Learning Tools

Thoughts about Learning a Language

Language Learning Resources from Reddit r/languagelearning

• https://www.reddit.com/r/languagelearning/wiki/resources/

Learning Tips & Strategies

• Learning a Language By Immersion(Reddit)
• AI vs. Human Teachers(Reddit)
• How To Stay Motivated While Language Learning(Reddit)
• How to Start Speaking(Reddit)
• Typical Mistakes and How to Avoid Them(Reddit)

Useful Language Instruction Tools and Websites

A categorized guide for learners and website resource pages.

Free & Freemium Apps

Best for beginners, habit building, and basic vocabulary.

• Duolingo [https://www.duolingo.com] Free / Super paid
  Gamified lessons with streaks and points. Excellent for absolute beginners. Not sufficient for fluency alone. Offers placement tests and podcasts for some languages. Duolingo Podcasts [https://www.duolingo.com/podcast] available separately.
• Busuu [https://www.busuu.com] Freemium
  Structured lessons with native-speaker community corrections. Follows CEFR framework. Free tier limited; paid version recommended for serious progress.
• Memrise [https://www.memrise.com] Freemium
  Vocabulary-focused with spaced repetition and real native-speaker video clips. Light on grammar; best as a supplement.
• Anki [https://apps.ankiweb.net] Free (open source)
  Powerful flashcard system using spaced repetition. Requires manual setup. Ideal for self-directed learners memorizing large volumes of vocabulary.
• Mango Languages [https://www.mangolanguages.com] Free via library
  Over 70 languages. Often available free through public library cards. Includes specialty courses and ESL.

Paid Apps (Structured & Rigorous)

For learners willing to invest in more challenging content.

• Babbel [https://www.babbel.com] Paid
  Considered the most challenging mainstream app. Focuses on practical conversations and grammar. Recommended for learners who find other apps too slow or already know related languages. Also produces Babbel podcasts [https://www.babbel.com/podcasts].
• Rosetta Stone [https://www.rosettastone.com] Paid
  Immersion method (no translation) with image-based vocabulary. TruAccent speech recognition. Interface feels dated. Useful for building a foundation, not for fluency alone.
• Pimsleur [https://www.pimsleur.com] Paid
  Audio-based method with 30-minute lessons. Focuses on listening and speaking. Ideal for commuters and auditory learners.
• Fluenz [https://www.fluenz.com] Paid
  Video-based instruction with a virtual teacher. Rigorous grammar and pronunciation approach. Available for seven languages.

Live Instruction & Speaking Practice

For real conversation practice and human accountability.

• Lingoda [https://www.lingoda.com] Paid
  Live small-group classes (max 5 students) via Zoom. CEFR-aligned curriculum with certificates. Also offers private lessons. Available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
• italki [https://www.italki.com] Paid (tutor rates vary)
  Marketplace connecting learners with private tutors for one-on-one lessons. Wide price range and teaching styles. Also has free community features for language exchange.

Podcasts & Listening Practice

Essential for training listening comprehension and accent.

• Coffee Break Languages [https://coffeebreaklanguages.com] Free / Paid premium
  Beginner-friendly lessons explaining grammar in English. Available for Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, and Portuguese. Top-ranked in Canada.
• News in Slow [https://www.newsinslow.com] Paid
  Intermediate-level current events read at a slower pace. Bridges the gap between learner content and native news. Available for Spanish, French, Italian, and German.
• InnerFrench [https://innerfrench.com] Free
  Popular intermediate French podcast. Natural but comprehensible input. Ranked #2 in Canadian language learning charts.
• All Ears English [https://www.allearsenglish.com] Free
  Top-ranked English learning podcast. Focuses on conversational American English and cultural fluency.
• BBC Learning English [https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish] Free
  Structured English lessons via podcast and video. Includes "6 Minute English" and "The English We Speak."

Immersion & Video Tools

• Lingopie [https://lingopie.com] Paid
  Learn through TV shows and movies with interactive subtitles. Available for Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and English.
• Yabla [https://yabla.com] Paid
  Video immersion with interactive subtitles and playback controls. For intermediate and advanced learners.

Free Government & University Resources

High-quality, professionally produced free courses.

• Deutsche Welle (DW) Learn German [https://learngerman.dw.com] Free
  Comprehensive free German courses from A1 to C1. Includes videos, podcasts, and mobile courses. Considered the gold standard for German learners.
• BBC Languages [https://www.bbc.co.uk/languages] Free
  Structured courses with cultural content. Includes interactive video dramas (Mi Vida Loca, La Mappa Misteriosa). Limited language selection; some content archived.
• MIT OpenCourseWare [https://ocw.mit.edu] Free
  University language course materials including syllabi, assignments, and sometimes video lectures. For self-disciplined learners. Example: Spanish I [https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/21g-701-spanish-i-fall-2003/].
• Mauril [https://www.cbc.ca/mauril] Free (Canada)
  Canadian French and English learning platform funded by the Government of Canada. Uses CBC/Radio-Canada content. App and web versions available.
• Pronunciator [https://www.pronunciator.com] Free via library
  Over 160 languages with personalized courses. Live teachers, movies, music. Also offers Bluebird [https://bluebirdlanguages.com] mobile app. Check local library for free access.

Library-Accessible Tools

Free with a public library card. Underrated and underused.

• Transparent Language Online [https://www.transparent.com/transparent-language-online/]
  Over 140 languages including ASL, ESL, and Indigenous languages. Alphabet courses, vocabulary building, intermediate/advanced content. Works on any connected device.
• Road to IELTS [https://www.roadtoielts.com]
  IELTS Academic and General Training preparation. Practice tests, tutorials, and simulated mock exams. Often available through library subscriptions.

Text-to-Speech & Pronunciation

• NaturalReader [https://www.naturalreaders.com/] : A popular TTS app (free with in-app purchases) supporting PDFs, images, and cloud files. It offers 200+ AI voices across 90+ languages with adjustable speed and word highlighting. The OCR camera feature lets you snap a photo of a physical book and hear it read aloud.
• VozCraft [https://vozcraft.com/] : A completely free, browser-based TTS tool with no installation required. It supports 20+ languages with regional dialects and lets you adjust pitch, speed, and "mood" presets. Runs locally, so your text never leaves your device.
• Forvo [https://forvo.com/] : The largest online pronunciation dictionary, with over 6 million words in 390 languages, all pronounced by native speakers. Excellent for hearing how a specific word is actually said in different regions.

Picture-Matching & Game-Based Learning

• Foreign Words: Picture Vocab [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/foreign-words-picture-vocab/id598715944] : A free iOS app (with optional tips) designed for kids but usable by adults brushing up. You see a word, hear it spoken, and tap the matching picture. Covers 7 languages with 2,500+ word-picture combinations.
• LearningGrids (Clicker) [https://www.learninggrids.com/] : Free educational resources from Crick Software. The "Listen and Find" activities present a spoken sentence and ask you to pick the matching picture from a pop-up. Examples include "A Day at the Zoo" and "Feelings".

AI-Powered & Experimental

• Little Language Lessons (Google) [https://artsandculture.google.com/experiment/little-language-lessons/] : A free experimental Google site that uses AI to generate short, situational practice snippets (ordering coffee, asking directions) on demand. Supports 15+ languages including regional variants.
• Langula [https://langula.app/] : A free browser-based app covering 26 languages from A1 to B2 with flashcards and built-in pronunciation feedback. No signup or download required. Privacy-focused: audio never leaves your device.
• Doomersion [https://apps.apple.com/ro/app/doomersion/id6753957215] : A Y Combinator-backed experiment that turns doomscrolling into language immersion. It feeds you short videos in your target language, matched to your level, with difficulty increasing as you scroll.
• Speakylex [https://speakylex.com/] : Turns TikTok-style educational videos into language lessons with an AI tutor for writing and grammar explanations. Free grammar tests in the browser (EN, FR, DE, ES), plus an Android app.

Coming soon

More of...

• Language instruction aids
• Evaluation and self-assessment aids
• Learning tools and skill builders
• Games that make practice fun
• …and the best is yet to come