What apps/technology were the most effective in acquiring a new foreign language?
I have been using Duolingo for almost 3 years to learn a language, but I don't know anything at all. 🙈
Of course, I have some basic vocabulary from the vocabulary words, but it's not conversational level. I'm currently considering buying textbooks and workbooks.
I think my biggest problems are that:
– I spend relatively little time learning
– I do not know how to create a study plan (where and how to start)
– I'm too much on the internet or with technology, learning something online is different from learning something offline (writing by hand or not being exposed to a screen also makes a difference in learning)
– I don't actively use the language I've learned, and I don't have contact with someone more experienced
How do you approach language learning? Which apps, technologies and techniques have helped you?
Replies
I think the best way is to engage in watching a short film based out of that language with subtitles. Additionally, I've also tried having a chat with someone who speaks that language. Trust me, that is really really helpful.
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@tiwarilakshya12 yep, but first, I need to have some basics (vocabulary) to understand the meaning of the whole sentence.
Hi, I did Duolingo too. I think I ended up with a 1100 day streak and completed the whole course (even with them kicking back my progress as they reordered the modules!). I liked the consistency and building vocab, but it was terrible at helping you really understand the patterns and rules of the language. You got a feel for them but no detail or proper definition. I now use Babbel, which I find quite good. One other thing that has helped is adding German to my newsfeed. This means every day when I scroll through news I have 50% coming up in my chosen language. This is helpful as I can sometimes understand what the stories are about from context, but I can then also try to read them and then use Google or similar to translate to English and review to see how well I did. This gives you topical and natural language. It also helps to get a sense of what the news is, within the country you are learning the language for.
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@rogerbythesea How good are you in German after switching from DuoLingo to Babel? Do you see any significant improvement?
@busmark_w_nika Hi Nika. For me Babbel has a broader offer. It's a good combination of phrases, vocab, immersive podcasts and simple dialogues where you narrate one of the characters. It also has a huge range of themes that seem tie well into everyday conversation. I feel that I am now beginning to understand the structure better. For me Babbel or something similar is a good baseline. I also briefly tried Langua and Memrise which may be worth exploring too. However immersion is really helpful, whether watching tv, films, video clips or the news feed idea above. Then backing that up with a suite of stock phrases that you just learn by heart to get you started and give confidence. Next step would be focusing in on particular areas of interest or problems with your favourite AI. Getting them to explain in simple terms and perhaps even making a simple graphic summary that you can refer to. Because this stuff takes time to stick!! Hope that helps and good luck! :)
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@rogerbythesea OK, so your recommendations in TL;DR is:
– learn the basics of that language
– try to incorporate the language you learn in daily life (movies, reading books, posts)
– add vocabulary / learn about topics you are interested in
Right?
IXORD
I consider it excellent practice, for example, if I have learned the basics of a language to speak it, to try to speak it every day. At such a pace, my knowledge of the language will gradually improve
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@ixord No teachers at all? How do you spot mistakes?
IXORD
@busmark_w_nika I meant studying the basics of the language together with teachers :)
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@ixord aaa, got you :)
I've learned 2 new languages recently in 6 months.
My approach would be:
- learn 20-30 daily routine words
- Practice those in sentences in for 1 hour daily
- Record a quick video to review
- Repeat it for at least 3 months before you jump to the sentence formation
This will greatly enhance and speed up your learning not just languages but anything if you just follow first order thinking.
I hope this helps.
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@twinkal_shah1 Wow, this sounds effective. Which two languages have you learned this way, and how proficient are you now?
@busmark_w_nika I've become much more fluent in English as it's not my native language and Marathi.
Actually good point @busmark_w_nika I wasted a year on apps until a friend told me to stop “learning” the language and start using it. 10 minutes a day speaking with a real person taught me more than months of streaks. Apps help, but your brain only locks it in when your mouth struggles through it.
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@smitpatel_1306 How did you find those natives of that specific language? Online lessons?
TinyCommand
I’ve had a similar experience, Duolingo helped with vocabulary, but not fluency. What worked better for me was combining technology with real-world practice.
I used LingQ for immersive reading/listening (real articles + audio), and HelloTalk to actually talk to native speakers, that changed everything. Also, writing short journal entries daily and getting them corrected on LangCorrect helped build confidence fast.
I think the real progress happens when tech supports human interaction, not replaces it.
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@priyanka_gosai1 Thank you, Priyanka, I am gonna google LingQ and LangCorrect :)
Mindstimer
Hey Nika! Can totally relate, spent years with DuoLingo trying to learn German, A2 was maximum achieved.
Loved to use https://lingvist.com for their simplicity and aesthetics.
As well as old good Anki back then. Currently did my own version of Anki for Playdate to have dedicated device without distractions (I dont play any games there, only this app)
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@butaji Whaaat? So nostalgic, such a retro device :D I like it.
The thing that moved the needle for me was...moving to a Spanish-speaking country. I combine that with 1:1 in-person lessons with a local teacher where everything is conducted in Spanish, not English. An hour of holding my feet to the fire followed by homework. Rinse, repeat.
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@jeff_benson1 But this way, I had to pandle among Germany, France and Spain :D
I can totally relate. I also went through a phase where I was learning with Duolingo, but after a while, I realized I knew a lot of words yet couldn’t actually use them in practice. Now I’m trying a mix of traditional exercises, listening through movies, videos, and podcasts. I really enjoy chatting with ChatGPT. It’s super helpful. I also tried speaking with ChatGPT, but that didn’t work very well for me. It’s better suited for more advanced learners. I had to keep guiding it and adjusting the prompts all the time.
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@lucie_smejkalova What languages are you learning?
@busmark_w_nika I’m mostly learning English. In the future, I’m considering Japanese or Chinese. These languages have always fascinated me. What about you?
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@lucie_smejkalova Japanese – I'd like this one too. ATM – German, Spanish, trying French too but somehow cannot handle it :D
Planndu
Duolingo gives a nice start, but the real learning happens when you start using the language in your daily life.
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@yarikskov It would be way effective if I were based in that country.