We all know that learning languages opens up a world of opportunities. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a traveler, being multilingual can be a key to enhancing both your career choices and life experiences. Though the process of language learning is not easy, fortunately, with numerous apps and digital instruments available on the market, it has become both convenient and enjoyable. If you’re just getting started on a language learning journey, be sure to check out our other article on How to Learn a Language Fast to Impress Native Speakers, where we lay out general principles of fast successful language learning.
In this article, we’ll focus on the concrete instruments to help get ahead of the game. We have carefully selected the best apps to cater to different needs and preferences. Our trio of multilingual blog authors has lived as expats or digital nomads in various countries, making language learning personally significant to us. Each of the three of us speaks 3-4 languages fluently (5 different languages in total), and a few more on a conversational level. We continue to learn and improve our language skills every single day. Since we have different personalities and learning styles, we have chosen best apps that all three of us found helpful in our language learning journey to share with our readers. We hope you find these apps useful too!
Ewa: Fun and Interactive Learning
Ewa is an app designed to make a new language learning fun and engaging. With its interactive content and user-friendly interface, Ewa offers a unique approach to mastering new languages. The app uses a variety of multimedia resources, including videos, quizzes, and interactive dialogues, to keep learners motivated and entertained. I personally get true enjoyment in watching and listening to how my favorite movie and series characters pronounce their phrases and jokes in Spanish, which I’m learning right now. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to polish your skills, Ewa has something for everyone. Give it a try, and I’m sure you’ll love it too.
Duo Cards: Quick Vocabulary Boost
If you love using flashcards, which I totally recommend doing if you are a beginner learner, Duo Cards is the app for you. This app focuses on vocabulary building through flashcards, making it perfect for quick practice sessions. Flashcards are an effective way to memorize new words and phrases, and Duo Cards takes this concept to the next level with its easy-to-use platform. It remembers when you struggle to remember certain words and then flashes the hardest ones back to you in time to make you stick with your progress. Also, I liked different regimes, when the app switches between visual cards to audio and then back to help you remember the words even better. Duo Cards is an excellent choice for students and travelers who need to expand their vocabulary quickly.
Babbel: The Go-To for German Learners
Babbel is renowned for its structured lessons and effectiveness. The app offers comprehensive courses designed by language experts, ensuring a solid foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and conversation skills. Many users have praised Babbel for its clear explanations and practical exercises, making it a top choice for professionals and serious learners. We found this app amazing, especially when it comes to learning German. You can learn other languages there too, we didn’t try all of them of course, but found languages like English or Spanish to be less well structured. If you are a German learner, however, you should definitely try this one out.
Preply: Personalized Tutoring
If you prefer personalized instruction, Preply is the perfect app for you. It connects learners with tutors for tailored lessons – both native-speaking in your language or in the language you are learning. You can select tutors based on their expertise, availability, and reviews, ensuring a customized learning experience. This app is ideal for learners who want to improve specific skills or need guidance from an experienced teacher. I particularly appreciate the filtering options when searching for the right tutor, as well as the wide range of pricing for the lessons, starting from as little as $10 to $100+. This means you can find teachers to suit your needs, regardless of your budget.
Falou: Mastering Pronunciation
Pronunciation is a crucial aspect of language learning, and Falou specializes in this area. The app offers interactive exercises that focus on improving your speaking skills. With Falou, you’ll practice pronunciation through AI, real-life dialogues, and feedback from native speakers. I like the option of pronouncing phrases to be analyzed by the app with instant feedback on how accurately you sound. All in all, it’s a great app for anyone looking to boost their confidence and accuracy in speaking a new language.
Promova: Comprehensive Learning
Promova provides a well-rounded approach to language learning. The app offers courses in multiple languages and caters to all proficiency levels. Promova stands out with its diverse range of features, including grammar lessons, vocabulary exercises, and cultural insights. It’s an excellent choice for learners seeking a comprehensive and immersive experience.
Apps you may want to avoid: Duo Lingo
While Duo Lingo is a popular choice, it may not be the best option for serious learners. Neither of our trio of language learners has liked this app, so our verdict is “not recommended”. Many users find that Duo Lingo’s gamified approach lacks depth and comprehensive instruction. Compared to the apps mentioned above, Duo Lingo often falls short of providing a thorough understanding of the language. For more effective learning, consider trying one of our recommended apps or add the ones that are not on the list in the comments below. We would love to hear from you as well as try some new ones we haven’t tested yet!
Conclusion
In the end, the best app for learning new language depends on your individual needs and goals. Whether you’re looking for interactive content, personalized tutoring, or a focus on pronunciation, there’s an app out there that can help you succeed. There are plenty more apps available on the market so you may want to try other ones for comparison too. For the best results, our recommendation would be to mix different apps in the process. Don’t forget also to switch between the activities to avoid repetitive actions and prevent language learning burnouts. Give these apps a try and embark on your new language-learning journey today. We would love to hear from you in the comments on whether our picks worked for you or there are more you think we should add to the list. Happy learning!
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