Best Apps for Learning English

Duolingo is a language learning platform established in 2011. Duolingo has served millions of users since its establishment and has continuously improved its language learning services.

Anyone who wants to learn English can invest 5 minutes per day to complete game-like lessons in Duolingo. Through dedicative learning, this app helps you get to a level called B2 which is good enough to function in an English-speaking setting.

This American company also has its own Duolingo English Test (DET) developed to assess user's English language proficiency and has been widely accepted at universities since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Features:

• Game-focused language app
• Tree-based training strategy
• Bite-sized lessons
• Uses flashcards, images, listening and writing
• Duolingo English Test: Is recognized by many universities (Accepted English Proficiency Test)
• Premium Pricing: $6.99/month

Memrise is a British language-learning platform that has gained over 65 million registered users since its establishment in 2010.

The English learning courses are free of advertisements and for extra learning modes, users can switch to the Memrise Pro course (which comes with a charge).

One of the founders of the app, neurologist Ed Cooke, developed Memrise in such a way that every lesson feels like an addictive game. Users can learn English in a fun way and can even surround themselves with native English speakers while using the app.

The app constantly went through updates for better service and in 2017, it was awarded as the best app of 2017 by Google Play Awards.

Features:

• Spaced repetition learning method
• Award-winning memory techniques
• Make learners street-smart not book-smart
• Video-based learning, Gamified tests and Personalised review plans
• Based on imagination techniques that allow quick learning 
• Premium Pricing: $22.99/month, $130.99/year, $100/lifetime

EWA is a newcomer in the online language industry (entered in 2017). In less time, EWA has established itself as a quality online education provider with over 60 million users. 

The innovative approach of EWA uses a familiar backdrop of popular movies/books like FRIENDS, making learning effective and immensely enjoyable.

The fun-filled lessons will help you master vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills with ease.

Features:

• Bite-sized lessons
• Incorporated characters from famous movies and books 
• Library of thousands of books with translation, transcription and pronunciation of every word
• Learn to speak with pieces from famous movies
• Educational Games
• Premium Pricing: $11.99/month, $99.99/year

Cake is an English and Korean learning app with 100 million users worldwide. The Cake app library has a variety of over 20,000 pieces of content that includes TV shows, popular YouTube videos, and animations. 

The learning is based on interactive exercises, quizzes, and activities where you can repeatedly practice the key expressions for fluency.

Moreover, studies have shown that the use of the Cake app has successfully helped students learn new vocabulary and enhance speaking skills with increased motivation. 

Features:

• New videos and audio every day
• Fun quizzes
• Study by level
• Lectures provided by teachers
• Premium Pricing: $13.99/month

The Rosetta Stone app uses the Dynamic Immersion Method, containing interactive lessons that focus on speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.

The app is available both on the web or app and can be accessed online as well as offline. Their structured curriculum takes learners from beginner to advanced levels effectively.

Its excellent user interface, clear instructions and wide range of games and challenges allow for the gradual progression of the learners engagingly and enjoyably. 

Features:

• Uses Dynamic Immersion Method
• Real-time pronunciation with TruAccent technology [World's Best Speech Recognition Technology]
• Audio Companion lessons
• Extended Learning Features
• Awards: Language Learning App of the Year 2021, PC Magazine’s Editors’ Choice Winner  and many more
• Premium Pricing: $15.99/month(3 months), $13.99(12 months) and $399/lifetime

Hello English with a user-friendly interface, comprehensive curriculum, and innovative features has been able to earn 50 million users.

Unlike other apps, Hello English offers live classes where users can interact with qualified tutors and test their English skills in real time. The 475-lesson course covers grammar, conversations and spoken English practice including pronunciation.

Additionally, users can study English from various native languages such as Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese and many Asian languages. 

Features:

• 475 Interactive lessons with games
• Available Offline
• Learn new words with Daily News and word games  
• 100% Free English Speaking course available for over 23 vernacular languages
• Separate courses for kids and enterprises
• Award: Google's Best App 2016
• Premium Pricing: Only for Enterprises(starts from $18.60 for 3 months) 

Falou uses learning techniques used by famous polyglots. The learning platform has been considered the best one for individuals who want to improve their speaking skills in any language including English. 

Falou allows you to focus on conversation, allowing you to practice with native speakers and get feedback from them. Falou falls under affordable language service with quality courses.

Features:

• AI-based Language Learning App
• Smart Language Lessons
• Flashcards
• Audio Lessons
• Quizzes
• Premium Pricing: Starts at $9.99/month

Busuu is a language learning platform with personalized language goals created in 2008. This feature allows users to learn English according to their objectives and preferences.

So, this app is perfect for users looking for an app to master certain vocabulary topics, improve grammar skills, enhance pronunciation, or achieve fluency in conversation.

Busuu also tracks learner's progress through time. Users are continually guided to align their goals. All the features of this European language platform have helped it earn 120 million users who have successfully noticed an improvement in their language skills.

Features:

• Vocabulary and grammar lessons with audio
• Bite-sized lessons with a new word/phrase on each
• Voice recognition exercises that allow to get feedback from native speakers
• Gap fills, multiple choice questions, dictation, and sentence reordering activities
• Developed by language experts
• Premium Pricing: $6.95 per month

Babbel stands out among the apps that bring confidence in learners. What sets Babbel apart is its focus on practical conversation skills that users can apply in real-life scenarios. 

Babbel covers all aspects of the English language utilizing interactive exercises, quizzes, and audio recordings. Also, the speech recognition technology incorporated in the course helps to practice speaking and receive instant feedback on pronunciation.

Features:

• Focused on Improving Real Conversations
• Live online classes from world-class teachers
• 200+ team of language experts
• Personalized learning experience
• Pronunciation with Speech Recognition
• Premium Pricing: $8.45 per month

The approach of HiNative in learning English is unique. The app users don't study or get entangled with the pre-designed learning materials, rather they ask questions!

In return, the questions get answered by the native speakers. Natives also give feedback on the proper use of language, pronunciation and grammar.

The real-world language usage not covered in traditional language courses gets the focus here. Additionally, learners have a high chance to learn cultural practices, slang and colloquial expressions.

Features:

• Q&A English learning app 
• Questions answered by native speakers
• Premium Pricing: $5.68/month, $4.96/month (12 months)

Content Sources:

• CNN Underscored
• Duolingo
• Memrise
• EWA
• Cake
• Rosetta Stone
• Hello English
• Falou
• Busuu
• Babbel
• HiNative