Top 10 Online Language Learning Methods: Apps & More

Whether you are required to learn a new language or you simply need a new hobby in your life, you’ll probably be all excited and happy in the beginning of this journey. The mere thought of speaking French, Russian, Spanish, German or any other language of your choice will have you over the moon with joy. I get it, I really do! In fact, I can’t think of a better and more useful way to spend your lazy afternoons. Speaking like a true language nerd, aren’t I?

Here’s the deal, though. Eventually, that excitement will die down and your willingness to progress with your lessons will quickly turn to ashes. No matter how convinced you are right now that this won’t happen to you, I assure you it will and it is one of the main reasons why people give up their learning process, as explained here. And that’s spoken from a true language nerd, remember? Did that completely bum you out now?

Bumming you out definitely wasn’t my intention. I’m not going to apologize, though, since I have told you the truth. Plus, I have a strange feeling that you’ll fall absolutely in love with what I have to say next, so there’s no need for me to apologize at all. Oh, your eyes are starting to shine once again, aren’t they? And you’re smiling, I know you are smiling!

I have to share something rather important with you. There is a way to keep your motivation and your excitement about learning a new language up through the roof. Yes, you have heard that right! The scenario I have presented you with above doesn’t have to be your reality. All you have to do is find the perfect way to learn and you definitely won’t get bored or demotivated.

Now I have bummed you out once again, haven’t I? With that “all you have to do” part? It’s like I’m taking you on an emotional rollercoaster right here. Hopes up, hopes down, will it ever stop? Since your hopes are pretty much down right now because you were planning to learn a new language online and you believe there’s no way you can find the perfect way to do that, it’s time to get those hopes up once again.

This way, I’ll keep them right there, not because I want you to hope that you’ll easily find the right online learning method, but because I have already found it for you! No, scratch that! That’s not the entire truth. I haven’t found the right method for you. I did something much, much better and found ten of those, and now you can find them too if you read on.

1. Language Learning Websites

Nothing, and I mean nothing can top the knowledge that you can get from Language Throne or similar websites. I know what you might be thinking. Isn’t this the same as taking physical classes? In other words, you’re wondering whether it will be as boring as going to a class every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. and listening to the teacher with the dull voice who is trying their best to be interesting but is failing oh so majestically.

If something like this is your association, then I hate to tell you that you couldn’t be further from the truth. Oh, who am I kidding? I love that I just got to tell you that and rub it in your face! Let’s get serious, though. When you find the right language learning website, and there are more than a few good ones, you will enjoy the process lesson after lesson and, instead of getting bored, you’ll probably miss a few appointments with your friends by getting so consumed in those lessons.

2. Apps

Apps work the same way, but there is one small difference. When you find the one you love, and given that it will probably be perfectly designed for mobile phones, you’ll be able to take it anywhere with you. That means that you might not miss those appointments I have mentioned above. You’ll show up, alright. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t be using the app during at least half of your social encounter. 

3. Chat Buddy

Here’s an interesting idea! The Internet has provided you with so many opportunities to connect with people from all around the world, so why not use that for good purposes? Say you are trying to learn Spanish. Why don’t you find a Spanish friend online to chat with and improve your skills? Don’t worry if you are at the beginner’s level, since you’ll definitely be able to find a person who understands you and appreciates your efforts to communicate with them in their own language. Enhance your fluency with convenient Online Spanish classes available for learners of all levels.

4. Online Mentor

If you’re not happy with having a chat buddy, why not take this a step further and actually find an online mentor? While the first method is free, the second one can cost some money, but that’s because it’s definitely much more effective. You can find a person who’s willing to exchange their time and their language skills for currency and help you progress much faster in your learning process. Once again, this won’t be the same as listening to your boring teacher. The atmosphere is much more relaxed and since you and your mentor are the only ones there, you can be sure that your classes will be dynamic and interesting.

5. Online Schools

Now, we’re taking it another step further. Basically, you should do this if you don’t know how to find a mentor on your own. There are schools where you can apply and have the people working there connect you with the person they believe would be perfect for teaching you. The rest of the principle is the same as in the last method. Don’t worry; this is also rather flexible and everything can be organized in accordance with your individual requirements and within the time frame that suits you.

6. Books & Audio Books

We are back to a less expensive, or even free, method of learning a new language online. Before I explain this one, I want you to understand that it would probably be best to combine some of these methods. For example, you can pay a mentor or the resources on a learning website and then you can read or listen to books for free to further improve your skills. Click this to find out more about how to improve those individual skills.

Reading books in a foreign language is a great learning method because it helps you improve both your comprehension and your writing skills. On the other hand, you can listen to audio books to boost your speaking skills or work on that accent. The best part is, there are both books and audio books for all learning levels, so you’ll have no trouble finding something interesting and perfect for you.

7. Foreign Radios

Here is another passive way of learning. “Passive” meaning that your brain won’t have to be actively engaged at all times, but it will still pick up on a lot of important things. Listening to foreign radios is great for vocabulary, as well as for your listening and speaking skills. Don’t worry if you feel you don’t understand anything in the beginning. Make this a habit and you will gradually progress.  You might also be interested in Free Swedish to English Online Translation Tools at our platform.

8. Video Games

Are you rolling your eyes right now? What, you don’t think that video games can be helpful in the process of learning a language? I don’t know if I am disappointing you or making you happy right now, but the truth is that these can definitely help significantly and I’m not talking only about the games that are specifically designed to boost vocabulary skills. I’m talking about all kinds of video games that are designed in the language you want to learn.

If you won’t take my word for it, check what researchers have to say: https://theconversation.com/can-you-learn-a-language-playing-video-games-what-the-research-says-105760

9. Movies

If you don’t like playing video games, listening to books or radios, or even reading books, don’t worry! There is another way you can learn the language you are dreaming of being able to speak and I’m pretty sure that you’ll love this one. Who doesn’t like to watch a movie from time to time? It’s not only helpful, it’s also fun and the bigger movie nerd you are, the faster you will pick up the skills you need. This is probably a dream come true for most people.

10. Exercises

This one might not be as fun as the methods above, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t useful. You can use it from time to time, simply to check where your skills are at and if you are progressing at all. There are a lot of online exercises you can find for free, just make sure that you are getting them from reliable sources. Of course, make sure that the exercises match the skills you want to check.