Posts Tagged ‘Mango Languages’

Intuitive Language Contruction – Part II Pronunciation

July 20th, 2010

Intuitive Language ConstructionWe are excited to continue sharing our language learning methodology–we call it the linguistic science behind the Mango Languages Online Language Learning Software.

Intuitive Language Construction was developed after looking at current products on the market and listening to users and what they wanted.  The one thing we heard over and over is they wanted a program that was fun, easy, and completely integrated.

We listened.  Mango Languages includes the following components:

1. Vocabulary (Click to see previous post)
2. Pronunciation
3. Grammar
4. Culture
5. Comprehension
6. Retention

In this post, let’s look at pronunciation.  Mango gives you a better, more accurate sense of pronunciation.  I bet you never knew a fruit could do that!

In each course, our audio is recorded by a professional, native-speaking voice talent, using a standard “accent free” dialect.  Why is this important?   Native speakers using a standard accent give you the best possible baseline to model your own pronunciation after.

We also provide additional pronunciation tools to help users:
1. They can see a phonetic spelling at any time, by simply rolling over the word with their mouse cursor.  Users LOVE this feature…

2. We also provide the option to hear 2 different audio speeds:  fluent and articulate.  These are two separate recordings by a professional, native voiceover.  This is totally unique to Mango…
Our competition often provides a “slowdown” button, which plays the same standard audio clip, but mechanically slowed down, creating distortion in the voice, and making it difficult to effectively mimic.  How do we do that?

3. We offer voice comparison technology in our online language learning system!  This feature allows you to speak into a microphone and compare your pronunciation with that of the instructor’s, until you really get it right.  This system allows you to compare your voice with both fluent and articulate speeds.

Most language learning systems incorporate some form of pronunciation instruction, but Mango takes it to a much more interactive and accurate level.

Which pronunciation tool do you use the most? Why?

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Mango Summer Fiesta Friday Fun

July 20th, 2010

Last Friday after work, we got together and played on the new Mango Languages’ Patio at our new office.

We love Stephen’s laugh!  Can’t help but smile too!

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Posters…T-Shirts…Coffee Mugs, Oh My!

July 13th, 2010
Steve Perakis, Director of Product Development sporting his Mango Gear

Steve Perakis, Director of Product Development sporting his Mango Gear

Back in April, Mango Languages announced a new promotion system for Public Libraries.  I spent several months visiting libraries, talking on the phone with our partners and asking lots of questions to see what they thought would be the best way to get the word out about the library and the Mango Languages Online Learning Software.  Their feedback helped create this new promotional system.

Here at Mango, we believe that it is our responsibility as the vendor, to help make your job as easy as possible while generating much excitement for the library.  Marketing is a key function to do this.  That is why we wanted to create something fun, easy, and successful.

We sent out bright orange envelopes, emails, and talked about it in our newsletter.  However, many of our library partners haven’t taken full advantage the system.   We want you to get all the goodies you can earn just by marketing your library and the Mango Languages resource to your patrons.

A few things you should know:

1. Make sure you have access to the Mango Languages Administration Portal–www.libraries.mangolanguages.com–or what we call the MAP. (If you need access, contact your library administrator or your Mango language learning rep to help get you set up.  It only takes a minute.)

2. Check out the Training Videos on the Dashboard.  One is all about the MAP and the other is a Staff Training on Mango Languages.  Also, we are coming out with a Patron video later this summer that you can easily share on your website and at in-person events.

3. Check out the Promote Tab.  There are tons of fun things here.  First, look at the free downloads section. Here you will find logos, descriptions, a Mango Brand guide, sample blog posts, tweets, and newsletter articles.  There are tons of templates, so all you need to do is make a couple of customizations with your specific library info.

4. Earn points! You can do this a couple of ways. First, just for being a customer you get points.  We even give you extra points to reward our loyal customers for renewing.  Second, check off as many items as you can on the Marketing Checklist.  You can earn points for doing things like placing the Mango Logo and a description on your website, blogging about Mango, sending press releases to your local newspapers, radio and TV folks.  Publish an article and earn more points.  Doing something above and beyond like a billboard or a video on youtube and earn lots of points.  The more creative the better!

5. Spend your points in the Mango Store. Use them for things like T-shirts for staff to wear for a Mango Monday event, for mouse pads for your computer lab, or bookmarks for patrons.  You can even use your points for things like Mango Mugs and Umbrellas that you can use as special prizes for your patrons.  Please check out the pictures of the gear – our staff had fun modeling all the goodies.

We want you to have fun with this new promotional system.  We know Mango Languages is something that your community will talk about and many of our library partners who have used this new promotion system have increased library card holders and their user stats by up to 1000%.

Don’t wait any longer…start getting your Mango gear today!

Have you used the system?  Please comment and let us know what you think!!!!

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Stayin’ Cool with Mango Languages

July 9th, 2010

P1000589Aside from the sweltering heat that has been lingering in the Northeast lately, Washington, DC, is a beautiful city.  The ALA Annual was held at the Washington Convention Center, a massive venue with long and narrow dimensions. Our 20′ x 20′ booth was located at the far East side of the Convention Center, making our Mango Smoothies even more desirable for those attendees who completed the journey to our aisle.

Overall, the show was a success.  We were able to demonstrate some new features of our online language learning software, including the new pictures for each chapter.  We also broadcasted the 411 about our whopping 35+ new languages launching by the end of this year.   We always love the enthusiasm our existing customers have when they drop by for a visit, and it’s always so kind of them to provide such amazing video testimonials raving about Mango! It is also very gratifying to witness the “Ah-hah!” moment taking place during a demonstration to those who have not seen our product.  No wonder we are the most popular language learning software in libraries!

My favorite part of the show was, of course, the after party.  This year’s Mango Lounge VIP Party was a collaboration between Mango Languages and our friends at Brainfuse (www.brainfuse.com).  The party took place at the Iron Horse (www.ironhorsedc.com), a “tap room” in D.C. featuring a multitude of local beers as well as our signature “Mangotini” and an additional featured cocktail, the “Brainfreeze Berry Cosmo.”  We had almost 200 people show up throughout the night, which lasted until around 1 am!  Thanks to those who were able to join us; be on the lookout for pictures from the night!

If you couldn’t make it this time, stop b our booth (#1041) at the 2011 ALA Midwinter Conference in San Diego or call your Mango Rep and ask for an invite.  We’re already stirring up some ideas for Midwinter’s VIP Party… any thoughts?

See you in San Diego, California, for ALA Midwinter!

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ALA Rally on Capitol Hill

July 6th, 2010

The Mango Languages Team joined over 1,000 librarians to march on Capitol Hill to help bring attention to the budget shortages in Public Libraries.

Have you written your Congressional representative to tell them how important libraries are to you?

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Mango Languages is Moving!

June 23rd, 2010

Our office is moving on Friday, June 24th, to a new location.  Check out a video of the space still under construction but looking almost like home for the Mango team.

What do you think of the new digs?

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Funny Video: English Lesson – How to Pronounce The “th” Sound

May 24th, 2010

Late last Friday – a few Mango Languages staffers sat down and had a couple drinks while they practiced pronunciation of the “th” sound based on a Learn English Pronunciation exercise we found on the internet. Note…this is not the way we teach English!

The results a very funny video. Check it out and let us know what you think of our English pronunciation!!

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How I came to Mango

May 17th, 2010

i-love-my-workFrom the very beginning, Mango Languages was intriguing to me.  I first ran across Mango Languages in a local newspaper.  I read what they were doing and was instantly very interested in meeting the people who founded Mango.

I was lucky enough to meet the CEO, Jason Teshuba at an event very shortly after I read that article.  We met for coffee and got to know more about each other, and the companies we worked for.  I really liked Jason’s philosophy on language learning and how communication can connect the world.

We started chatting about marketing, current trends, and social media.   I started working with Mango as a consultant part-time in 2008 and soon an opportunity rose to come work for the company full time in August of 2009.

Since I began working as the Marketing and Social Media Director, it has been a real adventure.  Working for a fast growing company that is only about three years old has its challenges and growing pains, but the pride in building something from the ground up is amazing.  The passionate and caring staff that I work with are people who challenge me to be better and the ideas and innovation flying around this office are humbling.

I love that we work with libraries – organizations that are the great information equalizers.  I love that we teach people how to communicate in a foreign language.  I love that we are harnessing technology to do amazing things.  And most of all I love that I get to do all this in a city I love…Detroit.

I am very proud of what we are creating here and the future looks incredibly bright.

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Relevant Internship Programs: Do They Exist??

May 10th, 2010

The Mango DJ’s welcome one of our interns, Joe Garafalo, to the Slice of Mango podcast. We chat with Joe regarding his internship and how it impacts his academic career.  What types of internship experiences have you had? P8130026

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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Mango goes for a walk…

May 7th, 2010

Mike-TreadRecently Mike Teshuba, co-founder and Chief Technology officer of Mango Languages, was featured on our local news channel because he has a new desk.

A new desk?  You might wonder why would this be newsworthy…well it is a TreadDesk.

Yes…such a thing exists. You can walk and work at the same time.  What a concept?  We actually have a couple in the office. And we may get a few more for meetings.

Here is the link to the WDIV/Channel 4 Video Story.

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