Similarly, for languages with a script that's new to you, it's best to find an app that includes content for teaching reading and writing. Sign It ASL, an online course whose video lessons have the feel of a television show is extremely effective. For example, when learning American Sign Language, you really need either a live instructor or videos. Sometimes you need resources that are specific to the language you're learning. Not quite ready to converse? Try Yabla, a site that's flush with videos of native speakers, which can help you acclimate your ear and expand your vocabulary. Rype is similar but instead focuses on one-on-one tutoring in 30-minute sessions. Lingoda offers one-hour small classes and one-on-one sessions, all conducted over Zoom. If you're already an intermediate or advanced speaker, small group classes or one-on-one conversations with a tutor are excellent options. In that case, you might be better off starting with an audio-focused program, such as Pimsleur or Michel Thomas. Some people find that looking at written language trips up their pronunciation. Duolingo is especially good for practicing on the go, as is the study aid Quizlet. Add in a mobile app with more bite-sized content so you can refresh your memory in short bursts. Rosetta Stone and Fluenz are both exceptional at that. When you first start out, you might like a program that tells you exactly what to study for an intensive 30 minutes per day. You don't want to give up on learning just because you don't like the tool. This is not the time to put up with tools that are annoying or frustrating. That's why it's so important to find apps and resources you like. A gap in exposure leads to loss in ability. Picking the right tools sets you up for success. If you want to make real progress with a language, whether you're learning for school, travel, family, or personal enrichment, you need a variety of tools.Īs with all kinds of education, learning a language takes dedication. What language do you want to learn? Have you already learned a little, or are you a blank slate? Is your goal to know the language so well that you can speak, hear, read, and write it, or do you want to start with just one of those goals? Does the language you're learning use a different script? Is it hard for you to make unfamiliar sounds?Īnswering all those questions is crucial to finding the right language-learning apps-yes, apps, plural. How to Find the Right Apps to Learn a Language

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