Technically, 2025 was the year of the snake.

For us, it was the year of the librarian.

Every year we add new languages and courses to meet library patrons’ emerging needs and interests. We did plenty of that this year.

But this year, we paired every major platform update with a professional development event for library professionals. Library staff joined us from all over the world to explore topics including:

• Supporting English Language Learners
• Promoting Deaf Culture & ASL
• Amplifying Indigenous Languages & Cultures

So let’s explore what’s new for patrons & library staff. And what’s next for 2026. 👀

Supporting Newcomers & English Language Learners

Of the 140 languages in Transparent Language Online, English continues to be the most learned by library patrons. So we expanded the collection to support more learners.

New ESOL Materials

• English for Newcomers Course: Immigrants and refugees can quickly learn key English vocabulary and culture concepts in the new English for Newcomers course. Originally released in 15 languages, so many libraries requested additions that it’s now available for speakers of 23 languages. That includes some brand new languages for us, including English for speakers of Bengali, Cambodian, Fulani, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Karen, and Tigrinya.

❗Canadian English for Newcomers is coming in early 2026.

• English for Marshallese & Kurdish speakers: Per library request, we also added beginner English courses for speakers of Marshallese and Kurdish.
• US Citizenship Test Course (2025 Version): In September, USCIS announced an update to the US Citizenship test effective in October. To help test takers prep for the new 128-question civics section, we launched a 2025 version of our American Citizenship Test course.

❗A Spanish version of the course is coming in early 2026.

• 5-minute English Test: Speaking of tests, we launched our own English test! The 5-minute English proficiency estimator estimates learners’ possible score ranges on six common scales. Learners can take the test for free to see if they’re ready for paid tests like the TOEFL™ or IELTS™.

Supporting ELLs Panel Discussion Series

Learning English doesn’t happen solely on an app. So, to help library staff better support their English learners beyond our platform, we launched a panel discussion series.

598 library professionals joined us this year to get advice from their peers about hosting English Conversation Clubs and running US Citizenship classes.

Stay tuned for invites to our 2026 panel events. (If you want to get on the invite list, download our ELL Programs Guide. You’ll get 50 pages of free advice from your peers running cool English programs and invites to upcoming events.)

Live Spanish Classes for Library Professionals

Another way library staff can support their ELL patrons? Learn a bit of their language.

Luckily, we know a thing or two about that.

In January, we piloted our first ever 4-week Spanish for Librarians class.

A blend of self-guided lessons in Transparent Language Online and small group classes with a Spanish teacher. Completely free.

The first Spanish for Librarians class went so well we ran 18 more, reaching 68 library professionals. Don’t take our word for it though. Here’s what students had to say:

• “I gained valuable knowledge in library vocabulary, got to practice in applicable situations, and gained cultural knowledge that will also be very valuable to my job.”
• “I would recommend – vocabulary specific to libraries was great, and I liked the dialogue conversation exercises – the practicing aloud. The instructor jumped right in, made us speak, she was approachable and not intimidating.”
• “I would definitely recommend this class to fellow librarians; I refreshed the Spanish I do (did) know and learned a lot in a few weeks. Having only 2 other students in the class meant there was a lot of one-on-one attention.”

❗Spanish classes resume in February, so get on the wait list if you’re interested.

Promoting ASL & Deaf Culture

Added only a few years ago, American Sign Language is also a top 5 most-learned language among library patrons. So we thought it was time to expand this collection too.

ASL for Babies & Children Course

Created by the experts at Signing Savvy (who created our Beginner ASL course for adults), this new ASL for Babies & Children Course is made for parents, teachers, and caretakers who want to learn to sign with a child—whether they’re Deaf or hearing.

The lessons emphasize natural, everyday situations, from play time to potty time, so you can incorporate ASL into the moments you’re already sharing.

“Supporting Deaf Patrons & Culture at Your Library” Event

Supporting Deaf patrons goes beyond ASL. It goes beyond even the Deaf patrons.

In September, we celebrated Deaf Awareness Month by helping library staff celebrate Deaf culture with their entire communities.

303 library professionals joined us for a discussion with the experts at Signing Savvy to explore ideas for supporting Deaf patrons and promoting Deaf culture at your library.

Attendees also got a copy of a free Deaf Culture Outreach Guide with recommended books, resources, and programming ideas to promote Deaf culture at your library.

Promoting Indigenous Languages & Culture

Thanks to our partnership with 7000 Languages, patrons can explore more than 40 Indigenous languages in Transparent Language Online.

This year we added four new Indigenous languages, spoken in every corner of North America:

• Chinuk Wawa (Pacific Northwest)
• Comanche (Oklahoma)
• Hupa (Northern California)
• Taíno (Caribbean)

“Amplifying Indigenous Voices at Your Library” Event

Patrons of Caribbean descent can explore the language of their ancestors with the world’s first online Taíno course. Once thought extinct, there are actually 16+ million descendants living in the US today.

The course creator, Priscilla Colón, joined us for a live event to discuss how libraries can play a role in amplifying Indigenous voices. That includes Indigenous book recommendations, seed library tie-ins, and Indigenous-focused events.

Platform Updates & Staff Training

Lest you think all we did this year was add new languages and courses, your library patrons can now:

• Learn on the go with a fully redesigned mobile app
• Earn badges to celebrate their learning milestones
• Keep their learning streaks alive with home screen widgets
• Localize the interface in new languages including Ukrainian and German.

To keep up with all these updates in Transparent Language Online, subscribing libraries were invited to more than a dozen library staff training webinars throughout the year.

And you can always keep up with the updates and get marketing ideas on a monthly basis with the monthly marketing newsletter! It’ll be the best way to hear about the many exciting updates coming in 2026. There’s a lot to look forward to.

On that note, thank you for another incredible year (and another MLA Platinum Award, nbd). Happy new year and as always, happy learning.