THE BASICS
Find the Perfect Language App for You
Ready to learn a second (or third!) language? These apps can help you get there in just minutes a day, so find one that speaks to you!
If you learn best by playing
Duolingo has led the language-learning field for years with its breezy, gamified lessons. If you want to speak it, Duolingo probably teaches it: The app offers more than 30 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Klingon.
If you want to have conversations fast
Through lessons grounded in real-life dialogue, Babbel focuses on getting you up to speed pronto. The app offers a towering list of languages—try a classic Romance language, go Nordic with Swedish or Norwegian, or give Turkish, Russian, or Indonesian a whirl.
If you want a tried-and-true method
Rosetta Stone has been using the immersion approach to language learning since 1992. No lengthy vocab lists or verb conjugations to memorize here. Instead you’ll see a photo of someone enjoying a croissant to learn that the French word for “to eat” is manger.
If you have only five minutes a day
Every lesson in Drops is a lightning-fast game of wordplay that takes just five minutes. Start by learning new words by theme (food, people, relationships), then move on to advanced topics like politics and society.
If you want to work with native speakers
Tandem connects you to a native speaker of the language you want to learn via video or audio calls or text chat. This global community can help you become fluent in more than 300 languages, including 12 types of sign language.
If you want to learn an Asian language
LingoDeer teaches several languages but specializes in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. In addition to helping Latin-based language speakers adapt to entirely new character systems, the app also offers helpful cultural tips.
If you want to learn from an expert
Cofounded by a memory master and a neuroscientist, Memrise uses a mnemonic technique known as spaced repetition to help you quickly ramp up your vocab. Cool trick: Point your device’s camera at a hairbrush, for instance, and the app will display and speak the word in the language you’re learning.
If you are motivated by milestones
Loaded with flash cards and vocabulary-boosting lessons that focus on memorization and repetition for retention, Falou is a great companion to other language-learning platforms. Special certificates of achievement for reaching major milestones keep you going.
If you follow the scientific method
Developed by a former particle physicist, Lingvist uses big data and artificial intelligence to help you master vocab fast. The 5,000 words in each course, for example, were selected by analyzing the most common terms in news articles and books. Any words you miss are strategically repeated until you’ve learned them.
If you need to order a coffee right now
iTranslate Converse won’t necessarily teach you a language, but it’ll make you instantly conversant. The app translates live conversations on the fly, in real time, which means you can use it when you need to find a train, order a coffee, or locate a bathroom. The app understands over 35 languages and dialects, including Arabic, Hindi, and Slovak.