Language-specific apps and online tools can be of significant benefit to mastering a new language. However, we know how overwhelming it can be to navigate through all of the options available. Where do you start?!
After sharing our general language apps and online tools blog post, we wanted to now share apps and online resources that hone in on one language. Of course, online tools and apps cannot replace comprehensive language training, but they are great for supplemental practice. Read on to see some of our favorites outlined by DLS language experts!
Arabic Language Apps:
Name
Subscription
Free
Focus
- Reading, listening, writing, speaking, vocabulary, and culture
- ILR 1 – 3+
Pros
- Formatted for group work or classroom lessons, but can be adapted for individual learners
- Beginner level features strong English scaffolding with more Arabic as lesson progresses
- Flashcards are part of each lesson
- Wide variety of activities and topics
- Focuses on cultural elements and features authentic materials
- Each lesson contains many links and ideas for continued learning once lesson is completed
- Web-only, multi-device display unclear
Cons
- Limited number of lessons (small number at each level)
- Leveling is beginner, intermediate, advanced, not tied to ILR, etc.
- Formatted for group work or classroom lessons, but can be adapted for individual learners
- Need for paper or other supplies and self-driven activities not based on the website might be difficult for individuals who are not strong self-motivators
Name
Subscription
$12.95/month
Focus
- Reading, listening, writing, speaking, vocabulary, and culture
- ILR 1 – 3+ (estimate)
Pros
- Offers eight different varieties of Arabic (Egyptian, Levantine, Iraqi, Sudanese, Tunisian, Saudi, Algerian, and Moroccan)
- Offers colloquial Arabic
- Includes video and audio content, with subtitles and transcripts
- New content added weekly
- Three different levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Cons
- Lessons are random and do not necessarily build on each other
- Some dialects have less content than others
Chinese Language Apps
Name
Subscription
$10/month, cheaper longer plans available
Focus
- Reading, listening, and vocabulary
- Lessons at a variety of levels
Pros
- Based on authentic materials like news
- Can download audio, bookmark lessons
- Optional: pinyin, traditional vs. simplified supported throughout lesson (toggle back and forth)
- Multi-device; website, apps for Apple and android
- Multiple lessons added per week at different levels
- Built-in English/Chinese dictionary
Cons
- Lessons are pretty short, not a ton of activities (but good jumping off point)
- Lessons are leveled using HSK, which not all users may be familiar with at first
Name
Subscription
Free
Focus
- Reading and vocabulary
- ILR 1 – 3 (estimate)
Pros
- Largely text-oriented (no audio), focuses on reading with some light vocab explanation
- Provides pinyin and English translation for all texts
- Updates each level once per week
- Web-only (multi-device display unclear)
Cons
- Only in simplified
- Leveling somewhat unclear (beginner/intermediate/advanced categories, not tied to ILR, etc.)
- Advanced level still contains a high amount of exposition in English
- Exposition is provided before the text, which may or may not be desirable depending on level/user
Name
Subscription
- Free
- Reading, listening, grammar, and vocabulary
Target user
ILR 0 – 1+ (estimate)
Pros
- Game-based app
- Fun, easy
- Vocabulary introduced through pictures (rather than translation)
- Includes option to learn to write characters (teaches stroke order)
Cons
- Only good for low levels
Name
China in Depth, Brown University
Subscription
Free
Focus
- Reading, listening, grammar, and vocabulary
- ILR 3 and higher
Pros
Contains supplementary videos, language exercises, and reading materials to the Better Chinese textbook, which can be purchased separately.
Cons
None
Spanish Language Apps
Name
Subscription
$10/month
Focus
- Listening, reading, and vocabulary
- Best-suited for level 2 and above
Pros
- Self-study app that uses stories from NPR’s Radio Ambulante.
- Allows you to slow down audio and provides key words
- Allows you to save a personalized vocabulary list
- Has the option of translation
Cons
- Only provides new stories once a week (on Thursdays)
Name
Subscription
Free
Focus
- Reading, listening, and vocabulary
- ILR 0+ – 2 (estimate)
Pros
- Good for lower-level learners
- Emphasis on vocabulary, basic verb conjugation, etc.
- Website easy for beginners to use because it’s in English
Cons
- A lower-level resource, so not idea for many intermediate to advanced learners
- Most of the website itself is in English
Name
Subscription
Free for students, $45/month for instructors
Focus
- Listening, reading, grammar, and vocabulary
- ILR 0+ – 2 (estimate)
Pros
- Contains vocabulary (flashcards, games), sections that are from commonly used Spanish textbooks, extensive grammar (particularly a whole section on verbs), and listening activities
- Website is easy to navigate (in English)
- Can purchase teacher accounts which contain some lesson ideas
Cons
- Most of the website itself is in English
- Apart from some more advanced grammar/verb tenses, most materials are relatively low-level (not very advanced)
Name
Subscription
–
Focus
- Listening, reading, speaking, and writing
- ILR 0+ – 2
Pros
- Lessons centered around audio or video, with corresponding pdf activity sheets (may be good for instructors/group work)
- Good for lower level learners
Cons
- No materials for more advanced learners
- PDF-based lessons may be difficult for individual learners to stay motivated on
Name
Subscription
Free
Focus
- Listening, grammar, vocabulary, and verb tenses
- ILR 0+ – 2 (estimate)
Pros
- YouTube videos focused on vocabulary and grammar points
- Good for learners looking to refresh/practice grammar or vocab elements
Cons
- Engagement is all video based, which may not be as effective for some learners
French Language Apps
Name
Subscription
Free
Focus
- Vocabulary
- ILR 0 – 0+
Pros
- Provides lists of relevant vocabulary terms presented as YouTube videos
- Vocabulary lists could potentially be useful to members beyond ILR level 0+, depending on the lesson topic
Cons
- Difficulty locating particular vocabulary terms within videos/finding the right video to support learning
- Only teaches vocabulary; no real grammar, speaking, or reading skills
- No activities or other reinforcement
Name
Subscription
Free
Focus
- Largely listening, with some vocabulary and a small amount of grammar/writing
- ILR 1 – 3 (estimate)
Pros
- Lessons centered around videos (unclear if authentic or contrived materials, native speakers)
- Good for listening and vocabulary practice
- Most videos are not slowed down; at a native-speaker pace
- Closed captions are available for videos (accessibility and scaffolding)
Cons
- Most activities are listening-based
- Activity types are not widely varied
- Minimal feedback
Name
Subscription
Free, subscription to extras €5.95/month
Focus
- Reading, listening
- ILR 1 – 2/3 (estimate)
Pros
- Provides access to news articles, podcasts, and videos in relatively simple French (explained for children)
- New materials are added regularly based on current events
Cons
- Aimed at children
- No activities to support materials
- Materials are created by the website but are authentic within that context (aimed at native French children)
Name
Subscription
Free
Focus
- Reading and listening
- ILR 2 – 3 (estimate)
Pros
- Updated multiple times daily
- News source online
- Provides news articles, podcasts, and videos on a wide variety of topics relating to the world and more region-specific.
- Authentic news articles aimed at native French speakers
Cons
- News articles; does not have any support from activities
Name
Enseigner le Français avec TV5
Subscription
Free
Focus
- Reading, listening, speaking, and writing
- ILR 1 – 3 (estimate)
Pros
- Appears to update regularly
- Contains hundreds of lessons on different topics and levels
- Provides lesson plans to go with authentic material videos, many activities are good for classrooms/groups
Cons
- A limited number of topics at higher levels. Most lessons around ILR 2.
- Uses a different system from ILR to level lessons
- Lesson plan formatting of activities may be difficult for individuals or require a lot of self-driven work (hard for individual learners)
Name
Subscription
Free
Focus
- Vocabulary and speaking
- ILR 0+ – 1 (estimate)
Pros
- Lower level with basic resources
- Most lessons are PowerPoints, meant for classroom use with associated worksheets
Cons
- Resources are very low level and may not be useful for learners beyond beginner level
- Activities are relatively minimal (worksheets)
So, if you see your target language within this post, give the apps a try! We hope you find some help within these resources. Do you have favorite language-specific apps that weren’t mentioned? If so, reach out to us at marketing@dlsdc.com to share your online language tool of choice or to let us know your thoughts about one of the tools above.
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