Babbel Review

Tuesday, December 5th

2023 German Lesson Reviews

Babbel

• Conversational phrases that are meant for real-life use
• Grammar explained clearly
• Appropriately-challenging content to learn at a good pace
• Clear audio
• Speech-recognition technology
• Babbel Live has live instruction in classes of 6 or smaller

Babbel is one of the more recognized and praised online language learning programs out there. They start out conversationally, which is refreshing. There's repetition of previously-taught words and phrases, but you don't get bored by the redundancy of the repetition, as can happen in some other programs.

Babbel's method works and is conversational

It's nice to be able to say "The boy plays soccer, The girl plays soccer," for example. Should it really be taught in the first lessons of a language course? Some language programs teach phrases like this first thing, but how long until you would actually use this sentence in context? You probably want to know how to introduce yourself and carry on a small conversation...probably not about the boy or girl who plays soccer. Babbel, however, teaches useful phrases right off the bat. They teach you how to greet people and ask how they are. This is conversational and something you can use right away. Babbel also uses a technique called spaced repetition, or what some language teachers call "recycling" . Spaced repetition is where key words and phrases are periodically repeated to reinforce them and commit them to long-term memory.

Babbel uses English as building blocks to understand German

Babbel knows that we have already learned English and uses that to our advantage. If there are words and phrases that look like English, and should be easy to learn, they don't spend a lot of time on them. The more complicated phrases for English speakers are reinforced more.

If you already know German, there's a placement test

The placement test is convenient as it can tell you where to start so you don't have to start at the beginning and get bored, or just guess. Babbel, like other online learning programs, provides much content for the beginner, but there's gradually less material the more advanced you become.

Babbel's practice activities

As soon as you select your lesson, set up the mic for your speaking practice! The lesson is presented, then you'll do practice activities like fill-in-the-blank, match images with German words, and repeat words and phrases into the microphone. At the bottom of the screen, there's a review bar so you can look over the previously presented material.

Speech recognition technology

Not many online language learning programs offer speech recognition technology, but Babbel does have it, and it's a good feature. When you record your voice after hearing the native speaker, Babbel listens to you and lets you know when you were understood and where you should improve. The voices that you are to imitate are native German speakers, so you can listen and try to repeat not only their words, but their pronunciation and accents. Speech recognition is relatively new, and therefore, not a perfect program. Even so, we think it's a good feature and are glad Babbel has it.

Costs

• Babbel app and online courses:
• 1 month: $13.95 per month
• 3 months: $9.95 per month
• 6 months: $8.45 per month
• 12 months: $6.95 per month
• Babbel Live:
• 1 month: $99 per month
• 3 months: $69.67 per month
• 6 months: $59.83 per month
• 12 months: $49.92 per month

20-day refund policy

Babbel provides a 20-day refund policy, regardless of which plan and payment plan you have selected. This is a good period of time, as some online language learning programs offer a lesser trial period.

Babbel Live

If you would rather learn from a live person and not from a computer program, then Babble Live might be what you're looking for. Babbel Live, you can take an unlimited number of classes per month in live sessions with six or fewer students. The classes range from A1 (Beginner) to C1 (Advanced). The classification system of A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 is the European classification for a person's fluency. It's nice to know that when you know which level you are at, it's a scale that's used throughout Europe, not just a company-invented rating system like some other language programs implement.

Many classes held every day

Once you know your level with a placement test or by progressing through the units, you will see that there are 70-80 live classes held daily. You are welcome to take notes, but it's not required, and there aren't any mandatory tests or quizzes. You can attend as many as you like. When you register for Babbel Live, you must be 16 years of age or older, and you also have access to the lessons and practice through the app and online program.

Great choice

Babbel provides a great package when it comes to german lessons. It covers all the bases - reading, writing, speaking, and listening. It's effective and affordable, and thousands of students around the world recommend it. For all these reasons, it's easy to see why Babbel earns high marks when it comes to learning german.