CA’s monthly World Languages Café is a place to speak a language you know or one you are learning, converse in a friendly atmosphere, meet new people who enjoy learning about other cultures, increase your fluency by speaking and listening, pick up useful phrases to use when traveling and recall your childhood language.

World Language Cafés are held once a month year-round. The World Languages Café meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 7-9pm at the 50+ Center of the East Columbia Library (6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia). Come in and and join the language table of your choice. Language tables are hosted by a native speaker who will facilitate conversation. Languages include American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese - Mandarin, Chinese - Cantonese, Dutch, English, Esperanto, Farsi, French, German, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish Gaelic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish.

Children under the age of 13 should be accompanied by an adult. Tea, coffee and water will be available; vending machines with snacks are inside the library. People are welcome to bring food and beverages and may bring treats from their culture to share with their table.

For more information, to find out if there will be a native speaker of the language you are interested in practicing, to become a native speaker table host, or request that your email be added to the World Languages Café email group, please contact Laura Smit at[masked] or [masked] .

If you are a Language Table Host (native or fluent speaker of a particular language), please let us know if you will be able to host by sending an email to [masked] or calling[masked]. If you are new and would like to host a table, please specify which language you speak fluently.

Howard County Library System has a variety of resources to help you practice your language skills at home.! You can participate in free online classes and conversations on sites like Mango and Rosetta Stone — just use your Howard County Library System 14-digit barcode and PIN or password by going to HCLS Now! Online Classes.

Turn left upon entering the East Columbia Library, and go to the large open back room.