Ever wondered which are the best Spanish apps for learning this wonderful language?
We have already looked at why I prefer in person, local Spanish classes, for those of us who are not fluent in the local lingo. This is because they are a great way to network, fabulous for getting the local nuances, which is essential when you look at the different variations of Spanish used just in Spain alone.
So, moving on. Do you want to build upon your high school Spanish or start from scratch? With a smartphone in hand, you can download free apps to sharpen your skills and learn how to converse in another language in just a few minutes a day. Whether you’re looking to order specialty coffees in Mexico or navigate the streets of Spain, these top-rated apps will help you get started. From engaging mini-games to interactive lessons, I’ve put some language learning apps to the test, and here’s what I liked (and didn’t like) about each one.
Duolingo
To start your Spanish learning journey, Duolingo is an excellent choice. This popular app offers a comprehensive and engaging way to learn the language. Available here from Google Play or you can get it through Apple store too
Duolingo’s interactive lessons are designed to keep you motivated and entertained. With its gamification features, you’ll feel like you’re playing a game rather than studying a language.
Interactive Lessons
Learning sessions on Duolingo are structured like interactive games, where you’ll encounter cute characters, animations, and rewards. Lessons are bite-sized, making it easy to fit them into your daily routine. You’ll practice reading, writing, and speaking skills through various exercises, such as sentence completion, word matching, and audio recordings.
Gamification Features
Lessons on Duolingo are infused with gamification elements that make learning Spanish a fun and competitive experience. You’ll earn experience points, badges, and gems as you complete lessons, which can be used to unlock special features or access premium content.
To make the most of Duolingo’s gamification features, try to set daily goals for yourself and track your progress. This will help you stay motivated and engaged in the learning process. Additionally, joining a club or competing with friends can add an extra layer of excitement and accountability to your learning journey.
Drops
Any language learner knows that finding the right tools to aid in their journey is crucial. Drops is one such app that has impressed many users with its unique approach to language learning. Drops is a Google App of the Year and an Apple Editor’s Choice Award app!
Visual Learning Approach
For learners who respond well to visual cues, Drops is an excellent choice. The app uses a range of interactive exercises that focus on retaining words through reinforcement, making it perfect for beginners. You’ll find yourself dragging and dropping parts of words to form the whole, completing word chains, and more.
Vocabulary Building Exercises
Drops takes a clever approach to vocabulary building by introducing words in a way that’s both engaging and effective. You’ll encounter words in various contexts, such as completing word chains or placing word parts in their correct order.
Building on this concept, Drops’ exercises are designed to help you retain words through repetition and association. By presenting words in multiple ways, the app helps you build a strong foundation in your target language. This approach has proven to be highly effective, with many users reporting high word retention rates.
Memrise
While Memrise may not have been the most effective app for me, it’s still a great option for those who learn best through videos and real-life scenarios. The app features filmed conversations, entertaining situational videos, and word identification exercises to help you immerse yourself in the language and prepare for travel.
User-Generated Content
One of the standout features of Memrise is its user-generated content. The app allows users to create and share their own courses, which can be a great way to learn from others and get a more personalized approach to language learning.
Spaced Repetition Technique
The spaced repetition technique is a key feature of Memrise. This technique involves reviewing words and phrases at increasingly longer intervals to help solidify them in your long-term memory.
With Memrise, you’ll practice recalling words presented in videos until you can get them correct. At first, I found this approach frustrating, but eventually, I appreciated how it helped me retain the information. The app’s use of spaced repetition ensures that you’re consistently reviewing and reinforcing what you’ve learned, which can lead to more effective language acquisition.
Busuu
Not only does Busuu offer a comprehensive language learning experience, but it also provides a unique social aspect that sets it apart from other apps. You can start for free, then take up a paid plan.
Conversational Practice
To improve your speaking skills, Busuu connects you with native speakers who can correct your pronunciation and provide feedback on your accent. This feature is especially useful for those who want to learn conversational Spanish.
Certified Teachers’ Feedback
Any doubts you have about your language skills can be addressed with Busuu’s certified teachers, who provide personalized feedback on your writing and speaking exercises.
Busuu’s certified teachers’ feedback is a valuable resource that helps you identify areas for improvement. With their guidance, you can refine your language skills and build confidence in your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish.
Readlang
Your key to unlocking the Spanish language lies in immersing yourself in its written and spoken forms. Readlang offers a unique approach to language learning by providing a vast library of authentic materials, such as news articles, blogs, and videos, in Spanish.
Immersive Reading Experience
For a more engaging experience, Readlang allows you to read and listen to content in Spanish, with the option to translate unfamiliar words and phrases. This feature enables you to learn in context, improving your comprehension and vocabulary retention.
Contextualized Vocabulary Learning
One of the most significant advantages of Readlang is its ability to teach vocabulary in context. By presenting words and phrases in real-life situations, you’ll be better equipped to understand their meanings and usage.
For instance, when reading a news article or watching a video in Spanish, you can click on unfamiliar words to see their translations. This interactive approach helps you learn vocabulary in a more organic and memorable way, rather than simply memorizing lists of words. As you continue to learn, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the language and improve your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish.
Other Notable Mentions
Many language learning apps are available, and while they may not have made it to our top five, they are still worth exploring.
Anki
Noteably, Anki is a flashcard app that uses spaced repetition to help you memorize words and phrases. It’s a great supplement to your language learning journey, but it requires you to create your own content or download pre-made decks.
Babbel
For those who prefer a more structured approach, Babbel offers 10-15 minute lessons that focus on conversational skills. While it’s not entirely free, it’s worth considering if you’re willing to pay for a comprehensive language course.
Babbel takes a holistic approach to language learning, covering reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Its lessons are designed to be engaging and interactive, with a focus on practical conversations you might have in everyday situations.
Rosetta Stone
Other language learning apps, like Rosetta Stone, offer a more traditional approach to learning a language. While it’s not free, it’s a well-known and reputable platform that uses interactive lessons and speech recognition technology to help you learn.
Rosetta Stone is a paid service that offers a comprehensive language course with interactive lessons and speech recognition technology. It’s a good option if you’re willing to invest in a paid program and want a structured approach to learning a language.
To wrap up
As a reminder, you now have a solid starting point to begin your Spanish learning journey. With these top-rated free apps, you can start building your language skills in just a few minutes a day. From engaging mini-games to interactive lessons and social networking features, there’s an app that suits your learning style.
Get chance to practice and perfect your ‘salud‘ and your ‘vamos‘ while on the train or bus. Heck you could have a lie in and learn or improve your Spanish while still in bed!
So, take the first step, download one (or two, or three…), and start conversing in Spanish like a pro. ¡Buena suerte!
