Learning a language has been shown to offer a variety of valuable benefits, such as improvements in short and long-term memory function, enhanced creative thinking, and increased spatial and verbal abilities. Thanks to language learning software, anyone can fit in a small lesson during their day to expose themselves to these miraculous enhancements, all while learning a whole new language!
With games and challenges, mobile apps can turn potentially frustrating tasks into enjoyable experiences, and language learning is a prime example. That’s only the case with well-designed pieces of software, though, ones that are precisely suited to your needs.
Some apps may have gamification or UI deficiencies, while others check all the right boxes but may not have your desired language. To ensure you opt for a high-quality language learning software in 2023, read this buyer’s guide to the end!
The interface is a key factor to consider when you’re planning on subscribing to a language-learning platform. No matter how well-designed an app is, it’s useless if it keeps freezing, crashing, and malfunctioning. You’ll probably end up uninstalling it, which would be an utter waste of money.
Most apps run smoothly, but we’d recommend looking for an interactive user interface that keeps you hooked throughout your lessons. Dull experiences can lead you to avoid the platform altogether, so make sure to stay away from those!
Language learning software can have anywhere from one to dozens of different language courses, and the right choice will depend on what you want to achieve with your subscription.
If you only want to learn Spanish, for instance, you probably won’t care about the 25 other languages being offered on the platform, which means the Ouino software listed above would be a suitable recommendation. On the other hand, if you want to eventually learn several languages one after the other, single-course options like Ouino won’t give you much value for your money.
With that said, single-language platforms are generally more in-depth and focused, so we’d recommend sticking to a language learning software with a relatively low language count if you only plan on picking up one or two courses in the near future. Remember, quality over quantity — especially when you don’t plan on benefitting from the latter!
Look for language learning software with in-app features like leaderboard contests, games, tests, trivia, or fun competitions with other online learners. These small details can have a big impact on keeping you motivated throughout your learning journey!
If you just want to learn a new language and aren’t concerned with entertaining features, don’t worry, because there are plenty of professional-themed options when it comes to language learning software.
Complete beginners need to start from scratch, which means the language learning software they choose should start things off from square one. Intermediate or slightly more advanced students, however, will require a piece of software that’s designed to enhance their skills in their selected language rather than simply teaching them the basics that they already know.
You can pretty much always find a free alternative to paid subscriptions nowadays, and the same goes for language learning software. Sure, free apps (or free versions of paid apps) won’t be as effective or feature-filled as their paid counterparts, but they can still be sufficient for hobbyists.
With free software, however, you’ll miss out on any special courses or one-on-one consultations with linguistic coaches and teachers. If you’re only picking up a new language for fun, free alternatives can be adequate, but we’d recommend signing up for a paid plan if you’re serious about learning a new language quickly and effectively.
Software purchases only have one thing to back the user up in case of issues like bugs, crashes, freezes, and general malfunctions — customer support.
Before you pay for a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscription to your language learning software of choice, we’d recommend looking at third-party reviews of their customer support. Are they available 24/7 to sort your issues out in a timely manner? Are they genuinely helpful? Do you trust them to have your back whenever you encounter an issue with the app’s functionality?
Free platforms generally miss out on this essential part of the language learning software experience, which is a big reason why you should switch to paid apps if you’re a serious language learner.
The Rosetta Stone Language Learning Software is globally recognized as a top-tier resource for learning languages efficiently and effectively. You can expect crystal-clear instructions, an exceptionally well-designed user interface, and tons of helpful challenges and games to make learning fast, easy, and enjoyable. You’ll have more than 24 languages to choose from, which means this single language learning software is enough to make you a linguistic pro in no time at all.
This language learning software is available for Mac, PC, iOS, and Android platforms, and its “Dynamic Immersion” feature is all about helping you learn through context, using methods like writing, reading, speaking, and hearing. It helps make sure that the vocabulary and phrases you learn are retained for longer periods, making this language learning software the top choice on our list.
Designed with the help of more than a hundred linguistic experts, the Babbel Language Learning Software is a close second on our list. You can learn 14 languages with this advanced platform, including Spanish, German, Italian, French, Polish, Turkish, and more!
No matter how busy your days are, this language learning software allows you to go at your own pace, with manageable lessons that last only 10 to 15 minutes. You can educate yourself with these convenient chunks of linguistic training at home or on the go, as this language learning software can be used on your phone, laptop, tablet, or desktop — instead of scrolling through social media on the bus, why not pull out your phone and learn how to speak Dutch?
If you’re looking for the perfect all-in-one solution to become proficient in Spanish, the Ouino Language Learning Software is tough to beat. Designed for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and even Chrome OS, you can access and take advantage of this platform’s features on all sorts of devices. With this language learning software, you’ll get access to more than 60 short stories, 440 lessons, and 1,200 fun yet educational challenges and games, along with many drills to help you perfect your pronunciation.
This language learning software is super customizable, granting users complete control over their Spanish-learning journey. You’ll be able to adjust things like the playback speed of pronunciations so that the program works at your pace and not the other way around, and with your initial, one-time purchase, you’ll gain lifetime access to this language learning software.
A: Your language learning app should help you acquire new vocabulary and have great tools that encourage memorization and using these new words during practice. It should also have pronunciation checks, revision, gamification, and competitions to encourage growth and improvements among peers.
A: Assuming that you have some paid software and access to one-on-one coaching by an expert teacher, you can learn a “category 1” language and achieve an intermediate fluency level in as little as three months. Advanced languages, however, can take much longer to learn, requiring at least two years for the same level of fluency.
A: Out of the many different paid language learning software options available, we found Rosetta Stone to be the ideal choice for comprehensive learning, Babbel for its short-form lessons in small durations, and Ouino for its exclusivity (and superiority) in teaching Spanish.
