We are surrounded by powerful language apps that are located at the tip of our fingers. We live in a very different life compared to only 15 years ago. Language learners used to rely on textbooks, teachers, official schools, and full immersion learning. Nowadays, there are endless amounts of resources available online. In this article, we will only be discussing the free resources because…well…they’re free.
The most popular language learner application on the market. An amazing tool to grow your vocabulary, practise listening, grammar, and speaking. There are endless lessons and stories to learn that have a game-like feel. The notifications and reminders are great to keep learners accountable. Putting aside a couple minutes for a quick lesson is doable. Duolingo also has a podcast that is found for free on audio streaming services, like Spotify. These mini stories are short and entertaining. The large collection of lessons and material will keep you entertained while growing your language skills.
The most reliable dictionary and translation service (for single words or phrasal verbs). It is available as an application, and free of course. Useful features include conjugators, synonyms, and collocations. There is also a listening feature for the majority of words. For example, you have the option to listen to the word “water” in 8 different accents with different playback speeds.
When looking for a translation of a certain word, WordReference provides many other words that are similar and can be used interchangeably. This can be very useful in English since there are many different ways to express different words.
One of the more entertaining ways to learn a language. Watch your favourite series, movie, documentary, etc. in the language you wish to learn. Some services, like YouTube, allow you to control the speed of the video. Slower speed with subtitles can be helpful. Popular streaming services include Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and HBO to name a few.
Endless amount of content available in multiple different languages (audio and subtitles). A guide on learning a language with these streaming services can be found here.
Google Translate has a bad rap with learning languages. It is common to have words translated literally and out of context. If you have a basic level of the language you are learning, it is important to somewhat understand the translated information. Do not trust Google Translate fully and send the translation away if it is an important matter. There could be a big misunderstanding. I’m not here to scare you away from using it, but use it with caution. It has saved me personally many times when trying to conjugate or express something in a different tense.
Find a local language exchange or online community (whatever floats your boat). This is a great opportunity to meet new people that share a common goal, learning a new language! Facebook groups in your city or Meetup is a great place to start. Simply typing in language exchange in the search bar can provide groups and communities with people around the world that want to learn different languages. A typical language exchange takes place at a bar or cafe. The organizer puts people in groups that are learning the same language. There can be games or topic starters that help guide conversations. These events are typically safe spaces to make mistakes while practising your skills.
These free powerful language tools are only a fraction of what is available online. It can be overwhelming trying to find tools and decide what app or service works best for you. Remember, we all learn differently and prefer certain methods over others. Try these out and make necessary adjustments to suit your experience. Happy learning!
