


My 6th-grader chose to study Korean. Every day, he does one lesson, and he comes to me excited almost every day, telling me what new things he learned. The past few days, he’s been learning numbers, and can now count to nineteen. Today, he learned that there are different names for numbers depending on whether you’re counting or talking about currency. He’s concerned that he won’t remember the different names. I think he’ll be okay. He’s previously dabbled in both Spanish and Latin, so I expect when he finishes Korean, he’ll move on to yet another language.
I took both Spanish and French in high school (back when my brain was younger), and I wanted to use Mango to brush up on those languages and possibly try my hand at one or two others. I haven’t spent as much time with the program as my son has, but I have done enough Spanish to know that I remember…some things. LOL
Mango uses a conversational style of learning, rather than the memorization of vocabulary that was used when I learned languages. This product is suitable for ages 6+, and don’t be surprised if your kids are speaking a new language before you catch up.
Each language includes:
- Audio and pronunciation guidance from native speakers
- Grammar notes
- Voice comparison tool
- Conversation and grammar goals
- Cultural insights, etiquette, and customs
- Phonetic spelling on-demand
Most of the languages have three “Journeys” or sections. Korean only has one (currently). The first Journey includes:
- Greetings, Gratitude, Goodbye
- Inquiring about Someone’s Nationality
- Asking What Language Someone Speaks
- Names and Introductions
- Getting Around
- Shopping and Payment
- Drinks and Dining
- Numbers and Currency
- Getting Help
- Asking for Clarification
Each language also has forum in which students can ask questions of each other and (eventually) those who are native speakers or fluent in the language. (Homeschool is a new market for Mango, and some parts of the program are still in development. I’ll devote more time to that below.)
Mango has been in existence for about seven years. They started with public library courses, and now have courses for public schools and corporate clients. Mango may be available in your library, so you might be wondering what the differences are.
The major differences between the library version and the homeschool version:
⁃ public libraries only have one level of any given language
⁃ homeschooling has all levels and all languages
⁃ homeschooling has the community features (forums and such)
Because the Homeschool product is still in development, there are several new features in the pipeline, with some to be released as early as May. I already love the program, and I’m excited to see how it all comes together!
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s currently available and the new features they’re working on.
What is currently available on the site:
- Over 60 different languages
- Progress Assessments
- Built-in journals, discussions and wikis
- Collaborative learning spaces
- eNote messaging /chat rooms
- Access to embedded/downloadable content
- Support from other community members
- Calendars to schedule meetings or study groups
Coming soon:
- Enhanced Tracking and Progress Monitoring – including seat time (for students and parents)
- Goals and Personal Lesson Plans (both stand-alone and tied into Mango courses)
- Resume and Portfolio Builder
So what did my 6th-grader think of Mango Homeschool?
“I like it. I like it better than the other program I used.” (When he was enrolled in a charter school.)
There was nothing he didn’t like about it, and he wants to continue using it. When asked what he found cool: “I found it interesting that words like “I” aren’t used. You’re supposed to understand those from the context. And “Hi” is like a five-syllable word and “tomorrow” is a short word.”
How to get it
Pricing is per student. Parents will be able to monitor their children’s accounts, but if parents want to learn a new language (or two) as well, they will need a “student” account.
1 subscription is $18/month or $125/year total
2 subscriptions is $28/month or $175 /year total
3 subscriptions is $38/month or $225/year total
4 subscriptions is $48/month or $275/year total
5 subscriptions is $58/month or $325/year total
Anything over 6 subscriptions is a special group rate that will depend on the number in the group.
*This is introductory pricing and is current at the time of posting.

