Specialists will help you choose the best programs and apps for learning foreign languages
No matter where you are, you can use your precious time more productively by learning a foreign language. You just need to have your phone or tablet at hand. Specialists from the NES English school in Kyiv have prepared a review of the most interesting apps and programs for learning foreign languages.
Duolingo (www.duolingo.com)
One of the most popular services for learning six foreign languages from scratch (English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese). The curriculum of each course is structured as a tree of achievements. To advance to a new level, you need to earn a certain number of points awarded for correct answers. You have several "lives" for each task, which are spent when you make mistakes. After three mistakes, you must start over. There are also social features: you can compare your achievements with other users and share successes on social networks.
The course is structured as follows. You start with learning vocabulary, then move on to grammar and more complex exercises such as listening, translation, reading, and spelling. As you learn, the system adapts to your level, focusing on the exercises that are most difficult for you.
Unlike many other services, Duolingo is completely free. This generosity is because the company earns money from text translations of internet content performed by users as part of assignments – crowdsourcing in action. So don't be surprised if the system offers you translation tasks that are difficult for your level.
The mobile version of Duolingo has full functionality of the main site and works very stably. The implementation of speech recognition deserves special praise.
Among the drawbacks is that the system focuses more on learning rules than on conversational practice. This teaching method is suitable for beginners who want to seriously learn the language, as well as for more advanced users.
LinguaLeo (www.lingualeo.com)
Another very popular English learning service that also uses the principle of an online game. As you progress through levels, you earn "meatballs" – experience points that you need to feed the lion cub Leo. The lion cub is always hungry and won't give you access to new words unless you appease it. Based on the entrance test, the system will recommend ways to fill gaps in your knowledge.
The service consists of several sections, each containing a set of specific tasks. For example, in the "Jungle" section there are materials for listening and reading. In the "Courses" section, you'll find a set of grammar exercises and video lessons. The "Training" section lets you choose a method for memorizing vocabulary. The most interesting mode here is "Bridge." Your task is to correctly pronounce words written on cards and guess words spoken by your opponent. In the "Savannah" section, you can communicate in English with friends and track their achievements.
At the end of each learning cycle, you'll be offered a set of exercises. Correct answers replenish Leo's food supply. To unlock unlimited access to all service resources, you can purchase "Gold Status." But even then, many courses here must be bought separately. Upon completing the full course, you'll receive a certificate that you can print if you wish.
LinguaLeo mobile apps differ across operating systems and only give access to part of the word memorization drills; unfortunately, there are no grammar exercises or materials for listening and reading. Overall, LinguaLeo is suitable for those with a basic level of language proficiency. Users with an "above average" level will find this service useful for maintaining their skills.
Rosetta Stone (www.rosettastone.eu)
This is a whole set of mobile apps for one of the most famous interactive textbooks. The program's name and logo hint at the Rosetta Stone, thanks to which linguists were able to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Rosetta Stone developers claim that the program is based on a unique method that allows you to learn a language the way children do – intuitively, without dictionaries and grammar reference books. Such an approach may deter adherents of the "old school." The program's specialty is simulating immersion in an English-speaking environment, during which you will not just learn but "absorb" the language. This is facilitated by a large set of interactive lessons aimed at creating associative series.
Rosetta Stone is primarily suitable for beginners. Using a microphone, the program can evaluate the correctness of your pronunciation. A free trial version of this textbook is offered with a limited number of basic lessons. A full licensed course costs about 300 euros.
LingQ (www.lingq.com)
A rather interesting resource with its own audience and fans. It provides a database of online lessons and a huge online library of materials. It's especially convenient to use the service's mobile app for Android and iOS. The app allows you to read, translate, and listen to various texts in English.
The program's advantage is the so-called LingQs – unfamiliar words you select, which, when they reappear in a new text, will be highlighted in a specific color depending on the degree of difficulty in remembering. You can determine this parameter yourself by assigning the word a value from 1 to 5.
In the free version, the number of Ling you create is unfortunately limited. Communication with teachers and checking of written assignments by experts are also paid. However, you can meet many polyglots and enthusiasts here who will help you learn the language selflessly.