Discover the best websites to learn a new language online and how to make the most of your learning experience. Ready? Here we go!
Best websites to learn a new language
Learning a new language can be a fun and rewarding experience, and with the help of the internet, it’s easier than ever to find resources to help you on your language-learning journey.
This article will highlight the 10 best websites to learn a new language. Whether a beginner or an advanced learner, these websites offer various resources and materials to help you reach your language learning goals.
These websites have something for everyone, from interactive lessons and games to comprehensive grammar guides and vocabulary lists. So if you are ready to start learning a new language, read our top picks for the best websites to learn a new language.
Duolingo
Duolingo is a popular language-learning platform that offers interactive lessons and games to help users learn a new language. It is available as a website and mobile app and offers courses in over 30 languages.
Duolingo uses a gamified approach to language learning, which makes it a fun and engaging way to learn. Each lesson consists of exercises that test your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
As you progress through the lessons, you earn points and rewards for completing tasks, which helps to keep you motivated. Duolingo is free to use, although it does offer a subscription service called Duolingo Plus that unlocks additional features.
Some pros of using Duolingo include its interactive and gamified approach to language learning, its wide range of available languages, and its affordability (since the basic service is free).
Some cons include that it may not be as comprehensive as other language learning resources, and it can be easy to complete lessons without fully internalizing the material.
Babbel
Babbel is a language learning platform that offers interactive lessons and speech recognition technology to help users learn a new language.
It is available as a website and mobile app and offers courses in over 13 languages. Babbel’s lessons are designed to simulate real-life conversations and scenarios, focusing on teaching practical vocabulary and grammar.
Each lesson includes a variety of exercises that test your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Babbel also offers a review feature that allows you to practice and reinforce your learning.
Babbel is a subscription-based service, with prices starting at around $12.95 per month. Babbel’s pros include its interactive lessons and speech recognition technology, its focus on practical language skills, and its wide range of available languages. Some cons include its subscription-based pricing model and lack of a free trial period.
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is a language learning platform that uses a proprietary language immersion approach to help users learn a new language. It is available as a website and mobile app and offers courses in over 30 languages.
The Rosetta Stone method is based on the idea that the most effective way to learn a language is to start using it immediately, without translation.
Instead of focusing on grammar rules and vocabulary lists, Rosetta Stone uses interactive lessons that expose users to real-life situations and scenarios in the target language.
Each lesson builds on the previous one, gradually increasing in difficulty as users progress. Rosetta Stone is a subscription-based service, with prices starting at around $12.95 per month.
Some pros of using Rosetta Stone include its immersive language learning approach, a wide range of available languages, and emphasis on practical language skills. Some cons include its subscription-based pricing model and lack of a free trial period.
Memrise
Memrise is a language learning platform that combines interactive lessons with a spaced repetition system to help users learn a new language.
It is available as a website and mobile app and offers courses in over 200 languages. Memrise uses a combination of multimedia flashcards and memory games to help users learn new vocabulary and grammar concepts.
The platform also includes a social element, allowing users to compete with each other and track their progress. Memrise is free to use, although it does offer a subscription service called Memrise Pro that unlocks additional features.
Some pros of using Memrise include its combination of interactive lessons and spaced repetition, its wide range of available languages, and its affordability (since the basic service is free).
Some cons include its focus on vocabulary and grammar rather than practical language skills and its limited availability of interactive speaking and listening exercises.
iTalki
iTalki is a language learning platform that connects users with native speakers for online language lessons. It is available as a website and mobile app and offers courses in over 150 languages.
iTalki allows users to search for and book language lessons with professional teachers or community tutors. Lessons can be scheduled one-on-one or in small groups, and they can be customized to meet the specific needs and goals of the learner.
iTalki also has a language exchange feature that allows users to practice their language skills with native speakers in exchange for helping them practice their language.
Prices for lessons on iTalki vary depending on the teacher or tutor, but the platform offers various options to suit different budgets.
Some pros of using iTalki include its flexibility and customization, a wide range of available languages, and emphasis on speaking and listening skills. Some cons include its reliance on finding a good teacher or tutor and its cost (since lessons are not free).
Busuu
Busuu is a language learning platform that offers interactive lessons, grammar explanations, and vocabulary lists to help users learn a new language.
It is available as a website and mobile app and offers courses in over 12 different languages. Busuu’s lessons are structured around real-life scenarios and situations, and they include a variety of exercises to test reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
The platform also includes a social element, allowing users to interact with native speakers and other learners for additional practice. Busuu is a subscription-based service, with prices starting at around $9.99 monthly.
Some pros of using Busuu include its interactive lessons and emphasis on practical language skills, its wide range of available languages, and its social features for additional practice. Some cons include its subscription-based pricing model and lack of a free trial period.
HelloTalk
HelloTalk is a language learning app that connects users with native speakers of the language they are learning. It allows users to practice their conversation skills and improve their fluency through text, voice, and video messaging. The app also includes the following:
- A translation feature.
- A language learning blog.
- A language exchange feature that allows users to find language exchange partners.
One of the main benefits of HelloTalk is its focus on conversation practice and its ability to connect users with native speakers. This can be especially useful for improving their speaking and listening skills.
The translation feature can also be helpful for those who are struggling to understand native speakers or want to learn how to express themselves more accurately in the target language.
However, some users may find that HelloTalk is less comprehensive than other language learning platforms regarding grammar and vocabulary.
It is also worth noting that, as with any language learning app or website, the quality of the language exchange partners and their willingness to help vary.
Overall, HelloTalk can be a useful tool for those looking to practice their conversation skills and connect with native speakers, but it may not be suitable for those looking for a more structured and comprehensive language learning experience.
Tandem
Tandem is a language-learning app that connects users with native speakers of the language they are learning. It allows users to practice their conversation skills and improve their fluency through text, voice, and video messaging. The app also includes a translation and language exchange feature that allows users to find language exchange partners.
One of the main benefits of Tandem is its focus on conversation practice and its ability to connect users with native speakers. This can be especially useful for improving their speaking and listening skills.
The translation feature can also be helpful for those who are struggling to understand native speakers or want to learn how to express themselves more accurately in the target language.
However, some users may find that Tandem is less comprehensive than other language-learning platforms regarding grammar and vocabulary.
It is also worth noting that, as with any language learning app or website, the quality of the language exchange partners and their willingness to help vary.
Overall, Tandem can be a useful tool for those looking to practice their conversation skills and connect with native speakers, but it may not be suitable for those looking for a more structured and comprehensive language learning experience.
Preply
Preply is a platform that connects language learners with private tutors for online language lessons. It offers many languages, including popular choices like Spanish, French, and German and less commonly taught languages like Ukrainian and Croatian.
One of the main benefits of Preply is the personalized nature of the lessons. Users can choose their tutor based on their availability, language proficiency, and teaching style, and they can also specify their learning goals and preferred lesson format. This allows users to tailor their language learning experience to their needs and preferences.
Another benefit of Preply is the wide range of languages and tutors available on the platform. This can be particularly useful for those looking to learn a less commonly taught language or looking for a tutor with a specific area of expertise.
However, it is worth noting that Preply is a paid service, and the cost of lessons can vary depending on the tutor and the length of the lesson.
Some users prefer a more structured and comprehensive language learning platform rather than the more flexible and personalized approach offered by Preply.
Overall, Preply can be a good option for those looking for personalized language lessons with a private tutor, but it may only be suitable for some.
Summary
In conclusion, many excellent websites are available for those looking to learn a new language. These resources offer various options for different learning styles and goals, from interactive lessons and games to comprehensive grammar guides and vocabulary lists.
Some top picks include Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, Memrise, iTalki, Busuu, Pimsleur, FluentU, and Mango Languages. Each website has unique features and benefits; it is important to consider your learning style and goals when choosing the right one.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, there is a language learning website out there that can help you reach your goals.