Anna
Which sites or apps do you use for languages and why?

Dear all,

I am currently researching the topic of using language learning sites or social media to practise or learn languages collaboratively. I thought it might be a good idea if we shared our tips on sites we use explaining why.  

I use:

italki to read and take part in discussions about language learning + find partners and ask for or give corrections

Duolingo to practise structures, pronunciations and vocab in the languages I am working on and to explore new languages

Facebook groups to read and take part in discussions threads around the language learning

ConversationExchange to find language partners


and you? 

Anna




Apr 19, 2019 11:45 PM
Comments · 12
3
I love italki, and think it is one of the better online learning programs out there. I also use News in Slow Spanish, and Radio Ambulante because I love getting real news and interesting stories in Spanish.

I've used Duolingo, Pimsleur, Yabla, and Rosetta Stone with varying (and lesser) degrees of success.

I use Anki to make flashcards, and refer to Spanishdict.com frequently. I also use ConguVerb (a phone app) a lot.
April 20, 2019
3
When I started learning English I used to use Duolingo, I was kind of helpful!
April 19, 2019
2
Facebook: I'm taking part in language challenge groups, polyglot groups and groups in which only one language (for instance Spanish) is allowed. I find the groups very motivating and met a lot of like-minded people and found a lot of useful resources there.

Instagram: I follow teacher's of my target languages, other language learners, take part in challenges and publish texts in my target languages, which I then share on Facebook as well and have corrected on italki. I find Instagram very motivating and inspiring, even though, I'm not the type to take pretty pictures, but I like to use pictures as writing prompts and it's amazing to connect with other language enthusiasts.

Hacking Chinese: Very good site with tips and resources for learning Chinese. I sometimes take part in their challenges.

Skritter: I used it years ago for practicing Chinese characters. Loved it.

Teacherjose.com: My favourite site for doing Spanish exercises.

April 23, 2019
1

Italki is great for finding tutors, it's the best way to learn that I have found.

Duolingo is boring so I don't use it.

I used an app called Ling to learn Thai, it was like Duolingo but more fun, but I gave up when I had to pay.

Rosetta Stone was fun and exciting because of its immersion method, but also confusing for the same reason.

Anki is very useful but it became too much hard work. 

I forgot... I play online games like Forge of Empires in foreign languages, they can get quite exciting and expose you to lots of reading and vocabulary.

April 23, 2019
1
italki: uploading and correcting notebook entries, taking part in discussions, taking classes.

Duolingo: I completed the Spanish and Greek tree but I'm not a fan. It's more of a love-hate relationship. I don't like that I have to learn the material in a specific order and some of the sentences are just ridiculous.

Drops: I used this for Arabic. Learnt 1200 words with it. At first I loved it but it doesn't teach grammar at all but only vocabulary and there are a lot of mistakes. So, now I'd have to say, Duolingo is actually better. There's no country/language-specific vocabulary in Drops. So, I have to learn the word for Welsh, but not Syrian, or Hamburger but not Falafel... Lots os useless vocabulary.

Memrise: I use it from time to time and like it better than Duolingo but don't stick to it. I'm just not the App type.

LingQ: Used it for some time for Chinese and liked it but at my level I just don't need it anymore. The best about it was finding the SBS radio podcast which is available in dozens of languages.


April 23, 2019
Show more
Anna
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, Italian, Spanish
Learning Language
French
Articles You May Also Like
10 Strategies to Keep Young Learners Involved in Your italki Classes
40 likes · 19 Comments
What Books Should You Read to Improve Your English?
156 likes · 28 Comments
Communicating Professionally ― 10 Helpful Tips
113 likes · 78 Comments
More articles