Learning a new language with apps

Darlene Sonalder
Darlene SonalderList by Darlene Sonalder, last updated 
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  1. Just getting started and choosing a language

    Starting a new language isn't a small trip, it's a long journey that is built on hours of hearing, reading, thinking and speaking.

  2. Duolingo icon
     Like

    While there is dozens of valid criticizism about the little green owl we have to give credit, it's a wonderful free gamified way to start learning a new language. Thanks to it you would see if you are able to dedicate 5, 10 or 20 minutes per day in learning and practicing a new language, it's a great place to start with many different languages to choose from butyou won't become fluent with it.

    Others worth mentioning: LingoDeer icon LingoDeer Rosetta Stone icon Rosetta Stone Babbel icon Babbel Drops icon Drops Busuu icon Busuu

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Duolingo screenshot 1
    Duolingo screenshot 1
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  3. MosaLingua isn't as flashy or gamified as Duolingo and others however it uses Spaced repetition with a wonderfully built set of flashcards and set of languages. While also having lessons to read, listen to etc...

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    MosaLingua screenshot 1
    MosaLingua screenshot 1
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  4. Audio-based learning

    Learning a langugae is definitely simpler and quicker if you listen that actual language. However most apps do it in a not-that-efficient way. Look at these instead:

  5. While being entierly free this method is one of the best to learn a language. It's based on thinking and not repetition or memorizing. You will listen to a teacher and one of their student, pausing, thinking, answering out loud and then resuming the audio. You can also download the audio or stream them from SoundCloud icon SoundCloud

    • You need to have a good english level to listen most of the courses are most of them are in english
    • Some courses are more complete than others.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
  6. Pimsleur icon
     Like

    It's similar to Language Transfer icon Language Transfer but paid and expensive. If you have money and most important determination this is probably worth it as it's one of the best courses you can get.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    • Online
    Pimsleur screenshot 1
    Pimsleur screenshot 1
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  7. Lingoclip icon
     Like

    Listening to music and analyzing the lyrics is a powerful method to learn a language as it will typically motivates you.

    Worth mentioning: Sounter icon Sounter LyricFluent icon LyricFluent

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    Lingoclip screenshot 1
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  8. Building your vocabulary

    Thinking is great for the grammar and some vocabulary but memorizing is unfortunately necessary to extend vocabulary usage especially if you wanna learn with an app.

    Space repetition is key!

  9. Anki icon
     Like

    Anki is the main flashcards spaced repetition software. It's Free and Open Source and you can download community made packs of flashcards some are really well made and extensive. You can even download plugins and transform your Anki experience to something truely unique like a Pokemon game based on your learning.

    The iOS and iPadOS app is one time payment but it's worth it and is cheaper than most of the paid apps or services that will do the same without the wonderful community built around it.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • iPad
    A simple card on Mac
    A card on Windows
    Learning French phonology with minimal pair cards
    +11
    Type the answer to check your spelling
  10. ListLang icon
     Like

    An app to learn vocabulary with the most used words per language. It is completely free of charges without any ads and uses a custom spaced-repetition algorithm.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    ListLang screenshot 1
    ListLang screenshot 1
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  11. Building your vocabulary with audio

  12. Practice your speaking with exchange platforms

    Hearing the pronounciation is one thing, actually using it in a talk with someone is another one. For improving your pronounciation you really need to talk with native speakers, a bot validating on an app isn't really useful at least for now.

  13. HelloTalk icon
     Like

    A huge community of people wanting to learn a language. Find someone that speaks the language you want to learn, that speaks the one they want to learn.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    HelloTalk screenshot 1
    HelloTalk screenshot 1
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  14. Preply icon
     Like

    Private (or group) lessons with real human teachers.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Preply screenshot 1
    Preply screenshot 1
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    Preply screenshot 3
  15. Discord icon
     Like

    Find community on discord or in some games you like to play.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Epic Games Store
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
    Desktop UI
    Desktop UI Color Customization
    Cross Platform Video Chat and Screensharing
    +8
    Phone UI
  16. VRChat icon
     Like

    There is a decent sized community of people their that want to learn new languages it's a great place to practice and you don't need a VR headset unlike the title emplies.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • HTC Vive
    • Oculus Experiences
    • Steam
    • Oculus Rift
    VRChat screenshot 1
    VRChat screenshot 1
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  17. Telegram icon
     Like

    There is some community there as well.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Apple Car Play
    Telegram Desktop
    Telegram iOS #1
    Telegram iOS #2
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    Telegram iOS #3
  18. Practice your reading

    Reading is also a big side at becoming fluent in a language.

  19. This app let you read simoutanously in your mother tongue and the lanugage you wanna learn, it also have audiobooks.

    Worth mentioning: Readlang icon Readlang Online website

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    Beelinguapp screenshot 1
    Beelinguapp screenshot 1
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  20. Going further (active listening and practice)

    Listen to podcast, watch youtube videos, movies, tv shows, cartoons and travel the world!

  21. EasySubs icon
     Like

    A free and open source chrome extension for language learning through YouTube, Netflix and more

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Google Chrome
    • Chromium
    EasySubs screenshot 1
  22. LLPlayer icon
     Like

    A free and open source video player made exactly for language learning.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    LLPlayer screenshot 1
    LLPlayer screenshot 1
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So here is a currated list of apps to learn a new language. Of course there is plenty of apps I haven't covered some are specific to a certain language for exemple and there is amazing website or communities I haven't talked about.

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