My favourite language learning tools and apps.

When it comes to learning a new language, having the right tools can make all the difference. As someone who has helped many students learn and improve their English and French, I understand the importance of finding resources that are not only engaging, but genuinely helpful too.

In addition to formal English or French lessons, there are a number of tools and apps which will help you learn a language. Here are my top five:

Deepl

When most people need a language dictionary or a translation app, they jump to Google Translate. Now, it has improved leaps and bounds since I tried using it for my GCSEs, and it’s fine for single words and for getting your message across. But then there’s Deepl. It is SO much more accurate, and gives you multiple options to say the same phrase. You can also tap the speaker icon and it will say the word or phrase aloud for you to check pronunciation. (True, Google does have the speaker option too).

I often recommend Deepl to my students for accurate, reliable and natural sounding translations. As well as using translation apps like a dictionary, they are brilliant for looking up whole sentences which you can then learn by heart. Think of it as a tool to speed up your reading, writing AND conversation skills.

Quizlet

Quizlet is a brilliant app that you can use on your phone or desktop. With its flashcards and games, it turns memorising vocabulary into a fun and interactive experience. You can create your own sets of flashcards for different topics, for example ‘verbs that go with être’, ‘past participles’ or ‘food vocabulary’. There are timed matching exercises and quizzes too - my favourite is trying to beat my previous time in the matching exercise! It's perfect for when you have 10 minutes to spare waiting for the bus or the kettle to boil, or when when you want a break from traditional study methods.

You can also mark your study sets as private and only accessible with a password - Students in my French for Ski Instructors course have access to my vocabulary sets to help them study alongside their group lessons.

Duolingo

You may be surprised to see Duolingo on this list. Here me out…

Because of its game-like structure, Duolingo keeps you motivated and coming back for more. Have you ever found yourself motivated by streaks and achievements? I certainly have. A few years ago I reached a 500 day streak, but after losing that streak not long after, I haven’t really gone back to it. You can also easily cheat a day - when I didn’t feel like learning German or Italian I could switch it to French and spend a fraction of the time! 😂 As with Quizlet, the app's bite-sized lessons fit perfectly into a busy schedule, making it ideal for those who want to learn on the go. The downside is it often lacks context and depth. I strongly believe ‘The monkey drinks milk’ isn’t a phrase 99.9% of the world are going to need to use! If you use the additional information sections to learn alongside, then it can be useful, and 5 minutes a day of Duolingo is a good starting point. It will also keep reminding you to do some additional learning to master that second language.

McGraw Hill books

For those who prefer a more traditional approach, McGraw Hill language learning books are a solid choice. I recommend the Easy French, Easy Spanish, Easy Italian series. The chapters are divided into sections themselves, giving you structured lessons and exercises that cover grammar, vocabulary, reading and comprehension. They are well-researched, provide a comprehensive understanding of the language and will give you a great base for learning. The only downside is that they can be ‘a bit much’. Some of the grammar exercises and long lists of vocabulary are dull and uninspiring and the Complete… series are huge tomes which go so far in depth they are overwhelming before you’ve even opened them to page one.

So, I recommend going for one in the Easy… series, working through it slowly, and supplementing it a lot with other tools from this list.

Podcasts

Podcasts are an excellent way of immersing yourself in the language without leaving your house or home country. There are literally hundreds out there to choose from; Coffee Break French and French Bla Bla are two of my favourites.

As I’m sure you are aware if you listen to any podcast regularly, you feel like you become part of the hosts community, and really get to know them. This is excellent when it comes to listening to and learning a second language. We can feel like we are a part of the podcast community, learning not just the language, but also the context in which it's used by listening to real-life conversations.

In the same way that I record my lesson notes to help students with their pronunciation, podcasts are perfect for auditory learners as well as those who enjoy learning through storytelling.

In conclusion, each of these tools and apps offer a different way of learning and all complement each other. If there’s one on this list you haven’t tried, why not take a look today? Whether you're a visual learner, prefer structured lessons, or love listening to engaging conversations, there's a tool out there for you. The key is to find what resonates with you and makes learning enjoyable. After all, language learning is not just about acquiring new skills or passing an exam; it's about connecting with people and cultures, and these tools can help you do just that.

Are you interested in English or French lessons, or would you like some further guidance? Contact me today via the button below.