Superfluent: Language Learning 4+

Best language learning app for speaking

First, I just have to say that this is the app I have been looking for (and even considered building as a SWE myself). Speaking practice is so hard to come by for certain languages, and this does a great job at simulating real conversations. I wish it had two more features, though:

1. A vocabulary builder. Maybe I haven’t explored the app long enough, but I haven’t seen anywhere that stores unfamiliar words so I can go back and learn them later. I’d love to be able to review the transcript and just click on or say (see #2) the words/phrases that were new to me in the conversation, and have the app compile them for later review. Maybe at the end of a conversation, it can ask which words/phrases were new to me? Maybe those new words/phrases can have their own conversations created around them that help me to learn them by using them?

2. Practice without any buttons. I’d like to be able to have my conversations without having to touch my phone at all. I want to use it while driving, but pressing buttons while doing so isn’t safe. If there was a speech mode where all I had to do was open the app and then I could control it with my voice, that would be incredible.

Thanks again for building such a needed app! It’s on the TIME innovation list for a reason!

Exactly what I was looking for

My Duolingo Italian streak is nearly 800, but I’ve been struggling because I have no one to actually speak Italian with. Superfluent has been great so far. The tutor is SO helpful. I love that it doesn’t tell you how to respond and that the AI adapts so well to your responses. It feels so natural. I do wish that I could review scenarios I’ve already done. I like to take screenshots of lessons so I can take notes to study later, but when the app ends a conversation, the “let’s end here” message hides the final response. If there IS a way for me to review scenarios, I haven’t been able to find it. Also, the scenario where you make a restaurant reservation asks if you want the confirmation emailed to you, and I said “[name] [4-digit number] @ [domain]” but the AI only picked up the name. When I had to repeat what it said in Italian, it kept saying I was pronouncing it wrong even when I used another app to translate the number. So the voice recognition could use a bit of fine-tuning. All that being said, for a newer app with a solo developer, Superfluent already has a lot going for it, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it improves over time.

Developer Response ,

So glad to hear you’re liking the app!

We’ll be adding the scenario review as you suggested, really great idea.

On the email recognition, I’ll improve that scenario. I think it was avoiding transcribing the email for privacy reasons. So I’ll cut that out of scenario going forward.

Thanks again, I really appreciate the feedback. 4 stars is always good motivation to improve your experience and get jt back to a 5!

A game-changer for language practice

If you have tried to learn a second language as an adult, you know how daunting it can be. A few years ago I retired to México, and I want to speak Spanish well out of respect for this great country I now call home. I have used apps and taken several classes focused on grammar, writing, reading, and even some conversation exchanges. This is the first app I have used that made an immediate impact on my ability to speak well. The suggestions it makes for improvement are truly useful, and I love that I could import my Duolingo streak too. It doesn’t take a lot of time. It’s quick and easy, but most importantly, effective. Sam is really onto something great with Superfluent. I was not compensated, these are my honest thoughts as a user of the app. If you’re trying to improve your speaking of a second+ language, give it a try.