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Learning a new language is tough enough. But ... there’s an app for that. Actually, there are plenty of apps for that—apps designed to teach not only English, but a host of other languages as well. Who does not have their phone on them almost all the time? Phones are not just for communicating nowadays; it’s a handheld entertainment source. We listen to music, watch videos, read the news, look up information, and play a multitude of games on our phones. There are also apps that are educational in nature, those that teach you specific skills-language apps being one of them. Popular language apps on the market right now include Duolingo, Memrise, Busuu, and Rosetta Stone, all of which I am familiar with, and currently use to learn other languages.The ones we see that are doing well in this category are those that take it from purely rote drilling of grammar and vocabulary to gamified platforms with multiple levels, points and bonuses. The best part is that most of them are free! Users can practice in a non-threatening environment, a private setting where they are not exposed to ridicule and embarrassment. Often this is just that little boost they need for a bit more confidence in class. Reluctant learners will benefit from this extra practice immensely. By far, a major draw of these language apps is its accessibility. Your 20-minute daily commutes on the subway suddenly get very productive, as do the 30-minute wait for your doctor’s appointment and the 15-minute wind-down before you retire to bed. These are all opportunities to practice and learn languages when you can’t have your teacher beside you. Another reason why these language apps are so popular is because they are addictive. Programmers build in scoring systems much like games, where you get points based on correct answers and even bonuses on beating the clock. This would be hard to accomplish and keep track in a formal classroom setting. These apps also keep tabs on what subjects you have completed before giving you access to higher levels. Some apps also give you the option of connecting with your friends to provide competition and added motivation. These reasons are why, as an English tutor, I value these extra-curricular sources of learning and, in fact, encourage all my students to use these resources. They provide students with more exposure to English, supplementing the lessons covered in class, and possibly more. The use of these apps is never a threat to the existence of language teachers; on the contrary, teachers provide the most valued thing a student needs in order to improve: feedback. Apps, no matter how advanced, aren’t at a technologically advanced stage yet where personal feedback is possible. Yes, we can learn a language on our smartphone. But not in isolation. When coupled with formal learning in an individual or classroom setting, progress can be exponential. The more grammar worksheets, pronunciation drills, and vocabulary exercises the student does on the app, the more time we can spend in meaningful interaction.
