Three language learning apps to get you started

I began learning Spanish earlier this year. In this article, based on my experience, I recommend 3 apps to get you started on your language-learning journey in 2024.

Language Transfer

If there is one app I wish I had used from the beginning of my language-learning journey, it is Language Transfer.

I am confident that if you’re new to app-based language learning, then this is probably the first you’ve heard about Language Transfer. At the time of writing, it’s only got 147 ratings, yet it is rated 5*/5* on the App Store. It’s niche!

On the app are audio courses in many languages. You participate as if you are a student 1-1 with a teacher, listening to a real teacher instruct a student who is brand new to the language. You engage with the lesson, pause, think and answer questions aloud, then listen for the correct answers.

There are 8 language courses available. I was hooked after 2 lessons of the Spanish course!

Duolingo

You knew this was coming. Of course, I was going to recommend Duolingo.

And you will have almost certainly heard of this one. Millions of people use this app every single day, and there’s a good reason for that. It uses research-backed teaching methods and the learning is gamified.

It’s repetitive, you make progress as quickly or as slowly as you want. What I like about the app is that it builds language learning habits. To stick to your goal of learning a new language, you must commit to a daily time. Duolingo makes it so easy: you can learn on your commute, when you’re taking a break, cycling on a stationary bike…whatever works best for you.

iTalki

If you’ve managed to get into a habit with Duolingo and made your way through Language Transfer, then it’s probably time to consider taking lessons.

As a heads up, iTalki is for those of you who want to pay for lessons with a teacher. I’ve taken 25 lessons with a Spanish teacher since August. My teacher is Mexican and lives in Norway. I easily schedule lessons around my weekly working calendar. It’s super straightforward to organise and flexible.

It goes without saying speaking with a native speaker once or twice a week, following a lesson plan and doing bits of homework is by far the best way to learn ‘seriously’.

What I like about iTalki is that you can have trial lessons with different teachers to find the teacher that feels best for you. And you can read reviews of all the teachers, and they have different pricing options.

Well, what are you waiting for? 🤔 Which language will you try to learn in 2024?! ¡Ahora que te he hablado de las aplicaciones, creo que deberías probarlas! Buena suerte