Judging just by its name alone, Iceland seems like the home of nothing but frozen tundra, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. A hotel made of ice, sunshine at midnight, natural hot springs, a prime view of the Northern Lights and active volcanoes all attest to the fact that Iceland is a place of excitement and energy. In fact, you might say that visiting Iceland is as epic as its proud Norse sagas.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll see in the Icelandic course.
For example, to say, “Hello, how are you?” in Icelandic, you literally say, “Blissful. How do you have it?”
Cultural notes like this one throughout the course teach you about Icelandic culture and reinforce what you’re learning in the chapter.
learn icelandic
Mango teaches you the most relevant information you need to know to start to speak Icelandic right away. Most importantly, you’ll have some fun in your new language by learning things like this:
learn icelandic
Already use Mango Languages through your library? Check out the course list to see these new additions.
Want to see if your library offers Mango? Visit findmango.com to find out and start learning!
We are thrilled to announce the release of Mango Languages’ Religious and Scholarly Language Collection.
This means you can now learn Latin, Koine Greek, Ancient Greek and Biblical Hebrew for free through your library and Mango Languages, the only language learning company offering a Religious and Scholarly Language Collection.
These specialized courses focus on passages from historical books, poems and religious documents, providing insight into the cultures in which the languages were spoken.
Learn Latin
While Latin may be considered a dead language by some, it is still alive in so many ways! Due to the expanse and longevity of the Roman Empire, Latin influenced both English itself as well as many of the other languages that influenced English years later. So, by choosing to study Latin, you’re not only connecting with texts that were written thousands of years ago, you’re also connecting with many of the modern languages we know and love today!
Learn Latin
Learn Biblical Hebrew Travel back thousands of years to the time of the Old Testament to learn the language in which Genesis was actually written: Biblical Hebrew! Although these stories and scriptures might be familiar to you, approaching them from the viewpoint of a new language will give you a whole new perspective – you may feel closer than ever to words you’ve known for years.
Learn Biblical Hebrew
Learn Koine Greek Koine Greek was the universal Greek dialect spoken from about 300 BCE to 300 CE. Spread in part by the conquests of Alexander the Great, Koine Greek sprung up as a common language among troops of the prolific conqueror and was spoken in the many countries they conquered, all the way from Egypt to India. It is the language in which the Septuagint and the Christian New Testament were originally written as well as the language in which Christianity was spread during its early years. Koine Greek was also spoken in the Roman Empire but was later replaced by Latin in the West, while it survived in the East.
Learn Koine Greek
Learn Ancient Greek Since the Renaissance’s revival of Ancient Greek philosophy and literature, the works of Homer, Plato and Aristotle have established themselves as Western canon that is still taught today. Prevalent in more than just the arts, Ancient Greek – which was spoken primarily from the 9th century to the 4th century BCE – was also the language from which revolutionary breakthroughs in science, math and architecture were first developed. An impressive culture indeed!
Learn Ancient Greek
Already use Mango Languages through your library? Check out the course list to see these new additions.
Want to see if your library offers Mango? Visit findmango.com to find out and start learning!
If your library offers Mango Languages, we are sure that you already love the online language learning program (how could you not!?). But the real challenge is making sure your patrons love the program just as much. Well, challenge no more. Thanks to the Mango Administration Portal (MAP), you have a plethora of tools right at your fingertips to promote this database at your library.
In the MAP, you will find free resources (logos for your website, sample blog posts, press releases, customizable posters), promotional items (t-shirts, bookmarks, water bottles), and even tasks you can perform to earn more materials (host a Mango day, write about Mango in your library’s newsletter, create Mango promotional materials). Mango works with your library as a partner, so all materials in the MAP were created specifically with librarians in mind. Like you, we want to make sure that your community is aware of all of the awesome offerings provided by your library.
Mango wants to help you make your library a hub for language learning and culture. With both ESL courses (English as a second language) and foreign language courses, we provide you with relevant material that continues to make your library a valuable resource for your entire community.
Still not sure how to best market language learning at your library? Be sure to contact your Mango Rep or visit our Facebook and Twitter pages to chat with other librarians who have tips and tricks to share!
What is a creative way you have marketed Mango at your library?
We asked what Journeys you would take with more advanced language learning content from Mango Languages. The results are in and the following Mango fans are each receiving a free Mango Passport Journeys One, Two and Three bundle! Congratulations and happy learning to everyone who submitted a response!
Tony from Redondo Beach said:
I have completed your free trial for Brazilian Portugueses over 38 times. Over the last 17 years, I have trained in the Martial Art of Brazilian Jiu jitsu, have met so many people who are Brazilian. I am traveling Brazil in August and it has been time to finally learn the language.
With Mango, I am excited and your program is fun and keeps my attention with the interaction on screen.
With the Brazilian Portuguese bundle it will open more doors for my in Brazil this summer and help with social projects I am doing the children such as “Kites for Kids!”
Jason said:
I have nearly the same situation as Shawn Howe… I met and am engaged to a Brazilian who was already living in the US. She is tri-lingual (Portugese, English and Spanish) and I was completely blown away at how she picks up on language, culture, sarcasm, etc.
She also learns a new English word every day from me. Today’s word was Hiatus, for example. She taught me and my kids basic Portugese phrases, but I had a thirst for more, so I picked up Mango from the military and learned enough to have basic conversations when I meet her family in Brazil next year.
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 Portugese. I’ve considered post-military to possibly working an embassay job there. I love the Unites States and want to continue serving our great country, but I would love the opportunity to live there for some time as well. Please send me the Passport so I can futher my understanding and impress her friends and family!
Geraldine said:
After my husband died in 2000, I started to travel with two ladies who grew-up in Puerto Rico, and are fluent in both English and Spanish.
I wanted to learn Spanish and surprise my Puerto Rico friends with my accomplishment, so I began taking lessons from a college student. Unfortunately, I was having a terrible time trying to learn a new language in my late sixties.
Recently I discovered Mango Languages when it was offered through my local library. I was thrilled with the teaching method used by Mango Languages, and I was learning Spanish at age 70!
We are so thrilled and honored to have amazing fans like all of you. Your stories have touched us. Enjoy your courses and stay in touch. We all want to hear how your journeys unfold!
Warren and Betsy Talbot of marriedwithluggage.com applied what they were learning in Spanish with Mango during their first stop on their amazing trip around the world: Ecuador.
In his own words, Warren Talbot describes their Journey learning Spanish in Ecuador and interacting with locals:
“We started our trip in northern Ecuador, just outside of Otavalo. This area does see a fair amount of tourists for their huge and diverse Saturday market, but the vast majority of people speak no English. This turned out to be the perfect scenario to start to learn a language.
Our first of many funny experiences occurred when we headed into the local food market for breakfast. We were clearly the only foreigners, and from the looks of it, it appeared like we were the only outsiders to enter this area in some time. We sat down at a stall and decided to order desayuno (breakfast). We started in with the limited Spanish we had learned in our first 2 weeks with Mango Languages, accompanied by as many smiles as we could fit into the request. The woman was delighted that we were trying, though she clearly had no idea what we wanted. Through a series of pointing and finger gestures we were able to order the best empanadas we have had on this trip and some wonderful sweet coffee.
That one experience began a 6 month immersion into Spanish that we absolutely loved. We found that people were always friendlier when we tried to speak Spanish, even if we did it wrong.
A couple of months into our trip we arrived in Baños, Ecuador, a place famous for living in the shadow of a live volcano and for having plenty of hot springs as a result. By this time we were more comfortable with our Spanish and during a hike one morning we stopped at a remote guesthouse for coffee. There were no other guests, and the elderly owners showed us around their beautiful gardens, pointing out plant and animal life and telling us about past eruptions of the volcano. Had we not learned some Spanish, we would have never had this very special memory.
As we neared the end of our time in Ecuador we discovered one of our friends from Otavalo was leading a tour in Cuenca and would have a few hours free to see us. His wife was bilingual and always paved the way for any misunderstandings, and this would be our first time with him alone. He didn’t speak any English. We ended up having a great time together, taking a tour of the city, enjoying a local specialty in a roadside restaurant, and strolling around the main square with ice cream to end the day. We bonded with him like never before because there was no middle man paving the way. And believe us, when you no longer have need of a middle man, you experience a country in a completely different way.
Through the last 18 months we’ve had some wonderful interactions with locals as we work to pick up Spanish, Thai, and now Mandarin. From a Spanish-only 4-day trek in Peru, to chatting with monks in a temple in Thailand, and recently to eating with a family in China our ability to communicate, even in a small way, opens people’s hearts (and sometimes homes) to us.
For us, learning a language serves many practical purposes on this adventure: getting directions, buying groceries, asking for help on public transportation, finding the restroom. At one point we got sick and needed to see a doctor. We were able to find out where the doctor’s office was, tell him our symptoms and even engage in a bit of small talk about our travels, and go to the lab and pharmacy. Knowing some language when you travel in a country gives you comfort that you can handle most things that come your way, expected and unexpected.
However, the true benefit to learn a language is the opportunity to communicate and learn from people in a completely different culture. Even if it is just a few words in the local language, people will smile and light up your day. New experiences and opportunities will appear that you never thought possible. Inevitably you will engage in a discussion and learn something new about a person, a place, or a culture all by being able to share a common language. It does not require you to be fluent, but merely be willing to start learning. Most importantly you must be curious, as curiosity leads to the greatest discoveries.”
What inspiring stories would you like to bring back from an adventure like Warren’s? Tell us what kind of Journey you would take with more advanced content from Mango Languages and you could win a Mango Passport bundle containing Mango Passport Journeys One, Two and Three!
After meeting and marrying a Brazilian woman living in the US, Shawn Howe fell in love with his new wife’s native language and culture.
Starting off with a friendship that developed into a romance, Shawn’s relationship with his wife has opened his mind and expanded his world view.
“When I first met my wife, I thought they spoke Spanish in Brazil! The only things I thought about that country were beaches and beautiful people everywhere. I didn’t know how amazing of a culture they have, what great food, how warm the people are- I didn’t know any of that. I’ve learned so much over the past two years.”
During those years, he has not only dedicated himself to learning Brazilian Portuguese to better communicate with his wife’s friends and family in Brazil, but also to better understand and appreciate their culture.
“I feel like I’m a part of the Brazilian culture now. Whenever I hear something about Brazil, I tune in or look it up. I’m totally consumed with it now. My favorite part is the food though- I love Brazilian food. I would be stuffed out of my mind but people would keep saying, ‘have some more.’ It was so good I couldn’t say no.”
Meeting his wife provided Shawn with the motivation and means to learn a new language and broaden his horizons.
“My mind is much more open now. Growing up, [my hometown] was my world. I met my wife and she introduced me to new foods, new drinks and new people. She opened my mind completely. Before, I never really cared to learn a new language. Now, I’m motivated. I’m enjoying learning and I’m proud of myself.”
Through studying with Mango Languages, Shawn was able to better connect with his wife’s friends and family and navigate his way through stores and restaurants in Sao Paulo.
Do you want to fall in love with a new culture like Shawn did? Tell us what kind of Journey you would take with more advanced content from Mango Languages and you could win a Mango Passport bundle containing Mango Passport Journeys One, Two and Three!
Jean-François Dubé, 27, of Montreal set out to learn Thai with Mango Languages before his thrilling and culture-rich experience discovering Thailand.
Without plans or even a hotel booked, Jean-François Dubé jetted to Thailand to immerse himself in the language and culture during his month-and-a-half stay. Nighttime spearfishing, motorcycling through remote Thai villages and connecting with the locals filled his spontaneous itinerary.
“My favorite experience is when we went spear fishing and got enough fish to feed fourteen people. That was the best experience of my whole life. We took a lot of risk from what I’ve heard later. I guess it’s not a good thing to swim at night with dead fish attached to you when there are sharks around…I didn’t think of it at the time.”
Although he believes that when it comes to travel, “the less plans, the better,” Dubé did prepare for his trip by learning Thai with Mango.
“I wanted my first trip to Asia to be a full experience. For me, to learn a language is a cultural thing. The experience is totally different when you try and immerse yourself in the culture.”
Dubé’s adventure took him outside the city where he had to use what he learned of the language to find his way.
“I took a motorcycle into the country and got a bit lost. In the little cities, they don’t speak English as well as in the touristy places so knowing some Thai saved me a lot of trouble because I could say where I was going and get help. Because I used Mango to learn Thai, it created a link with the locals also. There’s a use for us to learn a language but it’s also a basic respect to talk to someone in their own language. It’s the same as if I were in Montreal. If an American came to me and tried to speak to me after they took the time to learn French, I would enjoy helping him more because I would feel an openness with our language.”
A native of the francophone Canadian province of Quebec, Dubé’s first language is French, adding an interesting layer to his language-learning experience.
“French is my first language but I learned Thai in English with Mango. While I was doing it I said to myself, ‘Wow, I’m starting to learn a language in another language that I don’t usually speak!’ At the end of the course, I was often thinking in English.”
For Dubé, the importance of language goes far beyond learning solely for travel but is deeply rooted in his upbringing and day-to-day life in the bilingual city of Montreal.
“Even if you don’t travel, learning languages opens your mind to other cultures. When I speak another language, I feel like I’m in that country. Every time you learn a language, there’s always a story that goes with it. I feel like I share something else with the rest of the world. There’s something special about it.”
Dubé plans to continue his culture and language adventures in India this fall, “I’m planning to spend two months in India by myself. India is a passion for me even though I’ve never been there. This summer I’m going to use Mango to learn Hindi and I am even learning their national sport! I started practicing cricket two weeks ago; I want to play with them there because that’s their sport.”
Are you an adventurer like Jean-François? Tell us what kind of Journey you would take with more advanced content from Mango Languages and you could win a Mango Passport bundle containing Mango Passport Journeys One, Two and Three!
Formerly the original Mango Passport, Journey One features the basic tools you’ll need to get the most out of your trip, such as greetings, getting around and ordering food:
Journey Two goes beyond the travel-focused content learned in Journey One. In no time at all, you’ll learn how to describe surroundings, make small talk, plan leisure activities and more:
In Journey Three, build upon the knowledge gained in Journeys One and Two. Topics covered include discussing culture, addressing medical conditions, expressing thoughts and feelings and making plans:
Check out our blog posts all this week to hear about the journeys of users just like you and for the chance to win a free bundle of Mango Passport Journeys One, Two and Three in one of eight available languages!
One of the best parts of working at Mango Languages is seeing the product in action. Our company’s core purpose is to enrich lives with language and culture, so we love to hear from people who have used Mango Languages to do just that!
Last month, Mango traveled to Philadelphia for the Public Library Association 2012 conference. We had the chance to talk to many librarians who shared success stories of those who had used Mango to learn a language. Check out the video below to see some of our favorites!
Do you have a story to share? How has Mango enriched YOUR life?
Mango Languages is a language learning system that teaches actual conversation skills, vocabulary, grammar & culture for the world's most popular languages.
It's fast, fun & easy!
Mango’s Intuitive Language Construction methodology is designed to teach practical conversation, and simulate the way people learn when immersed in a foreign culture. Check out how and why it works.
There’s a whole lotta love (and quite a few language lovers) behind every Mango course. See how we put it all together to make Mango the most effective language learning tool available.
