(CNN) –
In the past few months, we’ve tested several language learning apps. From Babbel to Busuu to Rosetta Stone, we look at all the different learning styles and methods. An application that differs from the others is Memrise. Another language learning app, Memrise engages you in local pronunciation and dialect to keep you engaged and excited about learning a new language. A lifetime subscription to Memrise Language Learning is now on sale for just $ 99.99 (originally $ 139). The price may seem high, but we definitely think it’s worth it for the quality of the classes and the app’s resources.
Memrise offers classes in 22 different languages, including options for regional specifications for certain languages, such as speaking Spanish in Mexico instead of Spain. It’s amazing how specific the app is, and that’s part of the reason why we think it goes further to immerse you in the local culture and dialect.
Memrise is super different from the other language apps we tested. We found that there was more video content, a simple and effective approach to learning extra words and resources (we’ll see that later) that took the app to the top.
Let’s start with the principle: you will need headphones if you are using this app with other people. Almost every aspect of learning with Memrise involves listening to audio, so you’ll want to make sure you hear it clearly. The classes that did not involve audio were grammar, which we found to be heavier to read than to listen. Anyway, we prefer to use headphones when using Memrise so that we can really listen and focus.
We were really impressed with the graphic design of the application, which is colorful and simple. The interface is very intuitive and simple to navigate. It’s a modern feel that keeps it simple and cool and much less like a book than other apps we’ve tested. There is not much to touch when you open the app. You will choose your language and initial level; if you have prior knowledge of the language, you can choose to start at a higher level (if not, you can start at level 1, like us). You will then be taken to the home page to start learning.
Navigating Memrise is really simple, as there are only three pages to explore. There is your home page, a learning guide and then an exploration guide. The home page shows your daily goals, how many words you have learned and a button to click to start learning. There is also a block-like button that will take you to a menu with all the learning options. There, you can switch from vocabulary to grammar and access previous lessons already completed as you go. If you access the Learn tab, you will see linear progression as you learn your new language. It walks you through the lessons you’ll work on before moving on to the next level. We like the way Memrise mapped its learning process. He traced a clear path for us to follow and let us know what was coming.
As we said, Memrise is super heavy on audio. You will hear words pronounced repeatedly, which we find useful for keeping the vocabulary in memory. You will alternate between hearing words spoken by someone speaking on a video, listening to the word while looking only at the spelling and touching the possible definitions of each word. We liked Memrise to use videos from native speakers using vocabulary words because it involved us both visually and aurally. There is even a section of the app called “Learn from the locals”, where you can watch videos of native speakers spending the day and speaking the language you are learning.
One of the coolest features of Memrise is the explore guide. We were surprised that the app requested permission to access our camera, but we were excited when we saw the purpose. Through the app, you can use your phone’s camera to take pictures of objects and have the translation appear on the screen below the object. This feature was also quite accurate for naming objects properly. This confused some things depending on the camera’s angles, like labeling a laptop screen as a TV. But as we moved the camera to include more defining features, like the keyboard, it was able to correctly identify our laptop. You can even tap the small speaker icon next to the translation to hear how the word is pronounced in the language you are learning.
After taking a photo using the app, it is saved to your library within the app. If you click on your library, the app pre-organizes photos into folders based on the category of the item you photographed. There are folders configured for photos of objects in categories such as office, animals, food and even specific categories such as Easter, Halloween and Earth Day. It’s amazing how quickly the app organizes things into folders for you and saves your images so you can see them the next time you want to remember the vocabulary. We think the camera feature would be perfect for wherever you are, if you can’t remember a word or are trying to communicate with someone quickly.
Memrise also offers some standard features that we find in other language applications. You can set daily learning goals, such as learning 5, 10 or 15 words a day. You can also turn on reminder notifications to open the app and spend time learning your new language each day. Reminders are not overwhelming and allow you to personalize your experience with the app. If you know you have more time to spend at Memrise at night, you can set reminders for the end of the day, instead of during the morning, to get the most out of your experience. Overall, Memrise offered our favorite features from other apps and added new and different options in a user interface that was straightforward and easy to follow.
The price may seem high for Memrise, but for $ 99.99 for a lifetime subscription you have access to learning 22 different languages in an efficient and engaging way. The application has an intuitive interface that makes browsing a lot easier, so you can start learning right away, instead of wasting time trying to figure out where to start. We love the inclusion of videos in vocabulary classes because it kept us engaged and interested. In addition, the bonus feature of using your camera to identify objects and get immediate translations really sets Memrise apart from the other language apps we tested.
A lifetime subscription to Memrise is currently on sale for $ 99.99, originally $ 139. Whether you are looking to fill in your extra time by learning a new language or want to hone your old conversational skills, we think Memrise is the way to go.