Does learning a new language intrigue you? Say no more, because those days are gone when we had to go to specific schools to learn a new language. Luckily, we’re born in the age of internet where most things can be done online, including learning a new language.
I will share some top-rated apps to learn a new language in this article and you are responsible for keeping up with the lessons.
On a side note, one of the requirements for using these apps is a reliable internet connection. For instance, Spectrum Internet service is reliable for helping you stay online so your learning doesn’t stop.
Duolingo:
Currently, Duolingo offers 42 languages but the content and features of each language depend on its popularity among the learners. Nevertheless, I’ve found Duolingo as a great app to hone my skills in a new language. Now, let’s look at some of its features:
- Duolingo offers self-paced learning with different proficiency levels. For instance, beginners may find a different language outline than people who already have a basic knowledge of a new language.
- A lot of multimedia, be it pictures or videos, is used in the app. Also, gamification makes learning more interactive and engaging on Duolingo.
- Duolingo uses speech recognition to identify and rectify users’ mistakes to help users understand the correct pronunciations of complex words and phrases.
- You can get peer feedback on your assignments and take a live lesson from an adept tutor on Duolingo.
Babbel:
Babbel provides bite-sized but well-curated lessons for its users. As of now, Babbel offers only 14 major languages and the content of those languages varies by their popularity.
- Babbel offers podcasts, magazines, and articles in different languages. Besides the basics, you can learn how native speakers converse in their language.
- The app focuses on scenario-based learning. For instance, you can learn salary negotiations in German.
- You can take a private class with a tutor or join a group (6 participants max). These interactive sessions can help you understand correct pronunciations and boost your confidence while speaking a new language.
- Business professionals can learn email writing, networking, delivering presentations, and more in a new language with Babbel for Business.
Drops:
The Drops app offers 45 languages and it’s the best for improving your vocabulary. At first, Drops may seem basic to most users, but some of its features are unique to this app only:
- Drops use gamification, repetition, and mnemonics to help you memorize vocabulary.
- Unlike most language learning apps that do not let users skip memorized words, you can mark memorized words in Drops and those words will not appear on the screen again.
- You can find more than 2,000 vocabulary words in each language.
- Vocabulary words are divided into different topic lists, for instance, gardening, cooking, or traveling. You can simply click on the list to start learning vocabulary.
Busuu:
Busuu focuses on teaching a new language like it is taught in a traditional classroom – but at own your pace. The platform offers 14 languages and includes basic to an advanced level.
- Lessons on Busuu incorporate a video recording from a native speaker. Not only is this engaging, but also helps you to understand how certain words are pronounced.
- The Busuu community allows you to share your writings with native speakers. You can get them checked and then work on their feedback to improve your writing skills.
- Busuu’s AI-powered tool offers personalized feedback to each user. From grading your writing skills, speech, and pronunciation, and highlighting areas of improvement, this tool will help you improve and rectify mistakes.
Pimsleur:
The app offers over 50 languages and is named after Dr. Pimsleur, who presented a way to learn a new language in a short time.
- The app relies heavily on verbal communication, rather than reading and writing, and offers 30-minute audio lessons that are focused on different speaking scenarios.
- Although it’s a self-paced learning app, Pimsleur will list down some bonus tips at different steps for users to maximize their learning. For instance, the app will guide you to take one lesson daily and master the 80% of the previous lesson before moving on to the next.
- Each lesson contains prompts where you can practice and improve your speaking skills with a native speaker.
- You may find a lot of repetitive words in audio lessons. It’s because the Pimsleur app focuses more on teaching commons words of a language, that are frequently used.
Bonus Section: Tips to Learn a New Language:
While these apps will help you get started for sure, I’ve got some additional tips that may also help you out:
- Find someone who speaks the language you’re learning. Although these apps offer interactive sessions, speaking with someone in person can boost your confidence.
- Songs and TV shows can help you learn new words with their contextual meaning.
- You can take a step further by changing your device and social platform’s language to your targeted language.
- To feel confident, you can practice whatever you learn in front of a mirror daily.
