Library says hello to Mango language learning program—September 17, 2010
Bonjour...Hola....Nǐ Hao...Ohaiyogozaimasu...Most people know that each of these words is a form of greeting in its respective language. French, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese, in that order, to be exact. Most people probably wouldn't know how to say much else. Here is another thing they probably don't know. Internationally, nearly seventy percent of people are bilingual. In the United States, that number is only nine percent.
Why is that number so low? It's not because people don't want to learn a second language. Instead it's because people think it's too hard, or will take too much time, or will cost too much money. None of those reasons apply now that Hastings Public Library recently added Mango Languages to its list of resources.
Mango is a simple, easy-to-use language learning program that is offered online and is the an effective way to learn a language. It's not just about learning words and phrases. The courses are presented with an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world application that integrates components of grammar and culture. Students learn actual conversation, breaking down complex conversational elements within an audio-visual framework that allows the user to draw important connections between pieces of information they have already learned.
Mango is available in two versions. One is Mango Complete, a 100-lesson course that is designed to provide a full understanding of an entire language and its culture. It is available in nine foreign language and three ESL courses. The second is Mango Basic, which teaches everyday greetings, gratitudes, goodbyes and helpful phrases in a short period of time and is designed to appeal to a beginner in a new language. The courses, which require only two to five hours of time to complete, are currently available in 22 foreign languages and 14 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.
Hastings Public Library chose to add the Mango database to our list of services after hearing our Hastings High School students were being encouraged to try it to enhance their learning. To celebrate this new resource, join us on October 1st from 1-6pm for “Mango Mania!” The library will offer free demonstrations, mango salsa and mango smoothies all afternoon in the library meeting room.
But if you can’t wait to get started, you can visit the company's website at www.mangolanguages.com to learn more about the database. Even better, if you have your library card and have access to the Internet, you can access the actual courses remotely from anywhere! Just go to www.hastings.lib.ne.us for more information and to get started now!
For more information, call the library at 461-2346. And, by the way, Au Revoir...Adiós....Zài Jiàn...Sayonara
