Learn languages with podcasts, training your ears to understand real conversations.
Glisten isn’t just another language app — it’s your companion for real-world listening practice. It actively helps you understand native speakers.
Glisten combines authentic podcasts with the guidance of a language course. It’s like having a personal tutor built right into a podcast player.
Whether you’re commuting, cooking, or walking the dog, Glisten turns your downtime into language learning time.
WHY CHOOSE GLISTEN?
Immerse in Real Conversations
Glisten taps into podcasts from Apple Podcasts, giving you access to authentic conversations in your target language.
Learn on the Go
Glisten fits into your day — no textbooks or screens required. Just listen and improve.
Guided Listening Workouts
Practice with workouts that repeat sentences, slow down speech, or pause to help you catch every word.
Read Along with Transcripts
Follow synchronized text for each podcast — with instant translations to clarify tricky phrases.
Support at Your Level
Choose Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced mode to get just the right amount of guidance.
Proven 'Comprehensible Input' Method
Follow a proven method recommended by language experts, listening to boost fluency.
It’s like a gym for your ears!
FEATURES AT A GLANCE
• Learn from thousands of podcasts in Spanish, French, English, Chinese, German, and more.
• Practice listening with workouts that repeat sentences and slow down speech.
• Read along with transcripts to see what’s being said.
• Instant translations to break down tricky phrases.
• Train with guided workouts to improve your comprehension.
• Track your progress, maintaining your streak, and monitoring how long you’ve listened.
• Hands-free learning while commuting, walking the dog, or exercising.
• Use Glisten across all your devices — iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro, and Apple Watch.
FREE VS PRO
Glisten is free to use with unlimited podcast downloads and basic listening workouts.
Upgrade to Glisten Pro to unlock powerful features like:
• Inline translations
• Advanced guided workouts
• Workouts for practicing speech (eg shadowing)
• Import of any audio file or feed link
• Glisten for Apple Watch
Try Glisten Pro with a free trial and experience the full power of learning through guided podcast listening.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
“I just tried this application out, and I love it … It’s an awesome way to immerse yourself in Spanish, and be able to repeat things and see the transcript when needed.”
Doc Molly on App Store
“I love this app! It’s what I’ve been searching for … being able to change workout styles whenever you feel like it keeps the whole process fresh. ”
lovin the phone on App Store
“Glisten adds a whole new dimension, making difficult content much more accessible. I now recommend it to students of all levels.”
Débora López Rodríguez (Español Universal)
GO GLISTEN!
Glisten has no ads and no time limit on free usage.
Download for free, and begin your journey to fluency now with Glisten!
GLISTEN TERMS OF USE (EULA)
Please visit: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Glisten essentially does two things: first, it creates realtime subtitles for podcasts you might be using for language study— you basically get to read along as you listen (you can search the Apple podcast ecosystem from with the app, or import via a feed’s URL); in addition, the app gives you the ability to adjust the speed of playback and (automatically) insert pauses and repeat loops for sentences. The developer calls the different settings « listening workouts » but I think of them more like « gears » that you use to adjust the settings as appropriate….. much as a cyclist will gear down a little before a steep hill. For example, I just played a most of a podcast at regular speed— wanting to focus on a particular passage, I changed settings so it slowed playback down a bit and briefly paused between sentences. This is a useful tool for any language learner—I’m using it with French podcasts and definitely recommend. I’m happy enough to change from a monthly to a yearly subscription. 👍🚴
Developer Response
I really like the analogy of gearing down. It's a great way to describe what Glisten does. I also like to think of it is Augmented Audio. Augmented Reality is generally about what you see, where Augmented Audio is the same thing, but for listening. The device changes the audio in various ways, and can insert content, to make it more understandable.
- Fixed a crash that could occur when viewing the translation of a sentence.
Version 2.4.2
The developer, The Mental Faculty, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Purchases
Usage Data
Diagnostics
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
The Mental Faculty
Size
179.9 MB
Category
Education
Compatibility
Requires iOS 17.0 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 17.0 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 17.0 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 14.0 or later.
Apple Vision Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
Apple Watch Requires watchOS 10.0 or later.
Languages
English and 13 more
English, Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese
