Taking up a new language is a significant and thrilling endeavor. Finding the appropriate resources to support your learning is crucial, regardless of whether you are learning for work, travel, or leisure. You can acquire the essential abilities required to become fluent with the aid of language learning resources. Certain tools concentrate on language’s fundamental components, like grammar and vocabulary. Others will provide you with audiovisual, reading, or listening resources in your target language.
Some tools also link you to online instructors for interactive lessons and conversation classes to advance your speaking skills. To improve your language skills across the major skills, you may need to use a few different tools. But with so many apps and resources available, it can be difficult to choose the best one. To help you get started on your language learning journey, we reviewed ten of the top resources available.
- Babbel GMBH
- Rosetta Stone
- Pimsleur
- Preply
- Lingoda
- Mondly
- Rocket Languages
- Coursera
- Udemy
- Skillshare
Spanish, French, and Italian are among the 14 languages available on the language-learning website Babbel. It features beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses created by professionals in the field. You can select between 3-, 6-, and 12-month plans or a lifetime subscription, with prices starting at $6.95 per month. However, there are some free lessons available for you to try out the platform.
Babbel allows you to study through live online classes with native speakers, videos, podcasts, games, and app lessons. The Google and Apple Play Stores provide its app, and it’s easy to sign up for the platform. All things considered, Babbel is a worthwhile option if you’re searching for an affordable learning platform.
2. The stone Rosetta
Rosetta Stone can be a one-stop shop for language learners because it allows you to gradually and realistically improve your speaking, writing, listening, and reading abilities. Immersion in conversations and stories will help you learn grammar and vocabulary, and audio-visual cues will help you form long-term memory. Additionally, you can use speech recognition software to improve your pronunciation and accent, download audio lessons, and schedule live lessons with a tutor.
If you have a preferred learning style, Rosetta Stone may be worth the investment to advance quickly in your target language, despite being one of the more expensive options available. Additionally, you have the option to study as many languages as you like if you are a particularly motivated language learner.
3. The Pimsleur
Pimsleur is rightfully one of the most well-known and well-established brands in its industry, with decades of research to back up its distinctive method of instruction and providing access to materials for over 50 languages. Among its most alluring features are round-the-clock customer support and interactive learning resources available through its Premium plans, though we occasionally found the website’s layout to be a bit confusing and hard to use.
Pimsleur might be best suited for people who are prepared to commit to language learning on a regular basis because it advises taking one of its 30-minute lessons each day. Additionally, the prices of its standalone CDs and MP3s are expensive in comparison to those of its subscription plans, which are about in line with those of other companies in the market. A free lesson from its website or a seven-day trial of one of its plans would be a good idea if you are not sure if the strategy is right for you.
Why use language learning tools?
In the past, language learners were restricted to a few scant resources. From heavy dictionaries to dense grammar books, they were difficult to use on the go. And while in-person classes and courses still have a lot of value for learners, they can be expensive and a big time commitment. By contrast, digital language learning tools give you the opportunity to study at any time, and costs are usually much lower (or even free).
They can also bring learning to life, with multimedia resources that can make memorization and language practice much more stimulating. Many language learning tools use techniques rooted in neuroscience and educational research to ensure you’re getting the best results. There are even tools that can connect you with other learners or native speakers, making language learning less of a solitary pursuit. Even if you’re not able to visit a country where your target language is spoken, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to engage with authentic material and practice the key skills.
What types of language learning tools are there?
When it comes to language learning apps, you’re spoiled for choice. Many apps focus on vocabulary acquisition and memorization, but how they approach this will depend on the software. Some go for a spaced repetition approach, similar to flashcards. These will help you embed vocabulary by cycling the words you’ve learned so you’re exposed to them frequently over a period of time. Others will integrate vocabulary into short phrases, sentences, or even stories, so you’re getting used to the words in context. Many apps also use game-like features to encourage you to “level up” through repeated practice.
Other apps focus on helping you navigate written or recorded audio material. Sometimes they may be presented together to help you improve your reading skills. Other tools may integrate vocabulary learning to make encountering an unfamiliar text less intimidating. There are even some solutions out there to help you watch TV shows and movies in your target language with the help of subtitles.
When it comes to speaking, there are a number of tools that encourage you to start. This can be through repeating audio material or conducting fake conversations. Some apps even have voice recognition features that will assess your pronunciation.
If you’re keen to work on your speaking and listening skills in a more natural context, there are a number of language learning tools that connect you with a virtual teacher, often a native speaker. This might be the whole focus of the tool, or it can be offered in conjunction with other features. Language lessons could come in the form of 1:1 conversation sessions or structured classes, which obviously make sure the focus is on you and your needs.
Alternatively, some apps can connect you with other learners for group lessons, which can help you learn from others’ mistakes. There are also a number of apps that can connect you with people from around the world for language exchanges, which are less formal than lessons and won’t normally cost anything.
How to choose the best language learning tool
The first thing to think about when choosing a language learning tool is your budget. There are some totally free tools out there, and lots of them also have premium add-ons if you have a bit more cash to spare. Lessons with virtual teachers can be on the pricier side, but you may be able to vary the frequency of your lessons or choose a group learning option to cut the cost if needed.
You’ll also need to look into whether your chosen tool actually covers your target language, especially if you’re learning something unusual. If it does, check what level the materials are aimed at. If you’re a total beginner, a tool that offers native-level content might not be the right choice. Conversely, an app that only covers the absolute basics might help at the start, but if there’s no room for progression you might not get as much value from the tool. Some apps let you add your own material, which can help you tailor the content to your own interests, something that might give you added motivation once you get past the basics.
Selecting the particular skill you want to focus on can also guide you in choosing a tool. Perhaps you need to hone your reading, listening, writing, or speaking skills in particular. Or maybe you need to cover all four. Building a suite of tools can help you develop your language more holistically.
Finally, think about the context in which you want to learn. Apps that rely on speaking out loud might be great if you’re studying in your own room, but for learning a language on the go, a bite-sized vocabulary trainer might be more suitable. Similarly, if you have time to commit to a pre-booked virtual lesson or language exchange, these can be a great way to uplevel your speaking and listening. But if you’ve got a tight schedule, you might want to start with an app with smaller chunks of content. Or, go for one that lets you follow your regular hobbies and interests (movies, blog posts, or music) in your target language.
