Mango Languages

Mango’s language requirement is what makes us Mango

This blog comes to us from Robbie Linden, a recent addition to our Marketing team at Mango as a Marketing Intern. We are happy to welcome Robbie, not only to Mango, but also to our Mango Languages Blog! Enjoy and look out for more future posts from him.
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Three weeks ago, I began my marketing internship with Mango Languages.  Since then, I have worked hard to learn the tricks of the trade, so to speak.  With any new job comes a new set of expectations, responsibilities, and policies and my internship is no exception.  Though a new parking spot or software program at work is always something to think about, one specific policy at Mango takes a lot of getting used to:  All employees are required to devote an hour and a half each week to learning a new language.

When I first heard of this policy I was bit surprised.  Even though I was excited to learn from Mango for the sake of marketing the product, I thought this requirement might be too much to ask.  Learning a second language seemed like one of those things that requires a huge amount of will power and is a tough thing to ask someone to do by way of a company policy.

Within days of learning of this policy I was proven wrong.  Once I got used to my new work environment, I began to observe some office behaviors from my desk.  I heard people speaking to each other in a multitude of foreign languages and saw their wide grins as they did so.  It was this that helped me understand Mango’s second language policy.  Knowledge of a second language is not merely an asset at Mango Languages, but a way of life.  As a company whose goal is to teach a second language to as many people as possible, it is of the utmost importance that we apply that goal within the company as well as across the globe.  I have come to recognize and respect the fact that the diverse work environment is really what separates Mango.

As far as my studies go, I have enjoyed learning a foreign language through Mango.  I decided to freshen up on my Hebrew, which I have not practiced for 4 years or so now.  Even though I am not a beginner, I have picked up some conversational Hebrew in my first few lessons of Mango that I was stunned I never encountered in my previous years of study.  For example, I never knew that the greeting “שלומך מה” or “how are you” (literally translated as what is your peace) could be reconfigured to mean “I am good” or “Are you good”.  I am looking forward to getting more comfortable with the language and being more conversationally fluent.

I will continue to blog about Mango’s language requirement as I continue my internship and get more used to my work environment.  Hopefully, I can even get some of my coworkers’ opinions on the subject.  Be sure to share your own feelings or personal experience with language requirements in the workplace through Mango’s Facebook or Twitter!

The Foreign Language Problem and an Exciting Solution

It is no secret that foreign language education, or the lack there of, has become an important issue in the US.  Many elementary and high schools have cut their foreign language programs due to budgetary constraint, which is particularly troubling for a couple reasons.  First, countless studies confirm that students pick up new languages quickest at younger ages.  By this logic, students most effectively learn a second language by beginning in elementary school and delaying this process until high school or even college will only reduce their chances of retaining the language.

Second, as new technologies continue to shrink our world, the ability to speak a second language becomes more valuable!  Though it may seem that services like Google Translate make foreign language education obsolete, it is quite the opposite.  If you don’t believe me, check out this recent article published in the UK.  It explains how new career opportunities have begun to present themselves to those that speak a second language.  Due to an unprecedented level of interconnectedness in our world, businesses are more actively looking for employees who can communicate with people across the world, rather than only across the table.

So what exactly is the heart of the issue here?  As the demand for multilingual employees increases, there is less pressure being put on young students to learn second languages.  While many wish to increase school funding to foreign language programs to solve this problem, perhaps it is time to call upon a less conventional solution.  If classroom lectures have become ineffective at teaching students, then maybe we should rely on interactive technology to fill this void.

It is for this reason that we are launching Mango Premiere–a fun, new way to learn a language.  Rather than using traditional vocabulary lists and grammar exercises to learn a language, Premiere will allow users to learn a new language entirely through film!  While being an undoubtedly more enjoyable way of learning, Premiere also has the advantage of seamlessly teaching students practical conversation and culture.  Though cracking open a Spanish 101 textbook can be a daunting task for a learner of any age, committing to sitting down and watching a movie is a much easier feat with an even greater payoff.  While students find themselves staring blankly at a page of a language textbook all too often, Premiere will keep users engaged as they learn a language with cutting edge technology.

With much more detail about Mango Premiere to come, there is a lot to be excited about, as a whole new way of learning language is almost ready to burst onto the scene!

Laughing my Mango off: part deux.

Come Again? 4 Tips for Understanding Non-Standard Dialects and Accents.

9 years ago, as I embarked on my freshman year at college, I decided to start studying German.  I had a laundry list of good reasons to pursue language education, but the truth is that there was one stood out from the rest…his name was Michael.

Like so many others before me, I had fallen starry-eyed in love with a foreigner and wanted to learn the language so that I could communicate with his family and friends.  But I quickly learned that my lessons in hochdeutsch (“high German” or standard German) left me scratching my head when it came to understanding my boyfriend (now, husband) and those close to him.

Trying to understand a non-standard dialect can be a real headache.

That’s because Michael is from the southernmost parts of Bavaria, where a distinct dialect of German is spoken.  I compare it to the differences between British English and the Scottish or Australian accent.  The pronunciation is different enough that, as a non-native speaker, you really have to work to understand it.

It’s taken a lot of time and patience for me to get acclimated to the dialect, and I still struggle when engaging with those with a particularly strong accent.  But I’ve learned a few tips and tricks that may help those in a similar situation:

1)   Use your ears.

This is undoubtedly my #1 tip.  I can’t stress enough how important it is to just listen to those around you.  Even though we live in the U.S., I always listen attentively when Michael is on the phone to his parents.  Since he’s usually telling them about recent events in our life, it’s easy to pick up on what he’s talking about.  Then, I can use those contextual clues to understand what he’s saying.  For example, I recently listened to a conversation he had with a friend and heard him use the word “Buidl” over and over again.  Eventually, from context, it clicked that he was talking about pictures/photos that we had recently taken, and that “Buidl” was the Bavarian word for “Bild”.

2)   Look for signs (literally).

If you have a chance to visit the region or country where the dialect is spoken, you may see written clues in your surroundings that will help decipher dialect-specific vocabulary.  For example, I learned that Bavarians also use the word “Dirndl” (which is the word for the traditional women’s dress – see picture below) to mean “girl”, when I saw it written on a ladies’ room door.  Now, it’s important to note that not all dialects have their own vocabulary or spellings any different than the standard dialect – and even if they do, it may be considered “unofficial”, as most Bavarian words are.  (For example, while you may see Bavarian written on a restaurant menu or used between friends on Facebook, you’d never see it written on an official document or used in a business setting.)

A “dirndl” in a dirndl.

3)   Check out Forvo.

Words cannot express my love for this website.  Forvo provides a huge online database of recorded vocabulary that is crowdsourced by users.  All you have to do it search for a word and Forvo will provide you with a list of all the recorded versions that are available.  Each sound clip indicates which country the speaker is originally from, so you can note the pronunciation differences between each accent.  With almost 300 languages represented, Forvo is a great source for those seeking to improve their pronunciation or become acclimated for a particular accent.

4)   Just ask!

Sometimes, you just have to ask.  Particular words or phrases in my husband’s dialect are so different from standard German, that without asking for clarification, I’d have little hope.  I often find myself requesting “langsamer, bitte” (slower please) or “was bedeutet das?” (what does that mean?) in order to get by.  And don’t be ashamed!  Chances are, you’re not the only one struggling.  I’ve been told multiple times by northern German speakers that they also have difficultly understanding the southern Bavarian accent.  And I’m sure that American English speakers can empathize with the difficulty to understand strong Scottish or Irish accents.  It just takes time and patience, so don’t get yourself down!

Have you ever struggled to understand a non-standard dialect or accent?  What did you do to acclimate?

Mango, Dr. Seuss Style.

Looking for a fun way to promote Mango that will really get your patrons excited?  You might want to take a note from the super-creative folks over at Bedford Public Library.  When they told us about their plan to launch a “Seussified Mango Poem Contest”, we couldn’t help but get excited.  It’s such a unique way to promote the database – and one that all patrons of all ages can enjoy!

Here’s an excerpt from one of the winning entries:

It’s known by all the world ’round
Languages all have a sound
Where you make it, you’ll be known
Among the foreign as their own.

So join us on a learning trip.
You’ll like it; it’s done in a zip.
It’ll be Fred and Ginger, you and me-o
Flying all together down to Rio.

We’ll speak the lingo and we’ll tango
Thanks to the language system Mango.

Would you like to host a Mango-themed contest at your library?  Or maybe you’d like to get other ideas for promoting Mango to your patrons?  We’re here to support you – just contact your Client Care Rep!

Have you heard of Librii?

Librii is helping to bring knowledge and connectivity to developing countries through libraries. Their first stop: Ghana. Check it out.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patricks Day is is quickly approaching  and Mango Languages has just what you need to speak a little Irish on St. Patricks Day. But first, check out some of these fun trivia facts about this green holiday:

• The very first St. Patrick’s Day parade was not in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737.
• Green is associated with Saint Patrick’s Day because it is the color of spring, of Ireland, and of the shamrock.
• 19 Presidents of the United States proudly claim Irish heritage—including our first President, George Washington.
• There are four places in the United States named Shamrock (West Virginia, Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma) and nine Dublin’s (Dublin, California and Dublin, Ohio are most populous)

Using our Irish course, you won’t only learn how to converse in Irish, but you’ll also learn some insight into the Irish culture.

And if you’d like to ask someone if they would like something to drink…

Or if you find yourself on the receiving side of that question…

From everyone at Mango, we wish you a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day!

Learn a language free through your library.

We love this video created by the Green Hills Public Library!

Do you have free access to language learning through your public library? Type in your zip code and find out: findmango.com.

5 Ways to Overcome a Language-Learning “Rut”

It happens to the best of us.  Sometimes you just get stuck in a language-learning “rut”.  Overwhelmed by cases and conjugations, the learning experience doesn’t seem fun anymore.

For those of you who find yourself in this situation, we’ve got a few tips to help you “fire up” the engine and breathe new life into your studies.

1)   Sit back, relax, and immerse yourself

If you’re spending all your learning time engaged in lessons and review, you’re missing a big part of the language-learning experience.  Take some time to sit back and simply immerse yourself in a foreign environment.  Don’t worry about understanding every word – just allow the context of the situation to help you fill in the missing pieces and pick new vocabulary.  Don’t worry, you don’t need to travel to make this work.  Simply tune in to a foreign radio station online or pick up a foreign magazine or newspaper.  Try watching YouTube clips in the language or listening to a song.  In the age of the Internet, there’s a million great ways you can immerse yourself in language and culture – and they’re all at your fingertips!

2)   Review

If you’re frustrated or overwhelmed by your studies, it’s probably not a good time to start learning new material.  Why not take a break and review the things you’ve already learned?  Not only will it help you retain what you’ve learned so far, it will also remind you of how far you’ve come – and probably give you the boost you need to keep going!

3)   Make it fun

Language-learning doesn’t have to be (and shouldn’t be!) a boring experience.  Try thinking about the things you like doing in your native language (for example: reading blogs, interacting on social media, listening to certain genres of music, watching stand-up comedy, cooking, etc.)  Now simply look for ways to do those things in a foreign language environment.  For example: read a foreign blog, “like” a foreign Facebook page, watch stand-up comedy clips on YouTube, purchase a foreign-language cookbook.  Anything you can do to immerse a little bit more language into your everyday experience will help push you towards comprehension and fluency.

4)   Make friends/connections

Nowadays it’s easier than ever to connect with people from other countries and cultures.  A great way to start looking for conversation partners is to simply go to Facebook or Google and search for foreign language organizations in your area.  Or you could search Meetup to look for foreign language events.  Even just joining in on foreign language conversations on Facebook or Twitter can help you pick up the language and make connections with people from that country.  If you find a conversation partner who doesn’t live within driving distance, just use Skype to video chat for free.

5)   Set timelines and goals

Achieving fluency isn’t easy, no matter what language you’re studying.  It takes time, commitment and practice.  So when the journey seems overwhelming, it can help to break down your goals into smaller steps or milestones.  Pull out the calendar and set some deadlines for yourself.  For example: “by the end of the week, I need to achieve 3 hours of learning” or “by the end of the month, I need to complete chapter 1 of Mango.”  Goals can also be theme oriented, such as: “by April 1^st, I want to memorize a comprehensive list of food-related vocabulary.

So if you find yourself stuck in a rut, feeling a little bit uninspired, we hope these ideas will help spur your language-learning love back to life!

How do you stay motivated and interested in language-learning?

Mangoes grow in Detroit.

We are excited to welcome GrowDetroit to the Mango Languages office on March 5th for a meetup to celebrate and support the start-up community in Detroit.

GrowDetroit will be showcasing Mango as one of Detroit’s most promising and innovative companies.

About GrowDetroit:
Inspired to turn Detroit into a vibrant startup community like Boston, Boulder, and NYC, GrowDetroit is a community of ambitious young entrepreneurs and professionals in Southeast Michigan (Greater Detroit + Ann Arbor regions). Grow hosts events and promotes news with the goal of helping start-ups grow and thrive in Southeast Michigan. Started by a group of local Entrepreneurs, the group also publishes “Grown in the D,” the leading directory of Detroit Start-Ups, Michigan Incubators, Groups & Meetups, and Michigan Venture Firms.

Will you be in our neck of the woods? We’d love to welcome you in typical Mango fashion (with pizza and beer).  RVSP and we’ll see you there!