Homeschool Online Language with Mango Languages #hsreviews
Recently members of the TOS homeschool review crew(including us) got to use a new homeschool online language learning site. By language we’re talking foreign languages. Mango Languages is an online site that allows the learner to have access to learning any language of their choosing from Biblical Hebrew to Arabic to German to what they call Irish(Gaelic). The Mango Homeschool Edition is what we were given access to. We received a full years access for up to 5 family members.
The program is suitable for most ages, though it is recommended that they be age 6 or over to start the course. Being able to read is definitely a plus, but even those that cannot yet read can still get something from the curriculum. My three year olds learned along with us just by sitting and listening. I was shocked when they’d talk in one of the languages we were studying because I thought they were in their own world coloring or “reading” books while their siblings studied and instead they were really paying enough attention that they could say the word correctly and use it correctly.
The homeschool edition of Mango Languages is still fairly new and has a few kinks that are being worked out. We are very happy with what we have been able to use. I personally, am super pleased with the number of languages that are offered. Some languages only have one section of study under them while others have several.
The German course has three journeys. Each journey is like a new section or semester if you will. In Journey 1 you learn how to:
- greetings, gratitude, and goodbye
- inquiring about someone’s nationality
- asking what language they speak
- names and introductions
- getting around
- shopping and payment
- drinks and dining
- numbers and currency
- getting help
- asking for clarification
As you can see, those are all things that would be exceedingly helpful if you found yourself in Germany and needed to be able to communicate for yourself with the local population.
Everything is online for the homeschool online language program. You go online, you listen, you speak, you are questioned and you answer. But, you can also have access to some study guide type files that are available in pdf that you can print off to help you practice away from the computer. Not all languages will have these files though. German is one of the languages that does. It has a course guide for each of the three journeys so you have something that you can print off and look over when you can’t be on the computer studying.
I’ve told you some about the program and some of the things we enjoyed with it. We are using this program on a daily basis. I believe that with any language program the more you use it the more you will learn. The more you are able to immerse yourself in it whether it’s just listening to someone speak in the language while you are coloring(like my littles) or actually focusing on it, the more you hear it the easier it will become. We did have a week where we took completely off from all school due to a fire in our attic and we had to redo some of our lessons because my children had forgotten. The more time you go without speaking or hearing a language, the more of that language you will lose. I know they say it comes back to you, and it will, but only when you are totally immersing again. Don’t forget though that not all of the languages are created equally. Some only have one journey while others have three or more. And if you’re just wanting some fun. . . . they even have pirate!
We plan to continue using the curriculum for the rest of our year and I can see us repurchasing another year subscription as this is a wonderful resource for us. We have access to over 50 languages and can do it on our time whenever we have time. If you’re skeptical you can choose a language and try the first lesson for free. If you’re not a homeschooler, don’t worry! They also have other programs that you can use including a library version, personal, and K-12. Choose what works for you and enjoy.
If you’d like to see what other TOS crew members though head on over to the Main Crew Blog and click on the graphic at the bottom to view more reviews. We all reviewed the same homeschool online language program but were allowed to choose our own languages so if you’re not interested in German check out what everyone else studied!
Michelle F.
That looks like a great program. I will be keeping that in mind when my daughter is a little older.
Erin S.
It is wonderful! Like I said, I personally think that younger than 6 years old can use it as well and still learn, but they will not be able to do the reading portion.
Joie
It’s great that you can homeschool and learn new languages at the same time. I would love to learn a new language and this might even work for me.
Erin S.
Yes! This is perfect for adults as well and totally useable. I’ve been learning alongside them and even doing a language on my own!
krystal
I love learning about new languages online. Our children have such great technology available to them!
Erin S.
I know! I never would have thought when I was in school that something like this would become available.
Triplezmom
I want this! My older two learn Spanish at school, but half and hour once a week is just not enough.
Erin S.
Definitely! They need more consistent to help them learn and retain. This is an awesome product.
Bismah
This looks like a wonderful program! I would like my children to learn a second or third language. Even though they are too young yet it is a good idea to develop a plan ahead of time. Thank you for sharing!
Erin S.
Definitely a good idea to plan out things and never too early to start them on simple ways to learn part of a language. There are several programs to teach kids a new language through dvd’s as well.
Lady Tyrneathem
Things like this are why I often wish I could be a kid again. We had to learn languages from books and cassettes when I was homeschooling and I only remember a few phrases now. It will definitely be something to keep in mind when my son is school age.
Erin S.
I know! The stuff they have now is just so wonderful. It’s amazing what they have come up with.
Deli
Wow! I think this is really cool 🙂 In fact, I will be checking out the site myself. I think the price for the course is also good. I have been to Thailand before and went to a language school there. Tuition was quite expensive. I might just try learning another language through Mango. Thanks for the heads up 🙂
Erin S.
I think that’s a great idea! I bet Thailand was a great place to visit.
Debbie Denny
This sounds like a great learning tool. Very interesting.
Erin S.
It’s great! I think as an adult I’d still use it even if I didn’t have kids.
Suzi Satterfield
It actually doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that your daughter is starting to pick up the language from listening with her elder siblings. That’s how language immersion works. Kids pick it up from just being around it, hearing it, and learning it, much like they learn their Mother tongue.
Erin S.
It never ceases to amaze me the amount of knowledge our little people can pick up!
Brandy Nelson
I am definitely going to check this out. I have a son who is entering public high school, but I also have 2 preschoolers. I am seriously considering home schooling for the little ones, and this looks like a wonderful program!
Erin S.
Yes it is wonderful and you could use it with your son as it counts as a high school foreign language credit as well.
Homemade Momma
Thank you for the very informative review! I have been wanting to find a program for my little guy and it sounds like this might be a good start for him!
Erin S.
This is an amazing language program. If you want to learn a new language for you or your kiddos definitely check it out!