Foreign Language Apps

[Kratz]

I could not see a thread, but does anybody have experience and can recommend an app? Specifically I need to improve my Spanish (largely for work, it’s not essential but I am sick of having to rope speakers into calls with me) and there is only so much I can learn from Slo Mo.

 

[RJN]

I don’t have an answer but I’d love to work on my Spanish too. I was pretty good in college but I haven’t used it in a few years so I’ve lost a lot

 

[Marina Salty]

Am using the DuoLingo for Spanish, but it's really boring to answer 1 million questions about emparedado.

 

[big ron]

Duolingo is fairly ubiquitous.

 

[big ron]

My next step is to try one of the apps that connect you either on intercambio type setup or with a teacher in Spanish

 

[BoysForSeles]

I use Memrise, it’s much better than Duolingo. I like many of the features especially the one where you listen to locals saying the phrases as it gets you used to hearing different accents as well as different types of diction which you meet in real life.

 

[Sheena]

It’s different strokes for different folks, but I like Duolingo for what it is.

I may actually take something up again now that I have time.

 

[Kratz]

Thanks so much for the recommendations - I may try out a couple of these and see which one clicks.

I think the biggest battle is going to be not giving up.

 

[Marina Salty]

I think the biggest battle is going to be not giving up.

In general yes, for specific languages like Hebrew I wanted to smash it from the beginning.

 

[win_the_game]

I used Duolingo and HelloTalk to help me. The latter allows you to chat (text or voice) with native speakers

 

[Madison]

Are there big differences between Spanish spoken in Spain and the Americas? I imagine Duolingo is closer to the latter.

 

[big ron]

I’ve noticed Duo opts for American words like Carro and Jugo, but in the listening exercise and stories it points out the differences in the two.

 

[Pipo]

Am using the DuoLingo for Spanish, but it's really boring to answer 1 million questions about emparedado.

That's how I've been feeling about Duolingo in French! So the girl likes apples, FINE, get over it!

 

[Pipo]

I’ve noticed Duo opts for American words like Carro and Jugo, but in the listening exercise and stories it points out the differences in the two.

There are lessons for both Castillian and LATAM Spanish? I think that would confuse everybody.

 

[Sheena]

Are there big differences between Spanish spoken in Spain and the Americas? I imagine Duolingo is closer to the latter.

They are generally mutually intelligible but there are considerable differences, yes. In translation we would translate one then “localize” the other, using the first as the base. Unlike, say, European and Brazilian Portuguese which are too separate in tone and must be translated entirely separately.

I have no idea which Duolingo uses.

 

[Marina Salty]

That's how I've been feeling about Duolingo in French! So the girl likes apples, FINE, get over it!

In Spanish she loves naranjas.

 

[Kratz]

They are generally mutually intelligible but there are considerable differences, yes. In translation we would translate one then “localize” the other, using the first as the base. Unlike, say, European and Brazilian Portuguese which are too separate in tone and must be translated entirely separately.

I have no idea which Duolingo uses.

I didn't even think of this - LATAM is more useful but European would be more helpful if I ever want to bugger off and live in Spain.

 

[Marina Salty]

The differences are not that big, you'll be fine either way and it'll be fairly easy to fully adapt to both if you want to.

 

[BoysForSeles]

The Portuguese on Duolingo is Brazilian but Memrise offers both the European and Brazilian versions. I lived in Portugal and studied the European language but would say for a beginner the Brazilian version is easier to pick up and understand in spoken form.

 

[big ron]

I use Memrise, it’s much better than Duolingo. I like many of the features especially the one where you listen to locals saying the phrases as it gets you used to hearing different accents as well as different types of diction which you meet in real life.

I downloaded this just now, its brilliant. Its exactly what duolingo is missing. Its one thing building a vocabulary and getting to grips with grammar on Duolingo but the missing link for me has always been connecting that in real life with how people actually speak. Great shout, thank you!

 

[big ron]

Also I fancy at least 3 of the people already

 

[BoysForSeles]

I downloaded this just now, its brilliant. Its exactly what duolingo is missing. Its one thing building a vocabulary and getting to grips with grammar on Duolingo but the missing link for me has always been connecting that in real life with how people actually speak. Great shout, thank you!

You’re welcome, it’s a different level of app for sure.

 

[Diddy]

I met my dear Daiki on “Tandem”! Another language exchange thing in the style of Hello Talk

 

[Kratz]

So my español is going great guns!

 

[big ron]

I met my dear Daiki on “Tandem”! Another language exchange thing in the style of Hello Talk

I’ve download that but got the fear

 

[Peekaboo]

The differences are not that big, you'll be fine either way and it'll be fairly easy to fully adapt to both if you want to.

It's mostly vocabulary and expressions that are vastly different, unlike say American and British English which I think are closer. But the grammar and the basics are the same.

For conversational levels of Spanish, you'd be fine with either. Although some people in Spain may find it "hilarious" that you chose to learn the impure version of the language because RACISM.

 

[Pipo]

For conversational levels of Spanish, you'd be fine with either. Although some people in Spain may find it "hilarious" that you chose to learn the impure version of the language because RACISM.

omg I feel SEEN!

 

[Kratz]

For conversational levels of Spanish, you'd be fine with either. Although some people in Spain may find it "hilarious" that you chose to learn the impure version of the language because RACISM.

If in doubt, say it with your eyes!

 

[Peekaboo]

If in doubt, say it with your eyes!

Viciosillo

 

[Pipo]

I just think speaking "proper" Spanish makes me sound like a dubbed Netflix series!

 

[Marina Salty]

For conversational levels of Spanish, you'd be fine with either. Although some people in Spain may find it "hilarious" that you chose to learn the impure version of the language because RACISM.

A close friend whose mom comes from America Latina, finds Spain's pronunciation annoying if not pretentious. I think it's normal for everyone to think their version is better.