Mango Languages

What have you learned in your new language today?

We all do it: eagerly dive into our new year’s resolution lists in January and February but stuff them into a drawer in March and forget about them by April.

If learning a new language was on your list this year, consider this your reminder: you still have a few months left. And we want to help.

Last week we asked you what keeps you motivated and what challenges you face when learning a new language.

Pauline Lévesque posted on the Mango Facebook page, “What keeps me going in learning a new language is to be able to speak with the natives when I go on a trip…very satisfying.”

If you’re in a language-learning rut, have you thought about going somewhere where you can speak with a native? It doesn’t have to be around the world; does your city have a China Town or Little Italy? How about popping in a foreign film tonight to get you motivated to keep learning? Check out our post from last week to get some ideas for more fun ways to practice your new language.

What have you learned in your new language today?

Look for more motivation and join the conversation on Facebook or follow the hashtag #LanguageResolution on Twitter.

Language Learning Motivation: Love.

Meet Mango user Jason. Here was his motivation to learn a new language:

“I met and am engaged to a Brazilian who was already living in the US.  I’m doing everything I can to learn the language because our wedding is next year in Brazil and I want to be able to do my vows in both English and Portuguese.”

We heard Jason’s story and wanted to help. We had Josiane, a Mango from Brazil, help us translate Jason’s vows and record herself saying them so he could practice the pronunciation.

Last month, during their wedding ceremony in the states, Jason delivered his vows in his now wife’s native language, Brazilian Portuguese.

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Jason. And for letting us be a part of your journey. We have goosebumps.

What motivates you? Have you completed a Mango lesson today?

Happy new year! Yes, we know it’s August.

Remember that resolution you made to learn a new language this year?

You only have five months left. But don’t panic.

We’ll whip you into prime language-learning shape in time to wish your friends and family a happy new year in Italian. Or maybe chat up some charming locals in Brazilian Portuguese on your holiday vacation.

Just call us coach Mango. We’d tell you to get off your couch and get started but there’s really no need. Stay where you are and grab your computer or your phone. We’re bringing the language learning and motivation to you.

Day 1 to-do:

Login and complete at least one lesson today. It only takes around 15 minutes. Let us know what you’ve learned today on the Mango Facebook page or on Twitter @mangolanguages!

Like and follow Mango for daily motivation and ideas on how to make your language learning journey even more fun.  Share the conversation or join in with the hashtag #LanguageResolution.

This is the year. Let’s do this together.

It’s a Mango social: now share your progress on Facebook and Twitter

Earn social badges and share your language learning progress with friends when you access Mango through your library.

Show off.
You can now let you friends and followers know when you’ve finished a Mango lesson or chapter by posting to Facebook and Twitter from within the course.

Game on.
Don’t let your hard work go unnoticed.  With every chapter you complete, you’ll unlock a new Mango badge as a reward for your progress. Post your badges to Facebook and Twitter to strike up some friendly competition with fellow Mango users.

So, go ahead. Shout your progress from the mountaintops, rally a support group, find a study partner or heck, just show off a little.

Want to learn a new language free through your library? Head to findmango.com to find Mango Languages in a library near you to get started.

Language Learning Myths: Everyone Speaks English

“Everyone speaks English.”

They don’t. Myth dispelled.

And even if they do, you’re much more likely to make new friends or at least encounter polite locals if you learn enough for basic communication in their language.

Story time:

Il y avait une fois (once upon a time), I was staying in the francophone province of Québec, Canada when I called for a cab to the airport. The driver spoke to me in heavily-accented English, not knowing that I speak French.

Having spent all my Canadian money on maple syrup scented candles the day before, I asked him if he accepted credit cards in his cab.

He became furious, mumbling in French about disrespectful Americans who don’t even bother to exchange their money.

So I responded en français, apologizing and saying I could call a different cab or asking if it would be better if we stop at a guichet automatique (ATM) on the way so I could withdraw more Canadian money.

He completely changed.

He wanted to know how I learned French, why I was in Québec and wanted to make sure I visited his favorite spot for late night poutine. We stopped at the guichet automatique and chatted in French all the way to the airport.

When we arrived though, he wouldn’t accept my money. He told me to keep the Canadian cash; that this way, I would have to keep my promise to come back to Canada.

Speaking the native language might not always equal free cab rides. But it will equal a better overall experience abroad and friendlier locals.

Do you have any examples of a time when knowing the local language has completely changed your experience while traveling?

Mango Languages: Academic Libraries Love Mango

Why should public libraries get to have all the fun? Did you know that Mango Languages is available to academic institutions, as well? Check out these case studies below to see how these colleges and universities are using Mango to help their students start a conversation – and keep it going.

Troy University Librares: Making language learning part of campus life

Mango Languages, in use at Troy University since 2008, has helped bridge the gap to give hundreds of international students access to an English language learning resource they can use as needed, and prepare students and professionals for international travel. As Mango is accessible over the internet, users can log in and practice from home, using their computers, tablets or the iPhone and Android apps- giving them the ability to practice and improve their skills on their own time.

Pittsburgh State University: Giving a university library new value for students and staff

“I love Mango—it’s one of our most-used databases and it gets people talking about the library. It’s not a typical purchase for us since it’s not focused on research, but it allows us to promote the library to the wider university community, since it’s something everyone can use.”

-Susan Schreiner
Pittsburgh State University, Leonard H. Axe Library

Hope International University: Global vision, global resources

With students traveling across the world for mission trips, including many to countries speaking less commonly taught languages, Mango Languages at Hope allows for the university to support students and provide them the resources they need without a large foreign language department.

Maybe the most important and valuable use of the language learning software at Hope is with its large Korean exchange student population. Mango gives these students a way to practice their spoken English and refine their skills, as well as adding helpful cultural tips and advice, that make their transition to an American university as smooth as possible.

Jackson State Community College: Language learning an “ace in the hole” for the college library

“Mango is my ace in the hole—a strong promotional tool for my library because it’s fun, inviting and useful. As a former language teacher myself, I’ve been extremely impressed with its methodology. Mango staff go above and beyond in working with us to make sure our needs are met—and the free promotional resources are fantastic!”

-Scott Cohen
, Jackson State Community College

Spanish is the only foreign language class offered at Jackson State Community College, but, thanks to Mango Languages, it’s just one of over 40 foreign languages available to students. Within the next few years, the college will launch a study abroad program, with the library—and Mango—playing a vital role in preparing students for the language and cultural needs of living in a foreign country. Particularly at a small community college, language learning truly can open up the world for students.

Want to learn more about what Mango can do for your academic institution? Sign up for a webinar below!

3 Ways to Make Language Learning Suck.*

*sometimes mangoes are facetious.

Want to wake up dreading to learn a new language? Looking to hate every second of it? Follow these simple steps:

1. Make it tough to access.

The less accessible, the easier to put off. Make sure you have to go through a lot of steps to get started like having to sift through piles of CDs stuffed in your desk drawer.

Foreign language learning mobile apps? Forget it. Make sure you can only learn tethered to an uncomfortable desk chair.

2. Make it super boring.

Think of your least favorite middle school teacher. You know the one. Make sure your experience feels like you’re stuck back in those little desks.

3. Make it impractical.

Being able to use what you’re learning in a new language is too fun. Here are some of the top phrases you should be learning:

The boy eats the elephant.
The tired man sat on the purple bus.
The young girl likes to waterski.

To learn a new language is a lot of work. It’s never easy. But it can be simple. And it doesn’t have to suck.

Mango is easy to access.
You may even have free access through your public library. Go to our website and and click on the library locator at the bottom of the page to find out.

You can learn remotely online at home in your PJ’s. Bonus points if you can find PJ’s with mangoes on them.

Take language learning with you wherever you go with our mobile apps for Android and iPhone mobile devices.

See? Super easy to access.

Mango is not boring.
With interactive features like phonetic pop-ups and a voice comparison tool that lets you hear your accent compared to a native speaker, you won’t be able to wait for the next lesson.

Mango is practical.
Here’s the deal: Mango takes practical conversations, splits them up into bite-sized parts, teaches you those parts and shows you how to build the original conversation and others. It doesn’t get much more practical than that.

Give un-sucky language learning a try with Mango Languages.

Thanks, St. Clair County Library System

A big Pirate shout out to our friends at the St. Clair County Library System (Michigan), where our program was recently celebrated in a major way. At their Pirate Day on June 27, patrons and staff members of all ages dressed up like scallywags to promote the Mango Languages Pirate course. Patrons walked the plank, viewed a live fencing demonstration, created a parrot for a pirate craft, and had everyone laughing with pirate jokes. Kids and parents alike had a swashbuckling good time! Everyone was thrilled to learn how to speak Pirate through Mango (in addition to our other 40+ languages) and every pirate went home with some booty – a Mango bookmark!

What an awesome way to get your patrons talking – in any language! Virtual “high five” to the St. Clair County Library System!

Mango’s Making Waves

Felicidades to Mango CEO, Jason Teshuba, a semi-finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year program in the category of Services.  The prestigious program has been around for more than 25 years and celebrates those in the community who exhibit the qualities of a true leader. This title is especially noteworthy for Jason, as “entrepreneurial spirit” is one of our core values at Mango Languages, along with positive attitude, innovation, integrity, quality, and fundipline. Congratulations to Jason and the entire Mango team for all of the hard work and for continuing to make a difference in the community!

Click here to see a full list of all of the winners and learn more about the Entrepreneur of the Year program. 

Adios Anaheim, Hola Seattle

Here at Mango, we’re still coming down from our California high at ALA Annual. A little Vitamin D does the body, and soul, good.  So does hanging out with our library friends from all over the world. We hope you enjoyed our Greek and Japanese demos, meeting our new friend Libby the Librarian and of course, the Mango smoothies.

Thanks to all who stopped by the booth to chat especially those who chatted us up in a foreign language. Additionally, félicitations to Maureen Spatz from Lansing Public Library who is the winner of a brand new iPad! We look forward to a slightly colder, but equally awesome, time with all of you in Seattle at Midwinter.

Weren’t able to stop by the booth? Be sure to sign up for a webinar to learn how Mango can make your library a hub for language and culture – and check out all of our pictures from Anaheim on Facebook.