Americans have a reputation for being culturally insular, but based on 2018 data from the US Census Bureau, over 67 million people in the United States speak a language other than English at home. If that inspires you to brush up on a new language for yourself, the good news is that it has never been easier. Gone are the days when you had to go to school to try to master French, Spanish or Russian; now you can use an app and have your pick from among dozens of languages.
8 of the Best Language Learning Apps for Every Learning Style
Introduction: In the United States, over 67 million people speak a language other than English at home, according to 2018 data from the US Census Bureau. This trend reflects a growing interest in multilingualism, and many Americans are embracing the opportunity to learn new languages. Whether for travel, career advancement, or personal growth, learning a new language has never been easier—or more accessible. Thanks to modern technology, you can now pick up a new language from the comfort of your home using a variety of language learning apps. In this article, we’ll explore 8 of the best language learning apps tailored to different learning styles.
1. Best for Gamified Learning: Duolingo
Overview:
Duolingo is one of the most popular language-learning apps in the world, known for its fun and engaging approach to mastering new languages. Through a series of short, interactive lessons, Duolingo uses gamification to keep learners motivated, with rewards like badges, streaks, and points to track progress.
Why We Love It:
- Game-like Structure: Duolingo turns language learning into a game with levels, challenges, and rewards.
- Variety of Languages: From widely spoken languages like Spanish and French to lesser-known options like Hawaiian or Irish, Duolingo has an impressive selection.
- Free Version: Duolingo offers a completely free version, making it accessible to everyone.
Best For: Learners who enjoy a gamified, casual approach and want a variety of languages to choose from.
2. Best for In-Depth Learning: Babbel
Overview:
Babbel stands out for its comprehensive lessons designed by linguists. Unlike some apps that focus solely on vocabulary or grammar, Babbel emphasizes practical conversation skills. Lessons are structured in real-world contexts, helping learners to build the confidence they need to speak the language fluently.
Why We Love It:
- Real-World Conversations: Babbel focuses on phrases and situations you’ll encounter in daily life, making it easier to use the language in real-world settings.
- Short Lessons: Lessons are typically about 10–15 minutes long, making it easy to fit into busy schedules.
- Speech Recognition: Babbel includes a speech recognition tool to help improve pronunciation.
Best For: Learners who prefer structured, in-depth lessons that build on each other over time.
3. Best for Listening and Speaking: Pimsleur
Overview:
Pimsleur is a audio-based language learning app designed for people who prefer listening and speaking practice over reading and writing. With a focus on pronunciation and conversation skills, Pimsleur offers daily lessons that require active participation.
Why We Love It:
- Focus on Speaking: Pimsleur’s method encourages learners to speak from day one, using repetition and active recall to improve fluency.
- Portable: Pimsleur’s lessons are primarily audio-based, making it easy to learn on the go—perfect for commuters or busy individuals.
- Scientifically Proven: The Pimsleur method is based on spaced repetition, which is proven to boost retention and recall.
Best For: Learners who want to focus on speaking and listening while learning a language on the go.
4. Best for Visual Learners: Memrise
Overview:
Memrise is a visual-focused language learning app that uses images, videos, and native speakers to help learners absorb language. The app takes a playful and entertaining approach, often incorporating humor to make the learning process fun and memorable.
Why We Love It:
- Real-World Videos: Memrise includes short clips of native speakers using the language in real-life contexts, helping learners get a feel for how the language is actually spoken.
- Spaced Repetition: Memrise uses a proven learning technique to help reinforce vocabulary and grammar.
- Engaging Content: The app includes a lot of playful and interactive content that keeps learning exciting.
Best For: Visual learners who prefer seeing the language used in real-world contexts and want a fun, interactive experience.
5. Best for Self-Study: Rosetta Stone
Overview:
Rosetta Stone has long been a staple in the language learning world. Known for its immersive approach, the app uses full immersion to teach new languages, meaning learners hear and see the language in context, without translations.
Why We Love It:
- Immersive Learning: Rosetta Stone offers a fully immersive experience, teaching you to think directly in the language without relying on translations.
- Speech Recognition: The app’s speech recognition tool helps improve your pronunciation by providing feedback.
- Multiple Devices: Rosetta Stone can be used on a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.
Best For: Learners who want an immersive experience and are comfortable with self-guided study.
6. Best for Busy Schedules: Busuu
Overview:
Busuu offers an excellent combination of flexibility and community-based learning. With a focus on practical language skills, this app provides structured lessons that fit into any schedule, from beginners to advanced learners.
Why We Love It:
- Personalized Learning Plans: Busuu creates customized learning plans based on your level and goals, ensuring you’re always working on the right lessons.
- Community Interaction: Learners can interact with native speakers, receiving feedback on written exercises to improve writing and speaking skills.
- Offline Access: Lessons can be downloaded for offline use, allowing you to study even when you don’t have an internet connection.
Best For: Busy learners who want a flexible, personalized language learning plan and value interaction with a language-learning community.
7. Best for Culture Enthusiasts: HelloTalk
Overview:
HelloTalk is a social language learning app that connects learners with native speakers of the language they’re learning. By chatting with others, you get real-life practice and immerse yourself in the language’s cultural context.
Why We Love It:
- Real Conversations: You can text, voice message, and even call native speakers for authentic, conversational practice.
- Cultural Exchange: The app also encourages cultural exchange, allowing users to learn about customs and traditions while learning the language.
- In-App Translation and Corrections: Native speakers can help you correct mistakes and provide translations in real-time.
Best For: Learners who want to immerse themselves in real conversations and experience the cultural aspects of the language.
8. Best for Comprehensive Learning: FluentU
Overview:
FluentU takes a video-based approach to language learning, using authentic videos—such as movie trailers, music videos, and news clips—to teach languages in context. This app is ideal for learners who want to experience the language as it’s used in real-life media.
Why We Love It:
- Real-World Content: FluentU uses authentic videos to teach language, helping you understand how it’s used in real-world scenarios.
- Interactive Features: Users can click on any word in a video to see its meaning, pronunciation, and examples, making learning both engaging and practical.
- Multiple Learning Levels: FluentU tailors content for different levels, from beginner to advanced learners, ensuring a smooth progression.
Best For: Learners who want a more immersive experience through authentic content and enjoy learning with videos.
Whether you prefer gamified learning, structured lessons, real-world conversations, or immersive content, there’s a language learning app suited to your unique style. Here’s a quick recap:
- Best for Gamified Learning: Duolingo
- Best for In-Depth Learning: Babbel
- Best for Speaking and Listening: Pimsleur
- Best for Visual Learners: Memrise
- Best for Self-Study: Rosetta Stone
- Best for Busy Schedules: Busuu
- Best for Culture Enthusiasts: HelloTalk
- Best for Comprehensive Learning: FluentU