Learning a new language enriches your world. Not only can you suddenly talk to many more people, you can also suddenly choose from thousands of extra books, films and series. Do you want to learn a language with an app? We recommend these options.
Learning a language with an app: 3 good options
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is learning a new language. Of course you won’t suddenly become fluent in Spanish after downloading an app, but your iPhone is a good tool. In this overview we list 3 excellent apps for learning a new language.
1. Duolingo
Duolingo is without a doubt the best known app for learning a new language. The program tries to teach you the building blocks of a new language in a playful way, for example by linking pictures with sounds. It doesn’t matter which language you want to learn: Duolingo’s offer is huge.
Duolingo is also a beautifully designed app for learning a language. Lives are central to the program. At the start you get four hearts and for every wrong answer, a life is lost. It’s up to you to successfully complete the short quizzes. The program builds up in difficulty, making it easy to get started.
2. Memrise
My personal favorite is Memrise. In essence, this language app is quite similar to Duolingo, for example, but Memrise sets itself apart with videos. While learning words, you see (and hear) in which context people use certain words. Moreover, you learn a lot about the intonation in this way, so you are not stuck with a robot voice.
Memrise is also nice because of the manageable lessons. The app does not present you lengthy courses, but offers short pieces. You will then be questioned by means of a quiz. Also nice are the mnemonics that Memrise offers. There is also little to complain about. With Memrise you can learn more than 90 languages.
3. Drops
Are you visually minded, but don’t like Memrise’s videos? Then you should give Drops a try. The app gets its name from the way the program works. In Drops you learn words that keep falling on your screen like a drop from the sky.
The visual style is extra nice. By means of clear pictures you immediately establish a link between the words and meanings. Furthermore, Drops has a nice ‘teaching method’, because different ways alternate. One time you are busy learning words, then you fill in a word search and then you finish with spelling.
Extras: Meetup and Google Translate
Practicing words is important, but don’t forget speaking the language. I am currently learning Spanish. Since no one in my immediate environment is fluent in this language, I go to a language café every week. People gather here who together speak dozens of languages.
That way I try to boost my Spanish, while I can help others in Dutch. I found this language cafe through Meetup, an app to meet up with others. The program is not specifically aimed at language clubs, but who knows, there may be a language café near you.
Google Translate should also not be missing. Although this isn’t a language app pur sang, the program can be an excellent tool. The interpreter function is especially useful. Another person speaks into the microphone of your iPhone, after which a translation immediately appears on the screen. Moreover, with Google Translate you always have an extremely extensive dictionary in your pocket.
Learning with your iPhone
Are you going to brush up on your knowledge in 2020? A wise choice! Let us help you on your way. For example, check out our article with the best apps to learn Chinese. Or do you want to learn programming? And what about a Harvard education, but for free? To do this, take a look at our general overview of learning apps.