7 Apps for Learning a Language

One of the best things about our mobile devices is that we can use them for on-the-go education, and nowhere is that more true than when it comes to learning a language. Whether we are walking the dog, working out at the gym, or enjoying a little quiet time at home, the ability to grab a smartphone and a pair of headphones and work on our linguistic skills is truly one of the great benefits of the digital age.

Some apps – like the Rosetta Stone series – mostly take a traditional approach to learning a language. Others – like Duolingo – take advantage of all that the Web and mobile content have to offer and utilize those tools in interesting and often compelling ways. Whatever your preferred approach, there is sure to be an app that will suit your learning style. Here are 7 of our favorites:

  • Duolingo

    duolingoDuolingo is a free language learning app, which encourages you to translate real content from blogs and web sites. The idea is that you are learning a language and helping to translate the Web at the same time. Other people rate your translation and provide additional feedback. Voted one of Apple’s 2013 Apps of the Year, Duolingo learns your strengths and weaknesses, and will take you back through various tasks until you demonstrate you are ready to move on.

    Cost: Free
    Platform: iOS, Android
  • Babbel

    babbelMore of a traditional learning app, Babbel offers vocabulary training in 13 mostly European languages. Words are divided into useful categories, so you can learn about food or travel essentials, and the interactive courses quickly improve sentence construction, grammar and pronunciation. Although the various apps are free to download, they all require in-app purchases, which can vary from $10.99 to $37.99 depending on the rigor of the program.

    Cost: Free download but in-app purchases required
    Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
  • Busuu

    busuuWith Busuu, you learn the basics through a variety of activities, including vocabulary and grammar lessons, audio dialogues, and more. You can then submit practice exercises to Busuu’s huge community of native speakers, who will help you perfect your skills. There are also a series of quizzes to see how much you have learned. Much of the basic content is free but you can purchase additional graduated learning programs for up to $16.99 each.

    Cost: Free to download with the opportunity for in-app purchases
    Platform: iOS, Android
  • Memrise

    memriseMemrise is a completely free and fun educational app, which turns the task of learning a language into a game. The flashcard-style learning process focuses largely on memory and repetition, using imaginative and humorous situations to make things easier to recall. Memrise awards points for getting words and phrases right and offers you the opportunity to test your progress by competing against others.

    Cost: Free
    Platform: iOS, Android
  • Byki Mobile

    bykiAnother traditional memory and repetition-based learning system, Byki Mobile is now available for over 80 different languages. Over 1,000 critical words are arranged into 70 different lists and you master the meaning and proper pronunciation through Byki’s SlowSound technology. There are multiple quizzes to test your knowledge and track your progress, and you can use refresh mode to make sure older words don’t get “stale.”

    Cost: Free app download but each language set requires in-app purchase of $7.99
    Platform: iOS, Android
  • The Pimsleur Method

    pimsleurThe “30 minutes a day” old-school method of language learning has gone mobile with the Pimsleur Course Manager app, which effectively allows you to download your Pimsleur software to your smartphone or tablet for an on-the-go learning experience. Gradual learning, meaningful context and positive reinforcement all have their place in this tried and trusted approach to learning a new language.

    Cost: Free download of Course manager app but full course software starts at $450
    Platform: iOS, Android
  • Rosetta Stone

    rosettaAnd no list would be complete without the world’s leading language-learning software. Again, the Rosetta Course app is a “manager app”, allowing you access to Rosetta Stone speech-recognition technology and lessons anywhere there is an Internet connection. Over 30 different language lessons are available and each package costs $324. Rosetta Stone recently acquired the interactive language tool LiveMocha but has yet to release a mobile app for that particular learning experience.

    Cost: Free download of course manager app but requires course software priced at $324 for each language.
    Platform: iOS, Android

Comments:

  1. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you actually realize what you are
    talking about! Bookmarked. Please additionally talk over with my web site
    =). We may have a hyperlink alternate agreement between us

  2. I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. This article has truly peaked my interest.
    I’m going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about
    once per week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.

  3. I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
    The issue is an issue that too few people are speaking intelligently about.
    I’m very happy that I came across this in my hunt for something
    relating to this.

  4. Thanks for any other fantastic post. Where else may just
    anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal manner of writing?
    I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the look for
    such information.

  5. Thank you, I have recently been searching for information about this subject for a
    long time and yours is the greatest I have discovered till now.
    But, what concerning the bottom line? Are you certain concerning the supply?

  6. When I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the
    -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I
    recieve four emails with the same comment. Is there a way you can remove me from that service?
    Many thanks!

  7. Somebody essentially assist to make critically articles I’d state.
    This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far?
    I amazed with the analysis you made to make this actual post amazing.
    Great task!

  8. I’m really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into
    any internet browser compatibility problems?
    A small number of my blog audience have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but
    looks great in Firefox. Do you have any tips to help
    fix this problem?

  9. Ayrıca C harfi ile başlayan farklı erkek
    bebek isimleri, modern ve farklı bebek isimleri,
    çift isimli bebek isimlerini site içinde bulabilirsiniz.
    C Harfi İle Başlayan Kız Bebek İsimleri Cabire: Zorla yaptıran. cebren, zor kullanan, aziz.

  10. I’ve been surfing online greater than three hours these days, yet I by
    no means found any fascinating article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth sufficient for me. Personally,
    if all webmasters and bloggers made excellent content material as you probably did,
    the internet will likely be much more helpful than ever before.

  11. Thank you, I have recently been searching for information about
    this topic for a while and yours is the best I’ve came upon so far.
    However, what concerning the bottom line? Are you positive about
    the source?

  12. Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you
    might be a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and
    definitely will come back someday. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great posts,
    have a nice morning!

  13. Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long)
    so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing.
    Do you have any tips for inexperienced blog writers?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

  14. I am really happy to read this weblog posts which includes lots of helpful
    information, thanks for providing these data.

  15. Your style is really unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from.
    I appreciate you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark
    this blog.

  16. Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; many of
    us have developed some nice procedures and we are looking to exchange solutions with others,
    be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.

  17. Fine way of telling, and good post to get data concerning my presentation subject, which i
    am going to deliver in academy.

  18. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this excellent
    blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my
    Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this site
    with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  19. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation however I in finding
    this topic to be really one thing that I feel I
    might by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex
    and very huge for me. I am having a look ahead for your next submit, I will attempt to get the hang of it!

  20. Great work! This is the kind of information that should be shared across the
    net. Shame on the seek engines for not positioning this post upper!
    Come on over and seek advice from my web site .
    Thank you =)

  21. Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
    Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
    Appreciate it

  22. Howdy! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site
    mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when browsing from my iphone 4.
    I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this problem.
    If you have any recommendations, please share. Cheers!

  23. I’m gone to inform my little brother, that he should also pay a
    visit this blog on regular basis to take updated from newest gossip.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *