The Best Language Learning Apps (and Why Most Don’t Work)

What language learning app should you use in 2024? Well, it depends on your goals because different apps have different strengths- but in this video, we’ll talk about the best of the best.

So whether you want to build your vocabulary, improve your speaking skills, or master reading in a new language- keep watching to find out which apps can help you become fluent faster.

Recommended apps:

-All Around Language Learning:

-Building Vocab

-Speaking Skills:

-Reading Skills:

00:00 - Intro
00:32 - Best App for Absolute Beginners
01:35 - Why Most Apps Don’t Work
02:57 - Best All-Around Language App (Audio Based)
03:47 - Best App for Building Vocab
04:50 - Best App for Building Vocab (Audio Based)
05:53 - Best App for Speaking Skills
06:37 - Best Language Exchange Apps
07:25 - Best App for Reading Skills
07:59 - Best App for Becoming Fluent

Thanks for watching and good luck!

[BrianWilesLanguages]

If you have any thoughts or questions about language learning apps, let me know! Thanks 👍

[ashtea]

Beginner: Duolingo
Audio-based: LearningTransfer (free and limited) and Pimsleur (paid)
Vocab Building: Anki (traditional) and Glossika (listening, more advanced)
Speaking Skills: HelloTalk (free) and Preply (paid with teachers)
Reading: BeeLingua
Fluency: Podcasts (with active listening using Google Translate)

[Zezmezzie]

“Coffee break Spanish” was an absolutely invaluable tool for me when I was starting out with Spanish. I could listen while I worked meaning I was putting in 40 hours of study a week

[Ismail-emoz]

0:11 Spanish normal student
0:15 French 15 years old BOY
0:20 Arabic BUSSINES MAN
0:26 MANDARIN 45-60 YEARS OLD GRANDPA

[andredufour]

“use an audio-based app” im trying to learn asl 😭

[Firebreak_]

This is probably the most useful and informative video I've watched on how to go about learning a language on your own. Simple, straight to the point, and even provides apps and methods of how exactly to learn over time. Thanks!

[dannybee]

Great advice Brian! I am currently listening to Harry Potter in Spanish. I read the books in English, watched the movies, so I have all that background. I know most of the Spanish words being spoken. My goal is to improve my vocabulary and learn descriptive words.

[happydogger]

Can I just say that Spanish is yellow, french is blue, mandarin is red and arabic is green, and there's no other correct way to go about this

[sherazahmadzay]

I can speak English very well but the thing is it's all about my confidence when when I try to speak with native speakers so they are lose my confidence Why is it happening

[zahrak]

I'm french, learned both mandarin chinese and english throughout school and college (I studied applied foreing languages) and honestly I was shocked when I heard you speak french and mandarin, you really slayed both

[NewportSolar]

Has he ever said how long it took him to become fluent in each language?

Spanish and French are very similar and pretty easy to learn. Arabic and Mandarin are 2 of the most complicated and difficult languages to learn (for English speakers).

Learning all 4 to fluency is amazing.

[sammyt]

Very useful info, thanks. I speak Arabic/English with native fluency and I can also manage French pretty well but I haven't brushed up on my German for 20+ years, so one or more of the apps you recommended would come in handy for that purpose.

[Patrick-ieif]

Me gusta la fluidez de tu español, hay extranjeros que residen más de 10 años en países hispanohablantes y no se acercan al nivel de tu fluidez

[kyoko]

I really liked this video. Very informative.
As of vocabulary app, I personally use memrise. Anki style is not for me, and memrise works great even in free version. Also apart fom lists made by other people, there is a way to make your own list via website, which I mostly use right now for Korean. I learned so much vocabulary in a very short period of time, which really helped me in my studies. 😊

[BatataJoey]

Hello :D
This video is awesome and it’s cool how many languages you can speak. Your Arabic is also really good. It feels like you got most of the language down. If you do ever want to focus on bettering it, I suggest taking the time to improve the pronunciation of difficult letters like ط، ق it would definitely go a long way! You got the fluidity, but it’s a little difficult to follow when the pronunciation is off. (You’re fast) keep it up :] it’ll be awesome to see your improvement.

[coolerbeans]

I’m just starting out on my big learning journey and languages (Spanish and Arabic) have become part of my daily routine. This video is an invaluable help for me; all I can say is thank you (definitely subscribing)

[alaaalsayed]

I am sixteen years old and I am trying to learn new languages. I speak Arabic and I think I started learning how to speak English by just watching random short videos in five months my English became better

[Alistaire]

“Use an audio based app”

This is true. Visual based apps ultimately get boring, but other than audio based apps which you can use to do something else while listening and relax, I also listen to ASMR in my target language. I am currently learning Portuguese and there are many ASMR content creators from Portugal and Brazil on YouTube. It helps!

[artiomboyko]

This video is straight to the point, and I like how you highlight the importance of choosing the right tool for each part of the way. I've found some apps I've never known existed!

Also, you explained how visual learning can get boring quickly. This is so true! I've found more and more apps to improve my Japanese, and many of them are wonderful, but every time at some point I just start ignoring the reminders and I can't force myself to practice daily. Even Duolingo's addictive streak-system doesn't work for me 😅 I'm definitely going to try out these audio-based apps.
Not only that, but I am also thinking of creating my own language learning apps, mainly for things I haven't found anywhere else, but also thinking of making it a full all-in tool. And the idea of visual learning getting boring never crossed my mind. I will now consider implementing different audial means of learning the language to make sure it doesn't get boring as any other app

Thank you so much for the video! It's like the only language learning video that made me go and actually do something for my goals, instead of watching another language learning vid hahah

[vincentmuambiofficial]

Hello, Brian. First off, I want to say you've made a solid impression with this video. What's amazing is that I never heard of those apps you mentioned. I have Fluenz, Ouino, and Rocket Languages for French. I am looking to move to France in nine months from now. I have a base of French that allows me to have some basic conversations with my family and a co-worker at my day job. I will begin to use Glossika and Preply very soon, but I'm also looking at utilizing Itaki. I've used visual apps like Fluenz, Ouino, and Babble but I never stuck to them. I believe I'm the type of person who acquires a language by immersing myself in the language with native speakers (via face-to-face communication). Thanks for the video. I've subscribed.