Mango Languages

Thanks, Mid-Hudson Library System

Part of a large library system and not sure how to train staff across all branches? Take a note from the Mid-Hudson Library System that managed to train librarians on Mango Languages in all 66 of their libraries in several different ways. They recognized an increasing number of patrons wanting to interact with their library online and how critical online engagement is to a sustainable future for libraries.

So how did they do it? One effort that immediately skyrocketed usage was what they dubbed a “word of mouth marketing experiment.” Simply informing the staff of all that Mango has to offer and frontloading them with resources increased their ability to connect patrons with these resources, both in the library and online remotely.

Additionally, MHLS offered a self-directed online learning series to staff members with a portion devoted specifically to databases. Nearly 70 people signed up immediately and the numbers grew from there. They created a scavenger hunt for their databases and included Mango in on the fun! On top of the fabulous education and training the staff received, they were also given great tools and tips to promote Mango to patrons in the library.

The awesome staff at MHLS was abuzz with Mango excitement and the increase in usage speaks for itself. Félicitations to the Mid-Hudson Library System for an incredible feat and a job well done!

Looking for ways to promote Mango at your library? Contact your Mango representative for tips and tricks.

Language Resolution

Help your library patrons complete their new years’ resolutions. Learning a new language consistently tops resolution lists each January. But now it’s August and your patrons have five months left to reach their goals. Let’s help ‘em out.

You and your patrons can ‘like’ and ‘follow’ Mango on Facebook and Twitter for daily motivation and ideas on how to make the language-learning journey even more fun. Patrons can even share their progress with their social networks to help them keep on track with our new social media feature.

We’ll be sending you materials to help you spread the word to your patrons and get them motived. Tune into the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag: #LanguageResolution.

This is the year. Let’s do this together.

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.

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.

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.

3 Ways to Make Language Learning Suck.*

*sometimes mangoes are facetious.

Want to wake up dreading to learn a new language? Looking to hate every second of it? Follow these simple steps:

1. Make it tough to access.

The less accessible, the easier to put off. Make sure you have to go through a lot of steps to get started like having to sift through piles of CDs stuffed in your desk drawer.

Foreign language learning mobile apps? Forget it. Make sure you can only learn tethered to an uncomfortable desk chair.

2. Make it super boring.

Think of your least favorite middle school teacher. You know the one. Make sure your experience feels like you’re stuck back in those little desks.

3. Make it impractical.

Being able to use what you’re learning in a new language is too fun. Here are some of the top phrases you should be learning:

The boy eats the elephant.
The tired man sat on the purple bus.
The young girl likes to waterski.

To learn a new language is a lot of work. It’s never easy. But it can be simple. And it doesn’t have to suck.

Mango is easy to access.
You may even have free access through your public library. Go to our website and and click on the library locator at the bottom of the page to find out.

You can learn remotely online at home in your PJ’s. Bonus points if you can find PJ’s with mangoes on them.

Take language learning with you wherever you go with our mobile apps for Android and iPhone mobile devices.

See? Super easy to access.

Mango is not boring.
With interactive features like phonetic pop-ups and a voice comparison tool that lets you hear your accent compared to a native speaker, you won’t be able to wait for the next lesson.

Mango is practical.
Here’s the deal: Mango takes practical conversations, splits them up into bite-sized parts, teaches you those parts and shows you how to build the original conversation and others. It doesn’t get much more practical than that.

Give un-sucky language learning a try with Mango Languages.

Thanks, St. Clair County Library System

A big Pirate shout out to our friends at the St. Clair County Library System (Michigan), where our program was recently celebrated in a major way. At their Pirate Day on June 27, patrons and staff members of all ages dressed up like scallywags to promote the Mango Languages Pirate course. Patrons walked the plank, viewed a live fencing demonstration, created a parrot for a pirate craft, and had everyone laughing with pirate jokes. Kids and parents alike had a swashbuckling good time! Everyone was thrilled to learn how to speak Pirate through Mango (in addition to our other 40+ languages) and every pirate went home with some booty – a Mango bookmark!

What an awesome way to get your patrons talking – in any language! Virtual “high five” to the St. Clair County Library System!

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.

Librarians Are Talking About Mango’s Newest Release

Last week, we introduced you to ‘Libby the Librarian’, Mango’s FREE  course developed specifically for librarians to learn Spanish.

‘Libby the Librarian’ was officially launched at this year’s ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim.  At the show, Libby got librarians talking – in Spanish, as well as English!  Check out the video below to see what they had to say!

We also had the chance to sit down with Patrick Sweeney, Branch Manager at the San Mateo County Library, to talk about how he’s going to use ‘Libby the Librarian’ to educate staff at his branch.

Ready to join in the fun?  Well, Libby’s ready to teach!  Click here to access the course.