With the enormous number of mobile applications available for learning a new language, it’s now easier to learn than ever. Today, the global language learning market is experiencing tremendous growth due to the rising demand for multilingualism.
The online language learning market is projected to reach $41.63 billion by 2030. Much of this growth comes from mobile language apps, which have grown extremely popular lately due to their flexibility and convenience.
Now, such applications are dominated by Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise, which account for tens of millions of active users worldwide. And this trend doesn’t show even a hint of slowing down. So now is the perfect time for entrepreneurs and educators to take advantage of this ever-growing market.
In this article, we will look at types of language learning apps, key features for successful performance, and best practices for their development. Stay with us to discover how to create a language-learning app in this evolving industry.
Understanding language learning apps
Language learning applications are coded to help users either learn a new language or improve one they may have already acquired. They come with a raft of services that range from lexical enhancement, grammar exercises, and pronunciation practice to conversational skills.
Depending on the language application, learners can set their own pace, customize the lessons, and engage with them in various ways. Top language learning apps are targeted to make language learning interactive, easily accessible, and effective for users of all ages.
Types of language learning apps
There are various types of language learning apps on the market for different learning preferences and goals. Here are some of the most popular categories.
Gamified learning apps
Gamified language learning apps use game design aspects, such as levels, rewards, and leaderboards, to encourage users to practice regularly. One of the most well-known language learning platforms using gamification is Duolingo.
This application breaks down language lessons into easily consumed bits and incentivizes users with points and streaks for daily exercises. While this makes learning languages entertaining, it also builds a sense of achievement and progress.
Vocabulary learning applications
A vocabulary app for learning languages allows learners to commit new words and phrases to memory through methods known as spaced repetition. Memrise does this with mnemonic devices, along with spaced repetition, for better user retention of vocabulary. This application contains multimedia, such as videos of native speakers, to contextualize the use of new words.
Progress may be monitored by passing through various levels that make tracking improvement over time very easy. It also offers courses written by a range of language experts and its enthusiastic community at Memrise, offering varied learning experiences.
Comprehensive language learning apps
Comprehensive applications make for a rounded way of learning the language, covering all aspects: vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, speaking, and listening. A good example of such an app for language learning is Babbel.
Babbel offers structured courses teaching practical conversational skills, with due attention to grammar and cultural peculiarities. Lessons are tailored to the user’s native language, which helps in better understanding and makes learning smoother. Besides this, Babbel includes dialogues of common everyday situations, which let learners use what they learned in real life.
Immersive learning apps
Immersive learning apps expose the user to the reality of real-life language usage, which is mostly done by reading and listening to native content. The LingQ application gives users a chance to read and listen to content in their target language and learn new words in context.
It also allows learners to import content from the web, such as articles and podcasts, making the learning process highly customizable. This app focuses more on contextual learning, which helps users understand how native speakers naturally use words and phrases.
Language exchange apps
Language exchange apps connect learners with native speakers to practice in real-time. Tandem is one of the best language-learning apps in this category. It allows users to exchange languages with people from anywhere in the world through text, audio, and video chat. This way, learners can be engaged in speaking and listening more naturally or socially.
Tandem also has some correction tools in-store, allowing users to get feedback on their grammar and vocabulary usage during conversations. Apart from the above, the application offers language tutors to those customers who would like structured lessons in addition to peer-to-peer learning.
Features to include in your language learning app
The type of language-learning app you wish to develop plays a vital role in choosing its features. Yet, some functionalities are needed across all to ensure an efficient and smooth user experience. Some of the most important ones to consider if you plan to create your own language app are listed below.
1. Personalized learning paths
Personalization can keep users more engaged, so customized learning paths considering a user’s proficiency, learning pace, and goals make the interaction with the app more effective. A lot of applications, including Babbel and Duolingo, apply AI to dynamically change lessons according to the performance of users so that every lesson is relevant and challenging.
2. Gamification elements
It is evident that incorporating game-like features can greatly enhance user engagement in gamified applications, including Duolingo. Badges, levels, and progress tracking make people want to be consistently motivated and come back for more. Even the option to view leaderboards and challenges with friends will further entice users to compete with each other. It increases retention in that users strive to perform better than their peers.
3. Microlearning
Short, bite-sized lessons are one of the popular ways in which language learners would want to go. They are sometimes referred to as microlearning. With chunking, you enable users to learn in short bursts of time, fitting within even their busiest schedule.
Top language learning apps, like Memrise, take advantage of this to make small vocabulary lessons that can be done in a few minutes.
4. Interactive content
Active elements include quizzes, matching games, and drag-and-drop activities that make learning much more fun. It does not only maintain the user’s interest but also solidifies learning through active participation.
For example, Duolingo often has interactive activities wherein the user has to arrange words into sentences or match the vocabulary words with images.
5. Community engagement
Language learning seems always to be easier in a community setting. Apps that feature online forums, group challenges, or chat features give learners the chance to practice among themselves and show progress even against others.
For instance, Tandem allows users to connect directly with native speakers in real-time to improve conversational skills and cultural insight.
6. Chatbot tutor
By integrating AI-powered chatbots into the language learning software, the conversational reality could be emulated, helping users get immediate feedback on grammar and pronunciation. Chatbot tutors can support learners in practicing dialogues, asking questions, and correcting real-life errors.
7. Speech recognition and pronunciation practice
This feature, essential to any virtual language tutor, involves speech recognition technology to help users practice and improve pronunciation. Apps like Babbel and Duolingo have utilized this technology in the course of giving the user immediate feedback on their pronunciation to henceforth speak more accurately.
8. Offline access
Many learners would like to study on the go, and in such cases, access to learning materials without an internet connection can turn out to be a huge plus. Offering offline access, as does LingQ, provides users with the option to download lessons and continue studying even in areas with poor connectivity.
At Eastern Peak, we can assist you in building an interactive and user-centric app that enriches the learning experience with customized paths and engaging features. Ready to create your own language learning app?
Best practices for developing a language learning app
To develop a successful language learning software, one needs to do much more than integrate the right set of features. Much emphasis needs to be given to the user experience, quality of content, and long-term engagement. Here are the best practices to keep in mind.
Decide on the type of app
Before starting the actual language-learning app development, you need to decide what kind of language-learning application you are aiming to develop. One that is more game-oriented, such as Duolingo, or one that is more focused on language exchange, such as Tandem.
The target audience and their individual preferences in learning should be the basis for which features are to be built within your application.
Prioritize user-centered design
You need to create a language app friendly to the users. Apply intuitive navigation, clean layouts, and clear instructions for the learners to easily gain access to lessons and trace their progress. Integrating user feedback into the design process also refines the usability of any interface by enhancing the overall usability.
Incorporate personalization and customization
Personalization develops interest among the users in the process of learning, as it develops a pattern according to the needs of the learners. With built-in AI algorithms, the app can analyze patterns in user behavior and thus offer customized learning paths.
The recommendations for exercises can be tailored to the performance, and relevant content can be given based on the proficiency level of the learner.
Integrate diverse learning methods
A holistic language learning application should in one application use several learning methodologies, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking exercises. You can make your own language app using multimedia content such as audio, video, and text, which will offer various learning styles and keep learners more engaged.
Leverage gamification
Adding more gamelike features, including streaks, badges, and rewards will pay off. On one hand, gamification makes learning fun, but on the other, it encourages consistency in the user’s language studies. A perfect example of how gamification can lead to long-term user engagement is Duolingo, with its engaging point system.
Ensure regular updates and content refresh
To keep users’ interest in your app, the content should be refreshed constantly by adding lessons and exercises, among many other features. In this way, learning materials will always be up-to-date, and the users cannot outgrow the app.
For instance, LingQ constantly adds more reading material to keep the user consistently immersed in various language contexts.
Implement data security and privacy measures
The majority of language learning applications gather usage patterns and other personal metrics of usage. It will be of great importance to build users’ trust by setting good security and observing data protection regulations like the GDPR. Ensure that user data is encrypted and provide transparent privacy policies that explain how data is collected and used.
How do language learning apps make money
There are different monetization strategies for language learning applications.
- Freemium model. Most of the language-learning apps, including Duolingo, follow a freemium model wherein the core content is provided free of charge but added features or premium content are available only after purchasing a premium subscription. This model allows users to get a feel of the application before buying it.
- Subscription plans. The subscription is another popular means through which revenue can be generated. Examples include Babbel and Memrise, with apps that offer monthly, quarterly, or yearly subscription models for unlocking premium content, additional lessons, or advanced features.
- In-app purchases. Some apps sell additional resources, like language packs, lessons, or virtual goods. Such models are rather similar to in-app purchases used within many gamified applications when one can buy certain items to enhance the mobile language learning process.
- Ads. In-app display advertisements are another form of revenue generation. The method is, however, seen to subtract from the user experience. It is all about the balance that has to be achieved. Many apps, just like Duolingo, have made ad-free experiences for paying subscribers.
Wrap-up
Creating a language learning app is quite a complex but rewarding process. It involves understanding the different types of language learning applications, embedding the essential gamification and speech recognition features, and the best practices in application development to build a platform that caters to a wide audience of learners. If done right, it could be the next go-to resource for every learner in the world.
Are you ready to make your own language-learning app that will change everything about how people acquire new languages? Our team is good at designing great language learning apps with features that precisely meet learners’ needs. Feel free to contact us to discuss how we can support you in turning your idea into a product.
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About the author:
Alexey Shalimov, CEO at Eastern Peak
As CEO at Eastern Peak, a professional software consulting and development company, Alexey ensures top quality and cost-effective services to clients from all over the world. Alexey is also a founder and technology evangelist at several technology companies. Previously, as a CEO of the Gett (GetTaxi) technology company, Alexey was in charge of developing the revolutionary Gett service from ground up and deploying the operation across the globe from New York to London and Tel Aviv.
