You are committed to learning a new language? You have a big challenge in front of you! The life-time journey of mastering a foreign language requires great commitment, diligence and practice. Thanks to Android smartphone apps, the process will become much faster and more convenient.
You can learn new words and grammar rules on the bus, while waiting in line, and in any other free moment you get. Below are 10 apps that you should definitely install in your phone.
1. Memrise: Free, Fun, Learning
This app is the Wikipedia of learning; it contains over 300,000 community-created courses, including lessons on over 180 languages. The “mems” (user-generated definitions, images, explanations and sentences) will help you remember new words and phrases easily through cognitive learning.
2. NinjaEssays
This is a web-based app that offers various features for free. The blog section provides great tips for language students, and the free citation generator will save you from a lot of work when you write content in the new language and want to reference the sources properly. In addition, the WordCount tool will not only count the exact number of words and characters in your text, but will also enable you to see which words you’ve used too often.
3. iTranslate
The most popular translator app combines voice recognition, machine translation and voice output into an effective system that helps you translate words, phrases and sentences into 50+ different languages. You can send the translated text via email, save it to a list of favorites, or post it on Twitter.
4. Duolingo: Learn Languages Free
This app offers fun, structured, and 100% free lessons in English, Danish, Dutch, Portuguese, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Irish, and Swedish. Duolingo pushes you to progress by completing bite-sized lessons and getting motivated by cool achievements.
5. Learn Languages: Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is the epitome of online language learning. There are available lessons in Italian, French, Spanish, German, Turkish, Hindi, Arabic, Chinese, English, Dutch, Greek, Hebrew, and several other languages. The app will help you discover new vocabulary and grammar, and learn how to implement the knowledge in casual conversation.
6. Dictionary – Merriam-Webster
This is the most respected and useful English language dictionary app, which offers voice search, example sentences, audio pronunciations, thesaurus, word of the day, quick definitions, and other features. If you are trying to learn English and improve your vocabulary, then this is a mandatory addition to your list of apps.
7. Play & Learn Languages
This is a flash card app that helps you learn new words through different games. The 8 packs of cards include vegetables, food, animals, fruit, shapes, colors, numbers, and things. The words are presented with images and spoken audio. This is a great app to use if you are a beginner in learning English, French, Russian, Spanish, Danish, Greek, Thai, or another language that’s currently available.
8. DigiCal Calendar & Widgets
If you want to learn a language effectively, then you need a calendar app in your phone. DigiCal offers an intuitive user interface, built-in location search, and integration with Google. The best part is that it’s translated in 27 languages, so you can start planning your time in the language you are trying to master.
9. WordReference.com dictionaries
This is one of the most powerful dictionary translation apps you could possibly find. You can translate English and Spanish to different languages, and have access to English, Spanish and Italian definitions. In addition, you’ll get a Spanish, French and Italian conjugator. The most valuable feature of WordReference.com dictionaries has to be the forum, where you’ll find the answers to your questions before even asking them.
10. AnkiDroid Flashcards
The good old flashcards are as useful as they always were. AnkiDroid is a great app that helps you memorize anything. You can create your own flashcard decks or download free collections for many languages and topics.
Now that you know which free apps to use, you’ll be much more motivated to learn new language lessons on a daily basis!
Featured photo credit: Shane Global via flickr.com
