In a digital world where connections span across continents, language has never been more important. Luckily, with the help of modern technology, you don’t need to invest in expensive lessons – simply download a language app and instantly start learning and practising. Whether you're a traveller eager to converse with locals, an aspiring polyglot, or simply want to expand your horizons, there's a language app for you.
Duolingo
Duolingo is a freemium language-learning app that takes a gamified approach to learning a new language. It provides interactive courses in more than 43 languages for both beginners and advanced learners. Duolingo’s mascot, Duo the Owl, also occasionally pops up as a reminder to complete your lessons. As a bonus for sci-fi enthusiasts, Duolingo offers interactive courses in Klingon and High Valyrian!
Download Duolingo on the App Store
Babbel
Babbel is a subscription-based language-learning app that focuses on practical, real-life conversations and pronunciation. It offers 14 different languages and is designed to help users quickly acquire useful language skills for everyday communication. Babbel offers more than 5 000 courses spread between self-study lessons, live online classes, podcasts and games.
Download Babbel on the App Store
Memrise
Memrise is a freemium language-learning app that offers courses in 23 languages. It uses spaced repetition to help users remember vocabulary and language concepts and MemBot, an AI language tutor, is on hand to help you practise. Users also have access to interactive lessons, quizzes, user-generated content and videos, but the free version limits how frequently you can access these features.
Download Memrise on the App Store
Drops
Drops is a subscription-based language-learning app with more than 350 curated vocabulary lessons and 4 500-plus illustrated words and phrases. The app covers more than 42 languages and is known for its engaging and playful design, so it’s popular with learners looking to expand their vocabulary in a fun and interactive way.
Download Drops on the App Store
Mondly
Mondly is a freemium language-learning app designed to help users acquire language skills through interactive lessons, speech recognition technology, and gamified exercises. It covers 33-plus languages and makes language learning engaging and accessible for learners of all levels. After a recent update, the app also features 10 new courses in business communication.
Download Mondly on the App Store
Keep on learning
Mastering a new language doesn’t happen overnight, but these apps make the process enjoyable and achievable. With their user-friendly interfaces and effective teaching methods, you could be speaking a new language sooner than you expected. And if you’re interested in learning a South African language that’s not supported on our featured apps, check out our Learn a Local Language article.
