Language Learning Apps FAQ

People have always been suspicious about language learning apps, and you can find polarized opinions on whether language learning software works or not. This happens because these types of platforms have distinct outcomes for different people and each language learning platform has its own teaching methodology. So, if you use one that doesn’t align with your preferred study methods, you’re bound to become uninterested and delete the app before achieving any degree of fluency.

Yes, language learning apps do work, and most of them are telling the truth in their marketing claims. But you need to understand how the different methods work and make sure you use one that is suited to you. You also need to get a language app that works according to your goals. For example, if you want to become fluent in one language, you can’t just learn with flashcards and expect to be speaking like a native in a few months.

Language learning platforms come in many shapes and forms. While some of them focus on a particular exercise such as vocabulary or speaking, others offer more comprehensive courses that tackle everything. Some companies provide an immersive experience off the bat; others prefer to remain in English and offer translations of what you’re learning. In short, the options are limitless, and you need to find the one that works best for you.

Of course, learning a language by yourself isn’t easy. You need to stay motivated and study every single day. Fortunately, some language learning apps provide a few features to help you with this. It can be by sending an email reminding you to do your daily quota, providing productivity badges, allowing you to connect with other learners, etc.

It’s essential to understand that, like live classes, language learning apps by themselves might not be enough. When learning a new language, it’s vital to hear and engage with the language often. So, if you can, make sure you talk to native speakers whenever possible. If that’s not possible try watching shows, listening to music, or reading material in your target language.

The time it takes to learn a new language depends on four main factors: the study method, how much effort you put in, how exposed you are to the language, and the language’s difficulty level. For example, if you move to Brazil and start taking daily classes, you’ll learn Portuguese much faster than if you try learning Russian in the U.S. with weekly lessons.

That being said, there are a few studies that provide a general answer to this question. Although these are just rough numbers, it allows you to get an idea of how much time you’ll need to invest to reach a fluent level. Research from the FSI (Foreign Service Institute) indicates that it takes around 600 hours to achieve basic fluency for ‘easier to learn’ languages such as Spanish, Norwegian, or French. For more challenging languages, it can take from around 900 hours (for German) to 2,200 hours (for Arabic, Mandarin, or Japanese) to get to a proficient level. Does this mean you should spend all your waking moments studying a new language to learn it as quickly as possible? No!

How many hours per week should you spend on learning a language?

There isn’t a universal answer to how many weekly hours you should spend on learning a language, either. We all have our own pace and study methods, meaning that everyone will have a different schedule when trying to become proficient in a new language. Consistency is the most important factor here, so it’s best to spend less time per lesson and study every single day, than it is to study a language for 10 hours one day and only come back to it a month later.

In general, people seem to agree that the best balance is studying between one to three hours on a daily basis, which translates into 7 to 21 weekly hours. This doesn’t mean that you need to spend all of this time memorizing vocabulary and learning grammar rules. Laidback activities such as watching a movie or listening to music are excellent ways to learn a language without overworking your brain.

Learning a new language is a very personal experience. Everyone has their own studying method and pace, meaning that what can be seen as the fastest way to learn a new language might not work for you. Despite this, there are a few methods perceived to be the best by the majority of students. You can try these to find the one that works best for you.

Language-learning apps

Language-learning apps are a popular choice due to their affordability and schedule flexibility. Moreover, with the number of applications available, you’ll find one that applies a learning method that works for you – flashcards, immersive exercises, graduated interval recall, etc. On top of this, most companies allow you to try their services for free. This way, you can see which software works best for you without spending a dime.

Private tutors

Private tutoring is one of the teaching methods that easily provides results the fastest. Since this is a one-on-one approach, your teacher will design lessons around your needs only. What’s more, you’ll also be forced to speak the language more often than in a group class. On the flip side, private tutoring is quite expensive and not for everyone’s pocket. Especially when considering that consistency is key to learning a language, which translates into several lessons per week.

Group lessons

Group lessons might be less flexible than a language learning app or private tutoring. However, it’s the cheapest way to attend live classes where you can ask your teacher questions and discuss tips with colleagues. This approach also does wonders for your motivation, as you’ll be in a room full of people who share your goals and challenges.

Language immersion

Regardless of what type of lessons you’re taking, language immersion is something that you should bear in mind, as it’s considered to be the best way to learn a new language. For example, if you were to move to Paris for a year, you probably would come back to the U.S. speaking French. Of course, not everyone can just move to a new country. Even at home, it’s still possible to immerse yourself in a new language by taking advantage of media. You can watch TV shows, listen to music, or read books in the language you’re learning, and you’ll start to recall words and expressions before you even know it.