Methodology
There’s science at the center of this Mango.
Intuitive Language Construction: It’s how we roll.
Every Mango course, chapter and lesson incorporates our Intuitive Language Construction methodology, designed to simulate the way people learn when actually surrounded by a foreign culture through practical conversation.
Intuitive Language Construction increases what you learn, AND your ability to use it. Each lesson covers all four key-language components—Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Grammar and Culture – while maximizing comprehension and retention. A working knowledge of each component, and the ability to combine them correctly, is crucial to being understood and accepted by native speakers.
Vocabulary
Mango focuses on words and phrases that will be the most valuable in common, real-life situations for each specific language and culture.
Vocabulary words are taught through conversation, rather than just a list, to help users understand context and make the most of their time. After just one Mango lesson, you’ll be speaking in your new language, and have fun doing it!
Pronunciation
Mango takes pronunciation to a whole new level, helping learners speak more accurately and conversationally. Our audio is recorded by professional native speaking voice talent, using the standard dialect, giving users the best possible baseline to model their own pronunciation after.
We’ve also integrated a variety of interactive tools designed to help improve pronunciation. Users can interact with any word, at any time, to view its phonetic spelling. We provide two different pronunciation speeds. The fluent pronunciation is spoken at a normal conversational speed. In the articulate pronunciation, the narrator speaks more slowly, and enunciates each syllable. Our voice comparison tool allows users to speak into their microphone, see a visual representation of their pronunciation compared to the narrator’s, and adjust until they are as close as possible.
Grammar
Grammar instruction is at the core of what makes the Intuitive Language Construction Methodology truly unique. Because each lesson is based on actual conversation, Mango students are CONSTANTLY learning about grammar and sentence structure at the same time they’re learning vocabulary and pronunciation.
Through Mango’s semantic color mapping, literal translations, grammar notes and critical thinking exercises, users are able to easily identify and recognize linguistic patterns. As they learn, they begin to intuitively understand how the words and phrases are combined to construct meaning. They can then use what they learn and apply it to similar conversations. The knowledge is acquired without the user even realizing it! We call it Stealth Grammar because it just sneaks up on you.
Culture
Mango integrates cultural insight into every lesson, ensuring users develop an understanding of the expectations, customs and etiquette of the people they want to communicate with. Understanding culture helps students know which conversational tools are most appropriate for which situations and which audiences.
Our curriculum is developed by native speaking professional language teachers, many of whom teach at the university level and hold PhDs. They understand the cultural challenges that a learner will face and carefully design each learning experience to help overcome those challenges.
Comprehension
Our system was conceived as an online experience. It incorporates strategic instructional design, developed to be as effective as possible for online learners only. It’s designed to help users overcome the challenges associated with the online learning environment, and truly comprehend what they learn.
Retention
Mango’s simple yet powerful interface manages a variety of recognized retention challenges, including cognitive load and “the forgetting curve.” Memory exercises are seamlessly integrated with new information throughout each course, reinforcing the information at key intervals, and ensuring that it can be committed to long-term memory.
Intuitive Language Construction brings all of these factors together to make Mango a fun, easy and incredibly effective resource for your foreign language and ESL users!
Organic Learning
Mango’s organic learning lessons are designed to help users continue increasing their vocabulary, cultural insight outside of the Mango lessons! These lessons are focused on teaching a variety of useful questions and communications, which allow users to ask about a word they don’t know, request additional information about any given subject, get clarification from the person they are speaking to and more. The more you implement organic learning, the more you’ll be able to learn!
Intuitive Language Construction brings all of these factors together to make Mango a fun, easy and incredibly effective resource for your foreign language and ESL users!