How To Improve Your Language Learning Experience Through Apps On The Andriod
Language learning is never easy. Schools try to get students to learn as early as middle school or even elementary school, but it can still be difficult since teachers need to keep a certain pace. Because of this, many students get left behind and turn into adults who wind up not knowing that second language. For those that want to learn, here are six apps for the android to assist you in your new language learning journey.
Duolingo
This language learning app is completely free and is available for both Androids and iPhones. The only difference between the systems seems to be the visuals and some layout designs.
Duolingo is one of the most popular language learning apps out there right now since it provides free unlimited access to multiple different languages. They are constantly updating and providing more languages on top of updating and improving the ones they currently provide.
Their most recent update makes it very easy to keep a streak. Streaks don’t do anything other than help you build a habit of learning a new language daily. Then there’s the daily goal that you can set to a few different settings based on how much you want to practice a day, although there is no actual limit.
The goal helps you earn rubies which you can spend in the store on the app for various items like three different outfits for the mascot, streak freezes in case you miss a day and want to keep up your streak, and two extra courses.
The two extra courses are usually about idioms and romantic phrases in that language. The best part about this app is that you can switch from one language to another very easily and still keep your progress in the other language.
There is an option to pay for a premium account. What this does is removes the ads you get after each lesson and allows you to take progress quizzes. More may be added in the future as the app continues to improve.
Language Drops
This language learning app is more focused on the vocabulary side of learning rather than teaching you the specifics of the grammar. It pairs visuals with words, both written and spoken, to aid you in remembering all the words it shows you.
It is highly recommended that you use this app while using one that also teaches you about the grammar so you aren’t just grasping at straws and struggling while you learn the basics, and eventually complexes, of the language.
One of the downsides of this app is that you are only given five minutes every 10 hours and those minutes do not stack up. However, you can earn, or buy, more time. To earn more time, you need to get a streak going. The amount you get for completing the lesson changes every day except for the fifth consecutive day when you get a full five extra minutes.
Language Drops provide lessons that consist of multiple different mini-games to help you learn the vocabulary better. All of the content is free to access and is organized into different categories.
LingoDeer
LingoDeer is a language learning app that is mostly known for its Asian languages, but it has been expanding in recent years to more western languages and keeps improving.
As you see in the picture below, you go through learning the language in a specific order. Once the app has determined that you mastered one category, it allows you access to the next. It does a very thorough job of teaching you important phrases in each category and there are sections where you can read through the specifics of the grammar for each section.
Unlike the two language learning apps mentioned above, not all of the content is free for this app. You can go through two tiers for free, but once you get through the second tier of the language you have to begin to pay.
The payment isn’t a high amount, but if you are looking for a completely free app, you might want to stick to the first two tiers and use this app with other ones.
Much like Duolingo, LinoDeer does allow you to go onto other languages for free and still keep your progress. On the profile page, you can even see your progress on your current tier. It is very satisfying to see that percentage go up gradually as you begin to understand more of the language.
Beelinguapp
This app is different from the other language learning apps in that it doesn’t outright teach you vocabulary and grammar. Instead, it teaches you the language by telling a story in a side by side comparison. Meaning on one side is the story in your target language, and on the other is the story in your first language.
Unfortunately, this app isn’t completely free. There are a few free stories that you can choose from to learn, but many of the stories are behind a paywall. That is one of the downsides of this app. The upside is that you can go back to the free stories many times until you fully understand it in the other language.
Much like the other apps that require payment, it doesn’t cost a lot for the stories. Each story is about the same as an eBook since that is essentially what the stories are.
Busuu
This is a unique language learning app in that you record yourself speaking a phrase, along with typing it out and get feedback from someone who speaks that language fluently. It is very community-driven.
This part is actually very good in that you get explanations from a native about that language instead of having to read and understand an article on your own.
Other than that, it is very similar to other language learning apps the way it presents teaching vocabulary and grammar: introducing a set amount of words and having you practice them while giving some tips on the grammar itself.
Babbel
This language learning app does a great job of hooking you in the first lesson. There are many different mini-games that it provides to help you learn your target language. At the very end of the lesson, you get a score of how many you got right and appraisal.
The downside is that you only get one lesson for free. At the very end of the first lesson, you are redirected to a payment options screen where you can choose between one month, a few months, or a year.
The best option appears to be for a few months since it is the cheapest in the long run. However, if you were looking for an app that is mostly free, this might not be the best option.
