HOLA, BONJOUR, KONNICHIWA, NAMASTE, and hello! Whatever language you’re trying to learn, language learning apps can help you expand your vocabulary and have a better knowledge of a country’s culture and customs. I’ve tried various apps and courses to learn Spanish, and while the quality varies depending on the language, these are my language learning apps.
Do Language Learning Apps Work?
What You Need To Know?
Language study applications can help you improve your language skills, but if you want to be fluent, you’ll probably need more aid. A Columbia University review of language apps identified three major flaws: “First, apps tend to teach vocabulary in isolated units rather than in relevant contexts; second, apps minimally adapt to suit the skill sets of individual learners; and third, apps rarely offer explanatory corrective feedback to learners.”
Every linguist thinks that human connection is key for learning a second language, so look for language learning applications that allow you to listen to and converse with native speakers of your chosen language. It’s also beneficial when apps include real-life settings, tales, and cultural context.
Apps that focus on vocabulary growth can be useful, but only when used in conjunction with classes or other learning aids. Surprisingly, there has been little research into the effectiveness of language learning apps. Still, a Michigan State University research discovered that our top option, Babbel, not only helped with grammar and vocabulary acquisition, but also enhanced spoken communication abilities.
Language study applications can assist beginners and intermediate students in developing a foundation. If all you want to know is how to order a coffee, they can teach you. Fluency necessitates absorption and comprehension, whether through conversation with native speakers, classroom instruction, or reading and viewing films.
Babbel
If you want a whole language-learning solution, Babbel is the way to go. It begins by teaching the fundamentals of grammar, such as specific vowels and consonants and their proper pronunciations, before progressing to conversational scenarios in everyday situations. I particularly enjoy the chats in which you fill in the blanks, the ability to select courses on various themes (there is no set order), and the insights into local culture and terminology.
Babbel performs an excellent job of explaining grammar rules as you practise and get a better comprehension. Podcasts and games are among the learning alternatives available, and live online sessions with language trainers can be booked (though this is pricey). The tempo is appropriate, with a gradual increase in complexity and enough of spaced repetition to consolidate your knowledge.
Unfortunately, the free trial is restricted, with only one lesson for each language. Some classes are dry, and it can feel repetitive at times. There is no true gamification here, thus it lacks the addictive appeal of some other apps. I also had occasional voice recognition issues and struggled with pronunciation.
Babbel costs $15 per month, $38 for three months, $67 for six months, $89 each year, or $349 over a lifetime. Unlimited Babbel Live costs $99 per month, $209 for three months, $359 for six months, and $599 for a full year.
Duolingo
Designing an addictive hook into your language practice is a creative method to keep you interested, and Duolingo does gamification like no other. It’s simple to use, slick, and enjoyable, and you’ll soon be carefully hoarding your daily streak. Each module is divided into subjects, and the course is designed so that you must complete numerous courses before unlocking additional.
Modules address both social events like as dating and surprise parties, as well as grammatical topics. Useful hints are interspersed throughout, and there’s a decent mix of learning tactics, including stories, puzzles, reminders, and explanations of typical blunders. Duolingo has recently added a GPT-powered chatbot, but it requires the costly Max membership.
While Duolingo has extended beyond its concentration on vocabulary building, adding podcasts and stories to the standard reading and writing activities, it remains low on speaking and listening, and it will not teach you to be proficient on its own. The free tier has a lot of wonderful stuff, but you must tolerate advertising. Gamification can be difficult because you only have five hearts per day and lose one if you make a mistake.
Subscribing to Duolingo Plus allows you to learn offline without constraints or advertisements. There are also in-app purchases, although all of the main content is free. Duolingo is free. Super Duolingo is $13 per month or $84 per year, with a Family Plan (with up to five persons) costing $120 per year. Duolingo Max costs $30 per month, or $168 annually.
Memrise
Memrise is an effective learning tool that focuses on vocabulary and the types of casual discussions that travellers may encounter. The Android app is user-friendly and employs a familiar flashcard approach with spaced repetition to help you memorise words and phrases. There are also grammar courses and easy voice recognition exercises.
What I enjoy the most are the Learning With Locals video snippets, which include native speakers and feel more like being in the country. You may establish goals, the classes are short, and there’s some gamification and pushing to keep you coming back. The free version also provides a lot of value, and user-generated content enhances the fundamental courses. While there is no substitute for speaking with actual people, MemBot, a GPT-powered chatbot, allows you to practice your chats without fear of embarrassment, but it costs a monthly membership.
On the flipside, Memrise focuses heavily on vocabulary, the web app isn’t as good as the mobile app, and the exercises can become repetitive. There isn’t much explanation, therefore advanced learners should go elsewhere. The quality of user-created content varies greatly. The free edition provides a lot of functionality, but a Pro subscription unlocks extra features and allows for offline access. Memrise is free. Memrise Pro costs $15 per month, $90 per year, or $200 for the lifetime membership.
Busuu
Busuu is a good option for structured language learning with flashcards, grammar exercises, and casual talks. Lessons are organised into chapters that deal with common situations, and everything feels quite polished. I enjoy the films of short chats, but the best feature is the customer reviews. Busuu links you with a native speaker of the language you’re learning, who corrects and comments on your work (both written and spoken); you can do the same for others.
You can also add friends, which fosters a sense of community and provides insights you would not otherwise have. Busuu also offers live classes in groups or one-on-one. Busuu supports 14 languages, and some reviews say the quality varies. I found it useful for Spanish, although that’s a common language to learn. Some of the typing activities are tedious, and the quality of user reviews varies.
The fundamental courses for a single language are free, but you must pay to the Premium plan to remove commercials, gain access to some content, and receive AI-powered review, priority community feedback, and certificates. Busuu is free, with live lessons starting at $13 a lesson. Busuu Premium costs $14 per month, $51 for six months, or $83 per year.
Lingoda
For many people, speaking with real people in the language they want to learn is the most effective approach to progress. Finding a class near you or a time to attend can be difficult, but Lingoda provides hour-long online Zoom lessons with professional language teachers. You can take classes in small groups of up to five people or pay more for one-on-one instruction. You must purchase lessons in blocks, and you will receive digital materials to help you prepare for classes and practice what you have learned.
You can take a test to determine your level, sign up with multiple teachers, and select classes at times that work for you. Classes are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week due to their locations in various time zones. Lingoda’s strength is the ability to communicate with real people and receive personalized feedback.
Unfortunately, live classes will always be quite pricey and may not be suitable for shy people. Some instructors are better than others (you can rank them after each lesson), as are some of your classmates. You can learn a lot if you have a skilled instructor, only one or two other individuals, and everyone prepares thoroughly. There is no app, but you will need Zoom and a good internet connection.
Lingoda exclusively provides courses in English, Business English, French, Spanish, and German. Lingoda’s group classes begin at $76 a month for five lessons, $135 for 12, $198 for 20, and $369 for forty lessons. One-on-one lessons start at $176 per month for five, $315 for twelve, $441 for twenty, and $756 for forty. Prices vary by language.
Drops
This sleek app is an effective technique for visual learners to expand their vocabulary. You begin by selecting one of 39 supported languages, determining how much time you want to devote every day, and selecting areas such as food, travel discourse, or business and technology. Drops fall from the top of the screen, revealing photos that must be accurately identified by tapping, dragging, and pairing what’s displayed. Each drop is also stated aloud in your preferred language.
It’s simple to use, with a timer at the top right indicating how much session time remains, and there’s lots of repetition to help you remember what you’ve learned. Drops is all on teaching you words and phrases, so don’t expect grammar classes, speaking, or pronunciation practice; instead, use it as a complimentary vocabulary builder. I enjoyed using it, but I was disappointed that I had to enter payment information to get the seven-day free trial. It’s also more complicated than necessary to cancel.
Drops Premium costs $13 per month, $70 annually, or $160 for a lifetime membership.
Honorable mentions
Here are a few more programmes and apps that can help augment your language learning efforts, albeit some of them aren’t as good as the ones listed above.
Lingvist ($10 per month): With a strong emphasis on flashcards, Lingvist can help you quickly expand your vocabulary, and the creators say it will adapt to you. The app tracks your progress and includes grammar and quiz parts. You can also look through word lists. The app is simple to use and allows for quick learning sessions.
DuoCards (Free): This is another flashcard program that uses spaced recognition. It’s worth a look because it allows you to make your own flashcards and choose which words to learn. This program is best used in conjunction with other courses or applications to help you increase your vocabulary.
The basic edition is free, but it includes adverts and has a restriction on the number of flash cards you may make.
Immerse costs ($24 per month): We’ve all heard that you need to immerse yourself to learn a language, but Immerse takes it to the next level with half-hour courses performed in virtual reality. It’s costly, at $24 for four courses per month, and I haven’t tried it yet, but it seems interesting. You’ll also need a Meta Quest 2 headset (9/10, WIRED recommends). The creators emphasise the community aspect by allowing users to meet and interact with other language learners from across the world in virtual environments.
Pimsleur ($15 per month): Dr. Paul Pimsleur created a language learning approach that relies on listening to audio and repeating phrases aloud. This method is useful since it allows you to practise while working out, commuting, or doing household. The brief classes are simple to get started with, although they are formal and sometimes feel slow because the vocabulary is purposely limited.
Learn French TV5MONDE (Free): Anyone looking to learn French should download the free app from the French-language TV channel TV5MONDE. You can take a fast test to determine your level and then enhance your French through activities based on TV episodes with authentic accents.
You’ll gain a sense of how people speak in context, and you can narrow your emphasis by watching shows that are related to your hobbies. There are also Android and iOS applications.
Mondly ($10 per month): This colorful app provides short courses organized into modules on a variety of topics. It is simple to use and provides a wealth of important words and phrases, all while incorporating competitive gamification. A chatbot, regular quizzes and challenges, and a leaderboard are some of the highlights. Unfortunately, it makes little effort to clarify grammar principles, and the software appears disorganised and cumbersome.
Rosetta Stone ($12/month): These immersive language program provide bite-sized sessions with a focus on listening and speaking rather than explaining or translating. The content is clear and professional, and you may participate in online tutoring sessions via the app.
It’s a little dry and official, with hit-or-miss speech recognition and a lack of style and gamification compared to many competitors. Nonetheless, it is effective for a large number of individuals.
