These days, there are apps to help translate our speech into another language and even t-shirts that do all the talking for us, but nothing compares to revealing your hidden language skills and impressing all your mates.
Learning a language, even the basics, can get you out of a jam on the road quick-smart and even get you a little bonus from the locals who appreciate you making the effort.
You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain, luckily these 5 apps making learning another language both easy and fun at the same time.
1. Duolingo
Duolingo helps users learn through pairing words, speaking into your microphone and listening to recordings. The lessons start off easy but gradually step up in difficulty as you become more familiar with your chosen language.
Users gain points for every correct answer, which unlocks extra segments of the app, and can even earn you Lingots – an in-game currency used to purchase items in Duolingo’s virtual store. The app keeps track of your usage and sends you a polite reminder if you’ve gone too many days without practice.
There are 17 languages you can subscribe to with more to come (and a Klingon version on the way for all your Trekkies).
Duolingo is free on iOS and Android.
2. Busuu
Experts will tell you that one of the best ways learn any language is to speak with native language speakers. Busuu helps you learn to read and write but it also encourages you join its network of native speakers and engage in conversation via video or through text.
If you’re too shy or just not ready for that level of interaction, Busuu can also play a mock conversation video and ask you to record your response. The app currently offers courses in 12 languages, including Arabic, Polish and Russian.
Busu is free as the wind blows…on iOS and Android.
3. Mindsnacks
Touted as ‘games for your brain’, Mindsnacks is a colourful playground for users of all ages to learn a new language. Users build essential vocabulary and conversational skills through a series of interactive games featuring cute widgets and animation. Mindsnacks currently offers 7 languages including Spanish, German and Chinese.
Mindsnacks is available for free on iOS only. In-app purchases are available though.
4. HiNative
There might come a gap in your learning that an app simply can’t fill. HiNative allows users to connect with a native-speaker from over 170 countries and ask them a direct question about grammar, pronunciation or even slang.
The app uses an intuitive Q&A format to keep things simple and make sure nothing gets lost in translation. HiNative is useful to have on the road too, allowing you to seek advice and suggestions from local contacts either by submitting a question or sharing a picture.
HiNative is free on iOS and Android. It will cost you $0.
5. Memrise
Memrise is unique because it focuses on both the language you are trying to learn and the culture it comes from. Users memorise vocabulary through structured and repetitive lessons either online or offline and can then move on to lessons relating to history, pop culture, geography and more.
The app is crowd-sourced too, meaning members of the Memrise community can fill gaps in the apps content to create a more holistic learning experience. Memrise can also tailor content to your tastes and has a competitive aspect for you to challenge your travel buddies.
Memrise is Morgan FREEman on iOS and Android.
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