As an immigrant, one of the hardest things that you can do is speak the language of your host nation. When you don’t speak the language of the country, it can feel overwhelming to go grocery shopping or ask for directions. What’s more, if you don’t speak the language, it isn’t easy to get a job and that is crucial to having a good life in your new house.
Below in this post, we will tell you about the best 5 language apps to master the language you’ll need to excel in your new country.
1. Duolingo
The language app Duolingo is one of the most used apps out there and for good reason. The aim of it is to turn language learning into a game so that you can play it. You earn points and upgrade your levels as you learn on the app and you’re in competition with other learners from around the world on a leaderboard. And with this gamified system, you never stop learning.
Duolingo teaches different languages (40 in fact) and has listening, speaking, reading, and writing tasks. As it can be acquired to the B2 level (the equivalent of the CEFR), it is a perfect starter for new immigrants looking to begin developing their language skills in a fun and interactive way.
2. Babbel
Also there is a language learning app, Babbel which is also quite powerful in the way it works. But Babbel’s lessons aren’t the sort of app where the whole thing can be learned in small, digestible chunks. Also, it adapts its lesson to the peculiarities of each language, so you can learn more rapidly and efficiently.
With 14 languages to choose from, Babbel teaches you how to use the language in real life — like how to converse. If you have a subscription you can also take live lessons with a teacher for an extra charge. Many researchers have confirmed that Babbel leads to language improvements, which makes it a solid choice for any immigrants wanting to improve their communication in their home country.
3. Lingoda
If you’re more of a classroom type of student, Lingoda is for you. You can take classes in real-time, online, and native speakers with this app. Learn online, anywhere, anytime, and with lessons that run 247, you can start whenever it suits you, so you can fit learning into your schedule.
Lingoda courses don’t just cover grammar and words, they teach you idiomatic expressions and slang that will come naturally to you when you’re working, going out to buy something, or getting to know people. Lingoda has classes that you pay for (usually $6.75 to $9.50 a lesson), but it’s an open-ended and powerful way to learn the language.
4. Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is a brand that’s been around since the 1990s and has a good track record of making language acquisition accessible to all. Its immersive format is because Rosetta Stone teaches you by listening, speaking, and reading with little to no translation involved. It’s a technique that asks you to think directly in the new language.
You can visit Rosetta Stone in 25 languages on various devices, including its iPhone app. It also comes with a thing called truAccent, which lets you correct your pronunciation. There are monthly subscriptions that cost $11.99 or a single $299 for access all your life. Rosetta Stone offers also individualized lesson plans based on your language learning aspirations and even live classes with actual teachers.
5. HelloTalk
HelloTalk is a stand-alone language app, that translates foreign language into live conversation between native speakers. Instead of lectures, HelloTalk is a social service where you can interact with native speakers of the language you’re studying. It’s an immersive and natural learning curve for your language.
It even has in-app translation, transliteration, and corrections, so you can communicate with people even when you’re a novice. You can use it for free but you can also buy a premium version to get rid of ads and more. : If you’re the type of person who loves to learn by speaking, HelloTalk is an excellent exercise in a friendly setting.
You should choose the app that suits your learning needs and objectives if you are an immigrant trying to learn a new language. If you like gaming-style (Duolingo), a classic classroom experience (Lingoda) or even just talking to native speakers (HelloTalk), there’s an app for that.
If you are trying to learn languages in a fun and quick manner, then these apps can be a good place to start so you can converse freely and blend into your new community. You can make small incremental gains towards a stronger future at your new place by making use of language apps.
