Mango Languages

This is the Year: Join Mango’s Language Resolution

Help your library patrons reach their goals!  Learning a new language consistently tops resolution lists each January, but now it’s September and your patrons only have a few months left before the end of the year.

You and your patrons can like and follow Mango for daily motivation and ideas on how to make the language-learning journey even more fun.  Download this poster to hang in your library and spread the word.

What’s in for your library?  Well, increased usage means that Mango will be a more cost-effective resource for you.  Not to mention, the prizes:

Each month, we’ll recognize the library with the best results based on user sessions. The winners will be entered in to a grand prize drawing at the end of the year for a $500 Mango party at their library and a slew of Mango prizes for library staff and patrons.

Spread the word: this is the year we learn a new language.

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.

Start Bragging. You’ve Earned It.

You and your patrons have worked hard to learn a new language. Why keep it to yourself? Introducing Mango’s new social media feature, which allows users to post their progress to Facebook and Twitter at the end of a lesson or chapter. Inspire some friendly competition in your library with Mango badges. Each chapter unlocks a new badge that will flaunt your language learning prowess to friends and family when posted via social media.

Want to know what makes this deal even sweeter? Every social media post includes a link to FindMango.com, which will help users find the closest local library that offers Mango Languages. This means increased traffic and patronage to your branch and increased awareness for your digital resources.

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

Give your Mango rep a call to learn more about the social media feature and all the ways Mango is working to drive traffic into your library.

An (Educated) Argument for Language Learning

Let’s be honest: being a college freshman can be pretty overwhelming.  In between all of the important decisions to be made (Which associations should I join?  Can I find a mentor?  Should I pursue research opportunities?), it can often be challenging to fit in everything a student wants to do.  But one part of the higher-level education experience that we don’t think anyone should forgo is the opportunity to study and gain skills in a foreign language.

Of course, we’re clearly biased.  So in true academic style, we’re going to lay out our supporting arguments for why we think you should make language learning part of your educational experience.

1)   Increase job prospects and get an edge on the competition.

Knowledge of a foreign language not only increases the number of jobs you qualify for, but it also helps you stand out from the competition – even for jobs that don’t require bilingualism.

2)   Open doors to international opportunities.

Ever wanted to join the Peace Corps?  Volunteer for an overseas Habitat for Humanity project?  What about an international mission trip?  Or perhaps you’d like to teach English abroad?  Knowledge of a foreign language opens the door to a wealth of experiences and opportunities.  Don’t miss out.

3)   Study works in their original form.

We all know that nothing compares to studying a work of literature, poetry, or song in its original form.  Having an understanding of the language provides you with the ability to pick up on tone, voice, and other literary nuances that you likely wouldn’t be able to appreciate if studying a translated version.

4)   Be awesome.

Let’s face it.  Speaking a second language is just plain cool.  Being able to say that you’re bilingual not only impresses friends and colleagues, but also provides you with a greater understanding and appreciation for foreign cultures.  This knowledge will benefit you both academically and professionally, and also opens doors to incredible adventures.  Being able to travel without language barriers allows you to venture off the beaten path, bond with locals, and essentially have the trip of a lifetime.

So we know you may be thinking, “sure, this all sounds great…but how am I going to fit this in to my busy academic calendar?”  We know that it simply isn’t realistic for every student to invest in a full-time foreign language course.  Well here’s the good news: Mango offers instruction in over 40 foreign languages, and it’s available anytime, anywhere for free through most libraries in the U.S.  Log in from home, on campus, or even from your smartphone.  Mango is designed to teach you practical content that you’ll actually use in the real world.  So ask your college library today if they offer Mango Languages.

For more on how Mango Languages can benefit academic institutions – or to sign up for a free trial – click here.

Adventures in Language Learning: Mango Fans Share “Moment of Pride”

This week we asked our Mango fans on Facebook to share with us their proudest language learning moment.  The responses we got were awesome.  Each of the stories – while unique – demonstrated how fruitful it can be to understand and communicate in a second language.  Here’s just a slice of the feedback we received:

• “In Tokyo, I was given the incorrect change when purchasing boat tickets… I was pretty proud when I politely pointed out the cashier’s mistake and he apologized and gave me the correct change.” – Alan D.
• “I outwitted a crooked cabbie in China, found a private club in Mexico, helped a Spaniard navigate the trains in Italy, and swept a cute French girl off her feet, but my happiest moments are when I can help foreigners right here in the USA.” – Donald S.
• “Haggling for art on Montmartre [in Paris]!” – Lola M.
• “I figured out how to purchase a cell phone at the mall in Chile years ago as an exchange student.  I was very proud that I was able to get all my questions understood and answered.” – Danielle S.

These stories of worldly adventure got us thinking about how helpful Mango can be to students who are planning to travel abroad.  While many students traveling overseas may be part of a foreign language program, there are a growing number of programs taught abroad in English that appeal to students of other disciplines, such as Art History, Ancient Civilizations, or International Studies.  Mango provides these student travelers with exposure to content that they will actually need when traveling to a foreign country.  You won’t find any lessons here about “the red cat sitting under table.”  We prefer to focus on practical content used in everyday conversations, such as: names and introductions, getting around, shopping and payment, dining, and asking for help.

And don’t forget the value of Mango’s unique culture notes!  Even if you’ve already taken French 101, Mango may teach you things you never knew about living in, getting around, and avoiding an embarrassing faux pas in France.

So before you book a ticket to study abroad in Italy or plan a volunteer trip to Latin America, make sure Mango is at the top of your prep list.  The experiences you’ll have will be enriched by your understanding of the language.  And who knows?  It may even get you out of a sticky situation…or lead you to love.

For more information on how Mango can benefit college and university students, check out our academic page.

Mango Languages: an A+ Resource for College Campuses

Fact: libraries love Mango, and Mango loves libraries.  But when it comes to our academic clients, we’ve found that Mango’s broad appeal makes it a hit not only at the library, but with many other programs as well.

Here’s just a few of the on-campus programs that Mango can benefit:

Career Center:  As a professional development tool, Mango can help students and alumni build in-demand language skills for the job market.

Study Abroad Program:  Mango prepares students for study abroad, volunteer trips, or international internship programs.

International Student Programs:  International and foreign exchange students benefit from Mango’s large selection of ESL (English as a second/foreign language) courses.

Alumni Association:  Alumni Associations can offer Mango as an attractive membership perk.

Faith-Based Organizations:  Mango can help members prepare for international missionary or volunteer trips.  Also, our specialized religious courses appeal to those who wish to explore Biblical texts in their original language.

So whether preparing to study abroad in China, trying to learn Spanish as a resume booster, or helping international students acquire practical English skills, Mango is the go-to resource to help students, alumni, and even faculty succeed in their mission to learn a foreign language.

To learn more about how Mango Languages can benefit academic institutions, click here.

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.

Learn Swedish: New Language Release

Learn Swedish for free through your library and Mango Languages!

Little known fact: Sweden is actually the second largest country by area in the European Union. This Nordic land is most notable to Americans as the birthplace of Abba, IKEA, the setting for the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo novels, and, of course, Swedish meatballs. However, Sweden offers much more than just some of our favorite pop culture guilty pleasures (lest we forget Robyn and The Cardigans). Thanks to the brand new Mango Languages Swedish course, you are able to explore this country’s rich history, language and culture.

Learn Swedish

Through practical conversations, you will learn how to greet people, how to navigate around the city, and even learn how to request help with your Swedish. Users will learn how to ask “What is the word for this in Swedish” and “Can you say that again?” Mango gives you the tools to improve your language comprehension on your own, without being confined only to the phrases taught in the program. When you learn Swedish with Mango Languages, you are sure to avoid the Abba effect. Too bad our program wasn’t around in the 70s to help our favorite Swedish pop band learn English!

So strap on your Sverigedräkten and get cracking on some Swedish!

Learn Spanish to experience a country in a whole different way in Journey Three

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!