Language learning apps are a valuable tool for improving conversation skills or picking up basic phrases before traveling to a new destination. Travelers who want to get the most out of their globetrotting adventures should do their best to know enough of a language to have basic-level interactions with locals. For example, knowing how to order a meal at a restaurant, asking how much something costs, or simply saying thank you.
Some languages are more useful than others when it comes to tourism; for example, some of the best languages to learn for travel include French for those exploring Europe and parts of Africa, while anyone heading to Central or South America for a backpacking adventure should know some basic Spanish phrases.
In addition to forging connections abroad through better communication, taking the time to learn a new language before traveling is a great safety measure. Knowing essential phrases to learn in any language before traveling is a must, such as learning how to ask for help or for directions to a hospital, which can be advantageous in a critical situation.
But to learn these useful words and phrases, which language-learning apps are the best? Find out which apps are the best for language learning, along with the proven foreign language learning techniques they use to promote the said learning.
Always start with a free app or free trial version to see whether the mobile platform and experience work for one’s own learning style!
10 HelloTalk
Learning through messaging
HelloTalk is one of the best language-learning tools online because it’s an app where users can connect with speakers of other languages to help each other learn.
For example, an English speaker and a Spanish speaker can connect via instant message and help each other improve their language skills in each other’s native tongue.
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What It’s Best For:
Practicing casual written conversation -
Subscription Cost:
Free -
Number of Languages Available:
150+
9 Babbel
Spanish and flag on a phone screen
Babbel is a well-known tool for overall language learning. The app delivers its materials in formal courses, and there are curriculums available for 14 languages.
However, users only have access to the single language they selected to learn under certain plans.
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What It’s Best For:
Overall language learning -
Subscription Cost:
From $9.99 per month -
Number of Languages Available
: 14
8 FluentU
Person holds phone with graphics of different country’s flags
Users who want to work on their comprehension skills can get a lot of use from the FluentU app.
While there isn’t a lot of opportunity to practice speaking or writing in this method, it’s a great way to learn new words and recognize them in verbal conversation.
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What It’s Best For:
Reading and listening comprehension -
Subscription Cost:
From $19.99 per month -
Number of Languages Available:
10
7 iTalki
Online tutoring lesson
iTalki is among the best online language-learning tools, as it’s for the traveler who wants an intensive one-on-one verbal lesson, which is ideal for immersing oneself as authentically as possible in the target language with a native speaker before travel.
Someone who is planning to travel extensively abroad or work abroad and wants to feel confident in their oral communication will benefit from the individual video-call style classes with one of the platform’s many tutors.
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What It’s Best For:
One-on-one tutoring -
Subscription Cost:
From $10 per lesson -
Number of Languages Available:
130+
6 Pimsleur
Language learning options for mobile app
This language-learning app is great for travelers because it focuses on listening and speaking rather than reading and writing in a language. If the goal is to become conversational quickly, this is a good option.
Consider this app if travel is near on the horizon and there’s not much time to spare for language learning before one’s adventure.
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What It’s Best For:
Speaking and listening comprehension -
Subscription Cost:
From $19.95 per month -
Number of Languages Available:
51
5 Mondly
Phone screen with English learning and a person taking notes
Mondly is free to download, but users must pay for a subscription to access all features.
With a unique setup that offers more than 1000 possible language combinations, Mondly allows speakers of various languages to learn the 30+ languages it offers on the platform.
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What It’s Best For:
Day-to-day vocabulary -
Subscription Cost:
From $9.99 per month -
Number of Languages Available:
30+
4 Busuu
Mandarin Chinese language learning
Busuu offers the first lesson for free and allows users to get immediate feedback on their performance.
To ensure that travelers are using correct pronunciation and grammar when speaking, this is a great tool for practicing a language before departing for an adventure.
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What It’s Best For:
Learning at one’s own pace -
Subscription Cost:
From $9.99 per month -
Number of Languages Available:
14
3 Memrise
Woman learning a language on her phone
Memrise is one of the best language apps for learning a foreign language and expanding vocabulary in a new language while retaining that information long-term. The app does this through repetition-based teaching.
It’s important to note that Memrise alone (or any app) isn’t usually enough to become fluent. But it’s a good place to start.
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What It’s Best For:
Learning vocabulary -
Subscription Cost:
From ~$9 per month -
Number of Languages Available:
23
2 Drops
Language app welcome screen
Drops doesn’t provide the tools to learn a language fluently, but for travelers who already have some level of understanding of how to speak a language, this is a great way to expand their vocabulary.
The app offers vocabulary lists and focuses on broadening the pool of words that speakers have to work with.
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What It’s Best For:
Expanding vocabulary -
Subscription Cost:
From $9.99 per month -
Number of Languages Available:
30+
1 Duolingo
Applications on a mobile phone
Duolingo is a great place to start learning a new language on a basic level. With helpful visual prompts, fill-in-the-blank challenges, and verbal cues, Duolingo helps travelers jumpstart their fluency in a new language. Users have the ability to learn multiple languages on the app at one time by simply switching out which one they want to study on a given day.
The app isn’t just for English speakers, either; travelers whose first language is French or Spanish (for example) can switch to learning “French for Spanish speakers” rather than “French for English speakers”. This makes it useful for travelers who don’t live in any of the countries where English is the national language.
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What It’s Best For:
Reading, writing, and speaking (foundational) -
Subscription Cost:
Free -
Number of Languages Available:
40+
