iOS Apps for Language Learning
By Nathan Richards
About
Duolingo
https://itunes.apple.com/app/duolingo-learn-spanish-french/id570060128?mt=8
What is it?
- Duolingo is an iOS app that enables students to learn a series of languages: Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian and English
- Duolingo tests it's users through reading comprehension, listening comprehension and speaking
- This app is like all others as it is able to aid your pronunciation through use of your phone's microphone
- Duolingo is also accessible on your desktop through a browser-based platform, which can sync with your app to ensure you pick up where you left off
- Duolingo is available on iOS and Google Play
Where can I use this?
- Duolingo can be used in any grade division or age group due to it's ease of use--the platform is incredibly intuitive
- Duolingo is able to adapt to the user's level of competence. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner, intermediate, or expert, Duolingo will find out where you're at and adjust to your areas of weakness and strength
- I would use this app in the classroom because each student is able to track how they are individually progressing
Memrise
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/memrise-learn-chinese-spanish/id635966718?mt=8
What is it?
- Memrise is an iOS app that enables students to learn a series of topics learn languages, geography, history, science, pop culture and everything else through crowd-sourced imagination
- Plant these memories in your garden, grow them into your long term memory, then water them at intervals designated by our algorithms that ensure you will retain the memories where you will be able to reach them.
- All of your Memrise courses easily available for learning on the go
- Offline mode for always available learning
- Full integration with your Memrise.com account
- Browse the Memrise intro language courses
- 100% FREE
- Memrise is available on iOS and Google Play
Where can I use this?
- Memrise is more suited for higher grade division such as junior high or high school
- While memrise is meant to be used for languages, there are also other topics such as geography that can be taught
- I would use this app in the classroom because each student is able to track how they are individually progressing
- An added benefit of this app is that it is available offline, which can help students that do not have access to internet outside of the classroom
Babbel
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/learn-languages-babbel-spanish/id829587759?mt=8
What is it?
- Extensive selection of interactive courses for 13 different languages
- Designed to fit into your life
-
Tailored learning goals
Learning progress synchronised across iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and website platforms
Check your learning stats with Today view
Handoff: Start a lesson on your iPhone, finish it on your iPad
Keep new vocabulary in your long-term memory with the Review Manager
Ideal for both beginners and advanced learners
Train your pronunciation with our speech recognition technology
Babbel is not free and users must purchase an expensive subscription to use
- Babbel is available on iOS and Google Play
Where can I use this?
- Babbel can be used in any grade division or age group due to it's ease of use--the platform is incredibly intuitive
- Babbel would not be good to use in the classroom as it requires the purchase of an expensive subscription to use. I would turn to other apps such as Duolingo or Memrise that offer free services
Living Language
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/living-language-course-pack/id563425646?mt=8
What is it?
- Languages Available: Arabic, Portuguese, Italian, and English
- Free lessons available in each language.
- Buy the Complete Course OR buy a single level (Essential, Intermediate, or Advanced) in Arabic and Portuguese!
- The experts at Living Language take you beyond the basic phrasebook. They offer a complete course that will teach you how to speak English right from the start using essential words and phrases.
- 46 lessons across 3 levels—Essential, Intermediate, Advanced
- Interactive Games
- Vocabulary Flashcards
- Comprehensive Grammar Notes
- Engaging Dialogues with Native Speakers
- Living Language is available on iOS and Google Play
Where can I use this?
- Living Language can be used for secondary grade divisions as it takes some understanding of computers to make the interface work
- Living Language is a paid service and may not work for students that cannot afford the subscription fee
- I would not use this app in the classroom because of the fee
Rosetta Stone Mobile
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/rosetta-course/id435588892?mt=8
What is it?
- Learn to speak Spanish, French, Italian, English, German or one of 19 other languages anytime, anywhere. Just download our free app "Learn Languages: Rosetta Stone," and you’ll be on your way!
- The Rosetta Stone® language-learning app is designed to help you improve your language skills effectively—and you’ll see results before you know it.
- Learning with our free mobile app is like having a personal language tutor. You’ll discover new vocabulary and grammar—and learn how to use your new language skills in conversation.
- Our proven, immersion-based method is the best way to discover the benefits of learning a new language. Download the "Learn Languages: Rosetta Stone" app now, and get started learning your next language.
- Benefits:
- Access your Rosetta Stone language training anywhere
- Free access to Lesson 1 in any one of 24 languages
- Purchase additional lessons without leaving the app
- Proprietary speech-recognition technology
- Automatic sync across devices
- Enterprise and Education Rosetta Stone Foundations clients have full access to all available content
- Living Language is available on iOS, Google Play and Kindle
Where can I use this?
- Rosetta can be used at any grade divisions as it is easy to use
- Rosetta Stone is a paid service and may not work for students that cannot afford it
- I would use this app in the classroom because of it's effectiveness
- Despite it being a paid service, schools can access discounted licenses