Mango Languages

Increase Your Usage in Just 10 Minutes a Day

Here’s a scenario we run into all the time: a busy librarian approaches us.  They want to do something to increase their usage, but don’t have much time to commit.  Well, the good news is that some of the most effective awareness campaigns take almost no time at all.  Here’s a few things you can do that take no more than 10 minutes to complete.  Pick a week to try a few and let your Client Care Rep know how it goes.

Monday:  Print out a handful of Mango handouts (available via the MAP – “Mango Administration Portal”) to place at your reference desk.  The handouts, which can be customized to add your library’s own unique Mango URL, walk patrons step-by-step through accessing the program and are available in both English and Spanish.

Tuesday:  Check out Mango’s Twitter or Facebook page.  Retweet or share something of interest, adding a reminder that patrons can access Mango through your library for free.

Wednesday:  Got a blog?  Then check out Mango’s sample blog posts, available through the MAP.  Feel free to re-post the articles verbatim, or add information/edit to fit your needs.

Thursday:  Print out a few of Mango’s free 8.5×11 posters and table tents from the MAP.  Post a few around your library to increase awareness among your patrons.

Friday: Grab a Mango poster – along with a few foreign language books or cultural items, arrange them on a table, and ta-da – you’ve got a language-learning display!  This is a fantastic way to grab patrons’ attention and remind them of all of the great language-learning resources you provide.

Bonus Item:  Have you ever put out a press release to let your community know that you offer Mango?  Don’t be afraid to send one out – we see that local news outlets cover stories on libraries that offer Mango all the time.  We even have a standard press release template ready-to-go in the MAP.  Just download it from the “Free Resources” section and update it accordingly with your library’s information.  This is a fantastic way to spread the word to your community – and get a media shout-out for your library!

What does your library do to promote its resources?

Why do you learn a language?

While the end result may be the same for many language-learners, the motivation can be unique for every learner.

Below are three quotes that relate to  three different situations I found myself in this past week.

1.
“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.”
‒Flora Lewis

While catching up with an old friend from high school and mentioning where I worked, I was excited to hear that he had not only heard of Mango Languages, but he was also starting to use it, thanks to Mango Military through the US coastguard! He  shared his new goal to learn Spanish as a new dad and husband. It seemed random at first, as both him and his wife, and their families, all speak English. When I asked why, he told me that he wants to learn Spanish to be able to better communicate with the teachers at his son’s daycare.  It was great to see him making such an effort to ensure that communication was always clear for the well-being of his son, but it also was great to see that language-barriers don’t have to push people apart, in fact in this situation, it is only bringing people closer!

2.
“The limits of my language are the limits of my world.”
‒Ludwig Wittgenstein

A friend from Mexico who recently moved to the United States for work asked me if I knew any fun and easy ways to learn a new language (Mango Languages!) so that his girlfriend who is still in Mexico could start learning English.  After telling him all about Mango Languages I realized that he also had a unique motivation for learning a different language; his future! It was touching to see that he thought about his girlfriend’s comfort and success as they contemplate their future together beyond their comfort zone and in a foreign country.

3.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”
-Nelson Mandela

Hitting a little closer to home, my Turkish boyfriend’s parents, after hearing all about my new job at Mango Languages, wanted to know how and how fast they could start learning English. With my efforts to learn Turkish and their effort to learn English, I was excited at the prospect of us being able to communicate without needing a constant translator (the boyfriend ). I was also touched that they were willing to take time and put an effort into learning a language in order to be able to talk to me and my family. It also made me realize how much it would mean to them and to my boyfriend for me to be able to speak to them in their native language. Without doubt, my Turkish-learning experience continues!

After talking to these friends and family, I realized how extremely happy and thankful I was for being able to be a part of their language-learning experience. In the end, everyone has a different motivation for learning a language. Maybe it is out of necessity, or out of thirst for knowledge, or maybe its for love.  Whatever it may be, I hope you continue to find motivation and encouragement!

Congrats, Wayne County Library System.

Mango would like to congratulate to the Wayne County Library System in Pennsylvania for being selected as the library with the “Most Outstanding Usage” for the month of October!  Boosting user sessions over the past few months, WCLS has driven usage by conducting outstanding outreach efforts to local schools and actively by recommending Mango to patrons looking to learn a foreign language.

Mary Fritz, Outreach Coordinator for WCLS, explained: “We are a large rural county and because of our logistics, many people cannot get to our libraries.  So, we decided to take the library out to the community.”  Mary works with local schools to promote Mango – and the library’s other resources – at Freshman Orientation, Curriculum Night, PTA and faculty meetings, Parent Teacher Conferences and at individual classes.  They also initiated a “Tutoring Tuesday” program, in which students can access the library’s resources during their study hall period, and are working on a “Library Ambassadors” program to encourage students to spread the word about library offerings to their peers.

Mary explains: “The local school districts realize the importance of our resources and are very supportive.  Since August, we have reached out to approximately 2500 students and families through our schools.  I also present our website to business and service groups – and there has been a tremendous interest in Mango Languages overall!  I especially enjoy hearing students say hello, goodbye, etc. in many languages.”

The staff at WCLS explained that the county also has an active adult and senior population who do a fair amount of travel, so librarians regularly point these patrons toward Mango to support their language learning needs.

Mango wants to congratulate WCLS on their outstanding efforts to promote language learning in their community.  They are truly an example to follow.  Keep up the great the work!

Mango’s favorite recycling program.

We want to shine a library spotlight once again on a library staff that never ceases to amaze us with its enthusiasm and creativity.

When Mango sends marketing goodies to libraries, we fill the boxes with love and orange and green crinkle paper.

The staff at the Bedford Public Library saved the Mango packaging, added some love of their own and turned it into beautiful pumpkins.

Thank you, Bedford Public Library, for making us smile.

And now for a serious question: if mangoes stay out too late, do they turn into pumpkins?

Mango Shows Love for Academic Clients

September is here, which means “back to school” season is in full swing.  We’re delighted to say more and more college and university libraries are using Mango – some to supplement a smaller language program, others to assist ESL or study abroad students, and many simply because Mango is a resource with broad appeal.  Mango benefits students, faculty, alumni, and campus organizations alike.  Check out the video below to learn more.

Ready to get your school started?  Click here to set up a free trial, sign up for an informational webinar, read case studies, and much more.

Inspiration: It’s What Keeps Me Going

At the gym the other day, between the monotonous stomping of my feet on the treadmill, I overheard a woman speaking in heavily-accented English.  She was asking her workout partner to show her how to correctly do a push-up.  I listened to her for a few minutes, as she struggled to find the words to describe what she wanted to say.  It made me reflect upon my own experiences as a study abroad student in Munich.  I remember how frustrating it would be to run into situations where I couldn’t accurately express myself.

On one particular occasion, my inability to remember the verb “to pay” meant that I couldn’t tell the waiter that I had already paid my bill.  I recall repeating over and over again: “ich habe schon…ich habe schon…” (“I already…”)  But the word escaped me.  I tried to motion a “paying” action with my hands, but it just confused the waiter even more.  Finally, I remembered the verb and was able to complete my sentence, satisfying the waiter and setting him on his way.

Running into situations such as these occurred on almost a daily basis when I first moved to Munich.  Things that should take moments to complete, often became stressful, drawn-out processes simply due to my inability to correctly express what I wanted to say.  As a grown adult, it was extremely frustrating to have my vocabulary set back to the level of a child, particularly when I still needed to do “grown-up things” (like set up a cell phone or register with the city).

So suffice to say, I completely sympathized with the woman at my gym when I heard her struggling in broken English.  But when I turned around and saw who she had been speaking to all along, I felt an even higher level of respect.  The woman had been speaking with her husband.  It was obvious that they shared the same mother tongue, so it would have been much easier for her to carry on in their native language.  But the fact that she chose to instead practice her speaking skills and converse with him in English, made me beam with admiration.

I’m now married to German-American man, but I have to admit that our daily conversations in German are usually limited to short words and phrases.  Rarely do we commit to conversing fully in German, simply because English is the more natural medium for both of us.  My husband moved to the US when he was 10, so he speaks English as if it were his native tongue.  Plus, we met before I even started studying German, so it’s become what we’re used to.

But I have to admit that seeing this courageous couple made me realize that there’s no excuse not to try.  It also made me think of all the people living in the U.S. who struggle to learn English because they want to create a better life for themselves.  I’m lucky that learning a foreign language has never been imperative for me – it’s always been a choice.  A choice that nonetheless opens the door to many opportunities and experiences.  So what excuse do I have not to practice more often?  Better yet: why would I not want to?

What motivates you to study a foreign language?  When things get tough, what “keeps you going?”

To join Mango Languages’ Language Resolution campaign, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or use the hashtag #LanguageResolution to join the conversation.  Our goal is to make this the year that you commit to learning a foreign language by providing daily challenges, tips, and motivation.  Together, we can do this.

No Excuses: 20 Simple & Fun Ways to Practice a Foreign Language

“I can’t afford to buy study materials”

“Between work and responsibilities at home, I just don’t have the time to study.”

“I can’t find a partner for speaking practice.”

Excuses.  Trust us, we’ve heard them all.  And they just don’t work with us.  The truth is, if you really want to learn a language, you’ll find a way to do it.  There’s actually many easy, simple and fun ways to infuse language-learning into your everyday routine – most of which cost little or nothing at all.  To prove it, we put together a list of 20 suggestions to get you started.

1.  Read a news article in a foreign language.

2.  Write a status update or tweet in a foreign language.

3.  Listen to the live feed of an international radio station online.

4.  Sign up for an international pen pal and exchange emails on a regular basis.

5.  Cook from a recipe that is written entirely in a foreign language.

6.  Rent a foreign movie and watch it without the subtitles.  If that’s too difficult, try turning on the closed captions so that you can see the lines written in the original language, rather than the translated version.

7.  Download a trivia app for your smartphone that’s in the language you’d like to learn.  Still a beginner?  Try looking for a children’s version for simpler phrasing.

8.  Next time you go to the store, practice writing your shopping list entirely in the language you are studying.

9.  Visit a foreign restaurant and try ordering in the language.

10.  Have a partner to study with?  Try playing “I Spy,” “20 Questions,” or Scrabble in the language you’re studying.

11.  In a relationship?  Come up with some fun pet names for your significant other that are in a foreign language (like “Schatz” in German or “Chéri” in French).  Up for a challenge?  Practice writing an entire love letter.

12.  Check out the foreign music charts, pick a couple songs, and see if you can understand the lyrics.  Too difficult?  Look up the lyrics online and you’ve got a great translation challenge!

13.  Next time you need directions, look them up in a foreign language by going to an international version of the Google Maps site (for example: the German, French, or Spanish site).  It’s a great way to learn vocabulary!

14.  Join a foreign language Meetup in your area.

15.  Finding foreign or international clubs or associations in your area is probably easier than you think.  Think outside the box when you’re searching: schools, college campuses, and even churches or other religious organizations can be a great place to look for clubs.

16.  What’s your favorite TV show?  Chances are it either has a counterpart (like American Idol or Survivor) or a dubbed version in a foreign language.  Try downloading episodes or look for clips online to watch.  Alternatively, you could purchase a DVD set online – just be aware that you may need an international DVD player in order to watch it.

17.  “Like” or “follow” a foreign company on Facebook or Twitter.  This will infuse your newsfeed with foreign language content.

18.  Looking for a fun way to practice vocabulary?  Each day, pick a different topic to focus on (e.g. animals, food & drink, or family members) and see how many words you can list for that topic.  Each time you make a list, try to list more words than the day before.  If you want to take this challenge to the next level, see if you can come up with a word beginning with each letter of the alphabet.

19.  Did you know that official Wikipedias have been created in 285 languages?  So if you’re looking for seemingly endless content and articles to browse (on almost any topic), then look no further.

20.  Turn your down-time into language-learning time.  Practice vocab while getting ready in the morning, have a conversation with yourself in the shower (nobody will know – we promise!), or doodle conjugation charts on your lunch break.  Sitting in traffic?  Listen to foreign music and practice singing along.  See?  Almost any situation can be turned into a language-learning opportunity.  There’s simply no excuse not to try.

Remember everyone – let’s make this the year that you commit to learning a foreign language!  Join us on Facebook and Twitter.  #LanguageResolution.  Together, we can do it.

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.