It’s the European Day of Languages on 26 September - a day to encourage learning a new language across Europe. But what are those benefits, exactly? And can mobile apps really help you learn? Let’s find out.
Why learn another language?
- You’ll transform your travels. Whether you’re going on holiday or backpacking across the continent, even speaking a little bit of the local lingo is a good way to immerse yourself in another culture. Locals will be more inclined to help you find beautiful places away from the well-trodden tourist path, and you might even hear about a great restaurant to try out!
- Unlock new doors in your career. Plenty of companies are looking to trade globally or break into new markets, and multi-lingual employees can help them achieve their goals. The ability to speak another language sets you apart from other candidates when applying for a job, and shows a willingness to learn new skills. And if you’re ever looking to study or work overseas, having another language under your belt is great for discovering new opportunities.
- Meet new people and make friends. Don’t let a minor thing like language difference be the barrier to making friends. You never know, a simple ‘bonjour’ or ‘buenos dias’ could be the first words that spark a great friendship.
- Increase your brain power. On top of all the obvious perks of learning a new language, it can actually strengthen your mind. Studies have shown that the ability to speak more than one language increases your attention span, improves your memory and reduces the rate of cognitive decline as you get older.
So, how can your phone help you become multi-lingual?
Traditionally, getting to grips with a new language has meant paying for classes, watching foreign TV shows with subtitles or reading newspapers repeatedly until the stories make sense. Now though, there are loads of apps out there designed to make learning languages fun.
What are the best language apps?
- Duolingo
Since its launch in 2011, Duolingo has grown to be one of the most popular language learning apps in the world, with over 300 million users. The way it works is like a game – you start with basic verbs, sentences and phrases, learning new words each day until you become more fluent. Each lesson is bite-size, perfect for a quick round of brain training on your commute, and you can track your achievements and progress. With 34 language courses to choose from, you’ll be multi-lingual in no time.
Download Duolingo on Android or iOS here.
- Memri
If you like some structure in your learning, Memrise might be the app you’re looking for. When you choose a language course or category, the app lays out a chronological path for you. Test your knowledge with ‘Speed Reviews’ (timed tests) and set goals like how long you want to study each day. There’s plenty to get your teeth into if you’re trying out the free version, plus a paid membership version that unlocks premium content.
Check Memrise out on Android or iOS.
- Busuu
Another language app with a huge community, Busuu is great for improving your accent as well as your vocabulary. Along with well-structured targets and a personalised study plan to keep you motivated, you can get feedback from real people to make sure you’re on the right track. It’s not all about learning new words, either. The app also gives you excellent grammar tips on how to order your words, using the right verb tense and more.
We reckon it’s well worth upgrading to Busuu’s subscription scheme, as it unlocks grammar exercises, quizzes, feedback from fellow subscribers and more.
Download Busuu on Android and iOS.
- Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone gives you a more practical language learning experience. The app teaches you to think in the language you’re learning by displaying a picture with the word, instead of a translation. A handy in-app phrase book helps you speak with confidence as you become multi-lingual. Refine your accent with the apps’ TruAccent technology, and you’ll be speaking like a local in no time.
Download Rosetta Stone on Android and iOS. You’ll need to pay a small monthly fee to get started.
And if you’re not quite fluent yet and need a phrase translated quickly, don’t forget Google Translate!