Language learning apps can be a great way to learn a new language for those people who don’t have enough time to invest in taking regular courses. But with so many apps to chose from, it is really difficult to know which one will work for you.
Today, I will help you find one by analyzing a handful of the top learning apps and providing you with a short description of each. I have tested some of them thoroughly, because I have been using them myself to learn Spanish.
#1 Duolingo
This is my personal favourite. I have been using Duolingo to learn Spanish for over a year now. A couple of years ago I also used it in my ESL classes and my students loved it. Each course in Duolingo is made up of modules which are grouped to form skills. New modules become active once you’ve completed the previous one. Duolingo allows you to ‘test out of’ individual modules as well as groups of modules. Each lesson in Duolingo is made up of a range of activities, such as translations, word matching, dictations. New vocabulary is often taught with images, and grammar points are explained in little speech bubbles. Duolingo tracks your daily progress and prompts you to do your lesson if you start slacking off. At the end of each lesson, you get a progress report that also shows your ‘streak’ – the number of days in a row that you’ve completed.
#2 Daily Dose of Language
Every day, you get a new lesson and every day, it is different – it will include phrases, slang, vocabulary, and cultural points. Reviewing it will take a minute or less. Inside the Daily Dose App there are: daily alerts for new mini-lessons, native pronunciation, translations and in-depth explanations of vocabulary and grammar, and a calendar overview of your lessons
You will also get audio and video lessons for every mini-lesson and access to past mini-lessons, but that requires subscription.
#3 Fun Easy Learn
It offers game-based language learning in 34 languages. If you are interested in learning English, you can choose between British and American English.
The main goal of the app is to make learning vocabulary more accessible and entertaining. You learn it by associating all the words and phrases with colorful illustrations and gifs. The app also teaches you how to pronounce the word and phrases with the help of audios recorded by native speaking voice actors.
#4 Triplingo
This app was created with the aim of making things easier for people who travel a lot. You will find on it local emergency information, medical phrases, the currency converter, tip calculator and various travel tools.
It will help you communicate while traveling abroad by providing you with interactive phrasebook and instant voice translator. And it saves your from social blunders by explaining etiquette in its culture guide.
#5 HelloTalk
This app connects you with native speakers to chat with for free. You can chat with individual members, or join group chats for a collaborative learning experience. You can chat via text, voice recordings, voice calls, video calls, and even doodles. The app allows you to engage with the entire community by posting public posts “Moments” which can be seen by all native speakers of your target language, ideal for asking questions and sharing updates.