Duolingo: Gamifying Your Learning
Duolingo is an enjoyable and interactive app that makes language learning feel like a game. It allows you to earn points, level up, and compete with friends. The app provides lessons in a variety of languages, including Spanish, French, Japanese, and Korean. This makes it ideal for beginners, as it motivates you with daily streaks and accomplishments.
Memrise: Learn from Native Speakers
Memrise is another popular app that combines flashcards and videos to help you learn vocabulary and phrases. Memrise distinguishes itself by focusing on native speakers. You can hear real people speaking the language here, which will help you with pronunciation and context. Memrise also offers a variety of courses, ranging from basic vocabulary to advanced topics.
Babbel: Focus on Conversation
Babbel is an excellent choice for those looking to deepen their conversational practice. The app focuses on dialogue-based lessons, allowing you to practise in real-life situations. Aside from that, Babbel offers grammar tips and cultural insights to help you gain a more complete understanding of the language. Even though it is not free, many users believe the investment is worthwhile due to the high quality of the content.
Tandem: Practice with Real People
When you can practise with others, your language learning will be more effective. Tandem is an app that lets you communicate with native speakers from all over the world. You can communicate via text, voice, or video, providing a realistic setting for practice. It’s an excellent way to gain confidence and meet people who speak the language you’re learning.
FluentU: Learn Through Videos
FluentU teaches languages through real-world videos like music videos, movie trailers, and news clips. This unique approach explains how the language is used in various contexts, making it easier to remember and apply what you’ve learned. In addition, the app provides interactive subtitles and quizzes to help you understand.
Anki: Create Your Own Flashcards
If you prefer flashcards, then Anki is the app for you. Anki is highly customisable, allowing you to make your own flashcards using text, images, and audio. Its adaptability makes it ideal for memorising vocabulary and grammar rules. The app makes use of a spaced repetition system (SRS), which has been shown to improve memory retention over time.
Learning a new language is an exciting journey, and with these apps and resources, you’ll be well prepared to get started. Whether you prefer gaming, flashcards, videos, or in-person conversations, there is something for everyone. So, go ahead and download an app, find a meetup, and begin practicing today. 頑張ってね~