Cheap Cruising

Knowledge of a foreign is a must for the cheap traveler.  Being able to speak somewhat fluently ingratiates you to the locals and in turn leads you an areas hidden treasures.  Mango is a webapp that offers free courses in Spanish, Russian, Greek, German, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Italian and Polish.  There is even an mobile option.  The free version of Mango lets you:

1. Learn over 1,100 common high frequency words in your new language. This is available in every one of our 11 language courses. As new languages become available, you will have access to those as well.
2. Learn grammar the natural way and learn to put those words together to engage in real and meaningful conversation.
3. Color coded translations for phrases and sentences so that you can clearly see what words and phrases in your new language actually mean in your native language.
4. Understood translations so that you sound natural when speaking your new language.
5. Literal translations so that you understand the literal meaning of the words that you are speaking and build a stronger vocabulary.
6. Native male and female voices clearly pronouncing words and phrases so that you can learn to understand native pronunciation and so that you can learn to speak like a native.
7. The first 5 lessons of every course will have the Pro level features for free.

I checked out the first lesson of French and it provides a decent knowledge of the language. Mango also offers a paid subscription as well. One month will run you $65. In return you’ll get more vocabulary words, memory building exercises, cultural notes, zero ads and some other bells and whistles.  I’ll stick with the free version.

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