Beelinguapp: Language Learning
By Mieke VanderBorght,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Great idea needs better design; ads buzz, pay wall stings.
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Beelinguapp: Language Learning
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What’s It About?
Complete the phrases "I want to learn" and "I speak" with a selection from 14 language choices to start using BEELINGUAPP: LANGUAGE LEARNING. Log in with your Google or Facebook account, or tap the "X" to skip this step. Once in, start browsing the library section for stories, the news section for articles, or the music section for songs. Each text or song is divided into two sections: the top half shows the language you want to learn, and the bottom shows the language you speak. Tap the audio button to hear the text read or sung out loud while you follow along by reading in your native language. The text is highlighted in both languages as the reader progresses. Tap words to hear them said out loud, see a translation, or add them to a glossary.
Is It Any Good?
This text and audio collection offers an innovative approach to language learning in a bulky package that doesn't quite make a smooth delivery. When it works, Beelinguapp: Language Learning's system can be great fun. Learning a new language feels natural when kids listen to native speaker narrators while they read along in their own language to help them understand what they're hearing. The highlighted text can help kids orient themselves in both the language they know and the language they're learning. And a variety of topics to read about makes the text feel relevant and interesting. In practice, though, there are quite a few things that just don't work well with Beelinguapp: Language Learning. For instance, sometimes the translations are off or just plain wrong. And because sentence structure isn't the same across all languages, the rolling highlighting sometimes actually confuses more than it helps when the parts of the translated sentence are in a completely different order. The stories and songs have real people reading or singing, but the news stories have computer-generated audio which doesn't always sound great. Navigation through the app feels clunky at times, and the pay structure all but guarantees that kids can't use the app without constantly running into a pay wall. And finally, technical issues, such as screen freezes, sometimes interfere making it difficult to move around the app smoothly.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the languages they want to learn with Beelinguapp: Language Learning. What language does your kid want to learn or improve? What interests them about that language? What have they learned through their reading?
Provide as many opportunities for interacting with your kid's chosen new language as possible. Watch movies, borrow books from the library, listen to music, or attend cultural events. If you can, visit the language's country of origin, or find native speakers in your area who are willing to do a language exchange.
Make learning a new language a family effort. Practice using new words and phrases together with your kids.
App Details
- Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
- Skills: Self-Direction : achieving goals, initiative, personal growth
- Pricing structure: Free to try (Thirty-minute free trial then subscription for premium features range from $3.99/mo. to $17.99/year; $4.99 to remove ads)
- Release date: September 13, 2019
- Category: Education
- Publisher: Beelinguapp UG
- Version: 1.536
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 9.0 or later; Android 4.2 and up
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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