An online language platform is a website or app that allows users to learn a language by providing interactive lessons, exercises, and tools. These platforms usually include features such as audio and video lessons, quizzes, and writing assignments. Typically, they also provide access to a community of language learners and teachers, as well as other resources to help users improve their language skills.
Today we'll be looking at the top rated, best online language platforms to learn a wide range of foreign languages such as French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Arabic, Thai and Japanese among others. These platforms all have a free element, but to get full value, you'll need to choose a paid course. Still this is much cheaper than paying for actual lessons with an instructor or classroom!
The Best Online Language Platforms & Courses
1. Rocket Languages
Rocket Languages is an online language learning platform that was established in 2004 and have over 1.2 million users worldwide.
Students can choose from a selection of 26 courses across 13 languages, which are all internet-based so can be accessed via computer, smartphone, tablet or any other device that receives internet. Access is gained via an online portal which students log into to complete their coursework.
Students can also use this portal to download their purchased content so that they can access it offline. Languages available to learn include Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, French, German, English, Sign Language, Italian, Ingles (English for Spanish speakers) and Eigo (English for Japanese speakers).
Courses offer a variety of lessons including listening, speaking, reading, writing, and culture, and learning tools available include quizzes, interactive tests, voice recognition, word lists, flashcards and other features that are motivational and encourage learning.
Pricing starts at $149.95 for Level 1, $299.90 for Levels 1 and 2, and $449.85 for Levels 1,2 and 3. All offer lifetime access, free updates, email and forum support 24/7, and a 60-day refund guarantee.
This guarantee means that no questions are asked for why students are seeking a refund, they will simply receive it if it is within 60 days of purchase. There is also a free 7-day trial so that students can try out the platform before committing to buy.
LinguaLift is an online education platform for languages. They offer a quick and easy method of learning that bypasses traditional rote learning frameworks and provides students with ideally spaced repetition based on previous data tracked by a unique algorithm that understands when that particular student learns best in order to retain the most information.
This increases results, allows students to learn quickly and gives motivation in order to assist their study progression. Languages on offer include Russian, Japanese and Hebrew, with French, Spanish and Mandarin planned to be released shortly.
Study sessions are small (only 10-15 minutes) so they are easy to fit into busy schedules and perfect for those with short attention spans. Kick your social media scrolling habits and learn a new language in that same time instead – that is really all the time you need each day.
Tutors are experienced and dedicated, and available to guide students on their language journey. Students receive a customised ‘Roadmap to Fluency’ which is a study plan based on a student questionnaire that helps maximise time allocated to study as well as outlining study goals.
Prices start at $29 a month a for one-month subscription or $17 a month for a 12-month subscription that is charged at the full price of $204. A 30-day refund guarantee is offered for peace of mind and the first lesson is free.
3. Innovative Language Learning
Innovative Language Learning is an online language education provider that was founded in 2005. Students will be speaking in their chosen language from the very start, and progress at their desired rate so they are on their way to fluency in no time.
Lessons are quick and efficient and come in podcast form, so they are easily downloadable for offline and on-the-go use. Lessons can be accessed via website, apps, software or audiobooks. Over 40 languages are on offer to learn with appropriate content for beginners through to expert speakers, and a wide range of extra resources that make learning fun and accessible.
Languages on offer include Afrikaans, Arabic, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Filipino, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese.
They offer business solutions and resources for organisations and schools as well as providing free lessons and eBooks via the website. Free trials are offered on online language courses with a subscription required to continue access beyond the trial.
A basic subscription costs $8 a month and gives full lesson access however students cannot access the vocabulary building tools that are provided in the premium subscription which is $25 a month. The top tier subscription is premium plus which costs $47 a month and allows for one-on-one training with a language educator.
Verbling is an online language learning platform based in San Francisco, USA. It connects students with professional educators who are thoroughly vetted against a range of criteria in order to provide only the best instruction to learners across the globe.
Teachers are able to rated by students on the platform and the average rating for teachers is 4.9 stars out of 5 which demonstrates the high calibre of the over 7500 native-speaking teachers available.
Lessons are individualised and occur over video chat which allows students to participate remotely from anywhere around the world, and teachers are available 24/7 so that all time zones are covered.
Students can ask teachers to customise courses to suit their requirements which will increase motivation as they will only be learning the content they need to know.
There are over 50 languages available to learn fluently and students of all language ability are catered for. Languages on offer range from popular ones like German, French, Italian and Spanish to less commonly learned languages like Mongolian and Maori.
With a range of language tools, an integrated platform, and the ability to access their courses from any device, students can be assured they will be equipped with the resources they need to succeed.
Different teachers charge different prices for lessons, so students are able to select a teacher that fits in with their budget. Students can book a trial lesson in order to test if the teacher is the right fit before commencing the paid lessons.
5. Pimsleur Language Programs
Pimsleur Language Programs is an online language education platform that focuses on the Pimsleur Method created by Dr. Paul Pimsleur in 1963. The method was only released to consumers four years after his death in 1976 and continues to be popular to this day.
The method of self-instruction is based on principles that increase a learner’s capacity to grasp the content presented to them. These include gradually increasing interval levels for more accurate recall, anticipation principle to encourage neural pathway activation, focusing on a limited amount of content at one time, and organic delivery of information in the forms of conversation to increase learning and retention.
There are over 50 languages available to learn either physically via a CD rom that gets posted in the mail or digitally using devices with internet access via the website or app. Each course has a number of levels that cover a range of topics and are further broken down into lessons.
Students can purchase lessons individually or levels (30 lessons total) or bundle them and purchase the entire premium program (all levels) for the best value. Depending on the language desired to be learned, these prices vary. A free trial is available for students to try out the platform before having to front up for fees so they can ascertain if it is the right learning style for them.
How can you learn a language online for free?
There are several online language platforms and websites that can help you learn French. For example, Duolingo, FluentU, and Babbel are all popular language learning platforms that offer interactive lessons, activities, and tools to help you learn French. Additionally, there are many YouTube channels and websites dedicated to teaching French. You can also find virtual tutors and language exchange partners to practice with.
How much do online language courses cost?
The cost of online language courses can vary greatly depending on the resource you are using. Some platforms, such as Duolingo, are free, while others, such as Babbel, offer subscription plans that range from $12.95 to $39.95 per month. Many virtual tutors also charge an hourly rate for their services, which can range from $15 to $50 or more.
How can you learn a new language like a pro?
Learning a new language can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned polyglot, it’s important to understand the best ways to go about learning a new language. Here are some tips for learning a new language:
1. Set realistic goals: Before you start, it is important to set realistic and achievable goals for yourself. Break down your goals into small, achievable tasks and set timelines for each task.
2. Choose the right language-learning platform: There are many online platforms that offer interactive lessons, quizzes and tools to help you learn a new language. Choose a platform that best fits your needs and budget.
3. Have fun: Learning a new language can be overwhelming. Make sure to have fun when learning and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s important to find activities and resources that keep you motivated and engaged.
4. Practice regularly: Find ways to practice the language regularly. Try out language exchange websites such as italki or join language groups or clubs in your area.
5. Immerse yourself in the language: The best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it. Try watching movies, reading books and listening to music in the language you’re learning.