Best Language Learning Apps and Websites

Reading Time: 3 minutes

1. Duolingo

Key Highlights: Gamified language learning app

Duolingo has been leading the trend of gamified language learning, even finding a unique way to monetize their app through translations.

While just using Duolingo to learn a language is not recommended, it can be a good way to get the ball rolling to learn basic words and phrases of a language.

Check out Duolingo here.

2. Busuu

Key Highlights: Visual app to learn basic phrases

Busuu has similar features to Duolingo in that it’s a mobile app that has a gamified, visual approach to learning the basics of a language. While Duolingo is certainly in lead in terms of popularity, Busuu is an alternative you can check out.

Check out Busuu here.

3. Babbel

Key Highlights: Gamified language learning app

Babbel also sits in the same category as Duolingo and Busuu, but perhaps with more variety in terms of language. Instead of offering live interaction with native speakers, Busuu uses algorithms to teach you the basics of a language in a fun way.

Check out Babbel here.

4. Memrise

Key Highlights: Simple way to memorize language vocabulary

Memrise is a powerful tool built to help you memorize anything faster, including language vocabulary. They have categories built specifically for popular languages like Mandarin, French, Spanish, and Italian, allowing you to jump in immediately to start memorizing words.

Check out Memrise here.

5. Rosetta Stone

Key Highlights: Language learning program to help you learn the basics of a language

Rosetta Stone is another method that has been around for a long time, which is an online program designed to help you improve reading, writing, and listening skills. Since there’s no real-life interacting with native speakers, improving speaking skills is a little more difficult, especially if you want to learn about a specific culture, like Argentina, France, Colombia, etc.

Check out Rosetta Stone here.

6. BBC Languages

Key Highlights: Quality language tutorial videos

BBC Languages (from BBC) includes courses, videos, and key facts that you can explore on their website, which includes common languages like French, German, Spanish, and Italian.

Check out BBC Languages here.

7. Rype

Key Highlights: 24/7 Unlimited Private Language Lessons For Busy People

If you’ve ever told yourself that “you’re too busy” to learn a language, then you haven’t met Rype yet. Rype offers unlimited private language lessons (Spanish right now) with professional native speaking tutors available 24/7. By being able to book lessons at any time of the day, any day of the week, you can learn on your own time without interrupting your busy lifestyle.

One last point to mention is that since you’re interacting live and one-on-one with native speakers, you’ll get the opportunity to improve your speaking skills much faster versus non-interactive methods. In fact, a study by NTL Institute shares that humans can learn up to 18x faster through immediate real-life immersion versus learning through a traditional lecture setting.

Check out Rype here.