Online Program lets Library Users Learn New Languages Online

For those planning a trip overseas for spring break or suffering from the winter blues and looking for an interesting way to spend their time, the offers an exciting program known as Mango Languages.

The Farmington Hills-based company's program provides an easy way to learn nearly 50 languages. The Royal Oak Public Library offers 34 language programs and 15 English as a Second Language (ESL) choices free of charge to library cardholders.

Since the database was added to the library’s mix about two years ago, nearly 500 sessions have been logged with the program, according to Director . The most popular Mango Languages program used at the library is Spanish, followed by French, German and Russian respectively.

“We originally had a program called Rosetta Stone, but they changed and do not offer it to libraries anymore,” Karshner said. “So Mango stepped in and filled that gap and it has been popular.”

The Royal Oak Public Library, which pays about $3,000 a year for Mango program, is one of 38 libraries in Michigan that use the program. Karshner has been satisfied with the usability, but would like to see the number of users grow. She noted one of the real benefits of the program is it is something that can be accessed by cardholders at home on their own computers. Thus, patrons do not have to go to the library to use the service.

“It’s a really great way to become conversational in a very limited amount of time and in a fun way,” said Beverly Cornell, marketing and social media director for Mango Languages.

Cornell said the program was created with travelers in mind and provides an easy way to become conversational with a language in a short amount of time. In addition to focusing on vocabulary, there are also sessions on grammar and culture. The number of lessons necessary to become fluent is dependent on the user.

“Learning a language is usually frustrating because it takes so long, but after just a few lessons with Mango you are actually able to hold a conversation, which is motivating,” Cornell said.

Library cardholders can find the program at the library's website, www.ropl.org, then go to Online Resources and Databases and look for Mango Languages. Head of Adult Services Anna Vidal said that although she would like more people to use to prorgram, Mango Languages is in the top three databases used at the library. Vidal likes how Mango incorporates an ESL component to some languages as well.

Vidal and Karshner noted the library offers language CDs and books, but Vidal said she always pushes patrons who want to learn a language to use Mango Languages first. “Once they know about it I bet they never go back to CDs again,” Vidal said. “Unless they are listening to them in a car.”

Vidal has played around with the program herself. “You can go at your own pace, it’s easy to use and I just think it’s a very good program,” she said.