My "Ultimate" Language App Tier List Pt. 2 📱

Personal Insights and Recommendations With Ranking Language Learning Apps

Hello again.

I’m back with part two of my language learning app list. In case you missed it, you can catch part one of my “ultimate” language learning apps here. Additionally, I forgot to mention my ranking criteria last week. All of the apps I’ve mentioned have been used regularly for at least four months.

This is how I categorized them:

A+ Level: Highly recommended for everyday use. It is customized for personalized language learning and delivers significant advantages.

A Level: Strongly recommended for routine usage. Delivers excellent performance in its intended functions.

B Level: Recommended for consistent use. Although it is well-rounded with good features, it might be outshined by A-rank level apps in specific aspects.

C Level: Suitable for occasional use. Offers a moderate level of effectiveness but is not necessarily essential to the study routine.

B-level Apps: iTalki, Udemy 📱

⭐ iTalki

iTalki is an interactive online platform that helps people learn languages by connecting them with teachers through video chat. This website allows students to find online tutors who offer one-on-one tutoring sessions tailored to their needs. With a variety of teachers at your disposal, iTalki offers classes in more than 100 languages. Learners have the freedom to select a tutor that matches their learning style, schedule, and personality. In addition, teachers can determine their own prices and schedules.

Have you used iTalki? What has your experience been like?

My Experience: In the past, I had utilized iTalki to search for a grammar tutor. However, I encountered difficulty in finding an instructor who possessed the ability to provide clear and immediate explanations. After enrolling in grammar classes through an established language school, I realized that the native-speaking teachers they employ can usually provide detailed explanations of grammatical concepts. Despite that, I acknowledge the potential of using iTalki for conversation classes and foundational lessons.

My iTalki Alternative: ⭐ Udemy

Udemy is online learning platform where students can purchase video courses. They provide access to thousands of courses produced by independent instructors to millions of students. Language courses average for around $11.

Have you used a video course to learn a language before?

My experience: For those who prefer structured study plans and curriculums, Udemy courses offer a similar format to language schools. The PDF textbooks for the course are carefully organized, focusing on essential grammar and vocabulary frequently tested. Example sentences are also provided to complement the explanations. While I enjoy the structure it offers, it's important to remember not to solely rely on the language courses for self-study. I find that are most effective when used as a supporting tool in conjunction with textbooks like Shin Kanzen Master or apps like Bunpro.

C-level App: Clozemaster 📱

⭐ Clozemaster

Clozemaster is an interactive platform that improves your language skills by filling in missing words in sentences. (Did you know? The term “cloze” denotes an exercise or test format in which words are omitted from a text and replaced with blanks.) It provides a diverse selection of languages and even offers a free play option. The pro pricing is as follows: $8.00 (monthly), $60.00 (yearly), and $140 (lifetime access).

What are your favorite apps that gamify language learning?

My experience: I discovered Clozemaster over five years ago, but eventually switched to more efficient apps. I returned to it this year to enjoy during my quick work breaks. From my perspective, Clozemaster doesn't prioritize teaching Japanese. Rather, it assesses your knowledge. Despite only dedicating around 10 minutes each day, I find it enjoyable to discover what I am not familiar with and what I can successfully guess right.

🌟 Rising Star: Journaly ✍️

Note: It's not on my app tier list since I just started using it, but I couldn't resist praising its potential!

Journaly is more than just a standard app you can use with your target languages; it’s a dynamic community where enhancing your language skills go hand-in-hand with self-improvement. Whether you’re a taking your very first steps in a new language or have experience under your belt, the Journaly platform fosters improvement through receiving insightful feedback from its members. The pro pricing is as follows: $5.00 (monthly) and $42.00 (yearly).

Do you journal in your target language? If so, do you receive feedback with what you write?

My experience: Since joining earlier this year, I've been loving reading and providing feedback on the English entries. Although I haven't fully tested its usefulness for my own writing yet (only shared my teacher-corrected entries from the 14-day challenge), it shows great potential as an app! Don't forget that Journaly is a community-driven platform, so consider helping others who are learning your native language as a way to give back.

Unmentioned Essential: 🍃 Midori 🌿

Note: It's not on my app tier list since it’s just a dictionary, but it’s something that I use daily!

Photo from gaijinpot.com

For about ten years now, I've been using Midori, as my ultimate all-in-one Japanese-English, English-Japanese dictionary app. Tailored for learners of any proficiency, it presents an extensive assortment of over 190,000 word entries and 12,000 kanji, along with their readings, meanings, and example compounds. You can find more than 150,000 example sentences with furigana, and improve your kanji skills with stroke order diagrams and animations. In addition, Midori offers different search options like photo capture and handwritten kanji recognition. The app is now available for free on iOS.

The apps I've described cater to different aspects of language learning, but I think that it is always important to keep in mind that apps are simply tools. The actual value comes from how one uses them to enhance their study routine and customizes them to their learning style. Achieving success in language acquisition requires more than just using resources; it also depends on your dedication, consistency, and strategic approach.

That being said, I would also like to point out that rankings, including these, are highly subjective. An app's high effectiveness can vary from person to person and may not resonate equally. So, please freely explore and experiment to discover the ideal mix of tools for your needs.

Until next time, happy studying!