All libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System are getting a new language learning service called Mango Languages. What is Mango Languages you ask? It’s a fun and easy-to-use language learning program that can help you learn over 70 different languages. The program allows you to go at your own pace, so you can take your time or speed through depending on your preference. There are a wide variety of languages offered, everything from common languages like Italian and Chinese to less commonly used languages such as Biblical Hebrew and Scottish Gaelic. There are also a number of specialty languages like Medical Spanish and Oktoberfest German. Mango also benefits ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) with 17 ESOL courses.
It’s easy to get started. You can create an account using your email address and start learning right away. Once you have created your account, you can select the language you would like to to start learning.
You can click the green Get Started button or mouse over the three lines in the upper left corner and click on languages. Once you choose your desired language, you will get different options depending on your language selection. For example if you chose Spanish (Latin American), you can select Mango Conversations, Legal, Text Talk, Medical Spanish, Romance, Spanish for Librarians, and a selection of films that can be used to assist with language learning.
You can exit a particular course at any time and you can pick up where you left off the next time you log in.
Mango offers pronunciation demonstrated by professional native speakers of the language. You will be able to hear words in any language at both a conversational speed and at a slowed down, easier to understand speed. In addition to learning the language, users will find cultural notes in each chapter, which help provide context for language usage.
Both understood and literal translations are available, and both translations are color coded. This helps users see how sentences are structured. In other words, Mango teaches grammar without the user ever noticing.
If you would prefer to learn on the go, Mango offers an app for Apple devices and Android devices. Once it has been downloaded, you can access the app with or without an internet connection. Before you use the app without an internet connection, make sure you have downloaded the courses you wish to access. This can be done in the app by going into My Courses, choosing the language you are learning, and selecting “Download All” from the Chapter list or choose a particular lesson you would like to download by tapping the green arrow icon.
To access the lesson you wish to download rather than continue the lesson, tap on Mango Conversations: (Whichever Language you are learning) to access the download list.
Once the lessons have been downloaded, you can access them the same way, by going into My Courses and tapping on the name of the language you are learning.
You can also opt to learn by watching foreign films with the Mango Premier feature. Please note this feature is only available via desktop learning, not on the mobile apps.
For more information, check out this video about Mango.
Ready to learn a new language? Try out Mango!