Having the ability to speak a different language is one of the most coveted skills by humans. However, for some reason, most of us are usually only able to speak one. It’s hard to understand why, even with all the apps available, there still aren’t too many people speaking other languages.
Gone are the days when you would spend hours listening to a CD and trying to repeat the words that are said, then getting it all wrong. Nowadays, apps can help you easily learn a second language. In fact, while traveling, certain apps can come in handy when you are trying to communicate and you haven’t learned the language just yet.
In this review, we take a look at the apps you can download on your devices in order to learn a new language. So, whether you are gearing up to travel to a new country or you just want to be able to twist your tongue in a different way, these apps will come in handy for you.
Table of Contents
Rosetta Stone
This program is a leader in the language teaching world and has been around for more than 25 years. It is, therefore, no surprise that they are the number one go-to app for learning other languages, especially for beginners who want to understand the basics.
The app allows you to listen to the words, repeat the words using phrases and photos, and then use them in conversations. You can view the progress of your learning by taking quizzes and giving the correct answers as well as the correct pronunciations.
This app requires a subscription of around $11.99 per month, but you are allowed to try out the first lessons for free. Therefore, you can see whether you like the app or not. If you are very serious about learning a new language, you should give Rosetta Stone.
Duolingo
This app comes to you with a very bright interface, which is also intuitive. It lets you progress naturally at your own pace. You can start as simple as you want and then grow gradually into the more complex lessons.
It is a helpful tool that is there to help and work with you every step of the way. The app addresses all aspects of learning such as writing, reading, and pronunciation, which is the most important and the most challenging.
You will also get to have fun with a wide range of activities, and it will amaze you just how quickly you will find yourself picking up the basics within no time. It also allows you to revisit the lessons from the past and work on the areas you may have had trouble with.
The app is free and can be downloaded on any device.
Memrise
The use of flashcards, which is very popular with most students, has been found to be extremely effective in teaching new things to students. This app takes a similar approach and makes you start off slowly as you learn the language of your choice.
For instance, if you are interested in Russian, you will be guided through the wide Cyrillic alphabet which is a little hard if you have never heard it before. Their teaching method, however, makes it easy for you to memorize the phrases and remember them when in a conversation.
Memrise has an extremely friendly interface that is attractive and easy to use. If you wish to expand your new skills further, you should take a look at the Memrise Pro, which will cost you around $8.99 each month. The pro version has additional features such as chat-bot and offline modes which can make your learning much easier.
Otherwise, this app if free to download.
Babbel
Well, everyone knows Babbel. It is a popular app and similar to Rosetta stone. It is a purely subscription-based app that gives you the first lesson for free. You are then able to select from more than 14 languages and learn through a series of listening and repeating the worlds.
They have a test within the app that lets you check on your progress. You can also disable the mic on your phone and just listen to the words and how they are being spoken. You can download it on any of your devices, and it costs around $6.95 per month if you pay for a whole year at once.
Conclusion
When learning a new language, you must be very careful with pronunciations and how to use the words in phrases. Using an app that has been designed for this sole purpose makes it easy for you to do this quickly and do it the right way.