Learning A New Language Through iPhone or iPad Language Applications

If you are interested in learning a new language, you don’t need to spend exorbitant amounts of money to find a good teacher. In fact, you should probably save that money and use it to go to a country where you can actually practice the language.

After all, there is no better way to learn a language than to practice it on a daily basis. If you are too broke (or financially lacking) to spend your money on expensive programs like Rosetta Stone, you may want to use an iPad/iPhone application to help supplement or start you off with your foreign studies.

If you are dedicated enough, you could become relatively fluent with some of these applications. Once you have the right tools, your consistency and dedication to learning the language ahre essential. Your fluency level will be based on the time you are willing to put in to learning the foreign language of choice.  We have listed and described our favorite applications below.

1. Byki

   Byki is a free application, which provides users with access to 15 different languages. The program provides you with a flashcard set, which helps users learn new vocabulary words on a daily basis.
   Additionally, you have access to pronunciations of the word. You can then use links with Twitter and other integration mechanisms to see how the word is being used in colloquial and informal settings. The program also keeps track of which words you are having trouble with, through a quiz tool.
   

2. AccelaStudy

   For languages not found on Byki, AccelaStudy can be a great alternative. This application has similar tools, and it is found for less popular (in terms of study) languages, such as Turkish and Farsi. It also provides users with flashcards, quizzes, pronunciations, and a translating tool. You can use the translator to look up words or phrases when necessary as well.
   

3. iStudy: Spanish Idioms

   This application is essential for those wanting to learn the everyday use of a language (this application is for Spanish in particular). What kind of idioms and slang do young people in Spanish speaking countries use?
   This is particularly useful for those foreign language students who are interested in taking their language skills to the next level. Once you learn the basics, you want to learn how to learn how to engage in casual conversation, right? Use this easily accessible dictionary to help you become fluent!
   

4. Free Translator By CodDesign

   Most foreign language teachers agree on one point: The best way to practice is through reading papers and watching television shows, originally in the language you are learning. To enhance your comprehension capabilities, you definitely need to watch a soap opera, news program, or even read a newspaper.
   Naturally, your comprehension capabilities may not be too strong at the beginner stages. The Free Translator by CodDesign gives language learners an easy to use language dictionary/translator, which supports most world languages. Type in a word you don’t understand to get the English equivalent of the word.
   

5. Openculture

   This application is for those of you wanting advanced foreign language lessons, or specialized lessons. The OpenCulture application provides foreign language enthusiasts with free foreign language lessons in over 37 languages. Most of these are podcasts or virtual tools, and you can find specialized lessons such as courses on Business Spanish, Mandarin Characters, and Survival Phrases in Arabic.