The Best Language Learning Apps to Help You Learn

When you make the decision that you want to learn another language, or are just thinking about learning, you should do your homework to see what resources are available. There are many options available on the web, and you should take advantage of all of them if you want the best chance at learning whatever language you choose.

Best Apps to Check Out

Since you are probably already on the internet all day, or even on your computer, this is the first place you should look. There are a countless amount of apps to help you with your learning process and here are a few of the best.

Duolingo

This is an easy to use website which can help you learn over 10 languages. It employs fun quizzes and oral tests, which are designed to be taken each day for the best results. In addition to being a website, they also have an app that can be downloaded and used on Apple, Android, or Windows phones. The website and app are free of charge and can be used anytime, and you can get email updates when it is time for you to log onto the site each day.

Rocket Languages

This is a comprehensive program designed to teach all types of people a language other than their own. There are online lessons that you can download or you can download their app to use on the go. Besides that, there are tutors, tech support, and other helpers to make sure you succeed. You may even purchase the CDs if you don’t want to go online to access the resources. This item is not free, but it comes with a guarantee if you are not completely satisfied. You can find more information at Rocket Languages.com.

Memrise

Another great site is Memrise. It is a free site that lets you decide what items you want to learn in your chosen language. In fact, they have 200 languages to choose from. You can set up your own lessons and even compete with your friends to see who is being the best student. There are also apps for your phone, so you can use these valuable resources at any time.

Anki

This cool site is based on repetition and flashcards. They are made by the public, so some may be better than others. However, there are many aspects to choose from, including hundreds of languages, as well as things like science and arts. If you are someone who loves flash cards, this is the site for you to check out. They also have an app, so you can check it out any time, and it even works on Linux.

Livemocha

If you are looking for the Youtube version of language classes, this is it. There are native speakers that help others learn, web classes, and other resources packed into this site. There are even videos and options so you can talk directly to a live person and ask them questions, kind of like a personal tutor. It is also mostly free, with some options carrying a fee. As a bonus, as you learn, you can help other people learn too, so it is kind of like giving back to the community.

Of course, these aren’t all of the apps out there, but they are some of the ones that people recommend and love. You can scour the web for other resources, or even look at video sites to learn more or perhaps even pick up some free lessons.

What Else You Can Do

If you don’t have access to the internet or a smart phone, there are other ways you can prepare yourself for learning a new language. Think about how you pack for a trip; you will need provisions for your lessons. First and foremost, this consists of getting a translating dictionary. This item can help you on the fly, if you get stuck in a jam, and you can read it at any time, in case you just want to know the definition of a word.

Other things you will need are index cards and sticky notes. The index cards will allow you to make flashcards, so you can start learning new words and testing what you have learned. The sticky notes can be placed on your belongings, so you can start learning the words for things like bed, mirror, and television in your desired language. This is a great place to start, even if you have no desire to take it any further.

Conclusion

We live in a world where you have to be in touch with technology to get many things done. In the case of learning a second language, there is no exception. There are countless websites to look through, and many of those have smart phone apps to further the experience. In essence, you can start learning French on your lunch break each day. Each resource is different, and carries different benefits and weaknesses, so do some research before choosing the best for you.

If you would like the most traditional option of the bunch, it is Rocket Languages. It is not crowd-sourced, so you are only paying for lessons that were designed with the learner in mind. In fact, the company did countless hours of research to keep the lessons engaging and fun. If that weren’t enough, they offer many bonus resources to take advantage of when you aren’t going through your lessons.

It doesn’t really matter how you choose to learn. The point is that you keep with it. Not only will you learn something new, but your brain will be happy that you are using it again. This can motivate you to keep learning and take pride in the fact that you saw something through to the end. No one will expect you to be fluent overnight, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to start conversations with people and be able to understand them.