in te reo Māori for more advanced or older readers - fiction, poetry, traditional stories, essays, biography & history.
Gavin Bishop in Te Reo Māori
Complete two challenges for the 24/25 Summertime Reading Challenge. Read a book by Gavin Bishop and reading a book in Te Reo Māori!
Te Reo Māori learning titles
New Zealand Sign Language
Find recommended resources on our New Zealand Sign Language Week page, or borrow sign language grammars, workbooks and DVDs.
The New Zealand Sign Language Collection
A sign language reference collection including accounts of the deaf experience.
New Zealand Sign Language
Find out more about New Zealand sign language and browse NZSL resources. NZ Sign Language Week is from 6 to 12 May 2024.
CINCH Community Information Christchurch
Visit the CINCH online directory to join and connect with community groups, organisations, activities, education, and hobbies.
