You might already be familiar with Mango Languages. They have been the #1 library language learning program in the country for three years running. Our stellar library system offers Mango for free. That is, you have access to one level of one language. A yearly subscription with Mango Homeschool Edition, affords you unlimited access to as many of the 61 languages offered as you want.
Geared towards students ages 6- 100, Mango Languages allows you to learn at your own pace; meaning your linguistically literate kids can speed ahead while busy and less language oriented Mom can linger at her own pace. Another fantastic feature is that you can pick up your language studies anywhere, anytime. Mango Homeschool Edition is available to you via PC, Mobile apps for iPhone, iPod
touch and Android devices; it is designed to work equally well on whatever operating system you choose to access it from.
Over 60 different languages (including Pirate- Ahoy there, Matey!- how fun is that?!)
Progress Assessments
Built-in journals, discussions and wikis
Collaborative learning spaces
eNote messaging
/chat rooms
Access to embedded/downloadable content
Support from other community members
Calendars to schedule meetings or study groups
In addition, Mango Homeschool Edition will be adding the following features over the next several months:
Enhanced Tracking and Progress Monitoring – including seat time (for students and parents)
Goals and Personal Lesson Plans (both stand-alone and tied into Mango courses )
Resume and Portfolio Builders
Once you pick a language, you begin your journey!
Journey 1 covers the following topics:
Greetings, Gratitude, Goodbye
Inquiring About Someones Nationality
Asking What Languages Someone Speaks
Names and Introductions
Getting Around
Shopping and Payment
Drinks and Dining
Numbers and Currency
Getting Help
Asking for Clarification
Mango Languages is a program that teaches language learning through Narration. The student hears and repeats words, phrases and common questions. This is a terrific way to gain familiarity with a language that you have access to through other means (i.e. a grandparent, neighbor, exchange student, etc), a trip abroad that you don't have time for in-depth language study for, or simply want your student exposed to one or more foreign languages. Rock solid overview and auditory familiarity are the strengths of this program.
Because of the structure of Mango, there are no grammar drills, no flashcards, no studying beyond the on-line lesson. If you are looking for a comprehensive program which allows the student to understand the grammar and structure of what they hear (a requirement of true language acquisition), you will need to look further than this program.
Cub and Flower were the recipients of this review- Cub chose to study Norwegian and Flower chose Russian. They worked very independently, another strength of this program. It does not require any hand holding for the computer literate student. It is very easy to navigate, with beautiful and engaging graphics and full color screens. The lessons are easy and do-able, self-paced and took our kids about 20 minutes each. In other words, the perfect sized chunk of learning to engage and stick.
Mango is a great program for the self- motivated and mature learner. For my kids, who are fairly conscientious students, and want to know what they've learned, the lack of accountability bothered them a bit. It's quite easy to just skip through lessons without having to do the work, and you move forward without any skill testing. In other words, there is no guarantee that you have learned the words and phrases, no guarantee that you have mastered difficult pronunciation, before you can click and move forward. All of that being said, we did have access to a Beta version of Mango Homeschool Edition and assignments, quizzes, testing and reporting are being re-done. .
In addition this is not a true immersion program, which immerses the student in the language, offering postitive re-inforcement for correct choices, but a narrative program; which familiarizes the student with the sounds of language. For the motivated auditory learner, Mango Languages could be a perfect fit; this program is all about listening and repeating. And too, if you have several students in your homeschool, or desire for your students to gain auditory familiarity with several languages Mango Languages is going to give you both, for reasonable price.
One last important note: Mango Homeschool Edition has big plans for the future- including the very near future. They do intend to add film to the program, which would make this a true immersion program, they have plans to add the information necessary to allow students to earn a high school credit by studying a language through Mango, they are working on building an international community of folks who understand languages from around the world; in other words language "tutors" available through the Mango forums.
WhileMango Languages has been around for about seven years, Mango Homeschool Edition is a new product. This is going to be a company the homeschooling community wants to keep an eye one; they are willing to listen to the concerns of the Homeschooling Community and create innovative products (on-line language learning!) that meets the unique needs of the Homeschooling family.
2 subscriptions is $28/month or $175 /year total
3 subscriptions is $38/month or $225/year total
4 subscriptions is $48/month or $275/year total
5 subscriptions is $58/month or $325/year total
Not sure if Mango is for you? Mango Homeschool Edition does offer a 30 day free trial so that you can get hands on experience before investing. Don't forget to check out the Mango Languages Homeschool Edition website.
You can also keep up with Mango through their social media links below.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MangoLanguages
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mangolanguages/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MangoLanguages
As always, check out what my fellow Crewbies have to say about this fine product:
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