Mango Languages: Helpful Guide to This Free App for Travelers

Tired of costly language apps that promise fluency but just make you memorize phrases like “the cat is purple” instead of teaching practical skills like ordering food or asking for directions?

I’m looking at you, Duolingo!

After testing its competitor for three months before my trip to Austria and Germany, I can share exactly how this platform performs for travelers who need functional language skills (in my case, German) quickly in this Mango Languages review.

My experience using both the desktop version and mobile app, combined with speaking these practical everyday phrases during my trip (I loved greeting others instead of defaulting to English), gives me insight into what works for pre-trip language preparation.

Whether you’re a complete beginner like I was or someone who has tried other apps without much success, you’ll learn exactly what to expect from this platform and how it’ll positively change the way you experience your next international adventure.

What is Mango Languages?

My mom had heard about an app at her library called Mango Languages.

Mango Languages aims to prepare learners for realistic conversations and strengthen their everyday communication skills.

It offers the ability to learn over 70 world languages, and the best part is that it was FREE with my library card!

Check with your local library to see if they have this available for you as well.

If they don’t, you can still sign up for Mango through a subscription plan, which has a two-week free trial.

Learning Languages as a Traveler

I started with the Mango Languages app about three months before I left for my trip to Austria and Germany.

The software is available on desktop, but I used the app as I like to use it on the go.

It was incredibly helpful for someone like me, a traveler and beginner learning German, because it didn’t try to teach me phrases like “the boy is running” or “the donkey ate the carrot” like apps like Duolingo do.

They aren’t phrases I would use on a fourteen-day trip.

Instead, they teach you practical examples like “Are you from around here?” or “Excuse me, do you have the time?”

For reference, I tried Duolingo years ago and found myself constantly frustrated by being relentlessly advertised to upgrade, yet never really learning “how” the language works, which is where Mango Languages really shines for me.

Before all my trips over the past decade I typically try to retain at least yes, no, thank you, please, etc. But as my mom and I were going to investigate our ancestory on this trip, it felt more important to get a better grasp of the language.

Exercises to Reinforce the Language

Through the use of building blocks, Mango Languages helps to increase your proficiency.

Each lesson breaks down full sentences into digestible pieces.

Gradually helping to build sentences as well as reinforce the language and vocabulary through memory-building and critical-thinking exercises.

Memory-Building helped me to review and retain the material learned.

I’m someone who needs repetition to drill it into my brain, so having virtual flashcards essentially was a huge help.

New words are introduced with each section.

These exercises really helped me understand the language rather than just regurgitating memorized sentences, since I could see how the sentences were built piece by piece.

By the time we left, I was able to piece together some sentences myself!

Having Someone to Speak to

One of the best things about Mango Languages was the Voice Comparison feature.

I could practice pronouncing words and see if they matched their native-speaker recordings.

I found this very helpful, as I didn’t have anyone to practice German with until I was already on my trip, so it helped me get over speaking out loud a bit.

Even when learning Spanish in school I found the out loud portion always more daunting over the writing as I was afraid I’d embarrass myself, but having at least a computer to talk to got my used to speaking.

They also show you the Understood & Literal Meanings and Semantic Color Mapping, but I didn’t use those as often as they are more about context and structure than retaining phrases.

Is Mango Languages Worth It? My Honest Review

So, is Mango a good language learning app?

Being able to take German lessons online instead of in class was supremely useful for someone who’s on the go.

I won’t say I was fluent by the time I flew to Austria. But I had the basics down well enough for me to get around and say the pleasantries, which goes a long way while traveling, as it shows basic respect for the country.

I found people generally more friendly toward my mom and me, and some even offered to teach us some local phrases, such as “Grüß Gott.”

It’s a common greeting in Southern Germany (we visited Munich’s Old Town), Austria (most commonly in Salzburg), and Switzerland that translates to “May God greet you.” Originally a Catholic blessing, it is now used as a formal “hello” with strangers and pronounced as “GrooS GoT.”

I completed only the first two chapters, then skipped around to sections like ‘Getting Around’ and ‘At the Restaurant.’

Having the freedom to do so, rather than being locked into whatever Duolingo is serving, was genuinely helpful, as I could target what would be useful to me on my trip, which is why I highly recommend Mango Languages for travelers wanting to learn a new language.

And do check if your library has a free subscription!

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