Mango Languages

Students have spoken. And they love Mango.

Mango recently surveyed users at academic institutions and found that over 90% of respondents reported an improvement in their language skills from using Mango.  But that wasn’t all – they had lots of great things to say about their Mango experience.  Check it out:

“I want to learn Japanese in my free time so I’ll be ready for an exchange in the near future.  Mango has made it so much easier to learn Japanese and I’ve been telling all of my college friends about it.“

“I like Mango’s portability, as I have it connected on both iPad^® and my Android™ phone.  Whenever I need it, Mango is there!”

“I love that it covers many aspects of learning the language and gives you the opportunity to practice.”

“It offers a variety of languages – and languages that are relevant.”

“I love how simple it is to navigate and how clear the voices of the ‘teachers’ are.”

“I love how it keeps reviewing previously learned material.”

“Manageable chunks of information make me feel like I’m making progress.”

“I really like using Mango. I have been able to grasp the language much better than when I took a class on it.  And I can remember much more, even if I take a long break in between sessions.”

“The format of lessons is well done: breaking down sentences, teaching the words, and showing how things change when used in another context.  This has been very useful, especially in learning long or otherwise difficult phrases.”

“I like the availability and the accessibility.  I can pick it up and use it whenever I want to.”

“I love this program. It has proved beneficial for every situation I have found myself in.”

Mango: A+ for Academic Value

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 helps students and alumni build in-demand language skills for the job market.  According to Salary.com, the average pay range for bilinguals is approximately 5-20 percent more per hour than the base rate for their position.

Study Abroad Program:  Mango is the ideal resource to help students prepare for study abroad, volunteer trips, or international internship programs, especially for languages not taught on campus.  Did you know we offer over 50 foreign and ESL language courses?

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:  Unlike most other databases, Mango is available to Alumni Associations through your library at no additional access fee.  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.

Mango Languages: Academic Libraries Love Mango

Why should public libraries get to have all the fun? Did you know that Mango Languages is available to academic institutions, as well? Check out these case studies below to see how these colleges and universities are using Mango to help their students start a conversation – and keep it going.

Troy University Librares: Making language learning part of campus life

Mango Languages, in use at Troy University since 2008, has helped bridge the gap to give hundreds of international students access to an English language learning resource they can use as needed, and prepare students and professionals for international travel. As Mango is accessible over the internet, users can log in and practice from home, using their computers, tablets or the iPhone and Android apps- giving them the ability to practice and improve their skills on their own time.

Pittsburgh State University: Giving a university library new value for students and staff

“I love Mango—it’s one of our most-used databases and it gets people talking about the library. It’s not a typical purchase for us since it’s not focused on research, but it allows us to promote the library to the wider university community, since it’s something everyone can use.”

-Susan Schreiner
Pittsburgh State University, Leonard H. Axe Library

Hope International University: Global vision, global resources

With students traveling across the world for mission trips, including many to countries speaking less commonly taught languages, Mango Languages at Hope allows for the university to support students and provide them the resources they need without a large foreign language department.

Maybe the most important and valuable use of the language learning software at Hope is with its large Korean exchange student population. Mango gives these students a way to practice their spoken English and refine their skills, as well as adding helpful cultural tips and advice, that make their transition to an American university as smooth as possible.

Jackson State Community College: Language learning an “ace in the hole” for the college library

“Mango is my ace in the hole—a strong promotional tool for my library because it’s fun, inviting and useful. As a former language teacher myself, I’ve been extremely impressed with its methodology. Mango staff go above and beyond in working with us to make sure our needs are met—and the free promotional resources are fantastic!”

-Scott Cohen
, Jackson State Community College

Spanish is the only foreign language class offered at Jackson State Community College, but, thanks to Mango Languages, it’s just one of over 40 foreign languages available to students. Within the next few years, the college will launch a study abroad program, with the library—and Mango—playing a vital role in preparing students for the language and cultural needs of living in a foreign country. Particularly at a small community college, language learning truly can open up the world for students.

Want to learn more about what Mango can do for your academic institution? Sign up for a webinar below!

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.