Babbel is a language learning platform designed to help learners acquire new language skills through self-paced courses.
Take a look at this introductory video from Babbel and learn how the platform defines itself!
Launched with the aim of empowering people to be able to communicate in a non-native language, it’s become one of the popular language learning options available today. And that’s why we created this Babbel review articles!
Approaching language learning with practicality, Babbel provides courses tailored to various skill levels, covering a wide range of real-life situations. But how does Babbel really work? And how can you use it together with Conversation Based Chunking?
1
Babbel Review: At a Glance
Babbel provides tailored review sessions, vocabulary-building exercises, and cultural insights, all integrated into its user-friendly platform to enrich the language learning experience.
8.3
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Babbel is a language learning app designed to help users quickly gain conversational proficiency through short, interactive lessons. It offers a personalized learning path across 14 different languages, utilizing speech recognition technology to improve pronunciation and real-life dialogue scenarios to build practical language skills.
What we like
- Structured, expert-designed curriculum.
- Focus on practical conversation skills.
- Speech recognition for pronunciation.
What we don't like
- Subscription-based with no real free tier.
- The content can become repetitive after a while.
As a linguist, my team and I spend considerable time reviewing platforms, not just superficially, but also to test them against the latest research in linguistics and teaching methodology, including compatibility with Conversation Based Chunking™. To support that work, we do earn a small commission whenever we recommend a language product. Learn more about ourlanguage product reviews’process and policy.
Read on to learn more!
1. What is Babbel Language Learning App?
The Babbel language learning app incorporates an empirically proven methodology (according to Babbel) that reinforces language skills through recall and repetition.
It’s structured to gradually build vocabulary and grammar, focusing on the ability to use the language in everyday contexts. With bite-sized lessons, Babbel makes sure even the busiest learners can fit language study into their schedules – even if you only have 15 minutes a day!
At the heart of Babbel’s design is the belief that language learning should be both accessible and engaging.
2. Babbel review: Which popular languages does Babbel offer?
Babbel offers 14 different languages for learning:
- Spanish (Latin American)
- French
- German
- Italian
- Portuguese (Brazilian)
- Polish
- Russian
- Dutch
- Turkish
- Danish
- Norwegian
- Swedish
- Indonesian
- English
Each of its language courses is developed by linguistic experts and tailored to the specific language pair. That means if you’re an English speaker looking to learn Spanish, the course content is unique to that language pair (English-Spanish), which is different than if you’re learning Norwegian, for example.
Popular languages are often emphasized in language learning apps due to the sheer number of prospective learners.
That’s where one of the cons of Babbel comes in, because Spanish courses may have more extensive content and features due to its popularity. Babbel recognizes this and ensures that each popular language gets the attention it requires to provide effective language learning experiences.
Still, depending on the language you choose to learn, the material included in the courses will vary…
Some languages, like those with less learning material available globally, such as Norwegian or Danish, are still treated with the same levels of detail and care but may lack advanced levels.
In an extensive collection of user reviews for Babbel, language enthusiasts frequently weigh the pros and cons of this language learning platform.
Many users praise its expert-designed courses and useful features, but the lack of a free tier is often mentioned as a barrier to those just dipping their toes into new languages.
Paid subscriptions are seen as valuable investments by some, but are viewed critically by users who prefer more flexibility without ongoing costs.
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User Reviews Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (7/10)
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3. Babbel lessons: Overview of Babbel platform and app
Babbel’s lessons are organized into thematically grouped and structured sessions that aim to improve your language through gradual progression.
Each lesson typically lasts about 10-15 minutes and focuses on conversational skills, grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. The platform adapts the difficulty and content of the lessons based on the learner’s proficiency, making it a tailored language learning experience.
A Babbel lesson might begin with a dialogue between native speakers, then break down the conversation piece by piece (this could be very good with Conversation Based Chunking), highlighting vocabulary and grammatical points. Learners are then asked to participate in interactive exercises that reinforce what they’ve just seen and heard.
Take a look at this dialogue showing you German examples!
These exercises range from fill-in-the-blanks to speech recognition tasks.
The platform’s design is straightforward, making navigation simple for the user.
It doesn’t matter if you’re on a mobile device or a computer, you start learning a new language or review past lessons with minimal effort.
Babbel also offers a review function that enables you to revisit and practice material you’ve previously covered, helping you to solidify your understanding of the language.
Content Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (7/10)
You can get up to 55% OFF your subscription if you click the button below!
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4. Overview of Babbel podcasts
In addition to the app, Babbel also provides an assortment of podcasts to complement the language learning experience.
These audio resources are designed to help learners immerse themselves in the target language through engaging and informative content. The podcasts are available in several of the languages offered on the platform and cater to various levels of proficiency.
Each podcast series can cover anything from cultural insights to language tips, providing a broader linguistic context that aids in understanding the language you’re learning. The casual, yet informative format of the podcasts makes language learning feel less like traditional studying and more like entertainment, which can be crucial for maintaining motivation. (I also have a TIP for this called Tiny Trust Builders: you start small with your habits then build gradually until it all becomes a skill!)
Learners can use the podcasts to improve their listening skills and get familiar with the rhythm and intonation of the language. They are also a great tool for passive learning; you can listen while commuting, exercising, or during other activities.
5. What is Babbel Magazine?
Babbel Magazine is an online resource that complements the language app, and offers a wide range of articles related to language, culture, and travel. It’s essentially a free digital magazine that anyone – not only Babbel users! -, can access for insights and tips on language learning and cultural understanding.
This aspect of Babbel’s offering is a testament to the company’s commitment to all-encompassing language education, going beyond direct instruction and encompassing the lifestyle and mindset of a language learner.
For those interested in expanding their knowledge about a specific culture or learning strategies, Babbel Magazine is an invaluable resource. It allows learners to explore facets of a language that aren’t always present in structured lessons, thereby enriching the overall language learning experience.
6. Learning with Babbel Live: A new feature
Babbel Live is a relatively new offering that takes language learning into the realm of real-time instruction.
With this service, learners can join live virtual classes led by professional language teachers. It goes beyond self-paced learning, providing a classroom-like environment that can be accessed from anywhere. This feature is called Babbel Live, and it allows for immediate feedback and interaction, which are crucial for refining language skills.
Classes cover various topics and proficiency levels, allowing learners to choose sessions that match their interests and language goals. These classes are an excellent way for you to use the language in a practical setting, engaging with both teachers and fellow learners. It’s an added layer of language immersion, reinforcing the app-based coursework.
While this is a separate service from the app subscription, it provides an avenue for enhanced learning and community-building among language learners.
Features Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9/10)
You can get up to 55% OFF your subscription if you click the button below! Join Babbel now to learn one of their 14 offered languages!
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7. How much does the language cost?
The cost of learning a language with Babbel varies based on the subscription model you choose.
There are various options available, including monthly, three-month, six-month, and yearly subscriptions.
A Babbel subscription grants you access to one language, but occasionally there are promotions that offer access to more languages or a lifetime subscription for a one-time payment.
Value For Money Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(8/10)
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8. Learner’s user experience: is it easy to navigate?
Ease of use and user interface are critical factors in the success of language apps.
Babbel is known for having a simple, intuitive interface that allows you to start learning as soon as you open the app.
The lessons are clearly organized, and progressing through the course feels natural.
The app is designed with the learner in mind, making it easy to pick up where you left off or to find new lessons that match your current level.
The visual design is clean, which minimizes distractions and helps to focus on the material.
User Experience Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10)
9. Compare Babbel to competition: Mondly, Duolingo, and others
When comparing Babbel to other language learning options like Mondly, Duolingo, and Rosetta Stone, there are distinct differences to consider.
Duolingo, known for its gamified approach, makes learning feel like playing a game, which can be very engaging for some learners. Mondly similarly offers a varied learning experience, with augmented reality features to enhance the learning. (If you have doubts, read our Mondly review article.)
Babbel, on the other hand, takes a more traditional approach, focusing on conversation skills and grammar right from the start.
It’s worth considering your learning style when choosing a language app. If a structured, practical approach to building conversation skills appeals to you, Babbel may be the most suitable choice.
10. Babbel does well with Conversation Based Chunking
Babbel’s strength lies in its conversation-based approach, and thus, it can be greatly combined with Conversation Based Chunking method.
Essentially, this means that language learning is structured around real-life conversations and teaches language in chunks or phrases, rather than isolated words. This technique helps in understanding the practical use of language and supports the learner’s ability to start speaking sooner and with more confidence.
This methodology reflects how people naturally learn language, which is through context and interaction, rather than rote memorization of vocabulary. Babbel’s focus on this aspect of language learning is evident in how the lessons are structured, often starting with a dialogue and then breaking it down into manageable, learnable parts – but not words!
With Conversation Based Chunking, you internalize the patterns and structures of the language, helping to form sentences and express yourself in the target language without resorting to direct translation from your native language.
I think that signing up to Babbel’s subscriptions is worth your time and money, so don’t forget to click the button below to get up to 55% OFF your subscription.
8.3
Babbel Review: Overall Rating
Overall Conversation Based Chunking™ Stamp of Approval9
User Experience10
Content7
Features9
User reviews7
Value For Money8
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Babbel
Read this Babbel review article and learn more about how you can use babbel for language learning and to learn languages effortlessly!
Editor's Rating:
8.3
Can you become fluent with Babbel?
Babbel offers a great experience with its subscriptions. If you choose a popular language, you can become fluent with Babbel. For businesses, Babbel offers an efficient way to become a multilingual team.
11. An Effortless Lookout: An opinion of Babbel
Effortless Conversations values the opinions of real language learners. So, why not take a look at what the biggest language learning subreddit on Reddit thinks about Babbel?
Is Babbel worth paying for?
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