A quick appraisal of some language learning apps… comparing functionality and visuals. Assessing good points, bad points and skills needed to achieve something similar.
Pimsleur Language App
Series of recorded lessons.
Additional text lessons.
Timer.
Jump back or fore in lesson
Positives
- Intuitive
- DRIVING display function, with big navigation
- Easy access to the reading section
Negatives
- Bit slow to load
- Reading option displays entire booklet.
I like the simple design. Would be helpful if the sentences appeared as they were spoken as sometimes the learning points are rushed through. Think it would help cement the knowledge.
Questions:
- How to add a timer
- How to jump back and forward
- Adding audio
- Displaying wording underneath
DU Chinese App
This is one of my favourite apps. It contains graded lessons from Newbie to Advanced.
Positives
- Options to turn off English or Pinyin
- ‘Bouncing Ball’ highlighting of text as spoken
- Audio
- English translations appear above
- English translation on touching character
Negatives
- Visually a bit dull
- Text is small
Questions
- How to make bouncing ball
- How to tie speech to action
Say Something in Welsh (SSIW) App
Again a series of graded lessons, designed to be listened to, but no clear reference material. The system encourages speeded up listening as a means of training the brain.
Positives
- Basic, Easy to navigate
- Speed up function
- Access to forums, other levels etc
- Vocab button
Negatives
- Visually a bit dull
- Vocab a bit hidden. Found by accident
Questions
- None really. Just how to add audio, volume controls etc.