9 Amazing Apps to Learn a Language in 2023

→Sign Up Now: Free Trial Language Lessons With Native Teachers!←

Language-Learning Apps for Grammar and Vocabulary

1. Babbel

This app’s name may sound like a baby’s first words, but this app is no child’s play. Babbel offers courses in various languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and more. It’s like having a private language teacher in your pocket, without the awkward small talk.

Babbel’s special features:

• A speech recognition tool that can detect mistakes on the spot.
• Progress checks and a personalized review section.
• Babbel Magazine and Babbel Podcast.

2. Duolingo

Duolingo is the app that makes learning a new language feel like a game. With its addictive and quirky approach, you’ll be mastering core words and useful phrases in no time. Plus, Duolingo offers courses in more than 40 languages, so once you’ve finished all your bonus levels, you can move onto the next language! All of this makes Duolingo one of the most exciting (and popular) apps to learn a language in 2023.

Duolingo’s special features:

• An adaptive learning system that helps you stay on track.
• A competitive leaderboard to give you an extra push.
• A gamified learning experience that rewards you with points as you progress and special prizes when you hit language-learning milestones.

3. Drops

If you’re short on time, Drops is the app for you. This app uses visual aids and games to help you learn vocabulary in just five minutes a day. It’s perfect for those who want to learn a new language but have a busy schedule.

Drops’ special features:

• Attractive visual aids that help you link sounds, images, and words together to make new items more memorable.
• One of the few apps to learn a language that allows users to choose what topics they want to explore.
• Game-like vocabulary activities that make the process of learning fun and interactive.

Language-Learning Apps to Improve your Speaking Skills

4. HelloTalk

Finding learning partners has never been easier! HelloTalk is one of the very few apps to learn a language that connects you with other learners of the language you want to learn. With its chat feature, you can practise your speaking skills with real people in real-time. And if you’re feeling brave, you can even do a language exchange with a native speaker.

HelloTalk’s special features:

• This is one of very few apps for learning a language that allows you to find language partners near you.
• HelloTalk has a voice chat, a text chat, and a camera share function.
• Language-learning tools such as online translation, transliteration (the process of writing using an alphabet other than your own) are also available.

5. Tandem

Tandem is a language exchange app that connects you with native speakers of the language you want to learn. It’s like having a pen pal, but instead of letters, you get to practise your speaking skills through video and voice calls. And who knows, you may even make a new friend or two!

Tandem’s special features:

• Tandem’s Community is an online forum where you can find native speakers of your target languages in your area.
• If you’re an English learner, you can put your language skills to the test by taking a certified proficiency test.
• Almost every feature (except for translations) is available to free members.

6. Speechling

Say goodbye to your “Spanglish” and “Franglais” and hello to fluent conversations! Speechling is the app that helps you speak like a native. With its combination of interactive exercises and recorded tutoring sessions, you’ll be rolling your Rs and nailing your intonation in no time. Without a doubt, one of the best apps to learn a language out there.

Speechling’s special features:

• Learners can listen to phrases spoken by native speakers of their target language. Then, they can upload their own recordings to get feedback from Speechling’s instructors.
• The dictation feature will improve both your listening and spelling skills.
• Your personal audio journal will help you keep track of all the feedback you get from Speechling’s team.

Language-Learning Apps for Listening

7. Yabla

Yabla is an app that uses authentic videos to help you improve your listening skills. It’s like watching your favourite TV show, but with subtitles and an added challenge. With Yabla, you’ll be able to understand the nuances of the language and impress your friends with your ability to catch every word.

Yabla’s special features:

• Authentic video content that depicts native speakers of different languages communicating in a range of genres– from TV series and documentary films to celebrity interviews and commercials.
• A grade book that allows you to track your progress as you watch the videos.
• Transcripts and interactive exercises for every video.

8. Beelinguapp

Would you like to learn languages with the stories you love? Beelinguapp is one of the best apps for listening to short stories and adapted novels for language learners. With its dual-language feature, you can read and listen to stories in your target language at the same time. It’s a fun and rewarding way to improve your listening comprehension.

Beelinguapp’s special features:

• Practise and retain the words you learn with flashcards and keyword glossaries for every story or chapter.
• All the stories are read by native speakers.
• Test your knowledge at the end of every story with interactive quizzes.

9. Bonus App: Spotify

Yes, you read that correctly. Spotify is one of the most popular apps for listening to music, but it also has hundreds of hours of content specifically designed to help you learn a language on the go.

Here are just a few resources that make Spotify one of the best apps for learning a language:

Language-learning podcasts

From Easy Spanish to Arabic in 60 Steps, Spotify has free lessons for everyone. Just type your target language in the search bar and see what comes up!

Multilingual podcasts on your favourite subjects

If you’re an advanced learner, chances are you don’t want to spend any more time listening to useful phrases and verb conjugations. But don’t worry. Spotify has plenty of podcasts about topics that you’re interested in, all in your target language. From Korean-language podcasts about Psychology to Italian-language podcasts about Astrology, you’ll be able to keep learning in a fun and engaging way.

Foreign-language music:

Let’s face it: Most people who use Spotify are here for the music. So, instead of listening to the same English-language songs over and over, why not try to find some new music in your target language?

Whether you are into K-Pop, Spanish flamenco or German heavy metal, listening to foreign music while reading the lyrics on Spotify is a great way to improve your language skills.

Now, do you see why Spotify is one of the best apps for listening to foreign-language content?

Apps for learning a language: FAQs

1.   What are the best free apps to learn a language?

There are plenty of free apps out there that will help you learn a language. Depending on what language and skills you want to focus on, you can do a quick search to find the perfect app for your needs. Some of the most comprehensive ones are Duolingo, Memrise, Babbel and Rosetta Stone.

2.   Are language-learning apps worth it?

Yes! Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, language-learning apps can help you reach your goals faster. They offer detailed lessons, interactive exercises and feedback that will definitely improve your skills.

3.   Can Duolingo make you fluent?

No. While all of the apps for learning a language in this blog are useful learning tools, they are not enough by themselves to make you fluent. You need to practise speaking and listening with qualified teachers if you want to become proficient in a language. Also, be sure to practise with native speakers whenever possible.

4.   What are the disadvantages of Duolingo?

The biggest downside of Duolingo is that it doesn’t offer enough speaking and listening practice, which are essential if you want to become fluent. Also, the exercises can be too simple for more advanced learners and don’t provide enough material to study from. Finally, some users complain about its repetitive exercises.

→Sign Up Now: Free Trial Language Lessons With Native Teachers!←

All in all, finding  great apps to learn a language is an amazing way to advance in your language skills. However, if you want to become truly fluent, taking a customised course with a qualified teacher is the best way to go.

With their help and feedback, you will be able to practise speaking and listening in a fun and rewarding way. Plus, live one-to-one sessions are the only way to guarantee you are learning exactly what you need to learn in order to achieve your specific goals!

So, don’t wait any longer and take the plunge. With a little bit of effort and dedication, you’ll be speaking your target language fluently! Sign up for a language course with one of our native teachers and start your language-learning journey today!