Learning languages: the best methods compared (2025)
Whether for vacation, career, or for friends and family – the reasons why people learn a foreign language are varied. However, learning a language isn’t equally easy for everyone. But don’t worry, it’s not due to a lack of talent: everyone can learn a language – with the right method. (There’s even language training that helps you improve your overall memory performance! But more on that later.)
Here you’ll learn which methods (and apps) you can use to learn a foreign language, how to stick with it in the long term – and why learning languages is worthwhile!
Learning a new language with apps
Learning languages with an app is very popular these days. No wonder: With a smartphone, you have your learning materials at hand at all times and can practice the language on the go or during short breaks. We’ll compare the most popular apps here.
Good to know: Learning with apps is just one of many methods for learning a language. You learn best when you combine different methods. You’ll learn more about other methods below.
Learn languages with Babbel
The market leader among language learning apps in German-speaking countries is Babbel. It’s a paid e-learning platform where 14 languages can currently be learned at various levels.
The language course lessons are only a few minutes long and ideal for in-between lessons.
The app can be used on a PC, smartphone, or tablet.
You can interact with other learners.
Playful elements increase motivation.
Who is it for? Learners who want comprehensive support in learning languages and are willing to pay for it.
Learn languages with Duolingo
Duolingo is a US language learning app with a playful approach, featuring fun characters, lots of pictures, and challenges.
For German-speaking learners, English, Spanish, and French are available.
Many other exotic languages are available with English as the starting language.
The mascot “Duo” reminds users to learn.
The standard version is free, but contains ads.
Who is it for? Learners who primarily want to expand their vocabulary and learn in small, fun ways. Particularly suitable for beginners.
Learn languages with Busuu
Busuu is a British online language learning platform that is now also available as an app. Unlike the previously mentioned apps, Busuu is also a social network: Users can help each other via the community function, have native speakers improve their pronunciation, and form language tandems. However, the exercises are somewhat less playful and intuitive than Duolingo.
There are 13 different languages to choose from, including Polish, Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Japanese, and Chinese.
Depending on the level, the languages can only be learned in ongoing courses.
Busuu is free, but the full range of learning materials is only available in the paid premium version.
Who is it for? Learners who value interaction with native speakers.
Learn languages with Memrise
Memrise is a vocabulary app from Great Britain that aims to impress with authentic spoken language and variety in learning. Sentences and vocabulary are spoken by locals, often in the form of videos.
For German-speaking learners, there are 11 language options, up to level B1.
The app organizes individual learning units, and you can set daily goals.
Courses can be downloaded for offline learning.
The basic version is free, but with limited features.
Who is it for? Learners who want to use the app exclusively to practice their vocabulary and value authentic language examples. Especially suitable for beginners.
Learn languages with Mondly
The app “Mondly” places a special emphasis on conversation – which sets it apart from other language apps. In addition to the typical vocabulary and grammar exercises, there are several opportunities to actively apply what you’ve learned in conversation. With regular practice, you can unlock extra features, which provides additional motivation.
Courses for more than 30 languages are available for German-speaking learners.
There’s a chatbot function for actively practicing conversations.
Unfortunately, the app occasionally contains bugs.
The basic version is free; access to all lessons requires payment.
Who is it for? Learners who value actively practicing conversations or who want to learn a more unusual language.
Learning Languages: Comparing Methods
What’s the best way to learn a language? There are many answers to this question, as there are numerous ways to learn a foreign language these days. Depending on your learning style and preferences, you can choose the right option – and ideally, combine several of them. Here’s a brief overview of the most important methods for learning a language:
- Attend a Language Course
The classic method for learning a foreign language is to attend a language course. This is possible, for example, at a university or adult education center. There is also a wide selection of private institutes and language schools that offer language courses at different levels.
Advantages: A language course tailored to your individual level leads to good progress in learning a language. You learn together with others, which increases motivation. You can also ask questions immediately if you have any questions.
Disadvantages: A potential disadvantage is that you cannot determine your own learning pace and subject matter, and you may hardly get a chance to speak in a large group.
- Hiring a private tutor
Hiring a private language tutor is a cost-intensive but usually very effective way to learn a language. Here, you will engage intensively with the foreign language in one-on-one lessons.
Advantages: The learning pace and content of the lessons are perfectly tailored to your learning style.
Disadvantages: Private tutors are not cheap – and there is also a lack of group interaction.
- Learning languages online
There are now countless ways to learn a language online: either with a teacher via video chat or with the help of online distance learning courses. The Institute for Learning Systems (ILS), for example, offers distance learning courses at various levels. Here, you receive study booklets and CDs sent to your home, and you can interact with course participants online. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate.
Advantages: You can join an online language course at any time and learn languages completely independent of time and location.
Disadvantages: There is no real personal contact in an online course. The lack of time pressure also tempts many learners to take daily practice more lightly.
- Learn languages with an app
Language learning apps are modern, flexible, and enthusiastically used by people of all ages. This is because the language exercises on your smartphone can be easily incorporated into everyday life. And this isn’t the only reason why apps are becoming increasingly popular for language learning:
Advantages: Language learning apps are a great way to learn a new language in a straightforward way. The exercises are easy to integrate into your daily routine. Playful elements such as levels or high scores motivate you to keep going.
Disadvantages: You’re on your own when learning. The level you ultimately reach depends on your own commitment. You usually don’t have the opportunity to use the language “live.” Apps are therefore good for learning vocabulary, but less suitable for practicing communication skills.
- Learn foreign languages with books, audiobooks, and films
Classic language learning books from bookstores are an entertaining option for bookworms. If you prefer to listen to a language while learning, you can turn to an audiobook instead. Market leader Audible offers numerous foreign language audiobooks and many specific language learning audiobooks. Like apps, (audio)books are perfect for on the go, for example, on the commute.
Foreign language films and series are also excellent language learning aids thanks to subtitle translation. You can either learn passively with German subtitles or use foreign language subtitles to hear authentic pronunciation and read up on it if you don’t quite understand something. Another tip: The same works with video games!
Advantages: Learning with entertainment media is fun and motivating.
Disadvantages: You need to reach a certain level of language before this method is useful.
- Learn languages like a child: with the Birkenbihl Method
The Birkenbihl Method is a language learning concept developed in the 1980s by German management trainer Vera F. Birkenbihl. Its focus is on imparting knowledge through play, as Birkenbihl believed that languages are best learned like a child.
The approach is therefore similar to the natural learning of one’s native language. Audio media are primarily used for this, as auditory learning plays a central role. The method consists of four steps:
“Decoding”: Read the native-language text and understand it with a word-for-word translation.
- Actively listen to the foreign-language text and simultaneously read the word-for-word translation.
- Passively listen to the text in everyday life.
- Speak, read, or write in the foreign language.
Advantages: According to Birkenbihl, you will automatically grasp the grammar of the language over time by listening to native speakers’ conversations. There is no need to memorize grammar rules.
Disadvantages: The Birkenbihl method relies on purely intuitive learning and is controversial among language learning experts. Adults, in particular, also benefit from explicitly directing their attention to rules and structures.
Tip: If you would like to try this method yourself, you should take a closer look at the language learning app Linguajet. This is based on Birkenbihl’s concept of intuitive learning and is available as a free trial.
- Find a language partner
There are many language learning exchanges and networks online these days where you can find a “language buddy” or tandem partner for your desired language combination. The exchange takes place either via online meetings or in person.
Advantages: A language partner is ideal for those who enjoy learning languages through face-to-face communication.
Disadvantages: What and how much you learn depends on you and your language partner.
- Learn a language abroad
One of the best ways to learn a foreign language is to travel abroad. Learning is simply quicker where the language is spoken and surrounded by native speakers. But you don’t have to emigrate immediately: A semester/year abroad, an au pair stay, an intensive language course, or a longer vacation are all you need.
Advantages: The language is omnipresent in the country, allowing you to absorb it directly and learn particularly quickly. For many learners, the moment they begin to think in the foreign language is a formative experience. This progress provides enormous motivation to continue.
Disadvantages: For beginners, it’s a leap into the deep end, as you won’t understand anything at first.
Learning languages for free – is that possible?
If you don’t want to spend money on a language course, a private tutor, or expensive teaching materials, there are several ways to learn a language for free:
Exchange ideas with a tandem language partner online or in person
Join a free language learning group that meets regularly
Use free basic versions or trial periods of apps and learning programs
Take language courses at universities as electives
It should be noted that learning languages for free often requires a great deal of personal initiative. For people who need external motivation, a paid option may be more advisable.
- Learning languages as memory training – with Gregor Staub’s megaLANGUAGES method
So far, we’ve shown you many well-known approaches that you may have already tried yourself – with varying degrees of success. However, if you’re fed up with old, outdated language learning methods and are simply not making any progress, we have an insider tip for you:
megaSPRACHEN is the online language training program from renowned Swiss memory coach Gregor Staub in cooperation with ALLESPRACHEN. Memory training and language learning are cleverly combined here.
The focus is on making learning fun: With the help of short, entertaining stories, you’ll learn new vocabulary in a playful way. This means that around 50 new words per hour will be memorized. The effectiveness of this language and memory training program has already been scientifically proven!
Advantages: megaSPRACHEN is a modern, effective, and entertaining learning method. It quickly brings initial successes that last. The memory training also helps you, for example, improve your memory for numbers and names and prevent dementia. Getting started is very easy: You start directly online. No prior knowledge of the language is necessary.
Disadvantages: If you’ve reached a very advanced language level and only want to work on linguistic finer points, other learning methods are more suitable. However, you can still benefit from it as a memory training program—for example, if you’re starting a new language on the side.
How to Find the Right Language Learning Method
Now we’ve listed a whole range of options for you. But which is the best method for learning languages? It depends primarily on your learning style:
Visual learners absorb information primarily with their eyes. Beautifully presented tables, mind maps, images, videos, and the like help them retain what they’ve learned long-term. Audio recordings, on the other hand, are a nightmare.
Auditory learners rely on their hearing. They need to actively listen to vocabulary to retain it – for example, in a typical language course, in conversations, or in videos. Seeing grammar rules and vocabulary in a textbook only frustrates them.
Communicative learners learn best in a group. They remember new vocabulary primarily through real conversations and discussions. It helps them most to join a study group, find a tandem partner, or travel to the country.
Tactile or motor learners learn through practical experience. You should move around while learning, travel to the country, have real conversations, or come up with creative mnemonics and stories. The main thing is not to sit still and memorize vocabulary.
So, the question of how to learn a language is one you have to answer for yourself. Do you recognize yourself in one of these learning styles? Or even in several? This is because most people are a mix of several learning styles. Often, a combination of approaches is most effective.
Good to know: The best learning methods are those that are based on how our brain works. We only remember vocabulary long-term if it is linked to previously stored information: other vocabulary, sentences, situations in which the word appeared, or memorable stories. This is why the megaLANGUAGES method, for example, is a good complement for all learning styles.
Learning Languages: Tips & Tricks for Long-Term Learning Success
The most important thing when learning a language is to take the first step and stick with it long-term. While advertising slogans like “Learn a language in your sleep” or “Learn a language in 5 days” sound tempting, you shouldn’t believe them. Instead, we’ll give you 7 real tips and tricks that will make learning a language easier:
- Find a reason for learning a language.
We already mentioned it at the beginning: Always remind yourself why you want to learn a language. This will help you through difficult phases. We’ll explain the good reasons to start learning a language in the next section. - Celebrate even small progress every now and then.
Smaller milestones keep you motivated. Short conversations with native speakers, in particular, can provide the necessary motivational boost. - Learn, repeat, and apply.
When learning a language, it’s important to constantly repeat and apply what you’ve learned, because your brain needs time to make new connections. Longer breaks from learning aren’t a bad thing: just keep going, and the “lost” knowledge will soon return! - Incorporate the language into your everyday life.
There are many ways to naturally integrate a foreign language into your daily life: for example, through music, films, or mentally, in imaginary conversations. It can also help to learn a new language together or to regularly exchange ideas with tandem partners. - Have the courage to make mistakes.
An important tip when learning a language is that you have to be willing to come out of your shell. You can only achieve a truly good level of language proficiency if you have the courage to interact and engage with native speakers—mistakes and embarrassing situations included.
- Don’t learn in isolation, learn in a networked way.
Our brain functions like a network. If you want to take advantage of this, you need to create connections with language. Images, stories, memories, feelings – all of these can help you remember vocabulary and sentences better. This is why memorization techniques like those developed by Gregor Staub work so well. - Fun and games are absolutely encouraged.
The most important thing we can give you: learning shouldn’t be a dry activity. Laughing together in a study group, thinking up amusing anecdotes, and telling childish jokes – whatever brings you joy is allowed. Because the more fun you have, the more you’ll retain what you’ve learned.
What motivates people to learn new languages?
As mentioned above, it’s important to know why you want to learn a language. Having a good reason to learn makes it easier to stay motivated. A few years ago, the European Commission conducted a survey to find out why people choose to learn new languages:
For vacation (52%): Being able to ask for directions, order dinner, or flirt with a vacation acquaintance – for more than half of Europeans, this is a reason for learning a foreign language.
For themselves (51%): About the same number of people simply enjoy learning new languages as a hobby. They want to develop themselves further.
To understand people from other countries/cultures (37%): About a third of language learners want to overcome the proverbial language barrier. They want to communicate with the local population, understand their way of life, and make friends.
For career (28%): Many also hope for better career opportunities – an exchange program during their studies, advancement within their own company, or, for example, their dream job in an international firm.
Other reasons: Of course, there are many other motivating factors – for example, understanding books and films in the original language, for their foreign family, feeling more European, or doing something for their mental fitness.
In short: Whether young or old, whether for professional or personal reasons, learning languages is worthwhile for everyone! It even has health benefits, as learning languages trains the memory and helps prevent early dementia. Foreign language learners thus kill two birds with one stone.
Conclusion: What’s the best way to learn a language?
Finally, it can be said that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to language learning. The most important thing is a learning method that suits you and helps you stick with it in the long run. To do this, think outside the box and keep trying new, innovative approaches until you find one that’s easy and fun for you.
WE WISH YOU GOOD LEARNING SUCCESS!
Final tip: Try the free lesson from Gregor Staub’s megaSPRACHEN. The ALLESPRACHEN team was completely convinced by this new way of learning languages. Perhaps you, too, will find your new favorite method here!
