Today, we know that language learning is one of the best ways to open new opportunities in life. But not everyone has the ability to learn languages in school, and many of us don’t have enough time even if we could. Therefore, there are a lot of people looking for alternative methods to learn languages online or using apps instead of special courses. Every person can choose the best free language learning websites and apps for their own needs: what kinds of languages do you want to master and why? What kinds of materials and formats do you prefer?
Here we have some of the best free language learning websites and apps that will help you to learn new languages and practice and engage with others. Remember, becoming a language learning guru is not only about native language learning but also about learning other languages as well. You can do this with the help of some cool tools.
Duolingo
Not only is Duolingo useful when learning a new language, it’s fun and addictive. This service takes a game-like approach to learning and offers apps for iOS, Windows Phone and Android. To get started, you create a profile and either launch a beginner’s course, or take a test to move into an advanced lesson (if you already know the basics). Duolingo is one of the “pure” free services that promises it’ll be free forever.
Open Culture
OpenCulture can help you learn one a popular language like English, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, or Mandarin. But there are a total of 48 language options listed on this portal to free language course downloads. Farsi/Persian, Estonian, Icelandic, Gaelic and many other languages are available here, often as free mp3 downloads you can load up and listen to later.
Babbel
You can learn 14 new languages with Babbel, including English, French, German, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish and more. While some online language learning platforms focus strictly on speech, Babbel teaches you speak, read and write in the language of your choice. There are beginner courses available for free, and you can upgrade to a paid course if you choose, with prices as low as $6.95 a month, if you sign on for one year.
Live Lingua
Heading off the list is Live Lingua, the Internet’s largest collection of free public domain language learning materials, according to the site itself. It’s not hard to believe. There are thousands of free e-books, audio recordings and foreign language video materials available in over 130 different languages.
It’s also one of the most user-friendly websites hosting the US Foreign Service Institute’s public domain language courses, which were developed by the US Department of State for expert language learning and are now freely available on various sites across the Web.
LearnaLanguage.com
Learnalanguage.com is a website with links to extensive resources on and in 19 different languages. You can learn over 1400 words in your target language for free with their vocabulary lists and verb conjugation charts, and there’s plenty more free learning to be done in the nine languages in which Learnalanguage.com maintains its own Web-based courses.
Speexx
Speexx uses groundbreaking AI and technology to provide language skills testing, training and continuous performance support to global top 1,000 companies. Speexx solutions drive better ROI on training budgets and workforce productivity all across the world. Unlike traditional training providers, Speexx helps organizations build, grow and maintain the language skills that matter – all within a safe online environment. More than 8 million users in 1,500 organizations around the world – including UNHCR, Adecco, and Credit Suisse – use Speexx to learn a language smarter and deliver results on time, no matter whether they’re working in an office or from home. Speexx was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Munich/Germany with offices in Madrid, Milan, Paris, Sao Paulo, New York and Shanghai.
Memrise
Memrise is a language learning app that is the opposite of textbook learning: it’s super enjoyable and incredibly effective. Download Memrise for Android, iPhone or tablets and start learning for free: – Choose over 20 official language courses created by expert linguists. – Learn the language that real native speakers use in everyday life. – Our smart learning engine tailors the course to match your performance, keeping you motivated and on track. – A variety of proven memory techniques help you learn fast and remember for longer. – Practice comprehension and pronunciation with different review sessions: Speed Review, Difficult Words, Pronunciation, Learn with Locals and new virtual Immersion videos (iOS only). – Download your course to get more learning into your day, wherever you are. Our 3-step natural approach to language acquisition focuses on learning the most useful words and phrases super quickly, immersing in native speaker audio and video clips to build your understanding in a real-world context, and building the confidence to start communicating in the language.
OpenSesame
We help develop the world’s most productive and admired workforces. With the most comprehensive catalog of elearning courses from the world’s top publishers, we are here to help you every step of the way, from finding courses, mapping them to your core competencies, syncing them with your LMS to increasing utilization and improving your L&D programs. Not only will you have the flexibility of multiple purchasing options from OpenSesame, you’ll find it simple to use and administer your elearning courses. Our expertly curated catalog includes thousands of courses covering business skills, compliance, safety, technology, certifications, and industry-specific topics. Some key topic areas include: Business skills – Communication – Management – Leadership – Project Management – Customer Service Compliance – Human Resources Compliance – Workplace and Sexual Harassment – Privacy – HIPAA – GDPR Safety – Workplace Safety – OSHA – Environmental Safety – Hazardous Materials – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Technology – Software – Programming – Information Security – Machine Learning – Data Analysis Certifications – CompTIA® – Microsoft® – PMI® – Agile – Six Sigma
Quizlet
Though limited in scope, Quizlet is an excellent study aid (think app-based flashcards) for learning anything that relies on memorization.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Can make, share, and find study sets from other users
- Excellent support for languages; great for language studies
- Plenty of variety in study modes
CONS
- Price for Plus membership has increased considerably
- Many technological features restricted to Plus members
- Suitable only for rote memorization
Busuu
One of the more popular platforms, Busuu boasts over 50 million native language users. Its approach is unique, as you will become part of a social community that allows you to learn languages from others. They offer the GSET (Global Scale of English Tests) certification, as well, if you’ve been practicing English and want to see where you stand.
Vedamo Virtual Classroom
VEDAMO is an interactive Virtual Classroom Platform with tools for gamification, classroom management and lesson preparation. It replicates the feeling of a traditional classroom. VEDAMO was purpose-built for education. It allows you to conduct engaging live online sessions with your learners without the need to install any additional software. It saves teachers time with features like reusable lesson templates and distraction monitoring, full class management settings and many more. It integrates with leading LMS platforms.
Internet Polyglot
Internet Polyglot offers many of the same kinds of resources as the sites listed above, with the awesome added advantage of its “quick start menu,” which allows you to choose not only what language you’re learning but also what language you’re learning it in. Do you already speak Spanish and want to get started on Portuguese? Just select “Spanish” for the language you speak, and get started with a composite mental exercise to strengthen one language while building another.
Conclusion:
Whether it’s for work or school, we all want to learn a new language. But it’s time consuming and expensive to take classes and guess what: some of them are even in a language you don’t know. Don’t give up, there are some useful and fun tools for language learning online that will help you without spending money!