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.
Which app offers the best interactive lessons
For the best interactive lessons, Kahoot! stands out as a leading app. It combines game mechanics with educational content, allowing users to create fun quizzes and learning games that engage students actively. Here are some key features:
- Game-Based Learning: Kahoot! promotes competition and collaboration among students, making learning enjoyable.
- Customization: Users can create quizzes on any topic and customize them with images and videos.
- Live Interaction: Students join games using unique codes on their devices, which fosters a lively classroom atmosphere.
Another notable app is Edpuzzle, which allows teachers to create interactive video lessons by embedding questions and quizzes into videos. This approach keeps students engaged and accountable while providing insights into their understanding of the content. Nearpod also offers interactive presentations where teachers can integrate quizzes, polls, and even virtual reality experiences into their lessons, enhancing student participation.
What are the main differences between Babbel and Rosetta Stone
Babbel and Rosetta Stone are two prominent language learning platforms, each offering distinct methodologies and features tailored to different types of learners. Below is a comparison highlighting their main differences.
Learning Approach
- Babbel:
- Utilizes a grammar-focused approach, providing explicit explanations and translations in English.
- Employs Spaced Repetition System (SRS) for vocabulary retention, adapting to the learner’s progress.
- Offers a variety of interactive exercises, including dialogues that reflect real-life conversations, making it suitable for more advanced learners aiming for conversational fluency.
- Rosetta Stone:
- Adopts an immersive method, relying heavily on intuition and inference without explicit grammar instruction.
- Lessons are designed to be repetitive, focusing on vocabulary through images and scenarios, which can be beneficial for absolute beginners but may bore more experienced learners.
- Exclusively uses the target language throughout the learning process, aiming to develop fluency without translating back to English.
Content and Structure
- Babbel:
- Offers 14 languages, with content structured to build progressively from beginner to intermediate levels.
- Lessons are more flexible and responsive, allowing for a personalized learning experience based on user performance.
- Rosetta Stone:
- Covers a broader range of 25 languages, including various dialects.
- Provides static lessons that follow a consistent sentence structure, which may limit engagement for users looking for diverse content.
Technology and Features
- Babbel:
- Features high-quality audio and a user-friendly interface.
- Offers additional live coaching options for conversational practice, enhancing motivation through interaction with teachers and peers.
- Rosetta Stone:
- Incorporates advanced voice recognition technology (TruAccent™) to help improve pronunciation.
- Focuses on visual learning aids but has been criticized for its lack of variety in lesson types.
Cost
- Babbel:
- Generally cheaper; a 12-month subscription costs approximately $83.40 for one language.
- Rosetta Stone:
- More expensive; a similar subscription is around $95.88 but offers unlimited access to all languages if subscribed for a year or more.
How effective is Duolingo for learning conversational skills
Duolingo has emerged as a popular tool for language learning, particularly for developing conversational skills. Research indicates that the app is effective, especially for beginners, in enhancing speaking abilities and overall language proficiency.
Effectiveness in Conversational Skills
Speaking Proficiency: A study conducted by Duolingo revealed that approximately 50% of learners who completed Unit 5 in Spanish and French achieved at least A2-level speaking skills. This level indicates that learners can produce complete sentences and engage in basic conversations about everyday topics comfortably. Specifically, 66% of Spanish learners and 53% of French learners reached this proficiency level after using the app.
Rapid Improvement: Users who dedicate about 4-6 weeks to Duolingo can achieve 90% accuracy in tests assessing short-spoken and written conversations. This suggests that the platform effectively builds foundational conversational skills quickly.
Comparison with Traditional Learning
Duolingo’s effectiveness is comparable to traditional classroom learning. Research indicates that completing five sections of Duolingo correlates with knowledge equivalent to that gained from five semesters of university language courses. In some cases, Duolingo learners have outperformed their peers in formal education settings.
Limitations
Despite its strengths, Duolingo has limitations regarding advanced conversational skills. Critics note that while it excels at teaching vocabulary and basic grammar, it may not adequately prepare users for real-life conversations due to its focus on translation exercises rather than immersive speaking practice. Some learners report challenges in achieving fluency and understanding cultural nuances without supplementary resources or practice with native speakers.
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.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the U.S. straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a B-2 Visa or a H-1B Visa, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our Immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas has a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need to visit the United States. You can call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can help you.
