Learning a new language is at our fingertips thanks to Internet technology and cutting-edge apps, tools, and websites. Language learning applications are easily accessible via our smartphones and laptops whenever and wherever we want. There are a lot of available applications in the realm of language learning, however, reviews and download rates of the following 3 apps indicate that they have attained the highest popularity among users worldwide.
Today, we are going to find out more about them in this post. But before we go into details of each app, I want to mention some points:
First of all, everyone should know that learning a new language with the purpose of high proficiency and fluency only via mobile apps is almost impossible unless an individual is targeting an elementary level or only survival in a particular language. Mobile technologies are effective tools when they are used along with other coursebooks or a language course because using language learning apps will give you the opportunity to redefine what you do in the classroom in a positive and productive way and to practice the language in a motivating way; however, with the existing m-technology tools, I strongly believe that none of them can replace classrooms or coursebooks. As a teacher and a language learner, I believe insocial constructivismindicating that “meaning does not exist in its own right” (Robson, 2016, p.26). Based on constructivists knowledge and reality are socially constructed by individuals as they interact (Denzin and Lincoln, 1994, p.27; Vygotsky, 1978) and it is mediated through tool use (Wertsch 1991). According to Chen 2013, the use of mobile applications and other online tools can help learners "by synthesizing learning inside and outside of the classroom, students are encouraged to take more responsibility for their learning, thus developing their independent learning skills and benefitting their future studies."
The Sad Truth is that ...
unfortunately, most of the language learning applications limit the users' access to most of their material and propose Paid Premium Option which charges users for an annual or monthly fee which enables them to get access to all materials and benefits of the apps. Except for Duolingo, the majority of similar applications including the other two apps that I am going to talk about today share this feature.
Let’s start the review with Duolingo.
Duolingo’s approach is based on gamification or lessons which feel more like a
game than a textbook. Duolingo claims that they teach the language implicitly
where learners discover patterns themselves without being consciously taught
about the rules. Various types of exposure to language are offered by the
application such as interactive stories, and podcasts. To measure the learners’
progress, test questions are advised throughout the courses.
Here is a short clip about
the story behind Duolingo's mission – from Luis von Ahn, CEO
What I like about ... Duolingo ... is that it is totally free and it makes learning a new language fun which can be encouraging to keep going especially if you are a beginner in a particular language struggling with basics and comprehension.
Duolingo PLUS . . . is a newly added paid option to this app offering some extra features which I believe are unnecessary and unrelated to your language learning as it doesn't have anything to do with the material or the courses it offers. In my opinion, there are only two benefits with the PLUS version worth considering:
you can get rid of annoying ads;
you can display the lessons you take even when you are offline for review purposes.
Another successful
language learning application is Memrise.
In essence, Memrise is a
user-generated language learning application using e-flashcards to promote long-term retention. In terms of
approach, it has so much in common with Duolingo. Their principles can be summarized
in the use of real-life language content, "a saucy recipe of tech and science", and
a pinch of fun because they believe that "if it’s not fun, you just won’t
learn' (memrise.com). Video clips are frequently shown during the courses so that learners are
constantly exposed to the authentic accent of real native speakers.
What I don't like
about ... the website is that due to its complicated, unorganized interface it's difficult to keep a track of your activity within the web as well as looking for an appropriate source to start with. Thousands
of courses created by various users are available on the website including the courses offered by the company itself, and though there are categories such as different levels of difficulty for several popular languages like English and Spanish, you must search
the site thoroughly for the right sources for your purpose of language learning.
Here, it is a sample of Memrise video in the application.
Busuu is the next language learning application to review. Actually, it is my favorite language learning application in comparison to its counterparts.
Busuu is a paid language learning app. "More than other apps, Busuu encourages your speaking skills by helping you to practice the language out loud with its speech recognition tool" (FluentU.com). Busuu derived its name from the Busuu language in Cameron which is one the languages that are about to die and disappear.
If you are interested in hearing what this language sounds like, click on
the link below:
This app is offering high-quality
courses plus opportunities to practice with native speakers. Also, personalized
feedback is another perk of this application. Based on a survey conducted to measure the learning outcome of this application by the research teams from City University
of New York and the University of South Carolina Busuu, 22 hours of studying with
Busuu (premium) is equivalent to a college semester of Language learning.
What I don't like about ... Busuu is that although there’s a free version, it limits you to just one language, and most
of the learning is done through digital flashcards. Digital flashcards are a
very popular style of learning within language apps because they’re
interactive, entertaining and motivating because they make you feel like you’re
progressing. However, learning just with flashcards isn’t exactly comprehensive.
What I reaaallyy looovvee about ... Busuu is exercises where you are asked to either speak and record your answer or to type it
and submit it to a community of language learners for correction. These learners are users of the app who are proficient and fluent speakers of at least a language, so Busuu will find someone who
speaks the language you're learning, and that person will provide correction
and comments for you. In turn, you can give feedback to people learning languages that
you already speak fluently.
🎤🎤🎤 Now, Its your turn!!
Have you ever used one of these tools or similar ones for language learning? Why don't you tell us about your experience with such language learning apps?? 👇👇💬💬
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