“Oh, she is just babbling, don’t pay attention” – heard this? Babble App has derived its name & meaning from utter meaningless sounds, like a baby, or to utter incoherently!
Denoted as +Babbel, also known as Babbel GmbH, it is a Germany-based, subscription model based, language learning software, available in multiple languages. It is in operation since 2008. This platform offers live, interactive classes for language learning. They feature trained teachers, who are friendly, and are native speakers.
Students get adequate support as and when required, the teaching-learning environment is safe and effective, and they get to select from hundreds of classes per week to fit language learning into their schedule easily.
Another similar language learning app Duolingo is slightly different in its approach to language learning. Language Learning App like Babbel fares well in imparting traditional language instructions through modules and lessons. Duolingo offers a gamified, playful experience.
Before delving into the features, it is good to know that Babbel offers various learning methods, including interactive lessons, with advanced speech recognition technology. It teachers via podcasts, games, and gears the learner from day one, any place, any time.
How Does It Work?
To start with the app, users need to register and sign in. Once they have an account, they need to select the language (14) to learn. They need to mention their learning level – none, some, or a lot. This lets the app know the level of difficulty to set, to ease your learning practice. They need to set a weekly learning goal. This equips the users intending to achieve in short term. (5 min/day, 15 min/day, 30 min/day, 60 min/day, I am not sure).
Babbel also enables speech recognition to facilitate real life conversations to clarify doubts immediately. Users need to enable microphone on their devices and practice speaking and receiving feedback in real time.
| Fun Fact: You just need 5 minutes daily to learn a new language! |
Babbel offers an interactive experience that can be easily squeezed into daily routine. The app offers an option to set reminders, which can be adjusted according to the convenience.
What Does It Feature?
Babbel offers traditional language instructions through modules and lessons. Every lesson has an embedded exercise prioritizing tenses, conjunctions, and key learnings to ease off the learning process. Babbel runs small group live lessons across various learning levels every week. These are one hour small sessions to cover every topic that had been discussed so far. Topics often include medicine, traffic, travel destinations, culture, useful vacation phrases, grammar, etc.
Some Other Must Have Features in Babbel
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What Differentiates Babbel From Other Language Learning Apps?
Babbel lets users memorize individual words, phrases and sentence construction. It understands that not every user belongs to the country whose language they wish to learn. Therefore starting from the basics, it lets them know about the words, rules of grammar: (1) correct sentence construction, (2) connecting the ideas with conjunctions, (3) make adequate use of tenses, (4) active voice, (5) adjectives and adverbs, (6) avoiding double negatives, (7) confusing homophones, (8) using commas, (9) using proper punctuation, (10) using complete sentences, (11) using proper pronouns, adjectives and adverbs, (12) using homophones, (13) conjugation of the verb, (14) conjunctions, (15) word order for questions, (16) right past form of verbs, (17) verb tenses, and likewise.
Babbel’s classes are short (you won’t believe us when we say that its just 5-10 minutes long) and involves a series of quick interactive tasks. The format of classes is seldom fixed. It can be one of these: (1) Listening drills, (2) matching pairs, (3) fill-in-the-blank exercises, (4) verbal practice, (5) writing complete sentences, (6) finishing mock conversations, and (7) matching pairs.
But, Babbel Falls Short of These
- It does not feature short stories for improving listening, reading and speaking skills.
- It does not have forums for the users to communicate with other users and students.
How Is It Priced?
Babbel app is available for free for initial 30-80 lessons. Beyond that users may avail four monthly subscription plans at $13.95 (one month), $9.95/month for three months, $8.45 per month for six months, $6.95 per month for 12 months; user can also choose to pay $190.99 for lifetime access. But opposed to this Duolingo is completely free. Users may avail a premium (paid – ad free) version to get extra perks and unlimited hearts, but that’s a different story.
Alternatives to Babbel
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Conclusive
Overall, Babbel is a great app for anyone who is starting towards their learning a new language journey. It often proves to be a solid foundation for later learning. However the app has a limited scope, with inconsistency in the amount of content across languages. It scores 9/10 in user-friendliness, 8/10 in delivery on promise, 8/10 in authenticity, and 6/10 in value for price. While it teaches applicable, useful conversational language it also includes tips about grammar, formality, sentence structure, etc. But, there is a barrier to its continuity here. It features a limited number of languages. The amount of content and features are inconsistent across languages. Not all languages offer intermediate or advanced levels. It also does not feature enough variety in the exercise format. These are some of the must-have features in an app like Babbel.
It might look like just another app for learning languages, but Babbel is good at avoiding random words and phrases and explaining concepts using real world scenarios. Businesses looking to develop a language learning app like Babbel should outline the factors that affect the cost of app, partner with a reputable eLearning app development company, streamline the process and ensure efficient budget allocation. Explore top app development companies to find the right fit for your development journey.
