Mango Languages is a solid tool for learning Mandarin.
* Pinyin and Chinese characters taught simultaneously (rather than one or the other).
* Clear, efficient layout. No confusing widgets or distracting sounds.
* Carefully organized sequence of instruction, with lessons that build on each other.
* Excellent audio recordings of vocabulary with both male and female speakers.
Most importantly, Mango has a spaced repetition flashcard system integrated right into it. It's not as good as Anki or Ulangi, because it gives you only 2 choices (rather than 4) for how well you remembered the card, you can only review your cards once a day, and there are no images associated with the vocabulary words. Note the comparison of a Mango card (left) with an Anki card (right).
Here's a shot of the summary after a daily flashcard review.
Mango's reading activity is unusually good. They utilize the comprehensible input method, which means they give you stuff to read that you can understand. But the conversation you read and the comprehension questions that follow it are identical to those in the preceding listening activity. So of course you're going to get the questions right in the reading comprehension quiz; it's redundant.
Normally Mango costs $7.99 a month for one language or $17.99 a month for unlimited languages. However, Mango has partnered with many local libraries (including mine) to offer access for free. (Subsidized by tax dollars?) Check with yours to see if you can get it for free too.
If you have to pick just one tool for acquiring Mandarin, Mango is a good choice. But you can do better if you are willing to utilize multiple tools. My report explains how.
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