Top-Notch Mobile Applications for Language Mastery
Mastering the lingo like a local is a big deal for me when I hit the road. So, before I jet off to a foreign land, I always make sure to check out some top-notch language learning apps.
These days, it's kind of a bummer that English seems so common. Back in the old days, traveling must have been a real adventure when English wasn't widespread. Now we're all too lazy to put in the effort, usually communicating with just louder and slower speech and a flurry of hand gestures. But fear not! With all the awesome language apps out there these days, learning a few basics has never been easier.
Traveling through Dieng in Indonesia, where no one spoke English, was a real challenge for me. But with my rudimentary Indonesian, I managed to get by. These days, though, I'm itching to study more languages, and luckily, there are loads of fabulous language apps to help us out. So, here's a list of my faves.
By the way, you might want to check out my recent article on learning Spanish online - it should give you some more ideas on language learning resources.
My Top Language Learning Apps
Google Translate
Available on both iOS and Android, Google Translate is my go-to for traveling. Why? It's straight-up handy. If I come across words I don't understand but want to learn, I can just point my camera at the text and get a translation.
Need to figure out what's on the menu? Just point your phone at it. Got a sentence you need help with? Let Google speak it aloud for you – it's the best app out there to help you communicate in any situation.
Lingopie
Website (desktop), iOS, and Android, baby. We all learn languages differently, and some of us prefer studying written courses or learning through conversation. Well, let me introduce you to perhaps the most relaxed (yet effective) option on this list – watching TV!
Seriously, stick with me here. As strange as it might seem, watching TV is a genius way to combine language learning with something enjoyable that fits into our spare time. Lingopie brings subtitles to thousands of hours of TV shows and movies, and the subtitles are even clickable. So, you can pause the show and learn the meaning of any new words while you're watching, and you'll also pick up the pronunciation from the audio track. At the end of each episode, you can review the words you clicked on to recap what you just learned.
It's especially handy for building your vocabulary, whether you're a beginner looking to learn new words or a more advanced learner looking to expand your language arsenal. Lingopie offers nine different languages – Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and English – so it's great for travelers or people looking to live in a country that speaks any of these languages. Give the free trial version a whirl. If you dig it, you can continue with the yearly membership (around €6 per month). Cheaper than Netflix!
Drops
iOS and Android have this one covered. I've been phasing in and out of different language apps during my travels, but ever since I moved to Portugal and started learning Portuguese, I've found Drop to be one of my favs.
Drops is a relatively new language app, and what I love most about it is the different mediums it supports for learning words. You get both written and spoken words, but you also get visual graphics to help out. Perfect for visual learners like me! You can control the words you work with in this process – if you're already comfortable with certain words, you can check them off, and they won't show up again during your lessons.
The paid version of Drop seems to be worth the investment for me – I'm focusing on learning Portuguese, so I'm committed. So far, I'm making progress, learning full sentences rather than just words, and I'm hoping it will give me a good grounding by the time I start my in-person language classes. Lessons can be squeezed in as little as 5 minutes, which is awesome. Another cool thing about Drop is its commitment to lesser-known languages and preserving traditional dialects as it expands.
Duolingo
This one's a winner: Duolingo took home 'Apple iPhone App of the Year' in 2018. Why is it so great? I dig the fact that it's more like a course you can carry around in your pocket rather than a random list of jumbled words. It uses repetition and review to make sure you've got it, and it mixes audio learning with visual prompts. As someone with Dyslexia and Visual Sequencing issues, I find these mixed learning methods super-helpful.
You're not going to become fluent using Duolingo, but you'll have enough to get by. Spanish is especially popular here – it has a very extensive course.
Babbel
If you're looking to get serious about learning a language, Babbel (available on both iOS and Android) might be the app for you. It offers courses in a slew of languages, and it's simple to get started. However, it's worth noting that you'll have to spring for an auto-renew subscription for the language courses – good if you're dedicated to learning a language, but maybe not so great if you just need the basics for a quick trip.
I like that Babbel lets you switch from app to web – you can start and finish the modules wherever you want. It's structured well, with comprehensive lessons, but the monthly cost might not be worth it after you've picked up the basics with another app.
HiNative
HiNative caters to a more interactive learning approach than your usual 'read, listen, learn' apps. I dig the fact that a lot of the time, I'm speaking with native language speakers. And not only can you ask how to say certain things, you can record your voice to get feedback on your pronunciation. Hello to no longer standing around looking like a total numbskull when you screw up phrases in shops and on the street!
The benefit of this app? You're not just learning words – you're having conversations in a real-life setting. The downside? Only those who have paid can listen to your voice recordings, so you're reliant on someone who's actually paid to listen to you. But hey, if you're looking to engage in actual conversation, it's one of the best language learning apps around.
Busuu
Busuu doesn't offer as wide a range of languages as some other apps out there, but it's still a solid choice. It's structure and lessons are comprehensive, and it gives you access to both formal lessons (like A1, A2) and native speakers for interaction. Again, it charges for additional features, but the free version might suit your needs.
For Online Language Classes
Want to learn a language the traditional way online? Then check out Lingoda – it's an online language school marketplace that's an alternative to in-person language schools. While I'd still rather learn with a teacher in a classroom, I did find the few lessons I took through Lingoda to be very helpful, and the platform has a bunch of cool features.
It's not cheap, but given that you can opt for group or private lessons, it's a great option for people who might not have a language school nearby. Lessons can be scheduled around your convenience, and you can even move up levels more quickly if you're a fast learner. Speaking personally, I loved how the teachers provided written notes and annotated coursework for each lesson, so you can keep a record of what you're learning.
Give it a try with a free 7-day trial. Hey, you might just find it helps you on your travels!
Incorporating technology into my travel lifestyle, I discovered that language apps aid my communication in foreign lands. For instance, when traversing Dieng in Indonesia, Google Translate was indispensable in deciphering unfamiliar words. Similarly, while learning Portuguese in Portugal, the app Drops has been of great help in enhancing my vocabulary. Additionally, in seeking to learn multiple languages, such apps simplify the process and make it more accessible for everyone.
