Apps We also have guides on traveling, such as “Navigating International Travel,” “Best Carry-On Luggage,” and “Our Favorite Travel Planning Apps and Tricks.” We updated our picks with the most recent features and prices in August 2023, adding Lingoda, several honorable mentions, and the Timekettle WT2 Edge Translator Earbuds. Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-Year Subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). If you’d like, you can access our print magazine and WIRED.
com at any time. Language learning apps can be a useful tool for improving your language skills, but if you want to become fluent, you will probably need additional assistance. Subscriptions help fund the work that we do every day. A Columbia University review of language apps identified three main weaknesses: “First, apps tend to teach vocabulary in isolated units rather than in relevant contexts; second, apps minimally adapt to suit the skill sets of individual learners; and third, apps rarely offer explanatory corrective feedback to learners.”
Every linguist agrees that learning a second language requires human interaction, so it’s important to look for language learning apps that let you talk to and listen to native speakers of your chosen language. It’s also helpful when apps cover real-life scenarios, tell stories, and provide cultural context. Vocabulary-building apps can be helpful, but only in conjunction with classes or other learning resources. There has been surprising little research on the effectiveness of language learning apps, but a study from Michigan State University found that our top pick, Babbel, not only made it easier to learn grammar and vocabulary but also made it easier to talk to people. Apps for learning languages can help students in the beginning and intermediate levels establish a foundation. They can take you there if you just want to learn how to order a coffee. Fluency requires immersion and comprehension, whether through talking with native speakers, learning in a classroom, or reading books and watching movies.
