Thursday, January 23rd
2025 Language Learning Program Reviews
Memrise
- Prices: Monthly $22.99, Annual $89.99, Lifetime $249.98 (often cheaper with promotions)
- 28 languages available for English speakers
- Available on desktop, iOS, and Android
- AI chatbot for conversation practice
- Dashboard with Home, Scenarios, Videos, and Conversations tabs
- Ability to learn vocabulary on any topic
- Points and levels system for progression
- User Dictionary with regular and Speed Review sessions
- Levels from Absolute Beginner to Master
- Learn with YouTube videos in your target language
Memrise's founders, celebrated experts in memory and language learning, know you need to do three things to become fluent in a new language: learn new words and phrases, immerse yourself in content suited to your skill level, and communicate confidently without fear of judgment (which you can accomplish with their AI chatbot). If you're an English speaker, they have 28 languages for you to learn, encompassing everything from Arabic to French to Norwegian to Yoruba. Their platform, available for desktop, iOS, and Android devices, is an entertaining and well-rounded approach to language learning.
AI chatbot for conversation practice included among features
Once you've made your Memrise account and selected the language you're interested in learning, you'll land on a dashboard with 4 tabs: Home, Scenarios, Videos, and Conversations. On the Home tab, you can follow an automated path through the catalog of lessons, choosing either to "learn words” (practice basic exercises to learn new vocabulary words), "hear my words” (watch native speaker videos, usually formatted like short skits containing words you've practiced) , or "use my words” (participate in simulated conversations on pre-selected topics with an AI chatbot).
Freely learn vocabulary on any topic
If the exercises on the Home tab aren't doing it for you - maybe you're learning how to introduce your family members, but you'd rather be learning how to talk about your dreams and ambitions - you can switch it up by going to the Scenarios tab. You have free rein of the entire catalog of lessons. As long as you're a paid member, none of them will be locked out for being too difficult. That said, you won't encounter any particularly complicated phrases with Memrise. Most of the sentences they teach are kept short and sweet.
No specialized grammar instruction
In the same vein, Memrise doesn't have grammar lessons. So, if you're learning German and you know the dative case is a weak spot for you, you won't find explicit instruction for it here. Memrise is really best for building your vocabulary, your listening comprehension, and learning to think in your target language through simulated conversations, though you'll probably begin to gain an intuitive understanding of the grammar with enough time.
Earn points to progress through levels
Like most web-based language learning programs, Memrise occasionally updates the layout of their lessons. Most recently, they implemented "points” and levels. Where you used to set weekly goals to learn a given number of words, you now see an overview of how many words you have learned in your current level and how many you have to go until you move up. (If you've already got a Memrise account, don't worry about losing your progress. Memrise will automatically place you in the right level based on the work you've completed to date.)
Two ways to review weak vocabulary
Also new is the ability to see all the words you've learned in one place - the User Dictionary. From this tab, you can launch either a regular review session or a Speed Review, both utilizing spaced repetition. Personally, we think the regular review sessions are most effective, because they include typed answers without hints (unless you go out of your way to generate them). That empty text box requesting a translation in your target language forces you to really confront the gaps in your knowledge. The Speed Review, on the other hand, is a multiple choice quiz, which means you can skate by using the process of elimination - or just by being lucky.
Levels from Absolute Beginner to Master
Depending on the language you're learning, you can go pretty far with Memrise. Their German course for English speakers, for example, spans 31 levels categorized as Absolute Beginner, Beginner, Elementary, and so on, all the way up to Master. Each category has a helpful description of the kinds of skills you'll develop by completing it.
No placement test - assess your own ability word by word
If you've already got some experience in the language you're learning with Memrise, you'll appreciate that it's possible to quickly move past the things you already know. While they don't have a placement test, you have the option to mark each new vocabulary word or phrase as "I already know this” and it won't automatically come up again for review. It might be a bit more time-consuming than a placement test, but this method allows you to get a lot more specific about what you need to learn than the more generalized results of a placement test would allow you to be.
Learn with YouTube videos in your target language
Although Memrise is missing a couple of features we usually want to see in a language learning platform (particularly grammar instruction), it consistently makes the top of our list for being so fun to use. We really love the Videos tab in particular. Here, you'll see a catalog of short skits, interviews, music videos, ads, and more, all in your target language. Ever wanted to understand the lyrics of "99 Luftballons”? Click "Learn words” over its listing, practice the key vocabulary words and phrases found in the song, and then watch the music video to see how much you understand. As you progress through your course, new videos will move to the top of the videos tab, each listed with the percent of words you should be familiar with. We think this is a fantastic way to identify and push yourself just beyond your comfort zone, which is where the most growth happens.
Starts at $22.99 a month for access to all languages
Memrise is a subscription-based language learning platform. While you can still take some lessons and use some features with the free version, subscribing to Pro will unlock all lessons and videos and remove ads. There are 3 subscription tiers:
- Monthly: $22.99
- Annual: $89.99
- Lifetime: $249.98
Those are the full prices, but Memrise often runs promotions. When we last looked, they were offering 20% and 50% off of Annual and Lifetime, respectively. No matter what plan you choose, it'll give you access to all the language courses Memrise has to offer. (Polyglot paradise!)
Teaches you practical language skills quickly
As longtime users of Memrise ourselves, we think the kind of person who'll love their platform is someone who wants a fun way to learn practical words and phrases so they can hit the ground running - whether for travel, a move to a foreign country, or overcoming a language barrier with a friend. If you're an aspiring polyglot who wants to sample lots of different languages, and you're comfortable with studying grammar independently, you might also love Memrise.
More Language Learning Program Reviews
What is the Best Language Learning Program?
Language learning programs are great for all kinds of people. Students often find them useful for supplementary learning in tandem with their school coursework. Professionals might use them to gain an edge in the global job market, where knowing more than one language can be a big advantage. Travelers can use these programs to learn the basics of a language before visiting a new country.
Online language learning programs can solve several problems. Traditional classes can be expensive, time-consuming, and inflexible, with fixed schedules that can be hard to fit into a busy life. Language learning programs, on the other hand, are often more affordable and can be used anytime and anywhere you have an internet connection. They offer different ways to learn, such as interactive exercises, games, and conversation practice, making learning more engaging and effective.
Language Learning Program FAQ
Continued from above...
Imagine this: In high school, you struggled through Spanish class, barely passing and feeling frustrated every step of the way. The rigid schedule and overwhelming, boring homework of the traditional classroom setting just didn't work for you. Years later, as an adult, you find yourself wishing you could speak another language fluently.
Maybe you want to try again with Spanish, or branch out to something new, like French, German, Italian, or even Arabic. You realize there must be a better way to learn than those old high school methods, and you start exploring language learning programs designed to fit into your busy life.
Language enthusiasts and lifelong learners can use these tools to explore new languages and cultures. There are many types of language learning programs, each with its own strengths. Some focus on "immersive” learning, using pictures and audio to teach you in a way similar to how babies acquire their first languages. Others use games and competition with other students to make learning fun. Some programs offer audio-based instruction, which is great if you prefer to listen and practice speaking while on the go.
There are a handful of things to keep in mind when choosing the best language learning program for you:
- Learning style. Think about how you learn best. Do you prefer seeing, hearing, or interacting with what you are learning? Pick a program that matches your learning style to help you stay interested and retain more information.
- Language focus. Not all programs offer every language. Make sure the program you choose has good resources for the language you want to learn, including conversation practice, grammar lessons, and cultural insights.
- Cost. Language programs can be free, paid, or a combination of both. Consider what you can afford and compare the cost with the features and benefits. Free programs can be great, but paid services often offer more comprehensive and structured content.
- Flexibility. Look for programs that fit into your schedule. Mobile apps are good for learning on the go, while desktop versions might offer more detailed resources. Some platforms offer a combination of both. Whatever you choose, you want to make sure the program's format works with your lifestyle, or you won't use it.
- Difficulty. Some language learning programs are so much fun that you don't find it difficult to get some practice in every day. However, that doesn't necessarily mean you're actually learning to speak the language. Look for a program that challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone and provides you with opportunities to test how much you really know.
- User experience. A user-friendly interface can make learning a new language much easier and more enjoyable. Read reviews and, if possible, try a demo.
The language-loving experts at Top Consumer Reviews have evaluated and ranked the best language learning programs available. We hope this information helps you find the right service for you, making your journey to fluency in a second (or third, or fourth) language enjoyable and successful.
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