This Web 2.0 tool, Mango Languages, seems like it is a great tool, however it violates my "rule number one: it is not free! Being in education has defiantly made me a bit conflicted. On the one hand I do not mind paying for good applications, however, if I plan on using them in the classroom I want them to be free as I do not want to limit the students' access be using something that they cannot use at home (forcing them to buy the product).
Mango Languages currently has only nine language packs for English speakers trying to learn a new language, and also has 3 foreign languages to English. This is a major limitation even though the nine languages are probably the most common ones that students would choose. Mango Languages uses a simple slideshow format to walk the learner through lessons including pronunciation, color-coding the parts of speech for visual learners and constant review for mastery. I did find that this software was a bit too redundant, however that may have just been because it was lesson one, which is all you can demo for free.
Access to the full version of Mango will allow the user access to not just up to one hundred lessons in the chosen language, in some cases, but also grammar and culture notes to help gain a better understanding of concepts and cultural differenced within the chosen language.
Having an account with Mango Languages also allows you to access your lessons from any location, however the charge is steep. A three month subscription will run the user $160 per course and a twelve month subscription is $345. The one very nice thing about this is that it seems to be available at many libraries, and after searching near my home in Florida; I found that it is, in fact, registered in the three libraries in my area.
image from Mango Languages. Retrieved October 20, 2009 from:http://www.mangolanguages.com/lesson/view/5
Hi Michael -
ReplyDeleteWe truly appreciate you taking the time to talk about online language learning and especially our program.
Language learning is on the rise and having people like you share their thoughts on the available resources helps spread the cause.
I understand your concern for a free system. You are correct, we have a consumer purchase program but most people use the Mango Languages system for free through their local library. Our language program is currently offered to 40 million people in the U.S. via remote access through the internet at no charge from their local libraries. Users can visit http://mangolanguages.com and enter their zip code to find the nearlest library that offers the language services. If we are not available at a library a patron should request us and that will encourage availablity.
I did notice you are located in Germany and while we are expanding, right now we are only in North America and Australia. We hope to come to your area soon.
In addition, we have exciting news! We are coming out with 20 languages and 14 ESL programs by the end of this year. We will continue a strong new product, language and feature roll out throughout 2010.
Lastly, We love our librarian clients and patrons, we hope to continue to serve them for many more years.
Beverly Cornell
Social Media Director
Mango Languages