St. Albert Public Library’s online Mango language tutor has been busy since the program began a year ago and the service is becoming increasingly popular.
“We had close to 800 users in the first year. At first there were 58 sessions per month. Now there are 75 sessions per month,” said public services manager Heather Dolman.
More than half of the users studied Spanish, Dolman said, but there are 38 different languages to choose from, including both Mandarin and Cantonese. In addition, English may be studied and those online tutorials are available for speakers of 15 different languages including Arabic, several European languages and a number of Oriental languages.
The language Pirate is also offered and anyone who accesses this will have fun studying the origins of such phrases as ‘Shiver me timbers’ or ‘Blow me down.’
“It’s a fun way to learn the system,” Dolman said, adding that for a time Klingon was also offered, but the program managers removed it because of copyright rules.
“A few libraries used Klingon as a learning tool and I believe they are trying to get it back on the program,” she said.
Mango is funded through a three-year Alberta Public Libraries grant and is free to anyone with a library card.
“It costs $3,500 per year and we have it funded until June 2013 through Alberta Municipal Affairs Public Library Services branch. All Alberta libraries have access to Mango.”
Dolman could not say whether any of the users had completed the online language courses because her data only shows how many times the program was accessed.
“Mango is just one of a number of databases available to anyone with library membership. All you need is your library barcode and you can access the data. For example, if you are learning Spanish, you may access an international newspaper, read it in Spanish, if you wish, and use your Mango to help you understand the language.”
Only 37 participants used the English as a Second Language component of Mango and it was most used by those whose first language is Spanish. Dolman speculated that many of these Mango users were working in St. Albert as temporary foreign workers.
Mango is easily accessed on the library’s website at www.sapl.ab.ca. Anyone entering the program will be required to supply his or her library card barcode and pin number. A free Mango introductory course is offered at the library today from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information call the library at 780-459-1682.
