DLS 3101 by Andrew Dery https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho L2 Speaking and Language Learning Apps en-us 2020-02-20 17:07:05 UTC 2026-02-04 21:29:55 UTC hello@padlet.com MyLanguageExchange adery086 https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449011023 In MyLanguageExchange the main method of learning language is through language exchange of 2 native speakers of their respective language. You can search for users who are interested in learning your native language, and in turn, they can help you learn their L1. Furthermore, if you're looking for a certain dialect, or for someone who shares the same time zone, you can filter by country or city. You can also tell what people are interested by reading their short biography should they choose to write one. You can also know whether people are interested in only chatting through email or text, or if they're up for voice or video calls, or even meeting in person.

I started using this resource 2 years ago when I started studying a new language, and I made friends with many people who I'm still in contact with today. Overall, I'd give it a 4/5. The only negative two aspects are that you have to pay in order to use the resources email function, however, the price is negligible and you can stop payment whenever you like. Additionally, depending on the language you're interested in learning, there may not be too many active members who speak those languages, so it's important to filter for potential people before you pay.

https://www.mylanguageexchange.com/

]]> 2020-02-22 18:02:05 UTC https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449011023 English Speaking Practice adery086 https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449014007 This app can help you read, understand, and most importantly, it can help you speak. When you first open the app, you can watch a short video describing the basics. The app itself isn't extraordinarily detailed or advanced, but it does well for something that's free. There are two categories, beginner, and business conversations. Within each category there are topics with conversations that apply to each one. For example, in beginner conversations, when you click 'daily life', you have a selection of conversations that are relevant to daily life.

When you choose a conversation, you have a chance to listen, then they give you a short quiz as a way to check your understanding. Afterwards, you'll take the place as one of the speakers, and are now able to practice. The app also encourages you to record yourself in the conversation and compare it to your newest recording in a few months. However, the negatives are that the language isn't always authentic, and the conversations are pretty short, so it's only ideal for beginners. Because of this, I'd give it a 2/5.

English Speaking Practice Google Play Store]]> 2020-02-22 18:25:18 UTC https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449014007 HiNative sahme193 https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449014406 HiNative is an interactive q&a language exchange app that a learner can input any words, phrase, sentence into the search bar and can get the translations from it. HiNative has a function that allows learners to make a voice recording and post speech of their chosen  language to then get help from a verified speaker. The verified speakers will reply to the learner and tell them if it sounds native or not, and give advice on how to better the speech, perfect it or e.t.c. This function also brings learners learning the speech in contact with other students, and they can learn from each other; the learner themselves can also choose to help others learn their own L1 language.

The limitations are that it requires you to pay for further usage, so for a learner who doesn't have the resources to do that they won't be able to advance. It does have basic functions with the normal version, but the premium  unlocks features such as full 1-on-1 help from a verified speaker, can ask multiple questions, and to have your question pinned to the top of the q&a to get extra help. It's still a good website and app though, which can help a beginner get a lot of support and help from others and a native speaker so it can be useful. Due to this I decided to give HiNative a 3/5.


https://hinative.com/en-US]]> 2020-02-22 18:28:16 UTC https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449014406 Memrise sahme193 https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449016001 Memrise is a vocabulary app that is focused in giving practice for the vocabulary of various languages. Some of these languages are English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Korean, amongst about 10 other languages. Memrise has courses they made based off of textbooks or regular books to make it a larger and more enriching collection for each language. Memrise’s main goal is to have learners learn vocabulary off of the fun and interactive game they make that will help you learn as you win levels and get coins.

The limitation to this app is that from the primary focus to vocabulary, a learner is going to miss out on learning everything else they need for the language. The app does feature speech on the screen so a learner can see and hear the playback, but it still does lack. After using it myself I think it would be a good starter and beginner app, but it wouldn't be suitable for learners trying to advance to a higher proficiencies. Because of it, I give the app a 2/5.

https://www.memrise.com/home/

]]> 2020-02-22 18:36:58 UTC https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449016001 Cambly adery086 https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449016269 Cambly allows English language students to find a tutor, and speak to them through a voice or video call in a 1 to 1 setting through a professional app. You can view a list of tutors on the side of the app and read their introduction, about their teaching experience, education, etc. If inclined, you can also view their profile video so you can get a feel for what they sound like, which is definitely important for some students. You can also make reservations with teachers so you know you know they won't be overbooked or not have the time for you.

The app is definitely one of the best if you're looking for a professional to teach you any aspect of English, whether it be speaking, listening, grammar, whatever you'd like. However, the cost of the app is also very high. You can alter the settings when you subscribe to fit your agenda. You can choose 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week at a maximum of 130USD a month. 60 minutes a day at 5 days a week for 246, or even 15 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 49USD. The cost is high, but if you're short on time and live in an area with few native speakers, this may be a good app.  Overall, I'd give Cambly a 4/5.

https://www.cambly.com/]]> 2020-02-22 18:39:22 UTC https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449016269 DuoLingo sahme193 https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449017281 Duolingo is a language learning app that allows learners to acquire a language by playing games and exercises. Each game and exercise is designed for a specific purpose; like for travelling, or work, or to order a taxi even- as we've seen before with the app Busuu. Duolingo's best feature is that it has a multitude of languages available for people to learn from; and it starts by giving 1) vocabulary, 2) matching sentences through grammar, and 3) listening/reading and replying back with a audio or typing to what is said/heard on the screen. This is done repeatedly through levels and in the end, if you pass you advance to unlocking another level.

The limitations to Duolingo is that it doesn't have practical scenarios that can happen in real life. Most of the lessons are about a certain event and they give answers to a scenario that could happen, which may be useful for those events but not for any other. Another limitation is that the listening portions are not all natural and are done by a techy voice, which could cause some issues for learners with clarity and identification. 
Despite those limitations though, I do still think the app is good for a beginner and it could be suitable for them. Overall, I give Duolingo a 3/5.

https://www.duolingo.com/
]]> 2020-02-22 18:47:01 UTC https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449017281 Babbel sahme193 https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449017310 Babbel is a language learning app that has 14 languages and offers in 7 display languages. Babbel is highly speaking, vocabulary and grammar focused, with the courses being directed to mostly that as well as for other language purposes. Babble has a function in it that allows learners to speak into a microphone and get correction off of the vocabulary words they are taught in the lessons; they offer the same for longer sentences and phrases. Babbel has help with pronunciation in speech if a learner makes a mistake for them to fix themselves, and the audio to keep speaking until they get it correct. Learners using Babbel are also able to go at the pace they want and can stay at their proficiency level until the course deems them able to move onwards or to practice until they can.

The only downsides and limitations to Babble is that it requires a learner to pay if they want to access higher levels of the courses. There’s still a lot a learner can do with the basic version, but the premium versions will give access to more. Another limit is that Babbel isn’t as wide range with languages as other language apps, and only has 14 different languages, so it might not be a suitable app for everyone. Overall, I give Babbel a 3/5. 
https://www.babbel.com/
]]> 2020-02-22 18:47:16 UTC https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449017310 Mondly Languages adery086 https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449018905 Mondly has a choice of 33 of the most popular languages in the world. When you choose a language you're prompted to choose a difficulty level. Afterwards, you're taken to a roadmap with various topics. In each topic there are 3 sections: lessons, conversation, and vocabulary. In lessons you put together sentences after hearing new words. So, if the app teaches you brother, it may ask you to put together, "I have a brother", using the movable buttons on the screen. You can also click on verbs for grammatical explanations as well as conjugation forms. After the lessons, you'll do a conversation which requires you to listen, and then record yourself repeating the sentence. Lastly, the vocabulary section will repeat vocabulary with you to make sure you've learned them correctly. 

You can use Mondly for the first three lessons in order to trial the app. Afterwards, you'll need to sign up for premium at a maximum of 10 dollars per month. The most expensive also includes all 33 languages in the app, but requires you to subscribe for a year.  Premium also includes AR or augmented reality to use while learning, which I didn't get the chance to try, but it sounds like it could be very interesting. Overall, I'll give the app a 3/5 because apart from the AR experience, it seems extremely similar to other apps such as Memrise or Duolingo. 
https://www.mondly.com/]]> 2020-02-22 19:00:28 UTC https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449018905 Busuu sahme193 https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449020555 Busuu is a language learning app that is designed to help a learner learn a language fast through their game-like exercise app. The app has many lessons and most are intended to be used for natural and daily use of a language- and learners can work to perfect themselves to reaching that goal. Busuu ’s really similar to Duolingo, so if learners have  used Duolingo, they can use Busuu, and vice versa. The app is categorized into different topics of interest that a learner wants to learn; so if you’re into art or sports, then you can find words/phrases/sentences related to that specific interest. Busuu is structured for vocabulary first, then conversations and exercises, and a recording speech button, ability to write, and the option to playback audio.


The limitation to Busuu is that it, like many others, does require learners to keep paying to advance and access higher proficiency levels in the language, which is why Busuu maybe not ideal if a learner can’t pay for it. Busuu’s best feature is that it has native speakers who can help you correct your phrases and sentences if there’s a mistake- and in turn, a learner can help correct those who are learning their L1. Because of that, I chose to rate Busuu a 4/5. 
https://www.busuu.com/
]]> 2020-02-22 19:14:03 UTC https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/449020555 ELSA Speak: English Accent Coach adery086 https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/450865863 ELSA Speak is an app that is primarily meant to help the learner with pronunciation and speaking practice through AI technology. When you first enter the app you'll be prompted to choose your native language. This is meant to help cater the lessons towards the pronunciation problems that that specific language may have. Afterwards, you'll be given a short speaking test in order to evaluate your proficiency with certain sounds. Apart from specific pronunciation skills, there are topics to help your speaking, as well as a dictionary that allows you to write a word or phrase, see the phonemes, hear other people say it, as well as get the chance to test your own pronunciation.

You can try out ELSA Speak and get limited access to each of the pronunciation skills, as well as each of the topics. However, you can only try out 2 out of however many lessons there are per skill. If you want to continue, you'll have to pay either about 45 dollars yearly, or 500 dollars for the lifetime pack. However, because the entire app is run through AI, I think the results could be hit or miss. I'd give it a cautious 4/5 because I couldn't see the quality of the lessons past the introductions.
https://elsaspeak.com/en/

]]> 2020-02-26 16:49:24 UTC https://padlet.com/adery086/aewi12he2gho/wish/450865863