Those who move to the United States often face the question: how to learn English if they have never spoken it before. One of the options (besides schools and speaking clubs) is mobile applications. Their advantage is that you can practice in any convenient place and at any convenient time. The downside is that without live communication you still won’t be able to speak English. However, with the necessary discipline and regularity of study, with the help of mobile applications you can lay a good foundation for the future of fluent English. The study method, and therefore the mobile application itself, must be chosen based on your personality type. After all, what is good for a visual learner is not suitable for an auditory learner, and is generally a waste of time for a kinesthetic learner. “Forum” has selected the ten best applications for different tastes that will help in learning the language.
1. Polyglot
Lessons in "Polyglot" are structured in such a way that everything must be read and spoken out loud. Screenshot of the application.
This is a simulator for teaching English, created based on the TV show of the “Culture” channel - “Polyglot. Learn English in 16 hours." The course of sixteen lessons was developed by the famous linguist Dmitry Petrov. If you don't get scared at the start, you can come to the finish line as a winner. And at the start: the verb tense scheme, which is the basis of language. The essence of the technique is that you bring everything that you are asked to learn to automaticity. The lessons are structured according to the scheme that everything must be read and pronounced out loud. You won’t be able to “skip”: you won’t be allowed into the second lesson until you score a certain number of points in the first.
Price: The first three lessons are free; you can download all 16 lessons for $2.99.
2. Easy ten
When you find out that the author of this application is a plastic surgeon, you understand why it is not only useful and convenient, but also aesthetically beautiful. This application took into account that it is not always only beginners who want to expand their vocabulary. In the app, you can select words to memorize from those categories where you have the most gaps. You need to choose your level of training and, based on it, the “robot” will replenish your vocabulary. A handy thing: put the words you want to learn into a special player, and they will be spoken out loud again and again - in English and Russian. You can search for and add to the lists the words you decide to learn. For example, translate a foreign text and, so that new words are not forgotten, create a list of them, which is given to you in portions, according to the methodology conceived in the application.
There is a Tamagotchi function. Remember that electronic animal that reminded you when it needed to be fed? The “conscience” built into the application will definitely remind you: it’s time to learn 10 new words. It seems that “10 a day” is not enough? But “300 a month” sounds much more respectable.
Price: The application can be used for free for three days, then you need to buy the full version for $4.99 for a month or $19.99 for a year.
3. DuoLingo
When using the DuoLingo application, T9 should be turned off, because if you use the hints, you will deceive not the application, but yourself. Screenshot of the application.
The best place to start working with DuoLingo is to take a test that tests your knowledge. You will have to be as honest as possible, just like with a doctor or lawyer. The program remembers mistakes and will then offer to repeat those words that are written or understood incorrectly.
In DuoLingo, you can choose your own level and tempo. The entire learning process takes place in a playful way. Each level has three lives. Spent it - start over.
The application also has a function from the “Please, slow down, I’m recording” series: if you don’t understand what a native speaker is saying, you can choose an option where the same phrase is pronounced very slowly.
The downside is that there is not enough information on grammar, so to get the full experience you will have to download another application in which grammar will be its strong point.
Price: For free.
4. LinguaLeo
The LinguaLeo app will add words like “sharp tracker” or “meatball” to your vocabulary. Screenshot of the application.
A sort of “Big Brother” who immediately conducts a strict test and determines the level of knowledge of English. Confused by all the a-the-an - get all the grammar lessons you deserve. New words can be learned by choosing sections. If it is convenient to perceive by ear - listen, with your eyes - look at the illustrations. This is one of the few apps that doesn't leave grammar for later. She devotes a lot of time, and her knowledge is constantly tested. If you make a mistake, you will have to master this form, topic or construction again.
If you are a kinesthetic learner, this app is just right for you. During training, you will have to, for example, translate lyrics of songs, favorite TV series and films. You can’t think of a more accurate appeal to your memories and imagination.
There are no “reminders” in the application: if you didn’t study, it’s your own fault, no one will remind you, no one will send notifications either.
You can purchase “gold status” in the app and get full access to all features, such as more in-depth grammar learning.
The dictionary can be independently expanded and replenished not only with words, but also with entire sentences. Since the form of training is playful, be prepared for words like “sharp tracker” or “meatball” to appear in your vocabulary.
Price: For free.
5.RosettaStone
Rosetta Stone is designed for those who like to play association games. Screenshot of the application.
This is one of the very high-quality assistants for learning American English. Basic knowledge and the basics can be learned for free, then it depends on which application you download. A number of applications have been developed based on this technique.
Rosetta Stone is suitable for those who like to play association games. All training is based on them. The method is convenient in that it covers all areas that need to be taken into account when studying the English spoken in America: spoken language, grammar, and the ability to hear correctly.
Price: The first lessons are free, the full package of lessons is $500.
6. Effortless English
Effortless English/ AJ Hoge is another app for learning American English. His motto is to teach with your ears, not your eyes. A teacher from San Francisco has developed his own system, which is based not on learning the rules of grammar, but on the fact that you listen to short stories, and then listen to his explanations of these stories.
Next is the trick: you listen to the same story in indefinite tenses, continuous tenses, perfect tenses and perfect continuous tenses. By comparing how it all sounds, you understand how tenses “work” in English. From an easy level you can go to a difficult one, and then to the most difficult one.
Price: The application can be used for free, but additional levels can be purchased for $1.99 if desired.
7.LingQ
The application is completely different from its competitors. Such a large library and database of online lessons, perhaps, is not found in any other application. A convenient feature: the application remembers which words were difficult for you, marks them and periodically “throws in” information so that difficult words are repeated and remembered. The paid version differs from the free one in that it allows you to communicate with the teacher, but even without this function, the application has enough functions for those who want to learn to understand, write, and read fluently. An important nuance: for high-quality work, it is desirable to have a constant connection to the Internet.
Price: The application can be used for free, but you can purchase the opportunity to communicate with the teacher from $10 to $79, depending on the intensity.
8.BritishCouncil
Courses with the same name are probably known to everyone who has made the decision to invest in the most serious textbooks and learn the most correct English. The courses of the British Council British Council have already moved from online to the format of a mobile application. Each of the applications (and there are about a dozen of them: a separate one for grammar, a separate one for listening comprehension, a separate one for children) was downloaded by more than a million users. The trial version is enough to understand whether the method of British linguists is right for you. Don't neglect the Phonics Stories app, which is also part of the BritishCouncil family. It is designed for children, but, in fact, not every adult will cope with the tasks the first time, especially those related to listening comprehension of stories and stories.
Price:The first lessons are free, the whole package is about t $0.99 to $1.57 per lesson or topic.
9.Anki
Do you like to play cards? Remember new words at the association level? And still wonder why such a simple and convenient game is not offered in all applications? Because there is a completely independent and very popular application for flash cards - Anki. You can immediately select topics that interest you, download cards and learn words on the desired topic. And so that they are not forgotten, the application includes a repetition function: after a certain interval of time, you will definitely be reminded of the material you have covered.
Price: For free.
10.Words
This application is recommended and called the best among educational ones by Apple itself. Words was recognized as the best application for learning English words, entered the top best applications of 2014 and became Best new App in the same 2014. If you trust it, try it, especially since the application is available for both Apple products and competitors with the Android operating system.
A big plus of the application: it can work without an Internet connection. The dictionary contains about 10,000 words, and what words to learn and what to focus on during classes will be decided by the program itself, which can adapt to you after a verification test.
The application contains 330 lessons. In one lesson you can learn 20-30 new words. The free version contains only the first five lessons, which can impress a beginner, but greatly disappoint those whose vocabulary at the everyday level does not need to be replenished, but already has the basics of grammar. But if you decide to get acquainted more seriously, get a 40,000-word dictionary and the ability to create independent lessons, that is, give tasks to the program: they say, by tomorrow I want a dozen or two new words and tasks about integrals and jumps. And you will get it!
Price: For free.
Unfortunately, none of the applications can be downloaded with such an additional function as perseverance and perseverance. You will have to find them in yourself! Unfortunately, it doesn’t work any other way.
By the way, “Forum” recently told...
You have a device in your hands that gives you unlimited access to information from all over the world. Live broadcasts, lectures, Apple and Google I/O presentations, TED, The Tonight Show, Netflix and HBO series, original films are available right now. All you need is knowledge of the language. Learn English in 1 hour a day? No problem. The site has compiled for you the top 5 best applications for learning English.
Polyglot
For four years D.Yu. Petrov hosted a TV program of the same name. The project, which spanned eight seasons, was loved by both viewers and participants, among whom there were many famous people. The main principle is the speed of language acquisition. In a relatively short time, you gain a universal communication skill. To achieve such results, the emphasis was on the maximum number of lexical combinations, that is, even if you know a limited set of words, you can feel normal when communicating.
The application fully complies with the language methodology: gradually moving towards new tasks, you reach automaticity. In the process, you will be encouraged with pleasant epithets. The TV program devoted 16 lessons to training, the version on the smartphone respectively - 16 hours.
By the way, not all lessons are available for free. The full version will cost $2.99.
Available: Android, iOS, Windows Phone
Interest in applications for learning English in the Russian segment of the AppStore continues to grow rapidly over the past two years. This is not surprising, because understanding the most widespread language in the world provides enormous opportunities not only for learning, but also for earning money. And the permanent crises and currency collapses that occur in CIS countries with enviable regularity are a very good argument in favor of learning English.
Currently, there are more than enough applications for iPhone and iPad to help you with this difficult task. And so that you don’t get lost in all this diversity, I offer you my version of the selection of the best iOS applications for learning English and expanding your vocabulary.
Wlingua
A service in which training can be conducted either through an online interface or by installing an application on mobile devices. The main thing is that you can study at any time and anywhere, and more than 600 interactive lessons are available for learning, including:
- expansion of vocabulary;
- studying grammar;
- practicing pronunciation;
- adapted texts;
- audio materials voiced by native speakers;
- built-in grammar reference, etc.
The basic course allows you to access the entire base of materials, but with some restrictions. If you like it, you can pay for premium access and study English with pleasure.
Another client of the service, quickly gaining popularity, about which there are many positive reviews. Lessons in Duolingo are built in a playful way, with detailed progress tracking. You'll be able to read, listen and speak, and thanks to checking your results during the learning process, you can immediately see what you did correctly and what you didn't.
Conveniently implemented control over the pace of learning and a function that encourages repeated lessons after some time, to better consolidate the result. I myself have been using this application recently, and I can confidently recommend it to you.
MyEnglish
A convenient and necessary program that allows you to effectively replenish your vocabulary by dedicating at least 20-30 minutes a day to it. This clever trainer is one of the three most popular apps of its kind on the Appstore, and includes more than 11,000 English words, which is enough for communication and travel. By the way, if you consider that all words and phrases are voiced by native speakers, I am sure that you will definitely not have problems with pronunciation.
English with Words
A colorful app for learning words using flashcards, with a nice design and thoughtful exercises that cover almost 8,000 words! The training takes place in a playful way, which makes it easier to memorize. A total of 330 (!) lessons are available, divided into 26 thematic blocks. Also, there is a built-in English-Russian dictionary with 40,000 words. Apple's April 2014 Editors' Choice.
LinguaLeo
A popular service that includes a whole set of interactive tools for learning many foreign languages, and, above all, English. Allows you to conduct training in several formats, contains grammar courses, TED lectures and thousands of texts of a very different nature. Sets of words with pictures, listening and transcription are available, and the training program adapts to the user as he progresses.
Let's continue the theme of words. I came across this application by accident, and after spending some time researching, I realized that it was worth adding to my device. You are offered a database of 3,500 basic English words that you need to know for normal reading and communication. The training program can be customized to suit you, and the words, which is important, are divided into levels: Elementary, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate and Upper Intermediate. Methods for memorization are also available in several options: memorization, dictation, writing and testing. And many more interesting things.
Pumpkin 2
A simulator focused exclusively on learning grammar, the learning process in which is based on game mechanics, with the goal of giving you a systematic understanding of grammar and bringing the construction of phrases and vocabulary structures to automaticity. More than 700 of the most commonly used verbs, several difficulty modes, 35,000 phrasal structures - all this provides variety and is truly captivating. Forget about cramming, just immerse yourself in studying headlong, and success will be a matter of time!
Have a couple of free minutes while you're standing in line for your morning coffee or on your way to work? Why not educate yourself? We have selected the best apps for learning English for you! Catch the hot ten!
LinguaLeo
One of the secrets to the success of this application for learning English is the game form of learning. Your own cute little lion craves meatballs, which can only be obtained by completing lessons.
Another undoubted advantage of the LinguaLeo platform is the availability of a huge amount of media materials (films, books, songs, music and educational videos, etc.) with which you can work in the process.
Photo: infodengy.ru Price: free, paid premium access available
Duolingo
Completely free apps for learning English, and without constant annoying advertising, are rare. That's exactly what Duolingo is.
The learning process takes place in a playful way. As in the previous application, you have a pet (this time an owl) that you need. You go through level after level, gradually increasing their difficulty and earning trophies, and to make the process not seem so simple, you lose lives for incorrect answers.
Photo: shutterstock Price: for free
You can download the application on Google Play.
You can download the application in the App Store.
Words
It’s hard to imagine the best apps for learning English without the Words service - even Apple’s editors recognized this at one time, calling it the best new platform.
The application is ideal for learning English words and expanding your vocabulary. Its database contains about 40 thousand words and 330 lessons. The first of them are available for free, then you need to pay. The main advantages of the application are the ability to work offline and create lessons yourself, assigning the program the tasks you need (the latter is only available in the paid version).
Photo: shutterstock Price: free, paid version available
You can download the application on Google Play.
You can download the application in the App Store.
Easy ten
An application for those who have little time, but have a great desire to master the English language. Every day the service will select 10 new foreign words that you will need to learn, consolidating your knowledge with simple training. By the end of the month, your vocabulary will be replenished with at least 300 new words.
The application also remembers and takes into account your mistakes in tests, giving you the opportunity to repeat and remember especially difficult words.
Photo: shutterstock Price:
You can download the application on Google Play.
You can download the application in the App Store.
Memrise
Another application recognized as the best. The service is based on a scientific methodology that allows you to learn up to 44 words per hour. The main “weapon” of the application is memes. They allow you to remember material much better, and various game modes train different aspects of memory: visual learning, repetition and consolidation, quick recall, etc.
Also available in the application are thousands of audio recordings of native speakers, various tests, listening tests, etc. Courses can be downloaded and studied offline.
Photo: shutterstock Price: free, paid content available
You can download the application on Google Play.
You can download the application in the App Store.
Anki
The AnkiDroid app offers one of the most effective ways to learn information - educational flash cards. The service is intended not only for learning a foreign language. You can also select and download cards that interest you and thus learn words on the desired topic.
The application database contains more than 6,000 ready-made decks of cards. You can also create them yourself.
Photo: shutterstock Price: for free
You can download the application on Google Play.
You can download the application in the App Store
FluentU
English learning apps often use media content as one of the most effective ways to learn. FluentU is one of the best such platforms. To learn the language, real videos are used here: popular talk shows, music videos, funny and commercials, news, interesting dialogues, etc.
The main benefit of the app is that it tracks the words you learn and recommends other videos and activities based on them. The application is planned to be released on Android soon.
Photo: shutterstock Price: free, or $8–18 per month, $80–180 per year
You can download the application in the App Store.
HelloTalk
As an application for learning English on Android or iPhone, the HelloTalk service will be indispensable. This is an educational platform where teachers are native speakers from all over the world. You will be able to talk to them and exchange text messages.
You can download the application in the App Store.
English Grammar Test
The application contains more than 60 tests of 20 tasks, which cover almost the entire grammar of the English language. Each question is devoted to a different grammatical topic. After passing one test, you can test your knowledge in several sections of grammar at once and identify weak points.
You can take both mixed tests and those that correspond to your level or chosen topic. After passing the test, the application will immediately give you the correct answers and explanations for them.
Photo: shutterstock Price: for free
You can download the application on Google Play.
Urban Dictionary
If your English is at a fairly high level, it’s time to move on to studying slang expressions, the meaning of which is not in every dictionary.
The application contains a huge database of slang with examples of its use in speech. The service allows you to search for slang expressions, add them to your favorites list, and can also give out random phrases for you to study. The application is entirely in English.
Photo: shutterstock Price: for free
You can download the application on Google Play.
You can download the application in the App Store.