Mango Languages is an online language learning software that uses a fun and effective flashcard-type method to help you learn the basics of your chosen language. The software is extremely easy to navigate and the interface is rather simple. As soon as you open the program you choose your chapter and begin. I found it very easy to use. I chose to review Mango Languages in Mandarin, which is the most spoken dialect of Chinese. The software came packed with 10 chapters, which contained 81 lessons in total. Each chapter has a review at the end to recap what you were taught during the lessons in the chapter. During your lessons, you'll be shown words or phrases (color-coded) that the narrator will have you repeat or remember. During this time you'll hear the correct pronunciation and the pinyin for the words or phrases when you move your mouse over the words.
With this software, I was allowed to record my voice and compare it to a native speaker. This is a very important feature that has and will continue to build my confidence to speak and practice the language with friends and strangers. Critical thinking exercises, literal translations and their understood meanings, cultural notes and grammar notes are present throughout the system. The culture notes truly set Mango Languages apart from a lot of other language-learning systems. Since the software is geared towards travelers, culture notes come in handy with someone who is not familiar with a country or their culture or customs. See this cultural note below:
If I were a traveler unaware of China's culture and customs I would be very confused if I were to go into an elevator and saw the 4th floor's button missing. In Chinese, the word for four sounds quite similar to the word for death and many buildings and addresses exclude the number because we believe it is bad luck.
I find Mango Languages being a great system for those wanting to learn a language, mainly for conversation. It doesn't focus much on grammar or Chinese characters, but the color-coding does help distinguish order (syntax; as Mandarin has no grammatical tense). I would not recommend Mango Languages to someone wanting to fully learn a language fluently (read, write, speak), that is best sought in a more well-rounded program. Mango Languages is best for those wanting to quickly learn a language mainly for practical conversation. Mango Languages would be great for travelers, those who actually visit the country and want or need to converse and communicate with the native speakers.
In conclusion, I am very impressed with the system and absolutely love that you can do it at your own pace. Mango Languages in Mandarin Chinese is available to buy and download as Mango Passport $200, Mango Passport Bundle $250 or Mango On The Go! $100. Mango Languages is available is available in 17 languages, which include Spanish, German and English as a second language (ESL). Mango Languages has been generous enough to provide one of my readers a copy of their own Mango Languages! What a great gift for those wanting to learn a new language as a New Years Resolution! You can also visit Mango Languages and download and print a PDF Gift Certificate to wrap up to give to someone :)
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Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question, from the company or their representing PR company, free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.
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