Adventures in Language

Are you having difficulty fine-tuning your pronunciation to sound like a native speaker? Perhaps it's a struggle to pronounce tones in Mandarin Chinese correctly, or to trill your r's in Spanish. In this video, your language guide Emily (linguist, PhD) shares four simple and actionable tips that you can use to improve your pronunciation, in any language!

Sign up here for more FREE language learning content (like the awesome goal-setting worksheet we mentioned in the video): https://info.mangolanguages.com/glc-signup

Don’t miss our related videos:
Why Is Pronunciation So Hard? https://youtu.be/-5F62UL3024
Sound Blending “In the Wild” https://youtu.be/g073uncbzCU

If you’d like the blog article that accompanies this episode, click here: https://blog.mangolanguages.com/4-tips-for-mastering-pronunciation-in-any-language
We also invite you to check out our website at: https://mangolanguages.com/ and follow us on social media @MangoLanguages. And remember – language is an adventure. Enjoy the ride!

Wondering what languages were used in today’s episode?
Swedish| Hej. Hur står det till? means ‘Hello, how are you?’ (lit. Hello. How stands it to?) Hejdå means ‘Bye.’
Spanish | Sin más preámbulos means ‘Without further ado’ (lit. ‘Without more preambles’)
Interested in learning English, Swedish, Spanish, or one of the other 70+ languages that the Mango app offers? Click here to learn more!  https://mangolanguages.com/app

Emily Sabo (PhD, University of Michigan) is a linguist at Mango Languages. A Pittsburgh native, her areas of specialization are the social and cognitive factors that impact bilingual language processing. Having studied 7 languages and lived in various countries abroad, she sees multilingualism -- and the cultural diversity that accompanies it -- as the coolest of superpowers. Complementary to her work at Mango, Emily is a Lecturer of Spanish at the University of Tennessee, a Producer of the “We Are What We Speak’ docuseries, and get this...a storytelling standup comedian!

#languagelearning #pronunciationtips #fluencytips

Mastering pronunciation in a new language can be really challenging. But you shouldn't feel bad about it – because there are real underlying reasons for why that’s the case! In this podcast, your language guide Emily (linguist, PhD) summarizes exactly why pronouncing words in your target language can be difficult, so that you can feel more confident and in control of your language learning process!

Sign up here for more FREE language learning content (like the awesome goal-setting worksheet we mentioned in the episode): https://info.mangolanguages.com/glc-signup

And to learn more about sound blending, check out our video here: https://youtu.be/g073uncbzCU

If you’d like the blog article that accompanies this episode, click here: https://blog.mangolanguages.com/3-reasons-why-mastering-pronunciation-can-be-hard
We also invite you to check out our website at: https://mangolanguages.com/ and follow us on social media @MangoLanguages. And remember – language is an adventure. Enjoy the ride!

Wondering what languages were used in today’s episode?
Farsi (Persian)| سَلام، چِطورید؟ (sahLAHM, cheTOHreed) means ‘Hello, how are you?!’ and خُداحافِظ means ‘Goodbye.’
Modern Standard Arabic | بدون إطالة (bidoon iTaala) means ‘without further ado’ (lit. ‘without long talk)
Interested in learning English, Farsi, Arabic, or one of the other 70+ languages that the Mango app offers? Click here to learn more!  https://mangolanguages.com/app

Emily Sabo (PhD, University of Michigan) is a linguist at Mango Languages. A Pittsburgh native, her areas of specialization are the social and cognitive factors that impact bilingual language processing. Having studied 7 languages and lived in various countries abroad, she sees multilingualism -- and the cultural diversity that accompanies it -- as the coolest of superpowers. Complementary to her work at Mango, Emily is a Lecturer of Spanish at the University of Tennessee, a Producer of the “We Are What We Speak’ docuseries, and get this...a storytelling standup comedian!

#languagelearning #pronunciationtips #howtopronounce

Are all languages equally difficult, or are some harder to learn than others? In our latest podcast, your guide Kaitlyn Tagarelli (Linguist, PhD) takes a look at how the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) answers this question. Watch along as Kaitlyn breaks down the FSI’s 4 language difficulty categories and explains the features that might make a language harder or easier to learn.

To download all the available language learning content we mentioned in this episode, or if you’d like the blog article that accompanies this episode, click here: https://blog.mangolanguages.com/are-some-languages-harder-to-learn

If you liked this video, please let us know by hitting that like button, and join the Mango Languages fam by subscribing to our channel! We also invite you to check out our website at: https://mangolanguages.com/ and follow us on social media @MangoLanguages. And remember – language is an adventure. Enjoy the ride!

Wondering what languages were used in today’s episode?
Russian | Здравствуйте (ZDRASTvuytye) and До свидания (da sviDAniya) mean “hello” and “goodbye
Portuguese | Olá! (ohLAH) and Até logo! (ahTEH LAHgoo) mean “hi” and “see you soon”
This video also includes words and phrases in Dutch, Swedish, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Romanian, Korean, Japanese, and Arabic. Interested in learning Russian or Portuguese, or one of the other 70+ languages that the Mango app offers? Click here to start learning! https://mangolanguages.com/app

Want to know more about the research consulted for this video?
The category rankings in this episode come from the Foreign Service Institute’s Foreign Language Training webpage, found at https://www.state.gov/foreign-language-training/. We also recommend checking out the World Atlas of Language Structures for more information about the structures and properties of different languages.

Kaitlyn Tagarelli (PhD, Georgetown University) is a Linguist and the Head of Research at Mango Languages. She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Georgetown University, specializing in how the mind and brain learn languages. Aside from geeking out about all things neuroscience and linguistics, she loves hanging out with her family at their Connecticut home, trying to convince them to speak French with her.

#languagelearning #bilingual #languagedifficulty

If you’re like most language teachers, you want your students to see language learning as an adventure. From the process of discovering and learning, to being inspired about the culture and history, students who seek the adventure in language will have a richer experience. In this podcast, your language guide Emily (linguist, PhD) shares 6 fun and easy ways for you to help your students see language learning as an adventure.

Watch our video on creating a more culturally diverse classroom here: https://youtu.be/lmH-g05K658

Looking to download our Setting Good Goals PDF we mentioned in this podcast? Click here to access: https://info.mangolanguages.com/glc-signup

If you’d like the blog article that accompanies this episode, click here: https://blog.mangolanguages.com/6-ways-to-make-language-learning-an-adventure-for-your-students
We also invite you to check out our website at https://mangolanguages.com/ and follow us on social media @MangoLanguages.

Wondering what languages were used in today’s episode?
German | Guten Tag! is ‘Hello! (lit. ‘Good day!) and Auf Wiedersehen! is ‘Goodbye!’ (lit. To seeing you again!)
Tamil |  ‘இதுக்கு அப்புரம் (ithuku aprom) means 'Without further ado' (lit. 'After this')
Interested in learning English, German, Tamil, or one of the other 70+ languages that the Mango app offers? Click here to learn more! https://mangolanguages.com/app

Meet your guide Emily! Emily Sabo (PhD, University of Michigan) is a linguist at Mango Languages. A Pittsburgh native, her areas of specialization are the social and cognitive factors that impact bilingual language processing and production. Having studied 7 languages and lived in various countries abroad, she sees multilingualism -- and the cultural diversity that accompanies it -- as the coolest of superpowers. Complementary to her work at Mango, Emily is a Lecturer of Spanish at the University of Tennessee, a Producer of the “We Are What We Speak’ docuseries, and get this...a storytelling standup comedian!

#teachingtips #LanguageIsAnAdventure

When it comes to motivation, language learning is a lot like hitting the gym! In this podcast, your guide Emily (linguist, PhD) shares 5 practical tips for building your language learning “muscle.” By the end of this episode, you'll feel pumped up and motivated – ready to put these tips into action and see results!

Sign up here for more FREE language learning content (like the awesome goal-setting worksheet we mentioned in the podcast): https://info.mangolanguages.com/glc-signup

And to learn more about setting good goals, check out our video here: https://youtu.be/HmA1jeNG1q4

If you’d like the blog article that accompanies this episode, click here: https://blog.mangolanguages.com/5-easy-ways-to-build-your-language-learning-muscle
We also invite you to check out our website at: https://mangolanguages.com/ and follow us on social media @MangoLanguages. And remember – language is an adventure. Enjoy the ride!

Wondering what languages were used in today’s episode?
Irish (Standard) | Dia duit! (DEE-u ghit) means ‘Hello!’ and Slán go fóill! means ‘Bye for now!’
Bulgarian | Без да губим повече време (bez da gubim povecher vreme) means ‘without further ado’ (lit. ‘without us losing any more time)
Interested in learning English, Irish, or one of the other 70+ languages that the Mango app offers? Click here to learn more!  https://mangolanguages.com/app

Emily Sabo (PhD, University of Michigan) is a linguist at Mango Languages. A Pittsburgh native, her areas of specialization are the social and cognitive factors that impact bilingual language processing. Having studied 7 languages and lived in various countries abroad, she sees multilingualism -- and the cultural diversity that accompanies it -- as the coolest of superpowers. Complementary to her work at Mango, Emily is a Lecturer of Spanish at the University of Tennessee, a Producer of the “We Are What We Speak’ docuseries, and get this...a storytelling standup comedian!

#languagelearning #motivation #fitness

Looking to improve your students’ long-term retention of the language content you teach? Look no further than Spaced Repetition! In our last podcast, we covered what Spaced Repetition is and why it matters to language learning. In this episode, your language guide Emily (linguist, PhD) shares 5 practical tips for how you can apply Spaced Repetition to your classroom!

Didn't catch our last podcast on the Spacing Effect? Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1818324/9526122

Looking to download our Setting Good Goals PDF we mentioned in this episode? Click here to access: https://info.mangolanguages.com/glc-signup

If you’d like the blog article that accompanies this podcast, click here: https://blog.mangolanguages.com/5-easy-fun-ways-to-use-spaced-repetition-language-teacher-tips
We also invite you to check out our website at https://mangolanguages.com/ and follow us on social media @MangoLanguages.

Wondering what languages were used in today’s episode?
Ukranian | Доброго дня. Як справи? (Dobroho dnya. Yak spraveh?) is ‘Hello! How are you?’ (lit. ‘Good afternoon! How are things?) and До побачення (doh pobachenya) is ‘Goodbye!’
Japanese | 前置きはさておき (maeoki-wa sate oki) is ‘Without further ado’ (lit. ‘Setting aside introductory remarks’)
Interested in learning English, Ukranian, Japanese, or one of the other 70+ languages that the Mango app offers? Click here to learn more! https://mangolanguages.com/app

Want to explore more of the research underlying this episode? 
Ullman, M. T., & Lovelett, J. T. (2018). Implications of the declarative/procedural model for improving second language learning: The role of memory enhancement techniques. Second language research, 34(1), 39-65. | This is a scholarly article with a helpful overview into the research on how Spaced Repetition affects Second Language Acquisition. 
Carey, B. (2015). How we learn: The surprising truth about when, where, and why it happens. Random House Trade Paperbacks. | Check out Chapter 4, titled “Spacing Out: The Advantage of Breaking Up Study Time.” 

Meet your guide Emily! Emily Sabo (PhD, University of Michigan) is a linguist at Mango Languages. A Pittsburgh native, her areas of specialization are the social and cognitive factors that impact bilingual language processing and production. Having studied 7 languages and lived in various countries abroad, she sees multilingualism -- and the cultural diversity that accompanies it -- as the coolest of superpowers. Complementary to her work at Mango, Emily is a Lecturer of Spanish at the University of Tennessee, a Producer of the “We Are What We Speak’ docuseries, and get this...a storytelling standup comedian!

#teachingtips #spacedrepetition #teachinghacks

If you’re learning a language, you need to think about the process in a way that inspires you – because doing so can change your whole approach to language learning. In this podcast, your guide Emily (linguist, PhD) explains 5 ways learning a language is like hitting the gym.

Sign up here for more FREE language learning content (like the awesome goal-setting worksheet we mentioned in the podcast): https://info.mangolanguages.com/glc-signup

To learn more about how language learning relates to the “No pain, No Gain” principle, check out our Desirable Difficulties video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sEAUdUspbU

If you’d like the blog article that accompanies this episode, click here: https://blog.mangolanguages.com/5-ways-language-learning-is-like-hitting-the-gym
We also invite you to check out our website at: https://mangolanguages.com/ and follow us on social media @MangoLanguages. And remember – language is an adventure. Enjoy the ride!

Wondering what languages were used in today’s episode?
Hungarian | Jó napot! Hogy van?  (YO nuhput! HOdj von?)  means ‘Hello! How are you?’ and Viszontlátásra! means goodbye
Romanian | fără alte formalități means ‘without further ado’ (lit. ‘without the usual formalities’)
Interested in learning English, Hungarian, Romanian, or one of the other 70+ languages that the Mango app offers? Click here to learn more!  https://mangolanguages.com/app

Emily Sabo (PhD, University of Michigan) is a linguist at Mango Languages. A Pittsburgh native, her areas of specialization are the social and cognitive factors that impact bilingual language processing. Having studied 7 languages and lived in various countries abroad, she sees multilingualism -- and the cultural diversity that accompanies it -- as the coolest of superpowers. Complementary to her work at Mango, Emily is a Lecturer of Spanish at the University of Tennessee, a Producer of the “We Are What We Speak’ docuseries, and get this...a storytelling standup comedian!

#languagelearning #motivation #NoPainNoGain

As a language teacher, you want your students to remember the language long after they leave class. Of course, that doesn’t always happen, but what if there was a way for you to help them retain the language longer?
That’s where the Spacing Effect comes in! In this podcast, your language guide Emily (teacher, PhD) is talking about the Spacing Effect, which is one of the most well-researched, yet under-utilized learning principles. What is it, why does it matter to language learning, and what do you need to know about it to improve your students’ long-term retention of the language?

Looking to download our Setting Good Goals PDF we mentioned in this podcast? Click here to access: https://info.mangolanguages.com/glc-signup

If you’d like the blog article that accompanies this episode, click here: https://blog.mangolanguages.com/what-is-the-spacing-effect-and-why-you-should-be-using-it
We also invite you to check out our website at https://mangolanguages.com/ and follow us on social media @MangoLanguages.

Wondering what languages were used in today’s episode?
Dutch | Hallo! Hoe gaat het? is ‘Hello! How are you? (lit. ‘Hello! How goes it?) and Dáág is ‘Goodbye!’
Brazilian Portuguese | Sem mais demora is ‘without further ado’ (lit. ‘without more delay’)
Interested in learning English, Dutch, Portuguese, or one of the other 70+ languages that the Mango app offers? Click here to learn more! https://mangolanguages.com/app

Want to explore more of the research underlying this episode? 
Ullman, M. T., & Lovelett, J. T. (2018). Implications of the declarative/procedural model for improving second language learning: The role of memory enhancement techniques. Second language research, 34(1), 39-65. | This is a scholarly article with a helpful overview into the research on how Spaced Repetition affects Second Language Acquisition. 
Carey, B. (2015). How we learn: The surprising truth about when, where, and why it happens. Random House Trade Paperbacks. | Check out Chapter 4, titled “Spacing Out: The Advantage of Breaking Up Study Time.” 

Meet your guide Emily! Emily Sabo (PhD, University of Michigan) is a linguist at Mango Languages. A Pittsburgh native, her areas of specialization are the social and cognitive factors that impact bilingual language processing and production. Having studied 7 languages and lived in various countries abroad, she sees multilingualism -- and the cultural diversity that accompanies it -- as the coolest of superpowers. Complementary to her work at Mango, Emily is a Lecturer of Spanish at the University of Tennessee, a Producer of the “We Are What We Speak’ docuseries, and get this...a storytelling standup comedian!

#teachingtips #spacedrepetition #forgettingcurve

If you’re learning a language, you need to know about dialects. Dialects are different ways of speaking a language – think British English vs. American English. But when you're learning your target language, should you absorb multiple dialects, or just one? In this podcast, your guide Emily (linguist, PhD) shares why dialects matter, and the 4 things you need to know about them in order to reach your language goals!

Sign up here for more FREE language learning content (like the awesome goal-setting worksheet we mentioned in the podcast): https://info.mangolanguages.com/glc-signup

If you’d like the blog article that accompanies this episode, click here: https://blog.mangolanguages.com/the-dialect-dilemma-when-learning-a-language-do-you-need-to-pick-and-stick-to-one-specific-dialect-it-depends.-heres-why
We also invite you to check out our website at: https://mangolanguages.com/ and follow us on social media @MangoLanguages. And remember – language is an adventure. Enjoy the ride!

Wondering what languages were used in today’s episode?
Punjabi (Pakistani) | السلام علیکم means hello (lit. 'peace be upon you.’)  رب راکھا۔ (rab raakhaa) means goodbye (lit. god savior)
French | Sans plus tarder means ‘Well, without further ado’
Interested in learning English, Punjabi, French, or one of the other 70+ languages that the Mango app offers? Click here to learn more!  https://mangolanguages.com/app

Want to know more about the role of dialectal diversity in language learning?
Ringer‐Hilfinger, K. (2012). Learner acquisition of dialect variation in a study abroad context: The case of the Spanish [θ]. Foreign Language Annals, 45(3), 430-446.
Walker, A. (2019). The role of dialect experience in topic-based shifts in speech production. Language Variation and Change, 31(2), 135-163.
Williams, G. P., Panayotov, N., & Kempe, V. (2020). How does dialect exposure affect learning to read and spell? An artificial orthography study. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.
Cheng, C. C. (1996). Quantifying dialect mutual intelligibility. In New horizons in Chinese linguistics (pp. 269-292). Springer, Dordrecht.

Emily Sabo (PhD, University of Michigan) is a linguist at Mango Languages. A Pittsburgh native, her areas of specialization are the social and cognitive factors that impact bilingual language processing. Having studied 7 languages and lived in various countries abroad, she sees multilingualism -- and the cultural diversity that accompanies it -- as the coolest of superpowers. Complementary to her work at Mango, Emily is a Lecturer of Spanish at the University of Tennessee, a Producer of the “We Are What We Speak’ docuseries, and get this...a storytelling standup comedian!

#languagelearning #mutualintelligibility #dialects

Some people quickly become fluent in their second languages, while others struggle to get past even basic conversation. Yet everyone seems to learn their first language with ease. In this podcast, your guide Kaitlyn Tagarelli (Linguist, PhD) dives into the differences between first and second language learning. In particular, 4 key factors that help explain why learning outcomes are so much more variable in second language learning.

To download all the available language learning content we mentioned in this podcast, or if you’d like the blog article that accompanies this episode, click here: https://blog.mangolanguages.com/4-key-differences-between-first-and-second-language-learning

Check out our video on The 9 Essential Terms of Second Language Acquisition, full of vocabulary and details about SLA: https://youtu.be/C-cNQMMXoTc

We also invite you to check out our website at: https://mangolanguages.com/ and follow us on social media @MangoLanguages. And remember – language is an adventure. Enjoy the ride!

Wondering what languages were used in today’s episode?
Malayalam | ഹലോ (hahlO) and പിന്നെ കാണാം (PINnay kaaNAAM) mean “hello” and “goodbye”
Icelandic | Sæll (Sightl) and Vertu blessaður (Vair tuh blessothur) mean “hello” and “goodbye”
Interested in learning Malayalam, Icelandic, or one of the other 70+ languages that the Mango app offers? Click here to start learning! https://mangolanguages.com/app

Want to know more about the research consulted for this episode?
Gardner, R. C., & Lambert, W. E. (1972). Attitudes and Motivation in Second Language Learning. Rowley, MA: Newbury House Publishers. 
Hartshorne, J. K., Tenenbaum, J. B., & Pinker, S. (2018). A critical period for second language acquisition: Evidence from 2/3 million English speakers. Cognition, 177, 263-277.
Johnson, J. S., & Newport, E. L. (1989). Critical period effects in second language learning: The influence of maturational state on the acquisition of English as a second language. Cognitive Psychology, 21(1), 60–99.
Krashen, S. (1982). Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. Oxford: Pergamon. (Updated online version on Dr. Krashen’s website.)
Segalowitz, N., Freed, B., Collentine, J., Lafford, B., Lazar, N., & Díaz-Campos, M. (2004). A Comparison of Spanish Second Language Acquisition in Two Different Learning Contexts: Study Abroad and the Domestic Classroom. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10(1), 1-18.
Webb, S. & Peters, E. (2020). Watching foreign-language TV during the coronavirus pandemic can help you learn a new language. The Conversation.

Kaitlyn Tagarelli (PhD, Georgetown University) is a Linguist and the Head of Research at Mango Languages. She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Georgetown University, specializing in how the mind and brain learn languages. Aside from geeking out about all things neuroscience and linguistics, she loves hanging out with her family at their Connecticut home, trying to convince them to speak French with her.

#languagelearning #multilingualism #SLA