Learning a foreign language can be challenging, but the impact it can have on your trip is well worth the effort. And apps are one of the best ways to pick up a new language!
It can be exciting to visit another country for the first time, and you are probably eager to dive right into the culture of your travel destination. One of the best ways to prepare is by learning some of the local language. Not only will knowing the language help you get past the culture shock of going to a new place, but the people you meet will appreciate your openness to take part in their culture. Learning a language can seem like a daunting task, so many people find starting with an app to be much quicker and more accessible. To help you get started, we have reviewed two of the best language-learning apps here.
Duolingo
If you want to get started learning a language fast, then Duolingo is a great option. This free app is available on Apple and Android, and it is popular for making language learning fun and interactive. All you have to do is set up a profile and choose one or more courses from their dozens of language options, which include everything from Spanish to Klingon. The program then gives you a quick placement test which decides your starting level, which is great whether you are a beginner or just need to jog your memory. From there, each lesson uses a combination of text and auditory that you will learn to associate with different pictures. Before long, you will know how to construct sentences and common phrases. Duolingo is the perfect app for starting a language learning journey because it is completely free, and you can learn at your own pace.
Babbel
This is another very popular app because it effectively teaches conversational speaking. At first glance, Babbel has a similar structure to Duolingo, but there are a few key differences. First, as mentioned above, the language-learning style in Babbel is very conversational. This means that you will spend less time focusing on grammar and vocabulary and more honing the skills you need to make small talk and get what you need. Second, Babbel is a bit more of a commitment because you will need to pay a subscription fee for a month or up to twelve months. You can try the first lesson of each course free before deciding how you like it, and the prices are a reasonable range from about seven to thirteen dollars a month. Either of these two apps is great for travelers. If you have the time to focus on building your skill in one language, then Babbel is a good investment. But, if you just want to give language learning a try, the Duolingo is a great start.
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