The ONLY 4 Language Learning Apps That Work | Delete the rest!

📲 Your phone is probably chock-full of language learning apps...
But how many of them actually work? ▶️ There are only 4 kinds of language learning apps that actually work, and in this video you'll learn what they are. So if you're looking for the best language learning app, this is your bible.

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✍🏼 BLOG VERSION:
Prefer reading to watching? Get the full scoop here:

⏱ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Only 4 language learning apps actually work
00:30 - Content apps
02:35 - Language exchange apps
04:25 - Flashcard apps for language learning
06:36 - Language script apps

(Includes some free language learning apps!)

After this video, you should learn about the App Villain:

My name is Olly Richards, and on this channel I show you how to learn a new language with stories.

To see some of my previous experiments, why not try...

👉 Learn Italian in 3 months:

👉 Learn Thai in 14 Days:

👉 Daily Study Routines and Schedules

Or...

🔈 To ask me language questions, submit a question on my podcast:

...or search "I Will Teach You A Language" wherever you get your podcasts! (iTunes, Spotify, etc)

Friends of mine who have made other cool videos about language apps:

[clisaa]

1.Content Apps-newspapers, blogs, LingQ, kindle, podcast. 2.Language Exchange-HelloTalk, Tandem. 3.Flashcard Apps-anki, quizlet, Flashcard deluxe with spaced repetition. 4. Script learning apps- Skritter

[sandydegener]

The title should have read: "The only 4 KINDS OF language Learning Apps That Work."

[AmbiCahira]

I would argue that especially for language learning beginners it is equally beneficial to have any app you actually find fun and motivating even if it may not be the most efficient per minute. If you cram and cram and cram efficiency before you've grown a passion for it you will just burn out so finding less efficient but more playful and fun can be crucial success wise. Guilty pleasures ftw. ^^

[peternolan]

It would really help if you have the names of these apps appear on screen, rather than just saying the names quickly. Thanks.

[Impatient_Ape]

Never underestimate the value of writing stuff down that you will never read again. I always remember stuff better if I take notes by hand. I forget it really easily if it's just temporary on a screen.

[henriquelaydner]

Definitely it’s an extreme statement. I’ve been studying Italian on Duolingo and it’s been proving itself quite helpful. Maybe being a native Portuguese speaker that has a considerably solid knowledge of Spanish and French have helped me, since all these languages share a lot in common, but still the app is far away from being useless.

[yourfirstsecondlanguage]

I thought you were literally going to name 4 actual apps and recommend culling the rest! Great insight though as always I wish I’d known it years ago

[juancpgo]

1. Content apps (e.g. Le Monde, Medium, LingQ, Kindle, Podcast)
2. Language exchange apps (e.g. Tandem, HelloTalk)
3. Flashcard apps with spaced repetition (e.g. Flashcard Deluxe, Anki, Quizlet)
4. Language script apps (e.g. Skritter)

[sonjah.]

I would like to add something: If you want to benefit from spaced repetition, you don't necessarily need an app. Personally I prefer paper flashcards, and I use a little cardboard box called a "Leitner Box", which in Germany is sold under the name "Lernbox". It helps to revise vocabulary (or other bits of information) at growing intervals through little compartments that get bigger. It's easier to use then to explain it, and I recommend it for all those who are fans of paper and pen.

[alethearia]

So, about 1.5 years ago I started playing a hidden objects game and, on a whim, decided to change the language to German. I was learning it. I figured what the heck, might as well. So far it's functioned as both a content (cuz there's a pretty in depth story) and a flash card app. So, think outside the box with these! Pick apps you'll engage in.

[malcido]

I am learning French and I feel like the stories section in duolingo is helpful. Am I fooling myself? I also like the Duolingo podcast for french, but I wish it were just in french with the transcript. I still feel like I'm getting good input and cultural content there. Thanks for the great video.

[RodericSpode]

A good one for content is good old Wikipedia. It is available in a bunch of different languages, and the articles reflect the culture of the language that the content is written in.

[cisium]

This is going to sound incredibly old-fashioned, but I still do Pimsleur tapes every morning to keep sharp on the basic grammatical "guts" of a language. It's been 11 or 12 years now, though I've since upgraded to CDs, then converted those to MP4s. I read and use apps to learn new vocab and less frequent grammar, but Pimsleur for me is like a basketball player practicing short jumpers or a pianist practicing scales. You're never going to forget that material entirely, but you can get very sloppy or less fluent if you don't drill in the basics regularly - at least, I can. It's especially helpful as I learn more languages, because one language never goes completely "cold" while I'm learning another.

[jonathansgarden]

Duolingo made me a B2 in Spanish and now also in French. Everything else you mention in this video will help me get further

[hanstone]

Besides maybe the flash cards though, none of these are an actually good starting point. Like if I just start listening to Spanish podcasts, my brain is just going to wander elsewhere because I don’t understand anything they are saying. I need a base knowledge of some words and grammar to benefit from immersion. Playing a game app that will teach me basic stuff, while also trying to push my immersion with stuff like Dreaming Spanish and then eventually listening to podcasts and reading articles makes more sense to me. It’s like giving a child “war and peace” instead of “run dog run”

[smoothieblack]

I still like to write the things I'm learning, even if I don't go back to study them again, writing and organizing the new knowledge helps me retain it

[AlessandroBottoni]

Well, I do have a fifth type of apps to signal: voice input apps like Google Voice Assistant or Amazon Alexa. I use them to put my pronunciation on a test: if Google Voice Assistant can understand my German, most likely a *living* German native speaker will do, as well.

Anyway, this is one of the best and most useful videos regarding this topic that I have ever seen. Kudos!

[jtparryheb]

I have a PhD in second language acquisition, and telling people to only focus on certain techniques and ignore others is irresponsible. The best advice is to have people find what works for them and that they enjoy to the point of sticking with it. I personally find what makes me love each language and culture, and then I really want to pick up that language.

It's also a good idea to be well-rounded in what tools you use, and keep in mind that everyone's goals and motivators are different (wanting to read classic texts, live in a country, pick up a language for work, etc.)

[storzbickel]

problem with language exchange is that its part of your language study time, and when your spending an hour of that speaking your native language so someone else can learn their target language. that's an hour out of your language learning time that you didn't learn any of your target language. if you can afford to pay italki teacher, this is much better route than language exchange. it only makes sense if you're completely broke and can't afford italkie tutor or if you just view that hour you're speaking to that person in your native language as socializing time.

[joaopcasarotto]

Whatever you find useful to you to learn a language is valid... there is no thing as "throw this away", people learn in different ways...