Sometimes, you need a jump start.
And no, we're not talking about your car. We're talking about your language studies!
And when your language education needs a jump start, language learning apps can be what sparks life into your learner battery.
Popular apps for language learners provide a wide array of learning options covering virtually any language you could imagine. Whether you use iPhone apps, Android apps or a different device, there are plenty of options out there.
Innovative language apps use clever new strategies to help you improve your language skills. Language learning game apps provide a fun, interactive way to upgrade your fluency. Apps for kids offer a cute and easy option for learners of all ages.
With so many language apps on the market, it can be hard to sort through them all to find the best language learning apps.
Luckily, you don't have to! Here are the best 39 apps of 2021 to mix and match to jump start your road to fluency!
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
What to Look for in Language Learning Apps
Every app has something to offer. But the best language learning apps will have certain qualities that make them stand out from the crowd.
When searching for language learning apps to download, look for these features:
- Interactive functions, including text, audio and video content
- Review options, such as quizzes, study modes and flashcards
- A dictionary or translator that can provide definitions for words
- An appealing interface that's easy to navigate
- Balanced language lessons that can teach you more than one language skill
A good language learning app can be your portable, ever-useful study buddy. Take your time exploring your options and fill up your smart device with your favorite apps!
And if you're not sure if an app works for you, don't be afraid to try it out! Luckily, many apps are free or cheap to download, so explore to your heart's content.
Why Use More Than One Language App?
When learning a new language, pairing multiple apps is both fun and useful. There are many reasons why you might want to try using several apps at once.
For instance, each app has a different focus. Even seemingly similar apps offer slightly different approaches. Some apps may be better for reading practice, others may improve your listening skills while others may help you build your vocabulary.
Using different apps will help you see the language in a different context, making your skills more flexible and applicable in the real world.
Plus, each learner responds differently to each app. Everyone learns differently. Some people are visual learners. Some people prefer audio. Some learners like to study in short bursts while others like longer study sessions.
If you only use one app, you might not ever find your app soul mate, and you might miss out on valuable learning.
Even something as little as not liking an app's color scheme might make you subconsciously avoid using it. There's nothing wrong with using multiple apps at the same time to help you find an app you click with on all levels.
Finally, variety is the spice of life. Using multiple apps keeps things interesting.
Think of one app as the cheese sandwich of language learning. It's good every once in a while, but if you eat it every day, you'll get bored fast. If you open yourself up to all the sandwiches in the world, though, chances are you can enjoy a sandwich every day without getting bored.
The 39 Best Language Learning Apps of 2021 That Make Studying Fun
General Learner Apps
FluentU
iOS | Android
FluentU is an entertainment lover's dream come true.
Each video is captioned and the captions are annotated, giving you easy access to any word's definition, an associated image and example sentences. Plus, you can click on any word to see how it's used in other videos.
FluentU also offers "learn mode," which incorporates video clips, pictures and example sentences into engaging exercises and flashcards.
What's more, FluentU is fully personalized. An algorithm takes into account a learner's history to present questions based on what you've already learned. Plus, you select your pace and what videos you watch.
FluentU offers Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish.
Duolingo
iOS | Android
Duolingo. If you've ever studied a language online or used a language learning app, chances are the name rolls off your tongue with ease.
That's because Duolingo is one of the hottest language learning products on the market. The app offers over 30 different language options.
The app aims to help you improve your vocabulary and grammar through daily lessons and quizzes. Quizzes cover vocabulary recognition, listening activities and even voice-enabled speaking practice.
The app is free to download and additional in-app purchases are available.
Busuu
iOS | Android
The Busuu app is a versatile language tool for language learners at any level.
To start, you'll take a placement test to ensure the lessons you're taking are appropriate to your current proficiency level. There are 150 units per language, so there's a strong chance that there's something that even nearly fluent learners will benefit from.
Plus, Busuu offers you the option of having your exercises corrected by native speakers to give you an edge up.
One study has shown that 22 hours on Busuu is equal to one college semester, so start learning now!
The Busuu app offers 12 language options.
Mango Languages
iOS | Android
The Mango Languages app is a colorful choice that offers a nice array of languages—over 70, to be exact. This makes Mango Languages a terrific choice for students looking to study less common languages.
The app offers all the features a language learner could hope for, including activities, grammar and vocabulary lessons, voice-enabled speaking practice and more. Check out our review to get to know the program better.
Babbel
iOS | Android
Babbel aims to improve your confidence and comprehension through interactive courses for beginning through advanced students. These courses offer exercises for reading, writing, listening and speaking for a well-rounded language education.
Plus, activities are broken down into 10-15 minute chunks to make them easy to fit into even the busiest schedule.
Babbel offers 14 language options. Read our Babbel review to see if this program is right for you.
Memrise
iOS | Android
Memrise offers a fun app for beginning through intermediate language learners.
Through a variety of games, videos featuring native speakers and simulated text-message conversations, you'll use your target language in a number of different entertaining contexts.
Memrise offers over 20 language options.
Mondly
iOS | Android
Mondly aims to help you hit the ground running by memorizing key words right off the bat. By focusing on useful phrases, Mondly's goal is to prepare you for real conversations with native speakers.
While this makes Mondly an excellent tool for beginners, the app also caters to intermediate and advanced students.
The Mondly app features audio by native speakers, voice recognition for speaking practice, a dictionary, a verb conjugation tool and more.
The Mondly app offers 33 language options.
Daily Dose of Language
iOS | Android
If you want to learn a language but don't want to put much time into it each day, the Daily Dose of Language app might be your soul mate.
It aims to deliver language lessons in as little as a minute a day. Lessons focus on vocabulary, phrases, slang and culture.
Plus, Daily Dose of Language is an Innovative Language product. The paid premium version gives you access to full Daily Dose lessons and membership to the affiliated Pod101/Class101 website, like RussianPod101, ChinesePod101, SpanishPod101 and many other programs. These memberships come with podcast and video lessons, grammar info, transcripts and more.
The Daily Dose of Language offers 12 languages with many more in the works.
Rosetta Stone
iOS | Android
If you're interested in language learning software and haven't heard of Rosetta Stone, chances are that you've been living under a rock (quite ironically).
Rosetta Stone is a big name in language learning, and its app lives up to its reputation. The program uses practical scenarios to help teach you usable language skills.
The app doesn't require a huge time commitment (just a few minutes a day), but there are plenty of language learning options to pack into those minutes.
Plus, speech recognition technology aims to help you improve your accent. A lot of materials can even be downloaded so that you can use them without burning through data.
The Rosetta Stone app offers 24 language options.
TripLingo
iOS | Android
TripLingo is designed with travelers in mind, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great tool for language students!
In fact, TripLingo's focus is primarily on useful phrases, so if you're interested in travel, it might be the crash course you need to pique your interest in additional language study. It features thousands of phrases (including slang), a translator, audio lessons, flashcards and more.
The iOS version seems more stable than the Android app, which, according to many recent reviews, crashes often.
TripLingo offers 13 languages.
Lingvist
iOS | Android
Lingvist is a language learning app with busy learners in mind, whether those learners are beginning, intermediate or advanced.
By focusing on the most common vocabulary, Lingvist aims to equip you with highly usable language skills. Plus, the app adapts to your needs in an attempt to maximize your learning.
The app teaches over 5,000 words in each language, grouped by themes like "hobbies," "family," "medical vocab" and much more.
Lingvist offers American English, British English, French, German, Latin American Spanish, Russian, Portuguese and Spanish.
Awabe
Android
Need to improve your vocabulary? Awabe offers over 4,000 common words and phrases.
Plus, Awabe doesn't focus on flashcards alone. It also offers voice recording to help you practice speaking. Compare your pronunciation to the audio provided to see how you're doing! There's even video content to help you upgrade your skills.
Awabe offers over 20 languages.
50languages
iOS | Android
The 50languages app is one of the few learning options that allows you to pair whatever languages you wish. This means that as long as your native language is offered, you can receive instruction in it.
Additionally, if you're studying multiple languages, you might try receiving instruction in one of the languages you're studying while you take lessons in another.
Lessons focus primarily on useful, thematically grouped vocabulary. The app also offers games and quizzes to help you practice what you've learned.
And, if you were wondering, 50languages does indeed offer 50 languages—and now, even more language options are available!
LingoDeer
iOS | Android
Besides having an adorable name and logo, LingoDeer has some great content.
Interactive lessons aim to help you improve your reading, writing, speaking and listening with a minimal time commitment—just 10 minutes a day.
There are a number of different fun, helpful features to help you get the most out of your learning time.
For instance, LingoDeer offers a placement test, grammar lessons, flashcards, quizzes and more. Plus, with 2,000 words in the app, your vocabulary has plenty of room to grow.
LingoDeer offers Chinese, Japanese and Korean. It's also recently expanded its offering to include lessons in Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian and Vietnamese, as well as English lessons taught in over 10 languages.
Most lessons are free but you can also opt for a premium account or download the new LingoDeer Plus app (Android, iOS), which has additional games and activities to help learners remember new words and concepts.
LingQ
iOS | Android
LingQ aims to immerse beginning through advanced students in authentic content, including books, podcasts, lessons and more.
Plus, transcripts are available to help you read along with audio content. With integrated dictionary resources, you can even look up words in a flash.
Plus, you'll never be short on content—LingQ offers thousands of hours of audio that you can download to listen to anywhere.
LingQ offers 42 languages.
Pimsleur
iOS | Android
Pimsleur is a classic audio language learning program, and this app gives you access to its 30-minute lessons for convenient learning at your leisure.
While it doesn't prompt you to poke at your screen the way most of the apps on this list do, it does contain speaking prompts in each lesson that build your basic speech skills in a language little by little.
Since buying Pimsleur programs can be prohibitively expensive, paying monthly for the app instead can be a great option. Pimsleur is especially good for travelers or people who need to polish their speaking quickly.
Pimsleur is available for 51 languages, including all of the popular ones you'd expect. The levels and amount of material available vary by language. Not sure if Pimsleur is right for you? Read our review here.
LuvLingua
iOS | Android
This is a basic but solid app that drills you on vocab and phrases.
The design veers more toward what you might expect to see in a children's educational app, and there's even a "kids" section, but the functionality is more advanced than you might notice at first.
One big advantage to this app is that it gives you many learning options while still seeming simple and manageable. Its features include a phrasebook, a grammar reference, games, flashcards and courses.
LuvLingua apps are available for 13 languages. You can download separate "pro" apps for a price, but the basic apps are free.
Drops
iOS | Android
Drops teaches vocabulary through interesting visuals in a laid-back way that makes you feel like you're enjoying a language rather than learning it.
The free version of the app only gives you five minutes of learning per day (or every 10 hours). The premium version offers the option of more time, but you may be surprised by how much learning you can get in five minutes.
With a heavy vocab and matching-game focus, what you can do with this app is a bit limited, but it pairs nicely with other apps and can be a relaxing way to fit in a few minutes of study.
Drops currently has over 40 language options.
FunEasyLearn
iOS | Android
FunEasyLearn is a simple but deep vocab-based app.
After selecting a language course, you can choose to either learn words or phases. Each of these options takes you to a main menu with a list of connected topics—like food, shopping or education.
When you tap on one of these topics, you open up a list of subcategories that you can select from to take quizzes that include audio and pronunciation practice.
All in all, this is a great app for learning and mastering vocabulary.
FunEasyLearn offers 34 language options.
Nextlingua
iOS | Android
Nextlingua is similar to the popular language learning app Duolingo (mentioned earlier in our list) since it teaches you through quizzes using a variety of approaches (word jumbles, matching, multiple choice).
However, it's a little more extensive, offering pages of cloze exercises in addition to the regular lessons.
It also incorporates Games of the World, an extension quiz app that asks you interesting cultural questions on subjects like geography, film and history in the language of your choice.
While you can pay for a premium, no-ad version of the app, you can also access premium content just by watching six short ads a day.
Languages to learn include Spanish, English, Portuguese, Russian, French and Italian.
Qlango
iOS | Android
Qlango offers more customization than your typical language app. You're able to choose a course (or multiple courses) by language and level. Then, within that course, you can set a difficulty level from one to five.
Like many other apps, Qlango uses a quiz format, but it really forces you to use what you've learned. Aside from the usual multiple choice questions, it also asks you to type out translations to whole sentences or to type sentences as dictated.
Not sure if you're actually retaining information from the language you're learning? Qlango might be a great way to test your knowledge.
Qlango offers 32 languages, with a heavier-than-expected focus on some lesser-spoken European languages like Slovenian, Lithuanian, Macedonian and Hungarian.
Bravolol
iOS | Android
Bravolol is an easy-to-use app that works predominantly as a kind of language phrasebook.
Simple flashcards teach you common words and phrases of a language. Audio guides, which are provided by native speakers, also have a neat "slow-down" feature to make sure you catch the sounds correctly.
One great feature is the voice playback option. You can record your own voice and practice saying any word or phrase you learn. This is very helpful when you want to practice your speaking skills.
Bravolol currently offers 18 languages. There are also bilingual dictionary apps available that you can (and should!) use in conjunction with the main app.
Lingoking
iOS | Android
Lingoking teaches almost 1,800 common words, all organized into 70 different categories.
Vocabulary is taught with definitions, sample sentences and pronunciation guides. To review what you learn, you can take little quizzes that test you on translation, listening and spelling.
One cool feature is the ability to see the translation of a word in multiple languages all at once. This can be helpful to you if your native language is supported, but it's also interesting to see if there are connections or similarities among languages.
Lingoking currently offers 15 different languages.
Flashcard Apps
AccelaStudy Infinite
iOS
Want to learn a language quickly and easily? AccelaStudy wants that for you, too.
Over 40,000 basic through advanced words are offered in over 65 thematically-grouped categories (over 2,200 words per language!). Plus, audio by native speakers helps ensure you get the pronunciation right.
Since this app only teaches words in isolation, it's definitely not something to use on its own. Pair it with some of the other apps on this list to help you learn not just the words, but also how to use them correctly in conversation.
AccelaStudy apps come in 18 languages, including pairings that aren't frequently offered, like Italian and Polish.
AnkiApp
iOS | Android
AnkiApp is a flexible flashcard app for any material you want to learn. That's because it allows you to create your own flashcards—perfect for learners who have specific sets of vocabulary words they want to learn.
Plus, you can search decks that other users have created for a huge wealth of options in a variety of languages. Check out the community pages for a huge selection of pre-made decks!
Quizlet
iOS | Android
Quizlet is a very popular flashcard app that can work excellently for your language studies, especially on the go.
You have two main options with Quizlet. You can make your own language practice flashcards for the vocabulary you want to study, or you can look at the flashcards made by other users.
There are some fantastic and detailed flashcard sets available, so you have a lot of content to look forward to even if you don't make your own flashcard deck.
Quizlet also comes with many helpful review tools. You can test your knowledge with matching games, written response quizzes, listen-and-spell tests and more!
Language Exchange Apps
HiNative
iOS | Android
Have a pressing question you'd like to ask a native speaker? HiNative can hook you up!
HiNative is a Q&A app that allows you to ask a native speaker your language questions. Plus, you can post audio, pictures or text-based questions to get the help you need.
HiNative offers over 110 languages and over two million registered users worldwide.
HelloTalk
iOS | Android
HelloTalk helps you find and connect with native speakers for language practice.
You can search for your perfect partner by language, location and more. Once you find him/her, the app can also help you connect through text, audio or video.
Plus, you won't be thrown in without language support—HelloTalk also offers translation, transliteration, grammar correction and more.
HelloTalk offers these features in over 150 languages.
You now also have the option to take language lessons on HelloTalk, with 100s of audio lessons available in 10 languages (including Spanish, Japanese, English and more) but you should note that these are separate from the main app.
Tandem
iOS | Android
Looking to connect with a native speaker who shares your interests? Tandem can help you find your partner in crime (or at least in language learning).
You can search the Tandem community for users who speak your target language and share your interests. Once you find that special someone, you can text or do audio and video chat through the app. You can even send pictures!
If you need more professional help, you can also connect with professional tutors.
Tandem offers over 160 languages.
Speaky
iOS | Android
Want to text a native speaker right now? Speaky has you covered.
Speaky only shows you the profiles of language learners that match your needs. Plus, when you search, you'll see users who are online first, making it much easier to connect quickly. You can also "friend" people to connect with them later.
Speaky currently focuses on text messaging, though audio messaging is in the works.
Speaky offers over 110 languages.
Lingbe
iOS | Android
If selecting a language exchange partner seems too challenging and time-consuming, Lingbe can connect you with just the press of a button.
That's right: just press a call button to be connected to someone you can practice with right away. After the chat is over, your partner will provide feedback on how well you did.
Plus, you and your partner both have the option to "like" the experience. If you both mark "like," you can chat again. It's kind of like language exchange and speed dating had a baby.
Hello Pal
iOS | Android
When you want to dive into language exchange but don't have the vocabulary, Hello Pal is a supportive, entry-level app. Hello Pal will help you find a language exchange partner and connect through voice chat, video chat and text.
But what sets Hello Pal apart is the supportive resources it offers. It offers 30 phrasebooks and 2,000 phrases to help guide you along.
Bilingua
iOS | Android
It's fun to chat with all kinds of speakers, but what if you want to "match" with the perfect one?
Sometimes having a connection can make language exchange more comfortable and interesting! Bilingua cuts down the work you'd have to do in going through a whole list of potential exchange partners.
The app offers the unique benefit of pairing you up with a speaker compatible for you. This is based off traits such as your personality, your current language skills, your hobbies and what it is you'd like to talk about.
If you run out of things to talk about, Bilingua offers topic suggestions and phrases you can use so you can keep the conversation going!
Game Apps
MindSnacks
iOS | Android
MindSnacks offers the sort of snack that feeds the brain. That's because it'll satiate your learning hunger with fun games!
Each app offers between eight and nine games that teach vocabulary and conversation skills. With over 40 hours of content, there's enough to keep even the most passionate gamer busy.
MindSnacks offers Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.
Lingio
iOS | Android
Like games? Enjoy a good quiz? Want to work a few flashcards into the mix? Lingio offers the sort of material that'll make you want to learn.
Lingio's games can help you learn thousands of words and phrases, all while having fun. You'll be filling in letters, matching words with their meanings and more.
Lingio used to offer Arabic, English, Farsi, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish—but now it only offers Swedish, taught from English, Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Somali or Tigrinya. If you're learning Swedish, then this is the app for you!
Studycat
iOS | Android
If you have a dual passion for adorable animated cats and language learning, there's finally an option for you!
Studycat fuses conventional course material with learning games to keep you engaged. It might be designed for children, but that doesn't mean adult learners won't enjoy any of the six learning games offered.
The vocabulary used is pretty basic, so this is a good app for beginning learners.
Studycat offers Chinese, English, French, German and Spanish.
Fun Easy Learn
iOS | Android
Who doesn't want their learning to be fun and easy?
Fun Easy Learn offers seven test games with three difficulty levels to help you have an enjoyable learning experience. Plus, apps feature 6,000 words with audio, images and translations. That'll pack a learning wallop!
Fun Easy Learn offers 34 languages.
Other
Google Translate
iOS | Android
Google Translate might not be designed exclusively for language learners, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't indulge in the fabulous app.
Since Google Translate offers quick, easy translations, it's perfect to use whenever you encounter a word you don't recognize in your target language. Using Google Translate regularly might make your vocabulary grow faster than you'd think!
Glosbe Dictionary
iOS | Android
Glosbe's dictionary can let you translate and find definitions for foreign words on the spot without any hassle. This dictionary offers more than just definitions, however.
It has a wide range of example sentences, supporting images and audio pronunciation guides. These are pretty essential when you want to better understand a given word that can have multiple meanings, depending on context.
Glosbe currently has 6,000 languages on its dock, but it purports that it supports all languages, which is likely true since it's actually community-run!
Beelinguapp
iOS | Android
If you have a penchant for reading stories that match your passion for language learning, Beelinguapp can be the fit for you!
Beelinguapp focuses on language studies based on audiobooks, which can include some of your favorite stories. You can read and listen to a story in different languages, with both versions shown side by side.
While the typical choice would be to have one language be your native one, polyglot enthusiasts can instead practice double-time with two foreign language scripts!
Beelinguapp also features a special audio feature known as "karaoke reading." This lets you listen to a native speaker narrating the story, while you can follow along with the text.
Currently, Beelinguapp offers 13 languages. New content is added weekly.
Don't leave your language skills out in the cold. Mix and match these 39 best language learning apps to jump start your road to fluency!
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
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Source: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/best-language-learning-apps/
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