Best language learning apps

 Best language learning apps in 2023

Learning a new language can be challenging, and not everyone has the luxury of time or money to attend classes or hire a personal tutor. Fortunately, we live in a wonderful era where there are numerous language-learning apps available, which can seamlessly fit into our daily routines. The most exceptional language learning apps are designed to expand your vocabulary, improve your grammar, and eventually enable you to speak fluently through enjoyable and easy-to-follow lessons, all from the comfort of your smartphone or laptop.

With a vast array of language learning apps to choose from, you can find one that aligns with your learning style and schedule. These apps are also cost-effective, particularly when compared to formal education or private tutoring. Additionally, many of them incorporate speech recognition technology, which is essential for accurate pronunciation. Some even offer multiple language options, making it convenient to pick up new languages.

In this article we will discuss the top language learning apps that make it effortless for you to learn a new language at your own pace. With their help, you'll be speaking like a native in no time!

1. Duolingo:

As someone who uses Duolingo regularly, I find the app's colorful design and brief, game-like exercises to be quite enjoyable. The app doesn't limit the number of languages you can try to learn simultaneously (although I suggest sticking to two languages max to retain anything). I personally use Duolingo to practice Spanish and German.

Duolingo ensures that you don't forget the basics, even after you've "mastered" a particular skill and advanced to a higher level. If you don't regularly review a skill, it can "crack," but you can repair it by revisiting the skill and practicing it again.

I appreciate the app's easy-to-navigate interface and the "streak" feature, which encourages you to continue learning by tracking the number of days you've reached your point goal. Within the app, you can access additional resources like Duolingo Stories, which provide short audio tales to help you check your comprehension skills as you go. If you're interested in an ad-free experience and more features, the premium version of Duolingo called Super Duolingo costs $7 a month and offers progress quizzes, monthly streak repairs, and other perks.

2. Babbel:

In my experience, Babbel is the language learning app that most closely resembles an online school curriculum. What I appreciate about Babbel is its simple design, which makes learning a new language (in my case, French) less daunting while still keeping it engaging. Each lesson is structured to take you through translations, showcasing variations of words or phrases, providing pictures, and indicating whether the language is formal or informal. When it comes to spelling out phrases, the letters are conveniently included.

Moreover, Babbel offers a feature where you can witness how new words are used in everyday conversations, listen to them (if you choose to have audio on), repeat the phrases, and learn about different verb groups. The 15-minute language lessons are short enough to fit into your schedule, whether it's during your commute, before bed, or on your lunch break. With the My Activity module, you can track your progress and see how far you've come.

Signing up for Babbel is free, and you'll get to try the first lesson of every course for free as well. Should you decide to subscribe, a monthly subscription costs $14.95, or you can opt to renew every three months ($37.95), every six months ($66.90), annually ($89.40), or make a one-time payment of $249 for lifetime access.

3. Drops:

I gave the Greek language a shot using the Drops app and was pleasantly surprised by how approachable it felt. With its vibrant and playful design, the app made learning Greek - which has its own unique alphabet - much less daunting. The app presents users with each Greek word in both Greek and English alphabets, alongside an image and audio pronunciation. Drops is constantly updating its offerings and has recently added Ainu, an indigenous Japanese language, to its collection.

Drops offers a premium subscription for $13 per month, $70 per year, or a one-time payment of $160. If you decide to stick with the free version, you'll need to wait 10 hours before accessing your next lesson. However, you can still view your stats after each lesson, including the number of correct and incorrect answers and words learned. Plus, you can tap on the words you've learned to hear them pronounced again and see them written in the Greek alphabet - this extra review can definitely help give you a head start on your next lesson!

4. Mondly:

Mondly is a delightful app that shares some similarities with Drops. It is packed with exciting features that you can take advantage of, even if you choose not to upgrade to the premium version. Personally, I tried beginner Hungarian on this app, and I was impressed by how it offered to show me different verb conjugations when I tapped on them. The app uses a variety of tools, including images, translations, and auditory aids to cater to your unique learning style.

The instructor's voice on Mondly is particularly noteworthy because of its melodious quality. I found it easier to remember words and phrases because of this feature, even when I tried different languages on other apps.

Mondly is free to use, but if you want access to all the content, you can subscribe to the premium tier. For just $10 a month or $50 annually, you can unlock all the features for one language. If you're interested in accessing all 33 languages, you can take advantage of the limited-time offer of $48 for lifetime access (usually $479.90).

5. Memrise:

One aspect of Memrise that I really enjoy is the app's use of short videos to demonstrate how native speakers use various phrases in everyday conversations. When I tried the French course, the first lesson alone allowed me to hear the tone and pronunciation of the phrases, while also providing the phrase's literal translation and explaining its gender-specific usage. The app also helps you recognize patterns in the language, making it easier to improve your skills. If you're revisiting a language you already know, you can skip over phrases that you're already familiar with.

Memrise offers a few free lessons every day, but you also have the option to upgrade your account. You can choose from a monthly subscription for $8.49, an annual subscription for $30, or a one-time payment of $120 for lifetime access.

6. Busuu:

When you join Busuu, you choose the language you want to learn and the app helps you assess your proficiency level and determine your goals for learning the language. Based on your objectives, you set a daily study goal, and if you opt for the premium subscription plan, Busuu creates a tailored study plan that outlines when you'll reach your goal. For instance, if you study for 10 minutes three times a week, Busuu estimates that you'll achieve a high level of fluency in your target language in about eight months.

Busuu has a free Basic plan, but you can upgrade to Premium or Premium Plus for more features. Premium costs $12.95 per month, $71.40 annually, or $130.80 every two years. Meanwhile, Premium Plus, which gives you access to all the app's resources, costs $13.95 per month, $83.40 annually, or $154.80 every two years. All subscription plans come with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

I tried out Busuu's Italian course and appreciated the app's simple and visually appealing design. Additionally, Busuu sends helpful reminders to keep you on track with your studies. For example, when I logged in for the second time, it reminded me about "weak words" I needed to review to enhance my vocabulary.

7. Lirica:

Repeatedly listening to a song can help you memorize the lyrics, even if they're in a foreign language. However, understanding the meaning of those lyrics can be a challenge. That's where the Lirica app comes in. It takes a unique approach to teaching Spanish and German by incorporating popular music from Latin and reggaeton artists to teach language and grammar. Through Lirica, you'll not only learn the language but also immerse yourself in the culture behind it. As you learn, the app also provides interesting facts about the artist.

The Lirica app offers a one-week free trial, after which it costs $9 per month, $20 every six months, or $30 annually. Currently, the app offers Spanish, French, German, and English languages.

8. Pimsleur:

If you're interested in learning a new language, Pimsleur is an excellent app to consider, as it provides access to 51 different languages. The app primarily delivers its content through audio lessons, much like a podcast. All you need to do is select the language you want to learn, and you can start a 30-minute audio lesson that you can easily download and even use with Alexa. Additionally, Pimsleur has a driving mode that allows you to improve your language skills during long commutes without needing to stare at your screen.

If you're curious about the app, you can sign up for a seven-day free trial and try it out for yourself. Pimsleur offers two subscription options: All-Access, which provides access to all 51 languages for $21 per month, or a Premium subscription, which focuses on only one of the available languages and costs around $20 per month. Features include reading lessons, roleplaying challenges, and digital flashcards, making Pimsleur a comprehensive language-learning tool.

That's all for the language learning apps of 2023.