Easy to Use, Nicht Wahr? Si!

Kamusta, Bonjour and Ni Hao! Anyone looking to go beyond “hello” in a variety of languages, including, Tagalog, French and Mandarin, can now learn from home on their own time. The Downers Grove Public Library offers the Mango Languages database, a multi-media teaching tool for learners of all ages.

Librarians wanted to offer a database because other language-learning materials, especially CDs and CD-ROMs, have been very popular, according to Reference Librarian Marty Krause. Librarians evaluate many databases before choosing one, and Mango impressed the Downers Grove staff with its ease of use.

“We wanted to offer our patrons the choice of a variety of languages,” Krause says, adding that the library bought the most inclusive package. In fact, the impressive list of offerings includes Levantine Arabic, Cantonese, Croatian, Dari, Farsi, Haitian Creole, Pashto, Tamil and Ukrainian. Krause says that the company is adding languages all the time.

Melissa Doornbos, the library's publicity and program coordinator, is using Mango to teach herself a little Tagalog, the language spoken in the Philippines—and by her boyfriend's family.

“I really like that Mango's virtual flashcards have an explanation of what you are currently learning,"  she said. "These tidbits of information help me to understand some background as to when to use certain phrases—for example, when is it appropriate to use the equivalent of sir/ma'am when speaking to someone.”

When you use Mango, you can start with the basics: greetings, gratitude and goodbyes. A colorful, easy-to-navigate interface uses scenes from the country where the language is spoken. You can continue on for more detail and advanced lessons, Krause said.

Learners can both see and hear how words are pronounced, get literal translations, and can plug in a microphone to record their own voices and compare pronunciation with the narrator. The lesson also will supply regional language variances.

Doornbos learned that the Philippines had been under Spanish occupation for over three centuries, so several Tagalog phrases are derived from Spanish words. The word for “How are you?” is “kamusta” which sounds much like the Spanish “Como estas?”

Her high-school Spanish is helping her as she studies Tagalog, but because the language incorporates Asian sounds, pronunciation is a challenge," Doornbos said. She is using a microphone to record her voice and play it back with the narrator to perfect her pronunciation.

Most Downers Grove residents use Mango to get ready for a trip or to communicate with foreign employees or caregivers, but a few users are students, Krause said. “There's also a great ESL component that teaches learners in their native language.”

The real test of any language learning system is whether students can converse with native speakers. Doornbos isn't at that stage yet, but is making progress.

“I have been quizzed by a few people who speak Tagalog fluently and they say I am doing great," she said. "It's fun to learn another language, practice what you've learned so far, and tell others about your experiences."

Her progress has inspired her boyfriend, Doornbos said. “Once I started learning, he got interested and began practicing words, too.”

To use Mango Languages, you need a Downers Grove Public Library card. Krause also cautions that the resource may run very slowly on dial-up internet access.