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Japanese

FluentU Review

FluentU Review — More Expensive than the Competition

FluentU

Rating 3.1
★★★
★
★★

Summary

FluentU is a language-learning platform that uses real-world videos and interactive subtitles to create an immersive learning experience. The videos take on a variety of forms, including commercials, music videos, interviews, and more. Accompanying quizzes give users the chance to practice language used in videos.  FluentU offers videos in nine different languages and is available for iOS, Android, and on the web. Most of its content is beyond the beginner level, but it has videos for learners at all levels.

Quality 3.5
★★★
★
★★

It’s very straightforward and easy to use, though not especially visually pleasing.

Thoroughness 3.0
★★★★★

There is a wide variety of videos, but they’re short and disconnected. They also aren’t suitable for absolute beginners.

Value 2.5
★★
★
★★★

It is not the most complete way to study a language.

I Like
  • The site is easy to navigate.
  • Interacting with subtitles is easy.
  • The videos are authentic and tied to practice activities.
  • Exercises recognize Chinese and Japanese characters.
I Don’t Like
  • Flashcards use robotic text-to-speech audio.
  • Writing practice is limited, speaking practice is nonexistent.
  • Practice activities aren’t very interesting.
  • There’s no easy way to filter content by region.
Price

After a 14-day free trial, users can purchase one of two subscription options. Subscriptions grant access to all FluentU languages.

Monthly Subscription: $30/month

Annual Subscription: $360/year

Visit FluentU
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FluentU Review — More Expensive than the Competition Read More »

An Honest Review of 17 Minute Languages With Image of Girl Using Computer

17 Minute Languages Review: I Wouldn’t Recommend Using It

17 Minute Languages

Rating 1.5
★
★
★★★★

Summary

17 Minute Languages is a language-learning program that uses spaced repetition and native-speaker audio to teach a wide variety of languages. In our opinion, the courses aren’t very engaging; the courses we tried included significant errors and didn’t offer any language-specific explanations. There are leaderboards for comparing your progress with other users and a language forum that’s available after four days of use.

Quality 1.5
★
★
★★★★

Native speaker audio is the only thing that impressed me in the courses I tried; mistakes and glitches were many.

Thoroughness 1.5
★
★
★★★★

Explanations are lacking, which I found made some material misleading.

Value 1.5
★
★
★★★★

I think there are far better ways to spend your time and money studying a language.

I Like
  • It uses native-speaker audio.
I Don’t Like
  • I came across several bad translations.
  • I didn’t find any helpful explanations.
  • Site navigation wasn’t easy or enjoyable for me.
  • I didn’t find the exercises engaging.
Price

The Beginner’s Course is $59.95 and the Complete Package is $97. For the whole package and all languages it is $197. There is a free 48-hour trial.

https://www.alllanguageresources.com/recommends/17-minute-languages/

Superlearning technology? Fluency in 50 hours? Courses in 80 different languages? This is either the greatest language-learning resource of all time or it’s a painfully overpriced language site making absurd claims. Let’s find out.

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17 Minute Languages Review: I Wouldn’t Recommend Using It Read More »

An Honest Review of Satori Reader With Image of Chinese Architecture

Satori Reader Review – Engaging Japanese Texts and Dialogues

Satori Reader

Rating 4.3
★★★★
★
★

Summary

Satori Reader is a Japanese learning method available on your computer and smartphone/tablet. It focuses on Japanese reading skills and teaches Japanese grammar and vocabulary by providing weekly annotated articles and dialogues. Satori Reader also contains a built-in vocabulary repetition app that uses new vocabulary learned from the articles. A basic free version and a premium subscription version are available.

Quality 5.0
★★★★★

The website looks clean and functions smoothly. The articles are well-written and enjoyable.

Thoroughness 4.0
★★★★★

Satori Reader should be used as a companion to a more comprehensive teaching method, but it is a good way to train reading and vocabulary.

Value 4.0
★★★★★

Each thematic series has a lot of articles, but some users will only be interested in a couple of the 21 themes. New articles are added weekly.

I Like
  • Articles are sorted by theme and everyone will find a couple of themes that interest them.
  • New vocabulary can be easily saved for later.
  • Built-in repetition software to help with memorizing the new vocabulary.
  • Grammar and vocabulary are explained by hovering over the items. When things are unclear you can post under the article and staff will try to answer your questions.
  • Articles are accompanied by audio for listening along.
I Don’t Like
  • New articles are usually added to existing thematic series but there could be more themes.
Price

A basic version of Satori Reader with limited articles is free to use. Subscription prices for the full version with over 550 articles and new articles released weekly are $9/month or $89/year.

Visit Satori Reader

When I was learning Japanese at university, I often felt close to giving up. Every day I would do my grammar exercises and practice vocabulary like a good student. I did all my homework assignments and showed up for every class.

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Satori Reader Review – Engaging Japanese Texts and Dialogues Read More »

An Honest Review of Human Japanese With Image of Japanese Scenery

Human Japanese Review: A Boutique App For Learning Japanese

Human Japanese

Rating 4.2
★★★★
★
★

Summary

Human Japanese is a resource for learning Japanese that takes a thorough approach, delivering in-depth explanations and great attention to detail. The course is well-designed, builds on itself in a logical way, and offers quality instruction at a very reasonable price. It functions much like an interactive textbook, meaning users will progress at their own pace and may need to implement their own study techniques. It’s available for download on Mac, Windows, Android and iOS.

Quality 4.0
★★★★★

The program is easy to use, and the presentation of information is well-executed, but the practice activities could be better.

Thoroughness 4.0
★★★★★

There’s almost nothing missing in the way of instruction and explanations, but you’ll need to find additional practice methods.

Value 4.5
★★★★
★
★

You get a lot for the price, and there are some complementary resources that are free.

I Like
  • Really great explanations.
  • The overall tone of the written material is engaging.
  • The material builds on itself in a logical way.
I Don’t Like
  • There aren’t many practice opportunities.
  • You may need supplemental materials for extended study sessions.
  • There isn’t much in the way of communication practice.
Price

$18.99 for PC or Mac, $14.99 for iPad, $9.99 for Android or iOS

https://www.alllanguageresources.com/recommends/human-japanese/

There are plenty of ways to go about learning Japanese. Some believe that learning too much grammar is a waste of time, that it’s all about exposure and practice. Others consider it essential to form a more comprehensive understanding of a language, including its grammar concepts and the reasons it works the way it does.

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Human Japanese Review: A Boutique App For Learning JapaneseRead More »

Human Japanese Review: A Boutique App For Learning Japanese Read More »

An Honest Review of Speaky With Image of Girl Using Phone

Speaky Review: Better Than Other Language Exchange Apps?

Speaky

Rating 3.7
★★★
★
★★

Summary

Speaky is a social language-learning app for people interested in language exchange. It’s available for iOS, Android, and the web. Users can chat with other language learners, share photos, leave voice messages or even have voice calls. The basic features on Speaky are free to use, but access to more than five translations per day requires a subscription.

Quality 3.0
★★★★★

There are some dedicated language learners on Speaky but not as many as similar apps.

Thoroughness 3.5
★★★
★
★★

The platform is easy to use but lacks advanced features.

Value 4.5
★★★★
★
★

Speaky is mostly free to use, extra features are available for a subscription.

I Like
  • It’s mostly free.
  • It’s easy to use.
  • There are a lot of users.
  • There are tons of languages
I Don’t Like
  • Many community members don’t actually seem interested in language exchange.
  • The web version doesn’t work well.
  • There are no extra social features.
Price

The basic features on Speaky are free to use. A premium membership is available for a subscription.

https://www.alllanguageresources.com/recommends/speaky/

Speaky is a language exchange app. It facilitates exchange by allowing users to chat with others in the language they’re learning. Its function is pretty simple and straightforward — search for a partner with a reciprocal language combination and say hello.

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Speaky Review: Better Than Other Language Exchange Apps? Read More »

An Honest Review of Rype App With Image of Man Using Computer

Rype App Review: I Wouldn’t Recommend It To Anybody

Rype App

Rating 1.8
★
★
★★★★

Summary

Rype is a resource that provides language learners with access to one-on-one lessons with teachers. According to its advertising, you’ll be able to “Learn anytime, anywhere, on-the-go.” Users purchase a subscription package that contains a certain number of lessons per month. The lessons are 30-minutes long and are easy to schedule.

Quality 2.0
★★★★★

The platform is very easy to use, but there aren’t many teacher details and lessons take place on Skype.

Thoroughness 2.0
★★★★★

There seems to be a range of experience levels on Rype and a very small number of teachers.

Value 1.5
★
★
★★★★

The hourly rates are higher than similar online tutor options and you have to commit to a subscription.

I Like
  • The interface is very easy to use.
  • The 30-minute lesson length.
  • A subscription grants access to lessons in all languages offered.
I Don’t Like
  • There isn’t a lot of information provided on teachers.
  • I don’t think the monthly subscription model is worth it.
  • The selection of teachers for some languages is extremely limited.
Price

The price varies per subscription package and number of lessons each month. This ranges from $59.99-179.99.

Visit Rype

The availability of online one-on-one language courses has skyrocketed in recent years, and it’s made it possible for just about anyone with an internet connection to find a suitable language tutor.

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Rype App Review: I Wouldn’t Recommend It To AnybodyRead More »

Rype App Review: I Wouldn’t Recommend It To Anybody Read More »

An Honest Review Live Lingua With Image of Boy Using Computer

Live Lingua Review: My Experience With Their Lessons

Live Lingua

Rating 3.8
★★★
★
★★

Summary

Live Lingua is an online language school that pairs students with certified teachers for one-on-one online classes. The platform aims to provide a more personalized service than online tutor directories by assigning a personal class coordinator and a customized curriculum for each student. Lessons are available in seven different popular languages and for a variety of different courses.

Quality 4.5
★★★★
★
★

All teachers are native speakers and receive additional training through Live Lingua.

Thoroughness 3.5
★★★
★
★★

Lots of extra free material, but with mistakes. There are specialized course options, and video lessons happen on Skype.

Value 3.5
★★★
★
★★

More expensive than other online classes and less flexible, but more personalized.

I Like
  • The huge library of free resources
  • The different course options
I Don’t Like
  • The layout of the site is strange and doesn’t feel very professional
  • Relying on email to schedule lessons isn’t efficient
  • Limited flexibility in choosing a teacher
Price

The hourly rate for classes on Live Lingua ranges from $24 – $29 depending on the certificate, language, and number of classes you purchase. The first lesson is free.

Visit Live Lingua

In the words of its founders, Live Lingua is a “boutique” online language school.

…

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Live Lingua Review: My Experience With Their Lessons Read More »

Busuu Review: Some Courses Are Better Than Others

Busuu

Rating 3.4
★★★
★
★★

Summary

Busuu is a digital language-learning app with over 90 million registered users. The resource offers vocabulary and grammar practice through short, self-paced study exercises. It also has a social aspect that allows users to get writing and pronunciation feedback from native speakers. It is available on the web, iOS, and Android.

Quality 3.3
★★★
★
★★

The layout is great, and the quality for non-Asian languages is decent, but there were significant errors in the Chinese course.

Thoroughness 3.0
★★★★★

It has some good explanations but doesn’t often offer much in the way of in-depth explanations.

Value 3.8
★★★
★
★★

Busuu is relatively inexpensive, but there are more thorough and efficient resources out there.

I Like
  • The layout is easy to use and engaging
  • The conversation lessons are especially useful
  • The social feature is great
I Don’t Like
  • Translations aren’t provided for some exercises.
  • The Chinese course is low-quality.
  • The grammar explanations and practice could be better.
Price

Premium Subscriptions

One month: $13.95
Six months: $50.70 ($8.45/month)
One Year: $40.70 ($3.48/month)

VISIT BUSUU

What Is Busuu?

Boasting a user base of over 90 million, Busuu is a heavyweight in the digital language-learning landscape. It was launched in 2008 and has remained a popular and relatively low-cost option for language learners.

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Busuu Review: Some Courses Are Better Than Others Read More »

An Honest Review of Word Dive With Image of Woman Using Phone With Headphones

Word Dive Review: Falls Short Compared To Similar Apps

Word Dive

Rating 2.8
★★
★
★★★

Summary

Word Dive uses artificial intelligence and short exercises to help language learners commit study items to long-term memory. The app provides instruction in ten languages and is available for desktop, iOS, and Android.

Quality 3.5
★★★
★
★★

It’s very easy to use, but I thought the material was limited.

Thoroughness 2.5
★★
★
★★★

You can practice vocabulary and grammar, but there are almost no grammar explanations.

Value 2.5
★★
★
★★★

It isn’t very expensive, but other resources are similarly priced and more comprehensive.

I Like
  • It’s convenient for mobile language practice
  • It’s fun to use
  • Partial credit answers motivate you to stretch yourself
I Don’t Like
  • There are almost no grammar explanations.
  • I found the exercises repetitive.
Price

A subscription starts at $9.99. For 3 months it is $27.99. 6 months $47.99. 12 months $79.99. 

Visit Word Dive

Combine a strong affinity for things under the sea and a desire to make the lives of language learners easier, and you might produce something similar to Word Dive.

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Word Dive Review: Falls Short Compared To Similar Apps Read More »