Monday, January 13th
2025 Italian Lesson Reviews
Mondly
- Price: $9.99 for one month, $47.99 for a year (often on sale)
- App supports 41 different languages
- Compete with other learners and track your progress
- Free account option available with basic features
- Dashboard with a variety of lesson topics
- Premium account unlocks VR feature and AI chat
- Premium account includes over 250 lessons on various topics
- Premium users gain access to daily lessons, quizzes, and challenges
Mondly is a language learning app that claims you can "play your way to a new language". You can compete with other learners and track your progress, which can keep you motivated. The app supports 41 different languages and is used by 125 million people around the world. You can use it on any device you have. However, Pearson recently bought Mondly, which might not be a good change.
Not much to do on Basic
If you're interested in Mondly, you can start by creating a free account. You'll let them know your Italian skill level: beginner, intermediate, or expert. Then, you can try out a simple "Hello" lesson, chat with a bot, and do a daily lesson. These activities won't offer much, but they'll give you a feel for how Mondly works. Without a premium account, you can only do the free daily lesson after this, which takes about 5 minutes. Complete 7 of these in a week to unlock a Weekly Quiz. Complete all the weekly quizzes to join the Monthly Challenge. When you log into Mondly, you'll see a dashboard that looks like a map. Each icon on the map represents a different lesson topic, like weather or travel. You can pick any lesson you want, or Mondly will suggest a daily lesson that builds on what you've learned before.
Doesn't go very deep
Mondly's language program isn't the best for detailed grammar lessons or for advanced learners. The Italian lessons at all levels are pretty similar and even the advanced ones feel basic. When you finish a lesson, you can redo it or get a recap that might explain some of the grammar involved. When you tap on an underlined verb, you can view and hear its different conjugations. However, Mondly mostly expects you to learn grammar by feeling it out, rather than through direct explanation. This could work for you, but it really depends on how you like to learn and what other resources you have for learning Italian.
Premium account unlocks VR feature and AI chat
With a free Mondly account, you only get access to a few features, so it's more like a trial. Most users choose the Premium plan, which gives you full access to everything Mondly has to offer. As a Premium subscriber, you can use a chat feature to have conversations and an augmented reality feature to practice with a virtual "person". You also get more than 250 lessons on various topics, vocabulary builders, conversations between fluent speakers, grammar help, daily lessons, quizzes, and challenges. Plus, you can access all 41 different language courses.
Pricing is not incredible
Mondly has a few different options for Premium. You can pay $9.99 for just one month, or, if you want to learn for a year, they charge $47.99, which is like paying $4 a month. They also have a deal for learning 33 languages (which of the 41 are excluded? They don't say) for 12 months which usually costs a whopping $479.90, but sometimes goes on sale for $47.99. Before you buy, look out for these sales as they happen often. It doesn't appear that there's any kind of lifetime license, which is a downside.
Pearson acquisition might not be a good thing
Mondly was originally the product of ATi Studios, a software company from Brasov, Romania. However, in May 2022 it was purchased by Pearson. You might want to know that Pearson has a reputation of potentially not maintaining their software all that well. If you ask any college student how they feel about Pearson, you'll be sure to get an earful. And in their press release about the acquisition, Pearson talks a lot about their plans for using Mondly to teach people English, which doesn't inspire much confidence that maintenance of the Italian course will be high on their list of priorities.
Look elsewhere first
Mondly isn't the best choice for you if you're serious about learning Italian. It's pretty basic and the free version doesn't offer much. While there are no big problems with it, there are other options out there that give you a deeper understanding of grammar and might have better support for users. Even though it's not terrible, it's not something we'd recommend highly.
More Italian Lesson Reviews
The 11 Best Italian Lessons
Where Can You Find the Best Italian Lessons?
Learning any new language opens up a world of opportunities, and Italian, with its rich history, captivating culture, and melodious rhythm, is no exception. Learning Italian online has become an increasingly popular choice for people around the globe, thanks to the convenience, flexibility, and variety of resources available at their fingertips.
It's no wonder that learning Italian online has surged in popularity. You've got plenty of options to fit just how you like to learn. If you prefer to learn by listening and getting the hang of how Italian sounds, there are programs made just for that. They help you get used to the language's rhythm and pronunciation. And if you love games, there are fun platforms where you can learn new words and grammar through play, earning points and badges along the way.
Italian Lesson FAQ
Continued from above...
If you're someone who likes a clear and structured plan, there are courses that mix video lessons, quizzes, and even writing tasks. This way, you can get better at reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Italian, all in a balanced way.
Prefer talking to real people? You can connect with native Italian speakers through tutoring services. They can talk with you in real time, which is a great way to learn how people actually use the language and learn more about Italian culture.
Whether you're drawn to Italy's enchanting cities, passionate about its cuisine, an admirer of its contributions to art and music, or simply looking to connect with family roots, learning Italian can enrich your life in myriad ways.
Imagine strolling through the cobbled streets of Rome, ordering gelato in flawless Italian, or enjoying the operas of Verdi and Puccini in their original language. Or perhaps you're an avid cook, eager to dive into authentic Italian recipe books without the crutch of translations. Learning Italian can also be a stepping stone in your career, especially if you're involved in fashion, architecture, or the culinary arts, industries in which Italy holds a prestigious position. Moreover, for those with Italian heritage, learning Italian could be a bridge to understanding your ancestry and connecting with relatives in a more meaningful way.
When comparing the process of learning Italian to other Romance languages, like Spanish, there are a few unique aspects you might encounter. Italian's pronunciation is often more straightforward than a language like French, with most letters having a consistent sound, which can make speaking it a bit easier for beginners.
However, Italian has its share of challenges, such as the use of gendered nouns and a plethora of verb conjugations, aspects that are also present but differ slightly in Spanish. The musicality of Italian, with its emphasis on the flow and melody of speech, offers a distinct learning curve but can be incredibly rewarding to master.
Not sure where to start? Think about these things as you weigh your options:
- Your starting point. Are you brand new to Italian or do you know a bit already? Pick lessons that match where you're at.
- How you like to learn. Do you prefer using apps, listening to audio, or sitting down at your computer? Choose a format that fits your routine and how you learn best.
- What skills do you want to focus on. Do you want to get better at talking and listening, or are you more into reading and writing? Or maybe you want to work on everything! Knowing this will help you choose the right lessons.
- Different Italian accents. Some programs might teach a specific regional accent in addition to the standard Italian that's used all over Italy. Italy's full of different accents, but everyone understands standard Italian.
- Cost. Some lessons are free, while others cost money either upfront or through a subscription. Think about what you're willing to spend and what you get from free versus paid lessons.
- What other learners say. Look for reviews from people who've used the lessons before. Their experiences can tell you how effective the lessons are and how quickly you might learn.
To steer you towards the best Italian lessons that align with your goals and preferred learning style, our team at Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated today's leading options and provided honest feedback on what each one offers. So, what are you waiting for? Start your Italian learning journey today!
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