MANGO Language Learning

By Rachel Leingang
Contributing Writer

With the advent of the Internet, some may forget the important services provided by the local library. One such service, Mango Languages, promises to be a useful and easy to operate system for new Americans, overseas travelers or even those looking for a new hobby.

Mango Languages, purchased by the Lake Agassiz Regional Library in May, will replace or update other language-learning materials, like cassettes and CDs, according to Electronic Resources Librarian Liz Lynch.

Around the world, nearly 70 percent of people are bilingual, but in the U. S., only nine percent of citizens know another language. Since Americans aren’t always perceived so nicely abroad, learning another language is the perfect way to show other travelers or residents of international cities you’re visiting that the stereotype of uninformed, ignorant Americans isn’t always true.

“The people in this area are well-traveled,” Lynch said, “and this is a great resource for them. The retired community that travels a lot wants this language-learning.”

Learning another language opens up travel and friendship opportunities and more.

“I always think about how the public library empowers the community,” Lynch said. “And I think it’d be great for them to learn a second language.”

Using common language teaching techniques like flashcards, repetition and audio pronunciation, Mango is available in 34 languages and 15 English as a Second Language courses. Compared to other language programs, it’s easier, cheaper and always updating.

“Rosetta Stone doesn’t let libraries subscribe to it, and other services are too cumbersome or not user-friendly,” Lynch said. “The reason we like databases like Mango is they’re always adding content.”

Most importantly, this language-learning service is provided free of charge to all LARL members. In order to access the database of languages, all a member needs to do is go to the LARL website (larl.org), click the Research tab, then click the link to Mango. To log in, all a user needs is a LARL card number, which is also free of charge.

“LARL is very large and it’s rural, so customers can access online with their library card number,” Lynch said. “As long as they have an LARL card, they can gain access from within a branch and in their office or at home.”

This remote use feature is another plus for Mango and for LARL, which provides library services to Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk and Wilkin counties, with branch libraries in Ada, Bagley, Barnesville, Breckenridge, Climax, Crookston, Detroit Lakes, Fertile, Fosston, Hawley, Mahnomen, McIntosh and Moorhead and LINK sites in Cormorant, Frazee, Gonvick, Halstad, Hendrum, Lake Park, Rothsay, Shelly, Twin Valley and Ulen.

Mango prides itself on making its language services easy to use and practical for those who have little to no experience in a given language.

“Our lessons are written and developed by native-speaking teachers who understand the nuances of the language and the culture,” Mango says about its methodology on its website. “They know what skills and information you will need at each stage of your learning process. Strategically placed memory building exercises make sure that you’ll remember what you learn as you go. Our critical thinking exercises help you intuitively build on what you learn so you can adapt it to similar conversations in real life.”

This focus on all parts of language learning is an important feature, and some added Mango features also enhance the learning process. For example, toward the end of a lesson, a user can record their own voice using their computer’s microphone saying a word in another language and compare the inflections and accents to make sure they’re saying words correctly.

Mango’s culture notes are also valuable. Instead of just teaching the word for “afternoon” in Spanish, Mango adds that, “Good afternoon, or “buenas tardes,” is used from 12 p.m. all the way around to 7 p.m.

Compounding on the basic culture notes, it also includes standard greeting styles, a nice way to make sure you don’t offend anyone or look foolish while traveling abroad.

“Generally, when it’s the first time to meet with someone, you shake hands while greeting each other,” says the Mango lesson on basic greetings in Mandarin. “Hugging and bowing are not part of the Chinese way of greeting.” Another Mandarin note says, “The general greeting term in Mandarin Chinese can mean ‘Hello,’ ‘How are you,’ ‘How do you do.’ You can say it to anyone, male or female. We’re all equal, thus we’re all equally addressed!”

The program requires only basic computer skills, as simple as clicking in almost all lessons, so those with limited computer familiarity should not be discouraged.

“We also have a growing ESL community, so this is helpful for immersion for them,” Lynch said.

Since May, Mango has been accessed through LARL 147 times, with Spanish, Norwegian, French, Italian, Danish and German taking the top spots.

“Maybe it’s because we’re approaching summer, but I’ve told a lot of people about it,” Lynch said. “If they ask for the language cassettes or CDs, I tell them about Mango.”
Mango Languages has two versions for learners: Basic and Complete. The Basic version teaches everyday greetings, gratitudes, goodbyes and helpful phrases in a short period of time. The Complete version provides a deeper understanding of a language and its culture.

Taking advantage of this free service, which is also provided to Fargo residents by the Fargo Public Library, is a great way to reintegrate yourself into the library and its usefulness.

“I always say I work in sales,” Lynch said, “but I’m selling these free services to library customers.”

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