If you’re reading this, chances are that you’re a busy person.
Either you’ve got a job you work hard at, a business you run yourself, or perhaps you’re out traveling the world (congrats!).
But your goal is to learn a new language this year, and you have no idea how you’ll fit it into your schedule.
No problem. There are great time-saving language learning websites today that allow you to effectively learn a language on your own time without comprising your busy schedule. This way, you can keep working hard (or traveling hard), while expanding your cultural and language knowledge.
Here are 10 time-saving language learning websites to learn a new language if you’re a busy person.
The 9 Best Language Learning Websites For Busy People
When it comes to finding the best language learning websites, I’ve found there are a handful of areas worth investigating and experimenting with.
First is the method of learning, of which there are 4 main categories:
1. Algorithm learning
2. Textbook learning
3. Course learning
4. Human learning
Next, we need to dig deeper and measure the 4 important factors for each method:
a. Time commitment
b. Engagement
c. Personalization
d. Effectiveness
Let’s take a look at how these factors apply to each of the follow sites.
1. Michel Thomas
Time commitment: Low
Engagement: Medium
Personalization: Low
Effectiveness: Medium
Cost: $15 – $130
Michel Thomas provides an audiotape course from a great teacher. It provides everything from beginner to advanced lessons.
Although it’s a one-sided conversation, it’s not only Michel speaking on the audiotape. Michel provides a real-life conversation scenario by bringing on students to speak with each other and correcting them along the way.
2. Duolingo
Time commitment: Low
Engagement: Medium
Personalization: Low
Effectiveness: Low
Cost: Free
With over 50 million downloads and increasing quickly, Duolingo is the most popular language learning mobile app.
The gamification of the app is great for keeping you entertained and engaged while learning. The app is recommended for anyone who has zero knowledge and wants to focus on learning basic vocabulary and grammar.
From personal experience, you will get what you pay, and if you want to see real, lasting results, Duolingo will only get you so far.
3. Busuu
Time commitment: Low
Engagement: Medium
Personalization: Low
Effectiveness: Low
Cost: Free
Busuu is quite similar to Duolingo, but they do provide more of a community aspect to connect with fellow language learners, if that’s what you’re looking for.
4. Lonely Planet
Time commitment: Medium
Engagement: Low
Personalization: Medium
Effectiveness: Medium
Cost: $9
Lonely Planet is one of the largest travel websites online. They also provide books on language learning, targeted at travellers who want to learn the basic conversation phrases before and during their trip.
Because of the targeted focus, if you’re a traveler wanting to learn basic phrases in a language, it can be a simple and easy way to accomplish your goal.
5. Conversation Exchange
Time commitment: High
Engagement: Medium
Personalization: Medium
Effectiveness: Low
Cost: Free
Conversation Exchange is a place where language lovers meet online to help each other learn their native language.
For example, a fluent person in German looking to learn English can pair up with a native English speaker looking to speak German. Conversations can take place in-person, over Skype, or through text over Whatsapp or other chat software.
Although the concept is great, finding the right partner is a challenge due to the lack of personalization, a matchmaking system, and schedule coordination. Most students will not be as dedicated because of the lack of commitment involved, and it can take some time before you discover a partner you like.
If you’re lacking a budget and have the patience and time to go on the journey, this is a great, free way to learn conversation skills!
6. Babbel
Time commitment: Low
Engagement: Medium
Personalization: Low
Effectiveness: Low
Cost: $13/mo
Babbel is very similar to Busuu and Duolingo, offering a free way to learn languages using algorithms.
This is another alternative if you are looking to experiment before choosing your platform.
7. Memrise
Time commitment: Low
Engagement: Low
Personalization: Low
Effectiveness: Medium
Cost: Free
Memrise is great for one purpose: memorization. If you read our blog post on How to Learn Any Language in 90 Days, you know that you can memorize 30 words/day for 90 days and be able to recognize 70-80% of a language.
You’ll have to face a lot of memorization obstacles when learning a language, and when that time comes, Memrise is a great tool to help you overcome them.
8. Fluentin3months
Time commitment: Low
Engagement: Medium
Personalization: Low
Effectiveness: Medium
Cost: Free
Fluentin3months.com is a language learning website started by Benny Lewis. As stated, he’s well known for learning languages in 3 months, and has courses available to teach you his methodology. Fluentin3months also has an avid community of fellow language learners that you can meet, which makes the website stand out above others.
9. Rosetta Stone
Time commitment: Medium
Engagement: Low
Personalization: Medium
Effectiveness: Medium
Cost: $499
Rosetta Stone has been around for many years now. They provide language learning courses for almost every popular language you can think of. While it’s great for getting started, due to the lack of engagement levels, it’s not ideal for people who want to improve their speaking skills.
Which of these time-saving language websites will you try out?
