Different Language Learning Tools focus on specific language skills, catering to diverse learning styles and needs. While some excel in honing your listening abilities, others are designed to boost your reading comprehension. Certain platforms even aspire to guide you towards mastery of all four core language skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
In this guide, we’ve compiled an extensive list of the most effective tools available for each of these essential skills, and more, providing a comprehensive overview to help you choose the best resources for your language learning journey.
Contents
Listening Tools
1. Innovative Language
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
Innovative Language stands out as a premier provider of free podcast series tailored for language learners. Their extensive library includes both video and audio lessons that delve into the cultural nuances of countries where your target language is spoken. Each lesson is enriched with vocabulary-building exercises and helpful word lists, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. With weekly updates introducing new material, Innovative Language caters to learners of all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced students striving for fluency.
Their offerings span a wide array of popular foreign languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and many more. The content is meticulously crafted and presented by experienced language educators, making it a reliable and consistent resource in the language learning landscape. While a paid subscription option exists, a wealth of professionally produced audio and video content is readily available for free on their platform, making it an accessible option for budget-conscious learners.
For a more in-depth exploration of Innovative Language and its features, you can find a detailed review here.
2. 8tracks
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
Immersing yourself in the music of a new language is an engaging and effective method to attune your ear to its unique sounds and rhythms. 8tracks provides a vast collection of music playlists encompassing virtually every genre and language imaginable. Simply enter your target language into the search bar or explore the suggested tags and artists to discover a world of musical content.
Beyond language acquisition, 8tracks broadens your musical horizons, introducing you to new genres and artists you might not have encountered otherwise. This dual benefit makes it an enjoyable and enriching tool for language learning.
3. LingoClip
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
LingoClip, previously known as LyricsTraining, brings a fun, karaoke-inspired approach to language learning through music videos. This tool transforms music engagement into an interactive language exercise.
Select your target language, choose a music video that interests you, and set your learning level from beginner to expert. Depending on your chosen level, you’ll be tasked with filling in missing lyrics, ranging from a few keywords to complete verses, as you sing along with the music video. LingoClip effectively combines entertainment with language practice, making it a memorable way to learn. Find a time when you can sing freely and immerse yourself in language learning through song!
4. News in Slow by Linguistica 360
Price: Free
Linguistica 360’s “News in Slow” series is designed to sharpen your listening comprehension, enhance your language skills, and keep you informed about global events simultaneously. Currently offering content in Spanish (from Spain and Latin America), French, Italian, and German, this tool provides a focused selection of languages.
Each episode features news presented at a slower pace for easier comprehension, accompanied by a transcript in the target language. Furthermore, episodes include vocabulary tips and explanations of more challenging terms, enriching your learning experience. “News in Slow” provides an excellent method for expanding your vocabulary within a real-world context, all while becoming familiar with the natural rhythm and flow of your chosen language.
Vocabulary-building Tools
5. Duolingo
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
Duolingo, with its iconic green owl mascot, acts as a friendly and persistent language learning companion, encouraging you even on days when motivation is low. Through consistent engagement with the app, you’ll steadily acquire new words and phrases, reinforcing your knowledge as you expand your vocabulary base. Duolingo’s gamified approach makes vocabulary acquisition feel less like work and more like a fun activity.
But how effective is Duolingo in the long run for language learning? An in-depth review addressing this question and more can be found here.
6. FluentU
Price: See pricing page here
FluentU transforms authentic, real-world videos—such as music videos, movie trailers, news clips, and inspiring talks—into personalized and immersive language learning experiences. This innovative approach allows you to learn languages in the same vibrant context as native speakers actually use them. A quick exploration of FluentU reveals the extensive variety of video content available:
FluentU streamlines the often challenging aspects of language learning, offering an engaging, effective, and efficient method. The platform curates high-quality videos and organizes them by proficiency level and topic. You simply select a video that sparks your interest and begin your learning journey.
Each word in the interactive subtitles is linked to a definition, audio pronunciation, relevant image, example sentences, and more. This feature allows for in-depth vocabulary exploration directly within the video context.
Under the Dialogue tab, you can access a complete interactive transcript of each video. The Vocab tab provides an easy way to review and reinforce vocabulary and phrases encountered in the video.
FluentU’s unique adaptive quizzes enhance vocabulary retention through engaging questions and exercises. Simply swipe left or right to see more examples of the word you are studying, personalizing your review.
The platform intelligently tracks your learning progress and schedules reviews precisely when needed, creating a 100% personalized learning experience. Start exploring FluentU on your computer or tablet, or download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store for learning on the go. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)
7. Memrise
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
Memrise, another highly regarded vocabulary-building tool, utilizes a DIY flashcard system, allowing you to customize your language learning experience. This flexible app lets you tailor your vocabulary practice to your specific interests and needs.
You can combine vocabulary lessons across a wide range of topics, from basic colors and numbers to more specialized areas like phrasal verbs or even “different ways to say ‘I love you.'” Memrise empowers you to create personalized “mems” as you learn, incorporating images and mnemonic devices that resonate with your individual learning style.
While Memrise offers significant benefits, it might not be the ideal solution for every learner. For a deeper understanding of its strengths and weaknesses, consult this in-depth review of Memrise to determine if it aligns with your learning preferences.
8. Anki
Price: $24.99 for iOS; free for other platforms
Anki is widely credited with popularizing the Spaced Repetition System (SRS) method for vocabulary acquisition. This technique optimizes learning by scheduling reviews just before you are likely to forget the information, maximizing retention. Anki’s flexibility allows you to either download from millions of pre-made flashcard decks created by other users or design your own decks specifically tailored to your language learning objectives.
Anki employs an algorithm to monitor your progress and knowledge of each vocabulary item. This intelligent system prioritizes words that require more frequent review while spacing out the repetition of words you have firmly grasped. This adaptive approach ensures efficient use of your study time.
To learn how to maximize Anki’s potential for language learning, explore this article for practical tips and strategies.
9. LingQ
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
LingQ distinguishes itself by focusing on language learning through authentic content. The platform offers a wide range of materials, including news articles, e-books, audiobooks, songs, podcasts, and even recipes, allowing you to immerse yourself in the language naturally.
As you engage with this content, LingQ enables you to easily look up unfamiliar words and save them for later study. This seamless integration of reading and vocabulary acquisition extends beyond LingQ’s curated content, working with blog posts, messages from friends, and more.
For a more comprehensive understanding of LingQ’s features and methodology, read this complete review.
10. Clozemaster
Price: Free
Clozemaster’s primary goal is to provide extensive exposure to vocabulary within context through an engaging language learning game. This approach emphasizes learning words as they are actually used in sentences.
The game employs a fill-in-the-blank format. You are presented with a sentence in your target language alongside its English translation. Your task is to select the correct word to complete the sentence. You can choose between a multiple-choice format or challenge yourself by typing in the answer directly.
For more detailed information about Clozemaster’s approach and features, check out this Clozemaster review.
Reading Tools
11. Wikipedia
Price: Free
Wikipedia, boasting millions of articles in nearly every language imaginable, offers a vast repository of contextualized reading material in your target language. This makes it an invaluable resource for immersive language learning through reading.
Each article is enhanced with images and internal links, facilitating comprehension of unfamiliar concepts. This structure allows you to absorb new information directly in the language you are learning, minimizing the need for constant dictionary lookups or translations. Wikipedia’s depth and breadth make it a powerful tool for expanding your reading comprehension and vocabulary.
12. Feedly
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
Feedly is an RSS feed aggregator that empowers you to create personalized content streams, delivering daily updates from blogs, online magazines, and various digital sources in your target language. This tool allows you to curate a reading list that aligns with your interests and language learning goals.
You have the flexibility to organize your feeds by language or categorize them by topic, such as “Spanish periodicals,” “Korean film blogs,” or “news in Farsi.” This customization ensures that you are consistently exposed to relevant and engaging reading material, enhancing your language learning experience.
13. Amazon Foreign Language Books
Price: Varies
Beyond the wealth of free e-books available online, Amazon’s extensive foreign language books section provides a treasure trove of reading materials without straining your budget. This platform is a go-to resource for finding diverse and affordable reading options in your target language.
Search for books by title or language to discover your next favorite read. Whenever possible, take advantage of free sample previews. Reading a sample allows you to assess if the book is appropriate for your current reading level and if the content aligns with your interests, ensuring a more enjoyable and effective reading experience.
14. Readlang
Price: Free; premium version is at $6/month or $48/year
Available on: Website
Readlang is a browser extension designed specifically for language learners. Once installed, Readlang enables you to instantly translate any text you encounter online. This seamless translation capability significantly aids reading comprehension in a foreign language. Furthermore, Readlang automatically saves any words you translate, turning them into flashcards for later practice.
Supporting over 40 languages, Readlang likely includes the language you are studying. This broad language support, combined with its translation and flashcard features, makes Readlang a powerful tool for enhancing reading skills and vocabulary acquisition.
Writing Tools
15. HelloTalk
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
HelloTalk is a language exchange app that connects you with native speakers of your target language and learners of your native language via text, voice, and video. This platform facilitates real-world language practice and cultural exchange.
Through HelloTalk, you can find language partners and start conversations about topics that interest you. The app integrates useful features such as translation, pronunciation assistance, and transliteration (especially helpful for languages with unfamiliar writing systems). The pronunciation function can help you decipher unfamiliar words in text messages, promoting both vocabulary growth and improved pronunciation. HelloTalk effectively blends language learning with social interaction and friendship building.
Interested in learning more? Read this HelloTalk review for a detailed look at the app’s features and benefits.
16. Omniglot Writing Systems
Price: Free
Available on: Website
For those learning a language that uses a non-Latin alphabet, Omniglot’s Writing Systems is an invaluable starting point. This website is a comprehensive resource for understanding and learning different writing systems around the world.
Omniglot provides detailed information on various scripts and offers links to online resources for learning them. You can bookmark this page as a handy reference guide as you begin writing or texting in your target language using other tools. Omniglot is an essential resource for navigating the complexities of new writing systems.
17. Tumblr
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
If you are looking for an unstructured and informal space to practice writing in your target language, Tumblr can be an excellent platform. This social media site allows for creative and open-ended writing practice.
Create your own Tumblr blog to jot down spontaneous thoughts and create your own writing exercises. If you prefer privacy while you build confidence, adjust your settings to keep your blog private. Alternatively, make your blog public and actively seek comments and feedback from native speakers to enhance your learning.
To increase visibility among native speakers of your target language, use relevant tags. For example, if learning Spanish, tag your posts with #learningSpanish (or its Spanish equivalent) to connect with native Spanish speakers who might be willing to offer guidance and language exchange opportunities.
18. WordPress
Price: Free
Similar to Tumblr, WordPress provides a flexible platform for writing in any language. Its versatility extends beyond casual blogging, making it a robust tool for more structured writing practice. In fact, WordPress powers a significant portion of the internet.
WordPress supports multilingual websites, allowing you to create content in your target language. If you choose, you can purchase a custom domain name for your WordPress site and even monetize it through website traffic or by transforming it into an e-commerce platform. This offers a pathway to not only practice writing but also potentially build an online presence in your target language.
Pronunciation Tools
19. Sounds of Speech
Price: $3.99 (free if you’re using the web version)
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a fundamental resource for understanding the diverse sounds of the world’s languages. Sounds of Speech, developed by the University of Iowa, is a leading tool for mastering IPA and improving pronunciation.
This interactive guide provides detailed visualizations of mouth mechanics, demonstrating the precise movements of the tongue and other speech organs required to produce specific consonant and vowel sounds. Sounds of Speech is particularly helpful in tackling challenging sounds like uvular R’s and nuanced mid-vowels found in languages such as German and Spanish.
20. Forvo
Price: $2.99 (free if you’re using the web version)
Available on: iOS | Android
Forvo is a comprehensive online pronunciation dictionary and an essential resource for language learners at all levels. Its vast database of pronunciations makes it an indispensable tool for resolving pronunciation uncertainties.
Simply search for a word you find difficult to pronounce and listen to audio pronunciations provided by native speakers. While Forvo excels at individual word pronunciations, it may be less comprehensive for full sentences. Nevertheless, it remains a go-to resource for accurate pronunciation guidance.
Communication Tools
21. Verbling
Price: Varies
Available on: Website
For a more structured and professional approach to language practice than casual language exchange, Verbling is an excellent platform. This service connects you with professional native language teachers for online lessons.
Verbling allows you to browse a wide selection of online language tutors, review their profiles, schedule classes, and create personalized learning plans. You can filter search results based on price, availability, and even the tutor’s other language proficiencies. This feature is particularly beneficial if you prefer instruction in your native language. Verbling integrates all communication tools directly within the platform, eliminating the need for external programs like Skype.
22. italki
Price: Varies
italki is another leading platform for connecting with fluent and native language teachers. It distinguishes teachers by categorizing them as either Community Tutors or Professional Teachers. Professional Teachers typically hold formal teaching credentials and may have higher rates compared to Community Tutors.
italki’s search filters are particularly robust, allowing you to refine your teacher search based on language, skills taught, availability, country of origin, and teacher type. These detailed filters help you find a teacher who perfectly matches your learning needs and preferences.
For an unbiased perspective on italki, refer to this detailed review.
23. HiNative
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
HiNative allows you to pose language-related questions directly to native speakers. This Q&A format is perfect for clarifying specific language nuances that traditional resources might overlook.
Do you have questions about grammar rules, word gender, or subtle differences in usage? HiNative provides a platform to get quick answers from native speakers. It’s like having a readily available language expert in your pocket, ideal for resolving those nagging language questions that arise during your studies.
Before trying HiNative, be sure to read this comprehensive review to understand its features and community guidelines.
24. Speaky
Price: Free
Available on: Android
Speaky is a large, free online language exchange community offering many of the benefits found in paid platforms. It focuses on connecting language learners for mutual practice and support.
Use Speaky to find and coordinate language exchanges via Skype or other video conferencing tools with native speakers of your target language. Be prepared to reciprocate and assist them in learning your native language, creating a balanced exchange partnership.
25. Meetup
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
While not exclusively for language learners, Meetup is a valuable platform for finding local groups and events related to language exchange and cultural immersion. It connects people with shared interests in their local communities.
Meetup often hosts general language exchange meetups, as well as language-specific gatherings depending on your city’s size and diversity. These in-person meetups provide opportunities for face-to-face language practice and cultural exchange with fellow learners and native speakers in your area.
26. Couchsurfing
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
Similar to Meetup, Couchsurfing’s events often include language exchange opportunities. This platform, primarily known for connecting travelers with local hosts, also fosters cultural and linguistic exchange.
You can search for speakers of your target language in your vicinity and arrange to meet for informal language practice over coffee or a casual chat. Couchsurfing extends language learning beyond structured lessons, creating opportunities for spontaneous and real-world communication.
Translation Tools
27. Linguee
Price: Free
Available on: iOS
Linguee is an online translator that excels in providing contextualized translations. It goes beyond simple word-for-word translation to account for the nuances and varied meanings of words based on context.
When you input a query, Linguee displays the original text alongside its translation. Crucially, it also presents example sentences or paragraphs in both languages, offering valuable context to ensure the translated word or phrase accurately conveys the intended meaning. This contextual approach makes Linguee a more reliable translation tool for language learners.
28. Bab.la
Price: Free
Available on: Website
Bab.la shares similarities with Linguee in its approach to contextualized definitions. It draws upon examples from across the web to provide in-context translations, enhancing accuracy and understanding.
In addition to translation, bab.la offers useful supplementary tools such as a verb conjugator. This feature allows you to explore verb conjugations and understand the different forms and uses of verbs and phrases in your target language, enriching your grammatical knowledge.
29. Reverso
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
Reverso is another advanced online translation tool that goes beyond basic translation. Like Linguee and bab.la, Reverso provides examples of sentences where the translated word or phrase appears in context. This feature helps you grasp how words are used in real-world situations.
However, like all free online translators, it’s essential to exercise caution and verify Reverso’s translations, especially for critical communications. While helpful for quick lookups and understanding general meaning, consulting a professional translator is recommended for ensuring accuracy in formal or sensitive contexts.
Cultural Learning Tools
30. Streema
Price: Free (with in-app purchases)
Streema offers free online access to live TV and radio stations from over 100 countries globally. This platform provides a direct window into the cultures and media of different language regions.
While major languages naturally have a greater selection of stations, Streema also includes channels for less commonly studied languages like Amharic or Zulu. Explore TV channels from Ethiopia or South Africa to find content in your target language that aligns with your interests and immerse yourself in authentic local media.
31. BBC Languages
Price: Free
Available on: Website
BBC Languages is a vast online archive of free language learning materials. Although no longer actively updated, it remains a valuable resource for foundational language learning content.
You’ll find free lessons, foreign language phrasebooks, and links to authentic media like TV programs, newspapers, and blogs that native speakers regularly follow. The BBC’s reputation for quality ensures that these materials are timeless and effective for building a solid base in your chosen language.
32. Alexa
Price: Free
Amazon’s Alexa, the AI virtual assistant, can surprisingly serve as a language and culture learning tool. Functioning as a voice-activated version of Google, Alexa can answer a wide array of questions using its extensive database.
Alexa’s language learning capabilities can be expanded through its “Skills” feature. You can add language learning skills to enhance its functionality. For detailed instructions on how to leverage Alexa for language learning, visit this guide.
Bonus: A Good VPN Service
Price: Varies (Free and paid options)
Accessing geographically restricted content from other countries can be a challenge due to IP address limitations. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides a solution by allowing you to mask your IP address and appear to be browsing from a different location.
VPN services enable you to bypass geographical restrictions and access content as if you were physically present in another country. An easy way to set up a VPN and change your virtual location to Germany, France, Korea, or any other country is by installing HMA VPN on your devices. This works across computers, smartphones, and smart TVs, expanding your access to global language learning resources.
Leverage these top language learning tools to enhance your language acquisition journey and learn a language efficiently. With the right resources and strategies, you can confidently navigate the path to fluency and overcome any linguistic challenge.
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Related posts:
Where to Find International Penpals Online
10 Rosetta Stone Alternatives with a Similar Immersive Style
How to Learn Any Language with Harry Potter
