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Mondly Review

Wednesday, December 4th

2024 Arabic Lesson Reviews

Mondly Review 4.5 Star Rating

Mondly

4.5 Star Rating
  • Pricing from $10 per month or $48 per year
  • Sentence-reading and listening approach
  • Latin and Al-abjadiyah alphabets used
  • Preview content with a free account
  • 7-day free trial of premium
  • Can use both offline and online
  • Gamified learning with points and leaderboards
  • Learn from source languages other than English
  • Mobile apps for iOS and Android
  • 4.8-star average rating

Based in Romania, Mondly aims to make language learning a fun and uncomplicated experience. Recognized by Forbes, CNN, and Bloomberg, Mondly has earned praise for its app and website, establishing itself as a respected service in the industry.

Over 40 languages to choose from

With a selection of over 40 languages, Mondly has Arabic lessons that are engaging and almost addictive in quality. Mondly also provides a dedicated app for kids from preschool through early elementary age groups. The kid-friendly version functions independently, offering free content, while more advanced features are accessible through a separate subscription. This allows you and your family to embark on an Arabic learning journey together.

Fun and unique language games

Accessing Arabic instruction on Mondly is straightforward, and there's no need to create an account on Mondly right away. Simply select your starting language and specify your approximate fluency level. Free accounts provide a preview, granting access to the first six lessons, one vocabulary section, one Chatbot conversation, and the daily/weekly/monthly bonus lessons. We tried out the chatbot conversation, which first previews a conversation for you. Ours was about ordering tea at a restaurant. First, two "speakers” type back and forth for a short question. Each statement is typed in Al-abjadiyah, then the Arabic words are shown in the Latin alphabet, and finally, the sentence is written in English. The lesson moves on to a listening exercise with pictures where you match the word to the image. Across the free trial section, we encountered four different listening activities supported by gamification and a point system.

Best Arabic Lessons

Mondly considers source languages outside of English

Mondly offers several unique features, and a notable one is that the platform offers lessons to students starting from a variety of different languages, not just English. This departure from the common assumption of English as the starting point for Arabic learners is super helpful for students who are starting from Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Polish, and many more. Plus, Mondly offers a useful feature that allows you to switch between Arabic characters and the Latin alphabet during lessons, offering flexibility in the initial stages of learning.

Pay for 1 language or all 41

While you can use Mondly for free, it does have some limitations. The free version includes Daily Lessons, the entire Hello lesson category, and a free chatbot lesson. However, if you want to explore more content you'll have to subscribe. There is, thankfully, a 7-day free trial to let you check out the premium features at no cost. If you decide to subscribe to Mondly, you'll find two main plans to choose from. The Mondly premium plan is available at approximately $10 per month or $48 per year if you opt for the 12-month prepayment. Alternatively, there's an annual access option that grants you access to all 41+ languages for about $99, though there are often sales. For example, at the time of our review, Mondly offered the full-access plan for the same price as the 1-language premium plan: $48.

Learn with challenges, badges, and more

Currently, Mondly offers minimal direct instruction on grammar, but it's a feature that's evolving over time. Based on what we saw when we tested the lessons, the platform emphasizes learning through sentences and phrases, integrating grammar details as you go without directly pointing out the grammar. This approach might not suit everyone, particularly those used to structure lessons with clear grammatical explanations. However, with a mix of pictures, listening, and written words, Mondly's multimodal learning approach and gamified tracking system featuring challenges, leaderboards, badges, and rewards help it stand out from the pack.

Best Arabic Lessons

Refunds if Mondly is in error

A significant drawback of Mondly lies in its refund policy: you're only eligible for a refund if your cancellation is due to a violation of contract terms on Mondly's end or other contractually valid reasons. In this case, if you've already paid for future use, Mondly will reimburse you for the unused portion of your subscription from the termination date. However, in any other scenario (one that doesn't relate to Mondly's error), ending your subscription means you lose the amount you paid. While this may not be too problematic for monthly memberships, it could be a source of frustration for those who prepaid for a year.

Rave reviews for Mondly's methods

Based on feedback from students who have utilized the Mondly app, it has garnered an excellent reputation despite the drawbacks associated with its refund policy. According to Apple Store reviews, Mondly has an impressive average rating of 4.8 stars with similar scores at the Google Play store. Students appreciate the app for helping them sound "authentic" and comprehend conversational interactions in their chosen language. Although some students may not be fond of the chatbot feature for language practice, the overall consensus is that Mondly stands out as one of the leading language apps available online today. The happy students mostly praise the engagement of Mondly, saying that the setup of the learning methodology makes them want to use the app regularly.

Engaging and exciting Arabic lessons

Mondly distinguishes itself as one of the most enjoyable and cost-effective choices for Arabic lessons. Its captivating gamified method and continually evolving lessons position it as a preferred option for those in search of a positive language learning experience that will keep them engaged over time. With its multimodal learning and a leaderboard and point system, Mondly is a fan favorite for Arabic learners. For these reasons, it achieves an excellent rating among the Arabic learning courses featured on our list.

Where Can You Find the Best Arabic Lessons?

Are you interested in learning Arabic? You may find yourself contemplating a relocation to one of the many countries where Arabic is the national language, or maybe you're just planning a trip to see Egypt. Whether you're looking to reconnect with your culture, learn more about a new one, or brush up on some courses you took in school, learning Arabic can be a truly worthwhile experience.

However, finding Arabic lessons that fit your busy life, include your preferred learning methods, and don't break the bank can be hard. For most people, in-person lessons aren't an option either for cost reasons or time commitments. Fortunately, the realm of online courses continues to grow, offering new Arabic learning opportunities that were previously unavailable.

The Best Arabic Lessons Compare Arabic Lessons Compare Arabic Lesson Reviews What are the best Arabic Lessons Best Arabic Lesson Reviews

Arabic Lesson FAQ

It is estimated that there are over 420 million speakers of Arabic worldwide, making it one of the five most commonly-spoken languages around the globe. This includes both native and non-native speakers.
Generally speaking, there are two basic forms of Arabic: standard and colloquial. The former is used by the media and in universities, literature and formal writing. If you take Arabic lessons from a Western school, this is probably the form you'll get. But, this isn't the way Arabic speakers use the language in their day-to-day lives! If you know that you'll be using Arabic mainly in one particular location (e.g. Egypt vs. Persian Gulf nations vs. Lebanon), it might be worth looking for an Arabic course that at least introduces the dialect of that area. On the other hand, of all of the Arabic dialects, Egyptian is the most widely-understood by all speakers (largely due to the nation's popular music, film and TV industry), so learning the Egyptian dialect is a safe bet too.
If your first language is English, be prepared for your Arabic studies to require some work! Ranked as a Category IV language by the State Department's Foreign Service Institute, Arabic is "exceptionally difficult” on par with Japanese, Korean and Chinese. But, if you're willing to put in the time and effort, it's definitely doable!
Your first step should be to learn the Arabic alphabet, so that you don't have to depend on transliteration into English. Arabic experts also recommend that you memorize the plural forms of every noun you learn, because they can be very different (no tacking on an "s” like we do in English!), as well as the verb forms and any prepositions that go along with them. Finally, as with learning any language, give yourself plenty of time to study regularly; a few minutes here and there won't get you speaking Arabic fluently!
Availability, affordability and access: for those three reasons alone, you should consider studying Arabic online. Many colleges and universities don't offer courses in the language, and there's no guarantee you can secure one of the coveted seats in the class if your school does. Studying Arabic online can be done according to your preferred schedule, and at a fraction of the cost you'd pay per credit hour at a local school.
If you're studying Arabic online, you will probably need to take a few extra steps to enable the language on your computer. The steps depend on whether you're using a Mac or Windows-based PC, so search for the instructions according to your operating system. There are also online Arabic keyboards you can use without changing your computer settings.
No! They're definitely less costly than taking in-person courses. Some programs charge a one-time fee, while others use a month-to-month subscription format. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 for a one-off software purchase, or between $10 and $30 per month for an online course that lasts up to two years. You've got lots of options!
That depends on the provider you choose. Some offer satisfaction guarantees ranging from 30-60 days from the date of purchase or start of the subscription plan, while others only allow you to cancel future months without refunding past payments. We recommend that you use any free materials offered by the Arabic lessons platform prior to making your choice: you can often take full sample lessons or watch a demo of how the program works, which will help you get a feel for which Arabic lessons are the best fit for your preferences and learning style.
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Continued from above...

Whether you prefer hearing, writing, or speaking, various Arabic programs are designed to offer a range of skill-building exercises. Modern audio materials cover syllables, words, phrases, and sentences for effective repetition.

Alternatively, for visual learners, there are Arabic language platforms that cleverly gamify the entire learning process. These platforms not only cover grammar and writing exercises but also often integrate speech recognition software, allowing you to compare your pronunciation directly with that of a native speaker.

Nearly every Arabic platform offers cultural and historical aspects in their programs. Given the rich historical background and symbolic importance of the Arabic language, a thorough grasp of it requires exploring its historical origins and understanding its contemporary applications. Many of today's language-learning options also emphasize Modern Standard Arabic, mirroring the language you would encounter in general conversations. And, some companies focus on local dialects too.

As you navigate the wide array of online Arabic lessons, it might seem a little daunting to pick the best fit. To help you find the best Arabic lessons for you, we've put together some helpful criteria:

  • Teaching methodology. What type of learner are you? Are you inclined towards auditory learning, finding podcasts or narrations to be your favorite? Perhaps you enjoy engaging in written or gamified exercises to support your learning experience? While several Arabic lesson programs integrate various learning modalities, some platforms prioritize one style over others. Consider your preferred learning approach so you select the most suitable platform for how you learn best.
  • Free trial option. Top-notch Arabic lesson programs allow you to explore the program without making a payment. Look for platforms that offer free trials and pay attention to their duration. You should also look for sites that provide example lessons or preview videos on the site so you can see what you're getting into at a glance. Exercise extra caution if a company doesn't have these important details.
  • Cost vs. value. The cost of the subscription (or one-time payment) is a significant factor for your Arabic education. But you'll also want to assess the value you'll receive. Consider how much fluency you'll gain from the program and whether you can learn Arabic from one program or if you'll need two or three to supplement others that are less complete.
  • Reputation. While many Arabic lesson platforms aren't listed with the Better Business Bureau, there are reviews on third-party sites, linguistics blogs, and mobile apps to consider. Check-in on the ratings for your chosen Arabic lesson provider to make sure you're getting a language source with a great reputation.

To make sure you have the best possible experience learning Arabic, Top Consumer Reviews has assessed and rated the top options for Arabic lessons. We hope our reviews help you achieve your desired level of fluency, whether your goal is travel, cultural understanding, or simply enjoyment of a new language. Enjoy your continuing education in the beautiful language of Arabic!

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