Babbel Review
9.6
- Devices: iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows compatible app
- Languages: French, Spanish, Portuguese, and 10 others
- Methodology: Start speaking in 3 weeks through short, daily language lessons
- Trial: Free first app lesson
Babbel Review
Babbel is a cutting-edge, subscription-based language learning software. Babbel provides its users with a comprehensive series of lessons that are available in 13 languages. The content library is consistently fine-tuned and expanded upon. Babbel is highly convenient for anyone who is interested in learning a new language but needs the added flexibility of being able to take their language learning courses from various remote locations.
PLANS
10 minutes a day” as the recommended daily practice, to get you speaking the basics in 3 weeks time.
What types of language learning subscriptions does Babbel offer?
Babbel offers its users subscription plans that renew once every three months, once every six months, once a year. Each subscription with Babbel will give you access to learn one language at babbel.com and in their mobile app. If you prefer to learn multiple languages, Babbel offers a Lifetime subscription for a one-time payment.
How many languages are available to learn through Babbel?
Babbel offers its users 13 different language courses. These include Spanish, French, German (and Business German), Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, Polish, Dutch, Danish, Norweigan, Indonesian, and Russian.
Do I have to pick just one language, or can I access all or multiple languages through my Babbel subscription?
With a standard Babbel subscription, you can learn one language at a time. However, with a complete Babbel subscription, you'll have access to every language that Babbel offers.
Which devices and operating systems do Babbel lessons work for?
Babbel has both an iOS (Apple) and Android version of their app. If you have an iPhone or iPad you'll need to have your device running iOS 13 or above. If you have an Android phone or tablet, you'll need to be running Android 8.0 or above.
METHODOLOGY
What is the Babbel language learning method and does it include personalized or one-on-one lessons?
Babbel offers an app subscription specifically designed their content to work off of established cognitive techniques that steadily guide the new language vocabulary through your brain's six memory stages and eventually into your long-term memory. The app subscription works off a self-study model, was created by 150+ language experts, includes hundreds of lessons from beginner to advanced, and access to lessons, games, videos, and podcasts.
What kind of equipment or devices will I need for my Babbel language learning software?
You'll be able to use Babbel on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop computer.
How much of a daily time commitment is it to learn a language with Babbel?
Babbel provides its users the option to choose to commit anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes a day when it comes to learning a new language. Babbel recommends 10 minutes a day to get you speaking the basics in just three weeks. From there, how long it takes you to gain established comfortability and eventual fluency with a new language will depend on your daily time commitments, learning style, and the language itself.
Does Babbel offer any certifications of course completion?
Yes, Babbel offers its users the ability to get a certificate for every course that's completed on Babbel. The certificates can only be downloaded from your dashboard on Babbel's desktop version, and not from their app.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
How can I cancel my Babbel language learning software subscription?
How can I upgrade my Babbel language learning software subscription plan?
Simply, log in to Babbel on mobile web or desktop. Then, visit their pricing page. Next, select the new plan that works best for you. Last, follow the payment instructions.
Does Babbel offer a mobile app?
Yes, Babbel offers a mobile app for iOS as well as for Android.
Does Babbel offer a free trial or trial period?
The actual registration process with Babbel is completely free, and then the first lesson in every course is free for you to try.
Details of Babbel’s Lesson Structure
The lessons start with basic vocabulary and gradually move towards learning verbs and phrases. Short videos explaining the various points related to the lesson are sprinkled in between the lessons. Some of the common features used by Babbel are the following:
- You will be asked to repeat words or phrases pronounced by a native speaker.
- It also uses translation as a method of learning. Learners are asked to match the words or phrases of the language with a corresponding English translation.
- The exercises also include building specific words or phrases as you progress.
The learning methodology used by Babbel follows a didactic approach that uses a structured and informed range of content. The method helps the brain to learn in both active and passive forms. With time, the learner can use the passively learned words in a conversation.
In addition, Babbel also uses behaviorism and constructivism to build up the learning process. The lessons are structured in a quiz-like format. Babbel offers plenty of help for finding the right answer. You will also find a dedicated Help button at the bottom of every screen.
The app uses real-life dialogue to help students learn the specifics of a language. Besides, with the use of words, pictures, and audio, Babbel delivers in-depth grammar concepts and language rules. It doesn’t use a game-styled format like Duolingo but the course delivery is paced faster and it never gets boring.
Babbel addresses all the forms of learning including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. On the whole, it uses both visual and auditory learning styles for the best progress and long-term retention. Additional content is also available in the form of podcasts.
In addition, the use of the real voices of native speakers allows you to get familiar with the accents. Babbel helps you to speak with the same tones and test your pronunciation skills through the speech recognition tool.
Beyond that, Babbel also picks up the grammatical similarities and common words between your native language and the new one. This helps in speeding up the learning process.
One thing that Babbel does very well is give you detailed information about the course methodology. You can look through the help page that clearly explains the principles of spaced repetition. You can also learn about the Review program and find out how it functions.