Listening seems hard at first, and as a result most people never do it, although it is the most important thing when you are trying to acquire a new language. Followed by speaking. Use what you heard. If you don’t use it, you lose it.
That is why our app is based on comprehensible input. If you understand something, you will most likely also remember what is being said.
So when you are learning a new language, choose content you can understand. If you understand it, it will feel easy, passive, effortless, and normal. With that you will enjoy the process and become even more motivated to keep going.
Learning through real-world content
So Why is Listening Better?
- That is what native speakers do. You will learn and be entertained at the same time.
- When you listen a lot in a new language, you get familiar with the sounds of the language faster.
- You improve your vocabulary faster, even if you do not know how to spell most words. A misconception people have is that you only know a word if you can spell it. That is far from the truth. Have you never remembered a word you did not know how to spell? Yes you have.
- When you listen you enjoy the learning process and get motivated to learn more, which means more exposure to the language and culture.
- When you know how a word sounds, trying to speak it becomes way easier, which speeds up your speaking skills.
- Listening exposes you to natural speech patterns, rhythm, and intonation. You start to sound more natural when you speak because you have heard how it is supposed to sound hundreds of times.
- You pick up slang, filler words, and casual expressions that textbooks never teach you. The stuff real people actually say.
- It builds your listening comprehension, which is one of the hardest skills to develop and the one most apps completely ignore.
- You can do it passively. Commuting, cooking, working out. You are learning without sitting down to study. That adds up to hours of exposure every week without any extra effort.
- The more you listen, the faster your brain starts to process the language automatically without translating in your head first. That is when things really start to click.
- This was also confirmed by Krashen’s Input Hypothesis
Where Can I Listen and Watch Native Content in My Target Language?
Use apps like Spotify, YouTube, or Netflix, or any app where you consume content in your target language. One problem is those platforms are not created for language learners, they are made for native speakers. So the solution is using apps that are dedicated for language learners.
Here is what each platform is good for:
YouTube is probably the best free resource out there. Search for vlogs, podcasts, news channels, or anything you enjoy in your target language. The variety is endless. Pair it with the Language Reactor extension and you get interactive dual subtitles and instant word lookups without leaving the video.
Netflix is great because a lot of shows have dubbed versions and subtitles in many languages. Watch a show you already know in your target language. You already know the plot so you can focus on the words. Language Reactor works on Netflix too.
Spotify is underrated for language learning. Search for podcasts made for language learners or just listen to music in your target language. Music is one of the best ways to get a language stuck in your head. Podcasts like Coffee Break French, Notes in Spanish, or Dreaming Spanish are made specifically for learners at different levels.
Apple Podcasts and Youtube Music have the same options. Search your target language and you will find hundreds of shows ranging from beginner friendly to fully native content.
Animelon is great if you are learning Japanese from anime. It has interactive subtitles built in.
Viki is like Netflix but specifically for Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian dramas and shows. It has community subtitles in many languages and is very popular with people learning Korean through K-dramas.
Disney Plus has a huge library dubbed in many languages. Great for beginners because the language is usually simpler and the stories are familiar.
Apps like Fluly, YouTube with the Language Reactor extension, LingQ, Readlang, and Pimsleur are built with tools that let you look up words easily without having to open a dictionary every time you hear something new.
Best Audio First Method App: Pimsleur
For audio learning and commuting, Pimsleur is one of the best apps out there. If you are washing dishes, cleaning the house, or going for a walk, use Pimsleur. You can also use Fluly to play audio and your favorite YouTube videos just by importing them.
Best for Vocabulary and Native Speaker Exposure: Memrise
If you want to learn vocabulary and keep things casual, Memrise is the best at this. It gives you pronunciation exposure to the way native speakers actually speak, so it is fun and effective.
If You Want a Balanced App: Busuu
Busuu has grammar practice, pronunciation practice, community corrections, and study plans. If that is your cup of tea, Busuu is a good choice.
Immersion Learning, Interactive Subtitles, and SRS Flashcards: Fluly
If you want to learn faster and stay more immersed in the language, Fluly is the best app for that. It is free and effective. Fluly’s goal is to make learning effortless and enjoyable, and once you have that you stay motivated. It uses the Birkenbihl method, which works best for adults and travelers, but also works well for younger learners since it has optional games. It is both serious and fun.