We’ve all been there where learning a new language appears to be a daunting undertaking. There’s no reason to be concerned, though. We have access to several web resources that make our job much easier.
You may study at your own pace and in a style that suits you if you utilize one of the best free language learning apps available online.
Forget about the subjects you learned in school! We’ve compiled a list of free language learning apps to help you get the most out of your sessions.
Their gamified classes and hands-on teaching methods will make learning a foreign language fun rather than a chore.
Is a graphical user interface better for your progress? Does music assist you in remembering words? Or do you need to interact with native speakers to learn a language?
Pick the best software for your needs and start learning a new language right away!
Table of contents
Why use free language learning apps?
Adjust the pace and relevant content
In a language class, students come from a variety of backgrounds and have a wide range of abilities and attitudes. The teacher will be able to recognize each student’s talents, but the class must maintain a consistent rhythm to which the students must adjust.
The reality is that some students will find themselves waiting for others who move at a slower pace or straining to keep up with those who move at a faster pace.
One of the most obvious benefits of free language learning apps is the ability to set your own pace. It also gives the user the choice of following a lesson-based course or skipping some topics and going straight to a specific lesson on a specific topic.
See Also: 20 Profitable Benefits of Learning A Second Language
Choose where and when to learn
The ability to choose where and when to learn is a second major advantage of free language learning apps. Many people nowadays have demanding schedules, so any spare time can be used to learn.
Additionally, traditional classes’ inflexibility may be inconvenient because you may not have the same daily availability.
You may use your leisure time to learn a language from anywhere using free language learning apps.
Reviews of what has been learned
Our minds are wired to forget things we don’t use on a regular basis. Many free language learning apps provide frequent evaluations of what has been taught to avoid quickly assimilated knowledge from being lost.
These assessments are necessary to guarantee that all new information is rapidly and precisely recovered, reducing the danger of forgetting newly learned knowledge.
Because these are individual courses, the platform can identify and replay the most challenging ideas, assuring successful learning.
You start talking from the beginning.
Language, whether written or spoken, has to do with a human connection. Because the four basic abilities (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) are all interconnected, consistent practice of all four will considerably boost learning. Writing is frequently given far greater weight in educational plans than speaking.
In today’s more globalized society, oral expression is the most important component of communicating effectively, which is why language learning programs place such a high value on it.
These free language learning apps are designed to help students to learn to speak a foreign language as quickly as possible. Knowing the terminology, predefined phrases, and grammar will help you maintain a conversation quickly.
Although true fluency is difficult to achieve, basic speaking skills can be learned in weeks or even days.
Related Article: 10 Best French Learning Apps in 2023 | Best Learning Apps
Save time and money with free language learning apps
Many traditional language schools, as previously stated, have not evolved to meet the needs of modern culture — they are trapped in the past, with rigid timetables, outmoded classes, and outdated materials.
Furthermore, their price may make them an unaffordable alternative for certain people.
You can save a significant amount of money using a language learning app. The cost of a mobile app subscription is substantially less than the cost of studying in a language center.
What are the Limits of Free Language Learning Apps
Little feedback / explanation
One disadvantage of these apps is that you don’t get much feedback on why you got a bad response. It just indicates whether you answered correctly or incorrectly.
If you were in class and you answered a question incorrectly or mistranslated anything, your teacher would correct you and explain why.
Free language learning apps cannot do so, and even if they provide a brief explanation, pupils frequently have more questions due to grammatical jargon.
No opportunity to ask questions
There is no possibility to ask a particular question about any aspect of the language in the free language learning apps.
All you have to do is stick to the app’s framework.
No interaction with native speakers
There is minimal opportunity to practice what you are learning with a native speaker while using free language learning apps.
You’re always swiping or typing on your phone. You’d have to mix utilizing the app with additional activities like setting up a language exchange session with a native speaker to practice what you’re learning and converse with someone.
No reading or writing practice
Free language learning apps provide minimal reading and writing practice in the target language. It’s possible that you’ll be asked to enter what you hear, but it’ll most likely be a short phrase.
You cannot write about something you’re passionate about or put what you’ve learned into practice.
To ensure that you are doing this, you should set yourself additional exercises like maintaining a diary, sending an email to a Spanish friend, writing a book or film review, and so on.
See Also: 10 Best Learning Apps for Kids in 2023 | Best Learning Apps
10 Free Language Learning Apps in 2023
1. Babbel
With over 10 million monthly subscriptions sold at $13.95, Babbel has swiftly become one of the most popular free language learning apps.
Linguists created the curriculum, which combines traditional learning with new and interactive teaching.
The app employs research-based, tried-and-true teaching techniques and provides learning in a variety of formats.
Babbel has a variety of price plans to pick from. To begin, their monthly membership method allows you to pay once a month, three times a month, six times a year, or once a year.
You’ll pay less per month if you sign up for a longer subscription. There’s also a 20-day money-back guarantee if you don’t like it after signing up.
Babbel gets a lot of positive feedback. With over 257,000 ratings, the app has a 4.7 out of 5 star rating. The developer goes out of their way to respond to both positive and negative customer evaluations.
Pros:
- Pronunciation aid with interactive interaction
- Lessons are 10-15 minutes long to fit into your schedule.
- Teaching method that is both unique and immersive
Cons:
- There are a few features that will keep you motivated.
- Traditional learning has the same format, which isn’t good for everyone.
- Less content for languages that aren’t as well-known.
Read Also: 10 Best French Language Schools In France | 2023
2. Duolingo
Duolingo has grown in popularity as one of the most popular free language learning apps available today, and for a good reason.
The program provides free game-like lessons to help you learn over 35 other languages. To assist you in learning, the app employs science-based teaching approaches.
Lessons are tailored to your learning style, and you work on various language abilities.
Lessons are progressive, meaning each builds on the previous one. You can’t progress until you’ve completed each level by answering all of the correct questions.
If you leave the app for an extended period, it will need you to repeat key courses to ensure your abilities haven’t become rusty.
The app has over 1.2 million ratings in the app store, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Pros:
- Learning a language for free
- Lessons that are well-organized and progress in nature
- Features that can help you stay motivated
- Lessons can be completed in a matter of minutes.
Cons:
- For less popular languages, there is less content.
- You must learn topics in a specific order.
- There isn’t much room for practice in the actual world.
Related Article: 10 Free Online Language Courses with Certificates in 2023
3. Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone has been a leader in language learning for over 25 years, so it’s no surprise that it’s on our list of the top free language learning apps available right now.
Using the app, you can choose from dozens of languages and create a curriculum plan that best suits your learning style. You can use audio recognition to check your progress by practicing speaking the language.
When you’re on the go, you can employ audio-based learning. You can also learn by reading along with native speakers using the tales function.
Rosetta Stone’s pricing structure has been updated to compete with other free language learning apps. Rather of paying a one-time fee for each language, you can now subscribe to a monthly plan.
Monthly pricing for three- and 12-month plans range from $7.99 to $11.199. However, dedicated language learners can pay $179 for lifelong access to all languages.
The Rosetta Stone software has received rave reviews. With over 160,000 reviews on the App Store, the app has a 4.8-star average rating, making it one of the most popular free language learning apps.
Pros:
- Various pricing options are available.
- Lesson plan that is unique to you.
- A tried-and-true teaching strategy.
Cons:
- There isn’t much in the way of teaching or explanations.
- Lessons might be monotonous at times.
- It does not prepare you for use in a conversation.
See Also: 15 Easiest Languages To Learn For English Speakers
4. Memrise
Have you ever utilized a language learning app and felt as if they would never use the phrases you rehearsed in real life? Memrise solves this problem by creating lessons that are full of real-life phrases.
You’re actually learning from native speakers who are conversing in real-life settings. You can practice utilizing real-world phrases while learning new terms and seeing videos of native speakers.
There are three distinct pricing choices for Memrise Pro. The month-to-month subscription costs $8.99 per month, but if you upgrade to the yearly plan, the monthly cost drops to $7.50 per month.
Finally, for $139.99, you can have lifetime access, which is the same as paying for the monthly plan for just over a year.
The Memrise app has received rave ratings from users. The app has a 4.8-star rating based on more than 175,000 reviews. It’s also one of the top free language learning apps, with an Editor’s Choice Award.
Pros:
- Designed to assist you in learning real-life language.
- To make learning more enjoyable, include game aspects.
- Each language has a lot of content.
Cons:
- Exercises can be repetitive
- Varying quality of user-created content
- Focused on vocabulary, not grammar
See Also:15 Hardest Languages To Learn For English Speakers
5. Busuu
Busuu provides a goal-oriented approach to language learning by allowing you to set study goals and develop a study plan to help you accomplish them.
The app employs topic-based training to gradually develop your vocabulary and conversational skills. Each lesson builds on the previous one to help you remember the material and improve your fluency.
There are three different plan options available on Busuu. You can only use one language and a restricted number of features with the free Basic plan.10,99 per month) gives you access to up to 12 languages and all app features.
Monthly, 12-month, and 24-month plans are available, with the longer plans being cheaper per month.
Despite the fact that Busuu does not have as many users as some of the more popular free language learning apps, those who have used it have given it rave reviews. There are around 63,000 reviews for the app, with an average rating of 4.7 stars.
Despite the fact that Busuu does not have as many users as some of the more popular free language learning apps, those who have used it have given it rave reviews. There are around 63,000 reviews for the app, with an average rating of 4.7 stars.
Pros:
- Interaction with native speakers
- Goal-oriented approach
- Well-structured courses
Cons:
- Limited pronunciation, reading, and listening comprehension exercises
- Sometimes monotonous exercises
- Small language selection
Related: Best Languages To Learn For Success In Your Study Abroad School
6. Pimsleur
Pimsleur is a free language learning app specifically designed to help you learn by listening, unlike other free language learning apps offering on-screen interactive games.
Because Pimsleur employs an audio format, it’s simple to learn on the go. Listening to native speakers also aids in the rapid acquisition of vocabulary and listening comprehension.
The premium plan from Pimsleur is a little more expensive than its competitors. After a seven-day free trial, you’ll spend $19.95 per month to learn a language. Pimsleur promises that you can learn a new language in as little as 30 days.
The Pimsleur app does not yet have a large user base, but those who do use it rave about it. The app has a 4.7-star rating on the app store, based on about 4,400 reviews.
Pros:
- Easy to learn while on the go
- Learn from native speakers
- 50 languages to choose from
Cons:
- Expensive subscription
- Limited visual learning
- Doesn’t help with reading or writing skills
Related: 20 Best Free Apps To Learn Korean Language
7. Drops
Drops takes a different approach to language acquisition, making it ideal for visual learners. Because they specifically created it to help you acquire vocabulary, it made the list of best free language learning apps.
It accomplishes this by combining instructional approaches with graphics and matching activities. The audio in the app aids with pronunciation learning as you read the words.
Drops employs an intriguing technique in which you are limited to five minutes of learning per day.
This, according to the software, keeps you from being overwhelmed or attempting to learn too much at once. Yes, even with the subscription plan, there is a five-minute limit.
Drops offers a number of simple subscription options, including a month-to-month plan for $9.99 per month. Alternatively, a yearly plan is $69.99, which works out to less than $6 each month.
Drops has received an Editor’s Choice Award in the app store, and its customers have given it rave ratings. The app has a 4.8 out of 5 star rating based on over 50,000 reviews.
Pros:
- Good for visual learners
- Learn in a fun and engaging way
- Many languages and topics to choose from
Cons:
- Only focused on vocabulary
- Limited to five minutes per day
- Doesn’t prepare you for real-world use
Related: Best Way To Learn A New Language Fast And Be Good At It
8. Beelinguapp
Few, if any, other free language learning apps do what Beelinguapp does: It emphasizes reading and understanding, and it favors lengthier texts over short text snacks and snippets.
While this is convenient, Beelinguapp isn’t a stand-alone language app. It won’t teach you how to speak or fix your pronunciation, and it won’t use exercises or flashcards.
As a result, this app is best utilized in conjunction with another app or if you’re already studying a language (it pairs nicely with apps like Babbel or Memrise, for example).
The app allows you to search for texts that are of interest to you, and then displays them in split screen with the identical information in English.
It’s even possible to have it read aloud while you scan it. There’s a lot you can do with Beelinguapp for free, and there are a variety of premium and subscription tiers to choose from, including a $39.99 lifetime subscription bargain if you buy through StackSocial (usually $100).
There are a dozen languages to pick from when it comes to coupling your English material with other languages.
Related: 20 Profitable Benefits of Learning A Second Language
9. Speakly
Do you want to be able to hold meaningful discussions in a few of months? You don’t have to enroll in an immersion training program; instead, try Speakly.
This program focuses on teaching you the 4,000 most statistically relevant terms for common discussions in your goal language—the words will differ depending on whether you select French or German as your target language.
Speakly pushes you to communicate with a pre-recorded native speaker and tutors you on your performance when you’ve practiced enough words.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many languages to choose from; English speakers may only choose from eight, and because Speakly is a European company, paying is done in Euros rather than dollars (albeit plans start at around $13 per month).
If you’re looking for a great offer on the whole language suite, check out StackSocial’s lifetime access deal for $70 (was $399).
10. Mondly
Mondly approaches language learning in a unique way. The app’s lessons focus on phrases rather than individual words from the start, giving you practical skills for establishing rapid discussions.
If you value precise pronunciation, you’ll like two features of the app: You get to hear native speakers and practice having genuine conversations with AI chatbots that analyze and guide your speaking using speech recognition.
Mondly is especially useful if English isn’t your native language. The majority of free language learning apps teach languages based on English and potentially a few additional languages.
However, Mondly allows you to learn any of the other 33 languages available in the app store. That may be quite liberating.
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Conclusion
There are many ways and free language learning apps available, but not all of them are appropriate for every person or learning style.
When learning a language, it is vital to use the best software to keep motivated and consistent.
None of the applications in this article are the best for learning languages; yet, they are all useful in their own way. Making that a regular study habit will assist you in learning the most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Duolingo is one of our favorite free language learning apps since it’s simple to use, has a large number of languages to choose from, and has great customer reviews.
You can learn everything you need to know from a language app to become fluent, but it’s most successful when paired with consistent and real-world use of the language.
If you want to learn Spanish, Duolingo is a fantastic software to use. Because the program asks you to translate a sentence from Spanish to English, speak a sentence in Spanish, or transcribe a sentence in Spanish, it is simple to learn Spanish through speaking.
References
- studyfrenchspanish.com – 12 Best Language Learning Apps
- makeuseof.com – The 10 Best Language Learning Apps That Really Work
- zdnet.com – The 7 best language learning apps: Rosetta Stone it at home
- telc.net/en/about-telc – Do Language Learning Apps Really Work?
- forbes.com – 8 Of The Best Language Learning Apps For Every Learning Style
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