If you are looking for some apps to help you learn Spanish, you might be overwhelmed by the number of options available. There are many different ways to approach language learning, and each app has its own strengths and weaknesses. In this article, I will review some of the most popular apps for Spanish learners, based on the feedback of real users. Each app will be highlighted in a separate paragraph and explains what they offer, how they work, and what their pros and cons are.
Drops
Drops is an app that focuses on vocabulary building. It uses gamified exercises and colorful images to help you memorize words in various categories. You can choose from over 40 topics, such as food, animals, travel, and more. Drops claims that you can learn up to 3,000 words in 99 topics with just 5 minutes a day.
However, Drops is not a comprehensive language learning app. It does not teach you grammar, pronunciation, or conversation skills. It is best used as a supplement to other methods.
Drops is just for vocabulary. I use it 5 minutes per day. It’s easy and fun additional training to extend the vocabulary step by step. I have learned 2184 words in the last 770 days.
Pimsleur
Pimsleur is an app that uses the audio-lingual method to teach you Spanish. It consists of 30-minute lessons that you can listen to while doing other activities, such as walking or driving. Each lesson introduces new phrases and dialogues that you have to repeat and respond to. Pimsleur also has features that help you practice pronunciation and review what you have learned.
However, Pimsleur does not teach you grammar explicitly. You have to infer the rules from the context or learn them from other sources. Pimsleur is also quite expensive compared to other apps.
I like Pimsleur a lot. You can listen to the audio lessons while walking around and they’ve recently added some nice features to the app to help you practice pronunciation. One caveat is that it doesn’t teach you grammar directly, so you’ll need to learn that somewhere else. Once I had studied the underlying grammar, I repeated some of the Pimsleur lessons and they clicked much better for me.
I like the Pimsleur method, because it teaches phrases and conversations. I find that more useful than having to string them all together and dissect them when someone speaks.
The Pimsleur app also had pronunciation training and responding to phrases with phrases like a real conversation. The lessons are 30 minutes a day, then add in another 15 or 20 for practices with exercises provided as you want to,
Memrise
Memrise is an app that uses spaced repetition and mnemonics to help you learn Spanish words and phrases. It has courses created by experts and by the community, covering different levels and topics. You can also watch videos of native speakers using the language in real situations. Memrise adapts to your learning style and tracks your progress.
However, Memrise is not a complete language learning solution either. It does not teach you grammar or how to construct sentences on your own. It is mainly a memorization tool.
Memrise is like DuoLingo or Babble, but I like the way it works better.
Babbel
Babbel is an app that aims to teach you Spanish in a practical and interactive way. It has courses designed by experts that cover different aspects of the language, such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and culture. You can also choose from specific topics that interest you, such as travel, business, or hobbies. Babbel uses dialogues, exercises, games, and quizzes to help you learn and practice Spanish.
However, Babbel is not free. You have to pay a monthly subscription fee to access all the content.
Babel and Busuu are good.
Linguno
Linguno is a fantastic app for practicing Spanish verb conjugations. It lets you adjust settings to fit your learning style. You’ll see verbs in full sentences with audio, which helps you understand how they’re used in real conversations. This method not only improves your conjugation skills but also helps you understand and speak Spanish better overall. Linguno is easy to use and has interactive exercises, making it perfect for anyone who wants to get better at Spanish.
It’s a great app for practicing conjugations. It’s highly customizable and it presents verbs in the context of complete sentences with audio
Busuu
Busuu is an app that combines self-study with social learning. It has courses that cover grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. You can also interact with native speakers and get feedback on your exercises. Busuu uses artificial intelligence to personalize your learning experience and track your progress.
However, Busuu also requires a premium membership to unlock all the features.
Busuu is similar to Babbel, but with more social features.
SpanishDictionary.com
SpanishDictionary.com is not an app but a website that offers various resources for Spanish learners. It has a dictionary, a translator, a verb conjugator, a grammar guide, and more. You can also find articles, videos, quizzes, flashcards, and games on different topics related to Spanish language and culture.
LanguageReactor
LanguageReactor is another website that offers a unique way to learn Spanish, but it’s not suitable for beginners: watching Netflix shows with subtitles in both languages. It is a browser extension that allows you to configure the subtitles according to your preferences and level of difficulty. You can also click on any word or phrase to see its translation and definition. LanguageReactor also has features that help you review what you have watched and learned. You can get the extension via www.languagereactor.com
After installing it, you can set it to display two subtitles (original Spanish and English are hidden and shown only when you press a key). Hover your mouse over words in the subtitle to see their dictionary entries (video pauses automatically), and click to add them to your learning list. You can also highlight the most common 8000 Spanish words in a different color to focus on learning them. These features are free, but I pay €5/month to export my learning list to Anki, a free tool for spaced repetition. The Anki export includes audio of the scene, the full subtitle sentence, and screenshots, making it excellent for learning. Setting it up initially can be tricky, but once you’re set, it’s a great way to build your Anki database with phrases and words you can learn at any time. Plus, since you might already watch Netflix, why not learn Spanish while doing it?
What Works For You?
As you can see, there are many apps and websites that can help you learn Spanish. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. You have to find the ones that suit your goals, preferences, and learning style. You also have to use them consistently and combine them with other methods, such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Spanish. Learning a language is a long and rewarding journey, and these apps and websites can be your companions along the way.
