Download 5 Best Language Learning Apps for Your Smartphone

There are two main reasons that can dissuade people from learning a new language: "It's too expensive, and I can't afford a course," or "I don't have the time because I work."
 

But these are excuses that don't hold up in the 21st century! Technological evolution continues to advance, and today it offers you the opportunity to learn a language directly on your smartphone. So, how can you say No?

Learning a language is much easier today than in the past, thanks first to the advent of the internet and then to the proliferation of other devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc. The possibilities for learning a new language today are endless; all it takes is the right motivation! "Learning a new language is too expensive."

The good thing about smartphone apps is that most of them are FREE! A simple download to your smartphone and you're done! You have everything you need to start learning a language. "I don't have time for a language course." There are many ways to "find time" during the day.

Do you take public transportation morning and evening? Is your doctor's waiting room crowded? Do you often wait in line at the office? Is your friend late for her appointment? Mobile apps give you the opportunity to practice the language WHEREVER and WHEN you want.

Furthermore, they are generally structured in the form of short exercises or steps to complete, giving you the opportunity to decide how much time you want to dedicate to language learning each day. We've selected 5 mobile apps for learning a foreign language online. Each has its own features to meet the different needs of users. You can download them for free to your phone and start learning your favorite language.

Duolingo

Duolingo appears to be the #1 app for Internet users who want to learn a language.

The app offers several lessons, each introducing new words based on the topic of the exercise.

You'll be asked to listen, read, and write in the language you're learning, and there will be images to guide you.

Each lesson you complete will earn you gold coins that you can use to purchase options or take quizzes to test your level.

Large outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers and Mediterranean-style buildings at Sprachcaffe Malta.
Malta
St. Julian's

Experience unique group trips, just minutes from the coast and St. Julian’s.

Memrise

As the name suggests, Memrise (meaning "memorize" in Italian) is a mobile app that helps you memorize words and phrases in the language you're learning.

Your task is primarily to repeat the same words, either by writing them down or by choosing the correct answer from a list.

At the end of each session, you'll receive a complete list of the most difficult words to learn based on your mistakes and the time it took you to answer.

You definitely won't waste your time with this app...

Tandem

Improving your language skills is easy and fun when you have someone to practice with.

Tandem is a free community of 2 million users who help each other practice languages.

You can send text messages, voice clips, share images, and make video calls with your Tandem friends.

It also offers translation and editing features, and if you need help, you can rely on certified tutors and personalized lessons.

Smiling girl posing by a red phone booth in London with Big Ben visible in the background.
England
Tradition meets confidence.

PowerVocab

PowerVocab is a word game that can be compared to a dictionary: you're given a word in the form of a card and you have to choose the correct definition.

This app is designed for vocabulary lovers who enjoy playing Scrabble, crosswords, and more!

PowerVocab helps you expand your vocabulary and deepen your skills.

Rocket Languages

With Rocket Languages, you primarily practice speaking. The exercises have you repeat words or converse with audio recordings, and you can also record yourself to track your progress.

You can also download the audio lessons to your laptop to listen to them later without returning to the app. You can download the audio lessons to your laptop if you want to listen to them later without returning to the app.

Remember, Rocket Languages reserves some lessons for its Premium members, so access to all the exercises in the app requires a fee.

Mobile Apps: The First Step to Learning a New Language

The important thing to remember is that these applications help you expand your vocabulary and give you the basics of the language, but don't expect to become bilingual! Learning a new language is first and foremost learning to COMMUNICATE and INTERACT with others.

Using these applications will help you familiarize yourself with a language, learn the basics of grammar and pronunciation, but speaking in another language requires other paths.

Remember that a language is meant to be spoken, or at least used to understand, communicate, and convey a message . So don't limit yourself to the Internet, but discover the real world around you. Listen to music in the language, watch films in the original language, travel and stay in the country where the language is spoken, etc.

"He who learns a new language acquires a new soul." (Juan Ramon Jimenez, Spanish poet)

Get the latest on travel, languages and culture
Sign up: