If you’re reading this, you’ve probably just recently decided to throw caution to the wind and learn a foreign language, traumatic high school Spanish finals be damned. Or maybe you’re in the midst of learning a new language online, and your mission has been a fruitless journey of online translators and trying to navigate your Facebook timeline in Yiddish. Oy vey. Either way, congratulations! You’ve just stumbled upon the most epic list of online language courses. You no longer need to slam your face QWERTY-style out of frustration, begging the polyglot gods to give you some kind of direction for your linguistic quest. These courses will give you a roadmap to language learning success. If you’re wondering what distinguishes an online course from the plethora of other resources online, it’s that a course contains lessons, modules, or quizzes–some kind of structure that newbies (and language learning vets!) need to help them weave other language learning tools into context. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of web-based courses that serve different language-learning needs. Whether you’re on a shoestring budget or need a course that satiates your podcast addiction, there’s something that fits your style below. 1. Babbel ($6.95 - $12.95/month)Babbel is perfect for fans of Duolingo who want to learn Spanish or Norwegian (Babbel currently has 14 languages as compared to Duolingo’s nine). For $12.95 a month you get a fun, game-like structure that is accessible on your smartphone, and access to a learner’s community that can help make your adventure a little more social. 2. LingQ (Free - $39/month)LingQ is a web-based language-learning system founded by YouTube polyglot sensation, Steve Kaufmann. Like LiveMocha, there is a community aspect to the interface that rewards you for helping your peers. LingQ also has a massive database of lessons which are composed of text documents accompanied by audio. With a Premium plan and points on this site, you’ll have access to their apps, vocabulary features, one-on-one English conversations, group conversations, writing corrections and a huge variety of learning activities and quizzes. 3. FluentU ($20 – $30 month after free trial)FluentU’s unique platform focuses on language immersion, which is something language learners of all levels need. FluentU takes real-world videos like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks, and turns them into learning lessons. It lets you learn using fun videos and real-world context. Did you ever want to sing along to “Let It Go” in German, or watch a crash course in world geography in Japanese? FluentU makes this entertaining approach personal by integrating new words into its “learn mode,” which uses interactive games to teach vocabulary and track your progress. I bet you never knew learning could be so fun and yet feel so effective! Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of content available on FluentU: FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts. Didn’t catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions. You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentU’s “learn mode.” Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning. And FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples. Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. 4. Duolingo (Free)Duolingo is perhaps one of the more well-known options on this list. Designed more like a game than a course, Duolingo is a fun way to squeeze in language learning on your lunch breaks or whenever you would otherwise be playing Candy Crush. Duolingo focuses on making language learning intuitive. Did we mention you can connect with friends and family through Facebook? You are forewarned—things can get strangely competitive with distant cousins and passive-aggressive co-workers. 5. ELanguageSchool (Free)Another free resource with lessons in 15 languages, ELanguageSchool is also ideal for learners who like to focus on written instruction. Without a doubt the best features of ELanguageSchool are its long lists of commonly used nouns and verbs, and the site’s surprising lack of ads. 6. Fluent in 3 Months ($97)This is polyglot super-star Benny Lewis’s brainchild. As someone who has learned seven languages and has been traveling the globe for over a decade, he has tons of tricks and resources to help you hack your way through language learning. A premium subscription to his site works best for those who want to learn how to become lifelong language learners rather than learn a specific language. 7. Foreign Services Institute (Free)Some awesome individuals have dedicated their time to creating an online collection of public domain language courses that were created by the United States’s Foreign Service Institute. You’ll find that most of these courses are broken up into audio clips that revolve around short conversations, so it’s best for those who are looking for some on-the-go material that challenges their listening skills. It’s great for beginners! 8. Headstart2 from Defense Language Institute (Free)Designed for military personnel before deployment, Headstart2 is another good resource for beginners. Every language has two units made up of ten modules each, which you can access online or on your iPod. It’s worth noting that the second unit focuses on “mission-specific tasks,” which could be great for those who want to watch war films in their target language. 9. Hello-Hello World (Free – $29.99/year)
This is an iPad app for learners on the go. Known for its crowd-sourced information, Hello-Hello World always has a professional on staff to make comments and corrections to your sentences. It’s a great option for those who want to review words and phrases on a tight deadline before a business trip or big test. 10. Internet Polyglot (Free)An indispensable resource for language learners, Internet Polyglot also contains a feature that most other online courses don’t: the ability to translate lessons to and from any language they have available. Do you want to learn French through Spanish? No problemo, mon ami. 11. italki (Price varies)Want to mix your target language and social media? italki is the Facebook of language learning. Explained as a language teaching marketplace by co-founder Kevin Chen, this incredible 2.0 website has a massive listing of language tutors from all over the world. There are also plenty of free services, and you can connect with users who may want to engage in a free language exchange via Skype. There is no set pedagogical standard for italki, but you can find the teacher, learning style and lessons that work for you and your wallet. 12. Language Pod 101 ($549/2-year subscription)The Pod Series is a network of websites with names like Spanishpod101.com, etc. You’ll find programs for the following languages:
They have free and paid subscription models with tons of material available, ranging from different types of lessons (generally revolving around themes), podcasts, and a fun flashcard feature that uses vocabulary words from the media present on their sites. 13. Language Trainers Online ($28 – $38/hour)This is the right option for you if you like having a tutor but also want to be able to review your lesson later, because all courses are recorded. These courses are customized to the student, and their instructors are known to be highly qualified professionals. 14. LearnaLanguage.com (Free)LearnaLanguage.com is another website filled with free language courses, but with a twist: Some of the lessons are delightfully weird. Learning Spanish? Why not play around with the “Burrito Builder,” or brush up on your Japanese love phrases? 15. Livemocha (Free – $29/month)Livemocha is a massive language learning community that gives you instruction in 38 different languages. Many liken its structure to that of Rosetta Stone, but instead of relying on a program to assess you, be prepared for native speakers and other language enthusiasts to rate your linguistic chops. 16. Living Language ($150/year)Known for its comprehensive fusion of online learning, mobile apps and web conference style e-tutoring sessions, Living Language is well worth its steep access fee. Be prepared for very knowledgeable and professional teachers instructing you in small groups. 17. Mango Languages ($20/month for individuals)Mango is known for its game-like design and its ability to have you speaking phrases within a few weeks. It’s much like Babbel and Duolingo, but it also has an added cultural component if you’re interested, and can be used for organizations and classrooms. The monthly subscription includes access to all 63 language courses. 18. Memrise (Free)Memrise may not be a course in the traditional sense, but instead is a collection of user-generated courses in dozens of languages (including sign languages). Based on the spaced repetition technique, Memrise functions best as a resource for vocabulary retention. You can even create your own course to help you remember those specific terms that trip you up. 19. MIT OpenCourseWare (Free)Would you like an MIT education? Wouldn’t we all? Thanks to MIT OpenCourseWare, you can download the syllabus and course material in the language class of your choice. Interested in a literature or culture class? No prob. Check out this guy’s TedX talk about giving himself an MIT education through this program. 20. My Language Exchange (Free)Do you ever get bored or lonely trying to learn a lesson by yourself? My Language Exchange is a great option for you social butterflies out there. On this site you complete lessons with language learning buddies from all over the world. Did we mention there are over a million members who speak upwards of 115 languages? 21. MyLanguages.org (Free)MyLanguages.org has lessons in 95 languages and all for free! Here you can learn vocab, grammar and quick phrases, and even quiz yourself on your knowledge. The courses on this site are mostly written (though they do collect some audio and video material), making them perfect for intermediate learners who need to review and refine their grammatical skills. 22. Niuolahiki Online Hawaiian Language Courses ($30/module)Did you ever think you could learn a Hawaiian language online? Modules are $30 each, and all you need is Mozilla Firefox, a Flash Player and an interest in Hawaiian languages. ‘A‘ole pilikia. 23. Omniglot (Price varies)This is another curated list of courses in a number of languages, some free some not. Omniglot also contains mini-lessons on over 600 languages, detailing some of the histories and origins of archaic scripts like Ladino or Old Norse. Omniglot is also useful for lesser known languages like Xhosa, Igbo, and Ojibwe. 24. Open Culture (Free)The self-proclaimed source of the “best free cultural & educational media on the web,” Open Culture is another awesome website that collects free courses and resources for its users. Equipped with an engaging blog and links to over 1000 free courses, this resource is perfect for the culture snob in all of us. It’s not exclusively dedicated to language courses, yet you can still find resources in over 40 languages. 25. Oregon State eCampus ($271/Credit)Looking for college credit? Oregon State has a very well-known and accredited online campus that’s worth looking into. If you want travel around and be a cool expat while earning class credit, this is the virtual campus you’ve been looking for. You can even get a bachelor’s degree in German, completely online! No pants? No problem. 26. Rocket Languages ($49.95 – $149.85)Rocket Languages has a number of different account types that may appeal to you depending on your budget. Though it’s on the pricier end of the courses on this list, Rocket Languages is known for its incredibly vast amount of downloadable content. It’s also very well-structured, which is great for those of us who have no clue how or where to begin! You’ll be able to take courses for the following languages:
27. Rosetta Stone version 4 TOTAL ($249)You may still have Rosetta Stone stuck in your mind as that yellow box in the airport, but it has come a long way in recent years to integrate online language learning. Rosetta Stone includes online classes, games and mobile apps, hopping on board with a lot of recent language-learning trends. Recommended for long-term learners rather than quick phrase-building. It’s available for many languages, including:
28. Verbalplanet.net ($22/Lesson)Do you need a teacher to help you through your lessons? Verbalplanet.net has a large staff of native tutors to help you through the trials of learning a language online, and their useful analytic tools help you track your progress. 29. Word2Word (Free)Word2Word is a massive online database of free courses in 119 languages. What’s unique about this site is that it also points you in the direction of language learning forums and more general polyglot guides and resources. Most importantly, Word2Word contains links to tools and resources from all over the web in less common languages like Frisian and Malay. 30. World Wide Learn (Price Varies)World Wide Learn is another comprehensive list of accredited language courses online. There are courses in 18 different languages, as well as in translation, ESL, and TESL. There’s also a “live chat” feature if you need help figuring out which course is best for you. World Wide Learn is especially good for those who want to travel as they go to school, or have busy work schedules that don’t allow them to attend brick-and-mortar campuses. So there you have it, the online language course list to end all lists. It may come as no surprise that native material (video, podcasts, books, etc. in your target language) can far surpass any course when used effectively. But several of us benefit more when we balance or supplement those authentic materials with a course, so now you know where to look. Choose a course (or several) that appeals to you, and get started today! Carlo Aaron is a writer, artist and language-learning enthusiast who lives on the internet. She’s been featured on xoJane, Skirt Collective and Feministing. Follow her on Twitter. If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to learn languages with real-world videos. These free language learning apps will guide you through learning a language from start to finish or help you sharpen language skills that you may already have. Learning a new language with these free apps is particularly helpful because you'll always have them at your fingertips. Even a few minutes waiting for an appointment, or 15 minutes in the back of an Uber, gives you time to complete a lesson. Whether you're learning a language to be able to order a meal on your next vacation, communicate with a friend in his native language, or to simply add a skill set to your resume, these free language learning apps are a great way to reach your goal. You can use these language learning apps to learn words and phrases in lots of different languages, including Spanish, English, French, Italian, German, Irish, Dutch, Russian, Chinese, and many others. Just check each description to see which app teaches what language. Many of these apps also have free language learning websites that offer even more options to help you learn a new language. You can also use a free language exchange website to get even more practice. Another option is to use a translator website to translate just a few words, or to translate pictures or entire web pages. We haven't included programming languages here since they are in a completely different language class.
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DuolingoWhat We Like
What We Don't Like
It’s really easy to get started learning a new language with Duolingo. Just open the app and then choose what language you’d like to learn to immediately begin the course. You don’t even have to create an account to start, but if you do you can save and track your progress. Duolingo begins by using text, pictures, and audio to help you learn a different language. The idea is to associate the sound of the translation with the visuals of the text and pictures, and then have you manually translate the audio back into your native language to help reinforce the new words. Every section you complete moves you forward to more difficult tasks, to build on your vocabulary and sentence structure. You have the option of testing out of several sections at once if you’re familiar with the language, and Duolingo will adapt the questions based on how well you do. Languages You Can Learn: Spanish, French, German, Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Irish, Danish, Swedish, Turkish, Esperanto, Norwegian, Ukrainian, Hawaiian, Russian, Polish, Hindi, Welsh, Hebrew, Vietnamese, Hungarian, Greek, Swahili, Swedish, Romanian, Indonesian, Czech, Navajo, Klingon, High Valyrian Duolingo works online through the website, as well as via the app for Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone, and Windows 10.
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MemriseWhat We Like
What We Don't Like
Memrise is another free language learning app. It’s not as smooth as Duolingo, but it is easy to work with, supports offline courses, and lets you learn a massive number of languages. You can start off simple or skip all the way through to more advanced lessons. Something unique about Memrise is how it teaches you new words and phrases. Words are put into sentences with similar sounding words from your native language to help build the connection for remembering them. You'll also sometimes see multiple images that you can scroll through that overlay the foreign text with a recognizable image for added association. Another method Memrise uses is to teach you a different language is by mixing up the translations. This way you learn a few new words at once, and then you keep learning them over and over again in a different order to ensure you know them before moving you through to the next round. Languages You Can Learn: English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Norwegian, Danish, Japanese, Korean, Icelandic, Slovenian, Arabic, Turkish, German, Swedish, Polish, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Mongolian You can use Memrise from the Android, iPhone, or iPad app, as well as online through a web browser.
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busuuWhat We Like
What We Don't Like
busuu provides an app that's easy to use and is flexible in how you work with the courses. Just choose a supported language you'd like to learn, log in, and then decide where in the course you'd like to start — Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, or Travel. The best feature of busuu is that the words and phrases you'll learn are very helpful for beginners who may already be around foreign speakers and need to learn words in context quickly. The app teaches you vocabulary words and phrases, both isolated and in sentences, and then quizzes you as you move forward through the levels to test your knowledge. Some quizzes and other features may require a premium account, but there are many, many words and quizzes that are absolutely free. Languages You Can Learn: German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, English, Italian, Russian, Polish, Turkish, Japanese, Chinese, Polish The busuu language learning service is available from the web, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
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AccellaStudy Essential AppsWhat We Like
What We Don't Like
AccellaStudy has a separate mobile app for each language you'd like to learn. Each app is extremely simple to use, supports offline use, and varies only in the words they give you — all the features are the same. Different methods of learning are included in these apps, such as flash cards, audio quizzes, spaced repetition, and others. A hands-free mode is perfect if you're driving so you can learn without ever looking at your device. These free language learning apps let you build your own study sets so you decide which words you focus on. This is great if you're having trouble learning a handful of words — just put them in the same study set and learn them separately from all the rest of the words. Languages You Can Learn: English, Spanish (Latin America), French, German, Italian, Dutch, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish Naruto english dub free online. iPhone and iPad users can install language learning apps from AccellaStudy.
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24/7 Tutor AppsWhat We Like
What We Don't Like
The idea for 24/7 Tutor is to have a tutor with you at all times of every day, right from your mobile device. As you can see, a few common languages are supported. Each language requires a different app, but all of them are free. No matter which app you're using, there are buttons that each take you to a set of topics, such as clothing, entertainment, color, education, family, food, health, greetings, body, directions, weather, work, and several others. However, not every lesson set is available from the same app. For example, to learn French, you can get the free 24/7 language learning app but there's also a dedicated vocabulary app and one for learning French phrases, but neither are free. Within each category are tasks like a study list, memory game, quiz, spelling practice, flashcards, and more. Languages You Can Learn: Spanish, French, German, Italian
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Rosetta StoneWhat We Like
What We Don't Like
Rosetta Stone is a professional-grade service for language learning, but they offer a free app meant specifically to help travelers learn basic words and phrases. There are dozens of pictures tied to common phrases that are spoken to you in the language you're wanting to learn, and you have to repeat the words back to practice your pronunciation. You can skip forward to any lesson you like or just follow through from beginning to end. There's also a phrase book with basic words and words related to restaurants, hotels, and getting around — all very useful for someone traveling. You can buy more phrase books if you like, such as words related to shopping, colors, emergencies, and currencies. Languages You Can Learn: Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), English (US), English (UK), French, Japanese, Italian, German, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Korean, Dutch, Tagalog, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish, Farsi, Polish, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese Free Rosetta Stone apps work for Android, iPhone, and iPad. The service is also accessible from a web browser.
Android
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Google TranslateWhat We Like
Most language learning apps teach you a language through exercises and progressive steps, while Google Translate simply tells you how to write and speak anything you run through it. You can translate text, handwriting, and your voice with Google Translate. This means you can enter text manually, draw the text, or speak it to convert it into the target language. You can even save your favorite translations so you can refer to them quickly whenever you like. Online Spanish Language ProgramsGoogle Translate may not be like other language learning apps, but it's certainly a great tool if you're stuck on a specific word or phrase, or if you prefer to target your learning to particular phrases and sentences only. It can especially prove to be beneficial if you're speaking with someone that doesn't know your language This language learning app can also translate even when you don't have an internet connection (just be sure to download the language pack ahead of time). Another feature that makes Google Translate a must-have if you're traveling is instant translations. Available for only some languages, it's a type of augmented reality that uses the camera on your phone to translate, in real time, any text you point your camera at, including foreign text displayed in a menu, written on a sign, etc. Not all translations can be spoken back to you, but all translations can be displayed as text. Languages You Can Learn: Japanese, Dutch, Danish, Greek, Bulgarian, Swahili, Swedish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Welsh, Chinese, French, Hungarian, Korean, Czech, English, Persian, Latin, Bosnian, and dozens more Google Translate runs online and from iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
Android
What's the Best Language-Learning App for You?Do you want to learn a new language from scratch or brush up on one you've studied before? Language learning apps help you learn and study languages at your own pace. You can work through lessons from the comfort of your home or during your commute on a mobile app. Some programs focus on helping you understand and speak a new language, while others are better for reading and writing. Some help you build a foundation for a lifetime of learning, some just teach travel phrases. What makes a language-learning app best for you? The answer is highly personal and depends on a number of factors. Does the app offer the language you want to study? Where and how do you like to study? Some people like to sit and focus for a half hour everyday. Others consider language-learning a casual hobby and want a mobile app with a game-like experience. You need to pick a program that's right for your language education level, too, whether you're a beginner or already have some experience. Not every app can do it all. It's important to find one that meets your needs. What Do the Best Language-Learning Apps Have in Common?Still, the best language-learning apps do share a few things. We've tested dozens of apps over several years to determine which ones are best for which users. For starters, the best language instruction apps have a thorough amount of content, teaching not only vocabulary but also verb conjugations, grammar, and so forth. Second, they work smoothly. Learning a language is frustrating, but the app you use shouldn't be. Language apps that are the true cream of the crop are sticky, meaning they have a je ne sais quois that compels you to return to them day after day. Learning a language requires dedication, and your motivation could wane if you don't like your app very much. There are so many excellent programs that can teach languages, no matter what your needs or your budget. Sure, Google Translate and Microsoft Translator are getting better all the time, but too often they still fail miserably. Here you'll find recommendations for the ten best language-learning apps, including the best free program, the best for beginners, and the best for improving a language you've studied before. The Best Free Language-Learning AppThe best free language-learning app is Duolingo, hands down. Duolingo is available as both a web app and mobile app, and it works well whether you're a total beginner or already have some experience. If you've studied the language before, you can take a placement test to find the right place to start. Duolingo is easy to use and has bite-size lessons. It's one of the best apps to use if you plan to practice a language in short sessions during your spare time. Duolingo also has some gamification to it, so you can set a goal for yourself, such as trying to earn 30 points per day. The more you hit your goal, the more bonus points you earn. You can spend points on little perks and extras in the app. There's also a leaderboard so that you can compare your progress with your friends'. Duolingo currently offers 30 languages, excluding English and fictional languages: You can choose from Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Esperanto, French, German, Greek, Hawaiian (in beta), Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian (in beta), Indonesian (in beta), Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Navajo (in beta), Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and Welsh. An Arabic course is in development, too. The Best Paid Language-Learning AppAmong paid language-learning apps, Rosetta Stone is hard to beat. It's reliable, accurate, and thorough, with programs for 28 languages (excluding English). Each lesson takes around 30 minutes to complete, and even if you do one lesson per day, there's enough content to keep you busy for months. Some people complain that Rosetta Stone is repetitive and a little dry, but the deductive learning method it uses stands out as being much more memorable than other programs that use, say, flashcards as their primary teaching method. The interface is also gorgeous. Rosetta Stone keeps track of your progress, scores you as you complete exercises, and repeats important ideas to keep them fresh in your mind. It incorporates reading, writing, speaking, and listening equally. You can pay extra to add private or group e-tutoring sessions via a video call. Rosetta Stone offers language learning programs for businesses, too, such as Rosetta Stone Catalyst. These spin-off programs are extremely similar to the consumer version of the app. The business version also comes with the ability to generate reports so that administrators can see how much progress a person or department has made with the language. The Best Program With a Virtual TeacherLanguage-learning software programs are self-paced and sometimes even self-directed. Not everyone thrives in such an independent learning environment, however. If you like to have a teacher who explains the language to you, Fluenz is a wonderful option. Fluenz uses video lessons to present material and follows them with more standard interactive exercises where you practice what you learned. When you're first starting out with a language, seeing another human being speak it, watching their facial movements and seeing their smile, can make it feel less intimidating. As Fluenz progresses, the instructor walks you through lessons in not only pronunciation and grammar, but culture, too. If you learn best when you see a familiar face, Fluenz is a great program to pick. The company also sells an enticing Spanish immersion program, in case you needed an excuse to stay in a mansion in Mexico City for a week. Fluenz offers seven language courses: Chinese (Mandarin with Pinyin writing), French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Latin American Spanish, and European Spanish. The Best Language App for Brushing UpIf you've studied a language before and find that most language-learning apps are too easy, try Yabla. Imagine a streaming service that lets you easily find videos in the language you're learning, with options to show both closed captioning in the native language and English subtitles. That, in a nutshell, is Yabla. The app incorporates exercises, too, but the videos are the hook. Many of the videos were not produced specifically for language learners: They're real video footage with native speakers using a natural pace and accent. Yabla offers six languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish, plus an English program for Spanish speakers. Online Language ProgramsThe Best Language App for Audio LearnersIf you're the kind of person who can get immersed in podcasts and audiobooks, you might consider an audio-focused language learning program. Two that stand out are Pimsleur and Michel Thomas. Each is named after the person who created the learning technique used in the program. Both were once sold as tapes, then CDs, and now in apps. Pimsleur, named for Dr. Paul Pimsleur, uses a method that focuses on the amount of time that has elapsed from when you last used a word to when you must recall it. Each lesson takes about 30 minutes, and you're supposed to do exactly one lesson per day. While you don't learn to read and write (unless you teach yourself using optional PDF booklets), you do refine your pronunciation. The method used in Michel Thomas is different. Michel Thomas was a polyglot who developed a method of informal teaching. It involves putting people into a classroom and teaching them to say phrases that can then be paired together in new ways to create longer sentences. When you buy the Michel Thomas program, you hear the recording from one of these classrooms, and you're supposed to play along as if you were there. The Best Language App for Obscure LanguagesMost language-learning software is available for Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. What do you do if you need to learn Igbo or Ojibwe? When you're in a bind to find an app for a language you want to learn, there are two sources to try: Transparent Language Online and Mango Languages (which didn't make the cut for this list). Transparent Language Online has programs for more than 100 languages. Some of those programs are short, but the company is adding to them over time. Mango Languages is an option if you're stuck, though it's not an app that I recommend highly. For some languages, however, it may be your only option. The Best Language App for TravelNot everyone needs a language-learning app to study a language. For example, maybe you need an app where you can write down vocabulary you want to review. The free app Quizlet is exactly that. The software lets you create unique content that you want to study, and it's excellent with foreign languages. Though Quizlet may sound like yet another boring flashcard app, it offers different tools to mix up your study sets and how you review them so your learning never gets stale. You can work on fill-in-the-blanks questions or even play games with your unique study sets. The tools are nicely animated, and the app offers speech-to-text features for pronunciation help, too. Be sure to indicate the language you're studying for the best pronunciation. Get Talking!Most software-based language programs help you learn a base of vocabulary and grammar, but they won't turn you into a fluent speaker. For that, you need to practice with other human beings and come up with things you genuinely want to say, rather than words that an app is prompting you to learn. Using the apps listed below can teach you a lot, though, so develop a base knowledge first with them and then go out and use your skills in the real world. If one of the apps sounds good to you, you can click the links and read the full review for a deeper dive. Best Language-Learning Software Featured in this Roundup:
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