The continuous developments in the internet and mobile technology have led to monumental progress in the language learning app space. Now, almost anyone can learn new languages and obtain relevant knowledge on the go.
This seemingly beneficial movement creates yet another problem — successfully navigating the numerous options to select the best language apps to use. If you’re currently faced with this bothersome dilemma, do not fret. We’ve done the necessary in-depth research to relieve you of this burden.
This article highlights the top 5 language apps for improved fluency and speaking in 2021. Hence, if you aim to learn a new language like Spanish, French, Korean, German, etc., you’re one step closer
However, before we go into the details, let’s examine certain factors that may influence your ability to learn a new language.
What Determines Your Success at Learning a New Language?
Your level of success at a new language from scratch primarily hinges on two factors:
- Your strategy
- The amount of engagement—and enjoyment—you have with the learning apps or resources (we’ll share these shortly)
Following the decision to learn a new language, the next step will be to choose the right language learning apps that will skyrocket your overall success. What’s more, when you successfully learn your first foreign language, you can always go back to these trusted language learning apps to learn a second, third, or even fourth foreign language.
However, this doesn’t eliminate the need (or choice) to adopt new, exciting ways of picking up foreign languages. But if you’re not available to attend proper foreign language classes, these language learning apps will do the trick.
The Top 5 Language Learning Apps for You
The following language learning apps can set you on the path to boosting your fluency in a new language.
1. Babbel
Babbel is an excellent, reasonably-priced online language-learning platform. Language lessons last between 10 to 15 minutes, making it perfect for those who do not have too much spare time.
Babbel presently offers up to 15 foreign languages and has excellent, high-quality, and challenging content. This makes the entire language learning process an exciting adventure.
This language-learning app’s design and intuitive interface also make it incredibly enjoyable to use. However, all of these don’t come for free; you have to subscribe to the platform with a base plan of $13.95 per month.
But you can also opt for a larger subscription plan with mouthwatering discounts.
2. Mondly
Mondly is one of the best language-learning applications today. It has a user-friendly interface as well as a wide range of highly interactive language lessons for users.
What sets this language learning app apart is that you can quickly learn a foreign language in your native tongue. You read that right — you don’t have to be a versatile native English language speaker to use the application. That way, you can learn a foreign language while keeping in touch with your other language(s).
Some of the languages available to learn on Mondly include:
- Catalan
- German
- Bengali
- Chinese
- Latin
- Hebrew
- Slovak
- Russian
- Urdu
- Norwegian
- Greek
- Latvian, etc.
To access all language content, Mondly charges $9.99 a month to access one foreign language.
3. italki
italki is an exceptional language learning platform that connects users with native speakers of languages they’re learning online. This makes the language-learning process faster. All language learning sessions are run through Skype.
italki is unique as learners can connect with professional language teachers for all formal sessions and native speakers for informal lessons. This incredibly convenient way of learning foreign languages helps you retain what you’ve learned as you progress.
You can learn any language on italki, provided there’s a teacher for the language. Teachers set their prices on the app, with most averaging $15 an hour.
4. Tandem
Tandem is a well-known language exchange mobile application that connects users with native speakers from around the world. You can communicate via audio, text, and video chat, depending on your availability.
Moreover, you can easily copy messages, add comments, send corrections, and even translate any sentence or word you don’t understand within the app. You can also chat in real-time or reply when you have some free time. This makes Tandem one of the most convenient language-learning apps today.
Tandem has more than 160 foreign languages, including many less popular ones. Speaking with a Tandem partner—including having informal chats—is entirely free, but the Pro version of the app is available at $6.99 per month.
Also, you may need to pay a professional tutor for more structured lessons via the Tandem Tutors service. The cost of language lessons with tutors varies because they are allowed to set their prices. But they mostly range from $3 to $50 per hour.
5. Busuu
Busuu is another language learning app featuring more than 1000 lessons. Expert linguists and machine-learning technology create these language lessons alongside numerous personalized study plans, including speech recognition.
Users of Busuu also get feedback—from time to time—from native speakers on speaking and written skills. Many other language learning applications don’t provide this unique feature. In addition, you have the option to connect with more than 100 million language learners worldwide.
The premium subscription on the app starts at $9.99 monthly, with the option to select longer plans at a reduced cost.
Conclusion
Learning a new language doesn’t have to be confined to the four walls of a classroom. Today, the plethora of language learning apps available today allows you to improve your speaking fluency in any language of your choice.
The language apps highlighted in this guide offer high-quality, accessible learning in step-by-step tutorials and guides, with some of them packing peculiar features to make your learning journey more seamless.
However, remember that signing up to learn a new language alone might not just cut it. For best results in terms of fluency, you may need to practice occasionally.
