7 Incredible, Innovative Apps for Learning a New Language

7 Incredible, Innovative Apps for Learning a New Language 7 Incredible, Innovative Apps for Learning a New Language Setting off to learn a new language?Youve got a decision to make.Will it be the beaten path? The familiar landmarks? The same old, same old?Or will you choose the uncharted route? The unfamiliar twists and turns? You know, the road less traveled?Lets go with that one.Its the perfect time to look beyond the language tools whose names you already know. They can be great, but without diversity in your learning program, youre bound to get complacent and your motivation to learn will dry up.Luckily, there are innovators who are changing the language learning landscape with original apps and tons of unique features for sharpening your skills.Whether you need instant translations of the world around you, connections to native speakers across the globe or science-proven rapid learning tools, youll find all that and more below. How to Get the Most Out of a Language Learning AppFirst things first: dont be afraid to try an innovative app. There are many apps out there that offer new approache s to language education and deviate from conventional methods. One of the huge benefits of technology is that its always possible to find new, more interesting ways to learn a language, so dont be afraid to branch out and see what works best for you!As youre exploring your options, here are some tips to maximize learning:Take advantage of freebies. Many apps offer free trials or basic app downloads. This is a good opportunity to see which apps you like  without putting your money on the line. If you like a new app, terrific! If not, on to the next one.Try to use an app everyday, even if its just for a few minutes. Frequent exposure to your target language is key to retaining and building on what youve already learned.And since apps are a super convenient learning tool, you should be able to cram them into even the busiest schedule. If your language learning time happens to coincide with your bathroom time, so be it.Play around with any app you download to get a broader idea of its f eatures. When you download a new app, it can be tempting to just use the features that are right in front of you, completely ignoring other features or supplementary material you might be able to download for the app. However, this might make you miss out on other great learning opportunities, so go aheadâ€"play around!Mix and match apps for a well rounded language education. Each app has different features and teaching techniques. Some might be great for reading, while others are better for listening. Mixing and matching apps will help ensure you improve multiple language skills.Even if you just mix and match listening apps, youll be exposed to a wider array of speakers and accents, which will make you more likely to understand the language when you encounter it in the real world.7 Incredible, Innovative Apps for Learning a New LanguageFluentUAvailable: iOS | AndroidMost innovative feature: learn mode transforms authentic videos into interactive learning tools.Wouldnt it be nice if you could learn a language just by watching entertaining videos?With FluentU, you can. FluentU is an innovative learning tool that allows you to learn a new language just by watching authentic content like music videos, movie trailers, inspirational talks and news.Each video is captioned, and each word is fully annotated. At the tips of your fingers, youll have access to a words definition, several example sentences and an associated image. If you want to really reinforce a words meaning, you can even click it to see how that word is used in other videos.Whats more, FluentU offers an innovative learn mode. This mode takes video clips, images, pictures and example sentences and combines them into exercises and flashcardsâ€"perfect for anyone looking for a fresh and fun way to approach learning, all while absorbing native speech and target language culture.Since FluentU uses an algorithm that takes into account learner history, the lessons are fully personalized and youll never be in over your head.busuuAvailable: iOS | AndroidMost innovative feature: research-proven rapid learning.Ever wish you could learn a language in 10 minutes a day? Thats busuus wish for you, too.busuu aims to improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing in just 10 minutes a day. Through targeted exercises that are personalized to fit your skills, busuu provides innovative and dynamic content to help you learn your language of choice.busuu uses a vocabulary trainer, audio dialogues, quizzes, exercises and games to pack a lot into your 10-minute daily practice. Not only will this keep you on your toes, itll also provide a well rounded language education. Plus, you can also use the app to connect with native speakers, which is great practice and motivation.According to a study by City University of New York, 22 hours of busuu is equivalent to one semester of college language study. By that math, if you use it for just 10 minutes a day, youll be able to complete the equivalent of ne arly three  semesters of college language study in a year.busuu offers 12 different languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Polish, Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Chinese and Japanese.The initial app download is free with limited content. Subscriptions start at $5.41 per month and include flashcards, grammar exercises, vocabulary training and much more.MondlyAvailable: iOS | AndroidMost innovative feature: chatbot with speech recognition.Mondly has 20 million users. And when you think about it, 20 million people probably arent wrong.Mondly is a flexible option that adjusts to your needs to improve your reading, writing, listening and speaking. Rather than having you memorize long vocabulary lists, Mondly focuses on key words and phrases grouped thematically.Part of what makes Mondly so unique is its chatbot feature, which allows you to practice speaking your target language in a structured environment. The chatbot simulates a real conversationâ€"you speak and th e app replies.Mondly offers more than 30 languages, and it could be a great tool for anyone learning a language that isnt usually catered to by language courses or programs.The initial app download is free, but youll need a subscription to unlock content. Subscription options start at about $4 per month.HiNativeAvailable: iOS | AndroidMost innovative feature: a question template that makes it possible even for beginners to communicate with native speakers.Wouldnt it be nice if you knew a native speaker who could answer all your most pressing language questions?HiNative can help you do just that!HiNative is an unconventional language app. It bills itself as a global QA platform. You can post spoken or written questions in any language you want. You can even use images for additional clarity. With users in over 170 countries,  there are plenty of people on here who could help you out.Language exchange apps like this, where youre put into direct contact with native speakers, can someti mes be intimidating to beginners. However, HiNatives question template feature allows you to build sentences in your target language, which not only opens up communication but also gets you comfortable thinking in the target language.The basic download is free. A premium subscription costs $9.99 per month and offers additional helpful features like the ability to play voice responses to other peoples questions, the ability to use bookmarks and the use of 10 premium tickets each month thatll make your questions stand out.Mango LanguagesAvailable: iOS | AndroidMost innovative feature: voice comparison technology to help learners master the nuances of pronunciation.It can be very difficult to find learning materials if you hope to learn a less common language. Especially if you want a fun, easy to follow, visually appealing format. Thankfully, the Mango Languages app offers all this and more.Mango Languages focuses on teaching culture along with standard vocabulary and grammar for an a ll-around learning experience. The app is colorful but not cluttered, so its easy to use. Youll be learning essential grammatical structures and how to combine them to form your own sentences. Mango Languages also emphasizes highly useful phrases that learners would be likely to encounter in the real world.To help with pronunciation, the app offers a voice recorder and comparison feature that allows you to listen to your own pronunciation alongside recorded audio. You can see the audio waves mapped out and you can slow it down or accelerate to a native pace. This is the up-close, no-excuses way to perfect your pronunciation.Mango Languages offers more than 70 languages, covering common languages in addition to less common ones such as Cherokee, Haitian Creole and Hawaiian. There are even festive specialty courses that focus on special events or themes, such as an Irish St. Patricks Day course.The Mango Languages app is free to download.FlashAcademyAvailable: iOS | AndroidMost innova tive feature: an object translator that shows target language words for any physical object you point your device at.You can still learn a language even if youre in a hurry!FlashAcademy suggests you study just a few minutes a day. Since the app adapts to your learning needs, there wont be as much wasted time.Courses are basic through advanced, so the FlashAcademy app is useful for any level of language learner. Fun, innovative features include quick-fire word games, flashcards with audio and video and useful tips staggered throughout.FlashAcademy also lets you keep your target language top-of-mind even when youre traveling or just out in the real world without your dictionary on hand. With the object translator technology, just point your device at an object and FlashAcademy will instantly give you its target language translation. The app is also integrated with FlashSticks, physical vocabulary stickers you can post around your home or office.FlashAcademy covers popular languages su ch as Spanish, French, Italian, German and more.The basic app is free to download, though additional material requires in-app purchases.BeelinguappAvailable: AndroidMost innovative feature: karaoke-style audiobook presentation for focused reading.Besides having one of the cutest app names ever, Beelinguapp has a lot to offer language learners.Rather than focusing on conventional lessons, Beelinguapp focuses on  audiobooks. While the words are being spoken, the text appears side-by-side in your target language and English. Beelinguapp also boasts karaoke audio reading, where the text is highlighted as its spoken so you can follow along.This innovative approach allows you to engage with the language immediately and build your reading and listening comprehension skills simultaneously.The app includes English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese and Japanese.Beelinguapp is free to download and offers additional in-app purchases.Dont let the tedium of staying on the same familiar road set in. Get off the beaten path and try these innovative language learning apps! Its the best fork in the road youll ever take!