Planning for a trip abroad or moving to a different country for further studies? We're here to help you out.
When you're in a foreign country where English isn't widely spoken, learning some common phrases in the native language is crucial for better communication.
Today, you don't have to fret over learning a foreign language by going through uncountable dictionaries, thesaurus, and manuals. Instead, you can simply opt for language learning through some amazing language learning apps and websites. These apps and websites can cover languages like English, Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish, and so on.
So, if you're interested in discovering some of the best language learning apps and websites, stick with us till the end.
8 Best Language Learning App and Website Options
Struggling to find the perfect language app or website for upgrading your language learning skills? Check out these 7 amazing options to start your journey;
1. Duolingo
Ranked on leading sites as the best language learning app, Duolingo has achieved a phenomenal status. Although it is a free language learning app, its techniques are brilliant and entertaining.
This app uses drills that include speaking, listening, reading, and writing sections to make language learning seem pretty fun and exciting.
One of the best features users enjoy in this app is the number of points and bonuses awarded on each task completion. A feature like this motivates you in your everyday lesson and helps you move forward.
You can read a bunch of different articles from all over the world through translation as well. The app has lessons in foreign languages like Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Spanish, French, and German. You can also learn multiple languages at the same time, and you don't have to pay a single cent for this.
Another interesting feature of this app is that it sends you daily reminders to sit for lessons, which is something innovative and unique. With Duolingo, learning a new language is like an everyday adventure.
Pros
- Motivates users by bringing different challenges
- Quiz and game options are available to make lessons seem fun
- Allows monitoring of progress
- Immediate translation services
- Free language learning app
- User-friendly
Cons
- Falls short on grammar-focused lessons
2. Babbel
This is another cool language app that is designed to boost reading and speaking skills in different languages. Although it is not free like Duolingo, you can still get it at a relatively cheaper price compared to some of the other language learning apps.
It has high-quality courses that cover languages like Spanish, French, German, Italian, Swedish, etc. Besides, you can also learn Russian, Turkish, Polish, and even Norwegian through the language learning program.
One of the best features of this language learning app is that it makes learning a new language seem fun and exciting. It combines the use of vocabulary and grammar in every lesson and has room for reviewing.
With every lesson on Babbel, users become fluent in making conversations in the target language and slowly become skilled in the vocabulary and dialogue.
Pros
- Emphasizes building communication skills
- Ideal learning app for visual learners
- Focuses on improving the writing, learning, reading, and speaking skills
- Excellent grammatical structure
Cons
- Requires a monthly subscription for a complete course
3. BUSUU
BUSUU shares similarities in terms of some of its features with Duolingo. Although it does not provide completely free lessons like Duolingo, you can still enjoy some of its features for free.
This app allows users to learn the basics of a native language through a visual and gamified approach. It covers a wide range of languages starting from Spanish, Arabic, Polish, Chinese and Japanese.
BUSUU has options for inviting new learners and interacting with learners to improve their skills. This app has separate features for beginners and advanced learners which is pretty amazing.
It allows beginners to learn through flashcards and build their language skills slowly over time. For advanced BUSUU learners, this app focuses more on testing skills through real native speakers on the site.
Since this app allows users to interact and share their progress with fellow learners, this can be considered as a cool social app as well. Advanced learners can improve their writing skills through direct video lessons with a native speaker. The integrated chat feature is also a pretty unique feature of this app.
Although this app is not entirely free, you can still avail of the seven-day free trial option and later cancel your subscription if it doesn't work out for you.
Pros
- Offers learning opportunities for both new and advanced learners
- Focuses on improving the vocabulary skills
- Allows users to interact with native speakers to upgrade their skills
Cons
- Requires a premium subscription for availing of advanced features
4. Memrise
If you're looking for one of the best language learning apps for both web and Android, Memrise can be an excellent choice. This app allows you to learn your target language at a faster pace with remarkable skills in writing, reading and speaking.
You can find more than 200 language courses in this app. Just like BUSUU, you can find a gamified approach to learning new languages.
The app uses flashcards to improve vocabulary and dialogue practice skills. It creates opportunities for learning by awarding points and creating competitive sessions among users of different categories.
This platform focuses more on memorizing basic phrases and making sure that they are captured in your memory through unlimited practice. You can learn Spanish, Italian, German and unlimited languages through this platform.
Within weeks, you will be able to create a meaningful conversation with native speakers through the different practice sessions on this app.
This app allows you to practice lessons through game models that ultimately take shelter in your memory. It utilizes the idea of learning through entertainment, and this is why it's such a cool app for amateur learners.
Pros
- Aims to create stronger memorization
- Allows opportunities to practice with native speakers
- Offers diverse courses and writing exercises
Cons
- Downloading content for offline use requires a pro subscription
5. Anki
Anki is one of the best free language apps out there. It is almost on the same page as Duolingo and is a remarkable option for users wanting to try out some unique content.
This app is available for free on the web, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linus. It allows you to focus on just one language or try your hand at many languages simultaneously.
You can learn many languages including Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, etc., on this platform. Other languages you can learn on this platform include Arabic, French, German, and Hebrew.
This platform uses flashcard programs to learn vocabulary and new words. There are audio recordings, videos, and lots of content to start your journey with a new language. One of the best features of this app is the spaced repetition algorithm.
It allows you to predict the correct answers when you're about to lose insight on a quiz session and helps refresh your memory. This feature displays an image or a word to help you make a link and repeats it till you get it right.
Eventually, the answer stays in your memory, and in this way, you can learn at your own pace. This app is a better option for advanced learners who have some prior knowledge of a second language in comparison to complete beginners.
Besides, there are tons of cards on the platform in the languages offered, ultimately helping you to increase your vocabulary knowledge. You can also learn pronunciation and improve your speaking skills through some of the courses offered by this program.
Pros
- Helps to learn new vocabulary through a wide range of flashcard sets
- Spaced repetition system helps in improving the memorization
- Covers lots of interesting courses in popular languages
Cons
- Beginners may find the user interface intimidating
6. Rosetta Stone
If you're more concerned about improving your listening and reading skills, you might want to give Rosetta Stone a chance. This app gives you ample opportunities to build vocabulary knowledge and apply lessons in real-world situations.
Rosetta Stone comes with different subscription options, and at 179$ you can obtain lifetime access to all of the languages the app covers.
It emphasizes improving the grammatical points in relation to the learned material and helps in learning in detail about individual words every day. This platform also covers a bunch of different common languages like Spanish, Irish, German, and so on.
Rosetta Stone is one of the best apps for practising key phrases and common words. Honestly, it takes quite some time to learn how to apply these phrases in the real world when you're learning through Rosetta Stone. However, the results are pretty great and fruitful.
This platform also comes with speech recognition software, a new addition to its features. Since it's relatively new, it hasn't established a solid user interface for its learners yet.
One major drawback of this app is that it does not focus on building speaking skills so much similar to other mobile apps. Without appropriate speaking courses, preferably under the guidance of native speakers, there is almost no scope for learners to build their competence in making conversations.
Pros
- Offers several language options
- Provides tips on improving vocabulary
- Emphasizes building reading and listening skills
Cons
- Does not follow a certain context for teaching new vocabulary
- No option for interacting with native speakers to increase communication abilities
7. BBC Languages
Another interesting platform for learning languages, this one is way ahead of its game. You can learn key phrases and new words n more than 30 different languages.
However, this language exchange app focuses primarily in providing comprehensive tutorials in mainly seven languages- Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Greek, German, French and Portuguese.
This platform organizes lessons for users by categorizing them into beginner, intermediate or advanced learners. It arranges crossword puzzles and quiz sessions to make things interesting when you're learning all the words from a new language.
There are plenty of sources available in BBC Languages including video units, audio recordings, PDF files, and so on. Besides, this app focuses on improving your English-speaking skills by arranging live sessions with English speakers.
The free version of this app is an excellent option for those who want to start with the basics and climb their way to enriched vocabulary at a slow pace.
Pros
- Offers tons of opportunities for building speaking skills
- Relies heavily on the learner's efforts to establish communication
- Helps to create dialogues for applying in real-life situations
Cons
- Translation services may not be of very high quality
8. Hilokal
Hilokal is another interesting app that you can try to learn different languages. The best part about this app is that it allows users to engage in audio calls and improve their fluency. So, if you’re someone who wants to improve their skills in the speaking section, this app is just for you.
From offering live video calls to providing moderation tools, this app is definitely a hidden gem. Besides, there are private language cafes and immediate translation facilities to help one with a quick fix.
The main centre of focus for Hilokal is to improve the user’s learning skills in Korean and English. However, Hilokal has plans to offer more diverse language lessons quite soon!
Pros
- Provides instant translation and practice lessons
- Improves the speaking skills through audio calls
- Voice correction options are available
Cons
- Does not have many facilities for languages other than Korean and English
Final Words
The right language app can make a lot of difference, starting from increasing your vocabulary knowledge to building your communication skills.
Finding an app that allows you to explore many options while learning a language from scratch can be quite challenging. We hope our list of 7 competent language learning platforms can be of assistance to both beginners and advanced learners.
