Packing My Bags with Babbel: How I Prepped for Life in a New Country!

Can you become fluent with Babbel? In this Babbel review, we will dive deep into the platform and discuss whether it truly delivers on its promise. Specifically, we’ll explore the level of fluency you can achieve in speaking, listening, and other skills.

As a quick background, I’ve personally learned multiple languages, including English (as a native French speaker), and Japanese, using a variety of techniques and platforms. This experience has given me insights into how effective tools like Babbel can be. Let’s explore how Babbel, one of the best language learning apps, measures up in delivering fluency.

Best Language Learning Apps

How Babbel Works

Babbel organizes its content into structured levels. Each level includes two to six courses, with each course containing around 5 to 15 lessons. A single lesson typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes. Babbel claims that completing a program for a language like Spanish or French can help you learn approximately 3,000 words, equating to a B1 (intermediate) level.

While vocabulary count is an important metric, it’s just one factor in assessing language proficiency. Babbel also incorporates a mix of listening, speaking, and writing exercises into daily lessons, making learning feel manageable and dynamic.

Lesson Breakdown

A typical lesson includes a variety of exercises:

• Listening to phrases and repeating them with a microphone.
• Practicing flashcards to reinforce vocabulary.
• Completing grammar exercises.

This blend ensures you stay engaged and don’t feel overwhelmed. The short, interactive drills make Babbel more entertaining than competitors like Duolingo or Rosetta Stone.

Babbel Pricing

Babbel offers several pricing plans:

1. Monthly Plan: $12.95 per month.
2. Quarterly Plan: $8.95 per month.
3. Yearly Plan: $6.95 per month.

Babbel also provides a lifetime subscription, a one-time payment for unlimited access to its courses. While it requires an upfront investment, this option can be cost-effective for dedicated learners.

Babbel Live and Review Features

Babbel Live is a premium offering separate from the standard app. It includes live classes taught by experienced instructors, with 3 to 6 students per session. The classes focus on specific topics, catering to different levels of learners.

Review System

Babbel employs a spaced repetition system to reinforce past lessons. Every time you log in, you are prompted to review previous material through flashcards, listening, or speaking exercises. This approach optimizes long-term retention.

Grammar and Speaking Drills

Babbel strikes a balance in grammar instruction, incorporating quick grammar drills into lessons rather than overwhelming users with dense explanations. Speaking exercises are included but not the platform’s primary focus. For a more comprehensive speaking practice, you can supplement Babbel with services like iTalki or Babbel Live.

Verdict

Babbel is one of the best language learning apps, especially for beginners and intermediate learners. Its interactive lessons and balanced approach to grammar make it an excellent choice for most people. However, reaching an advanced level (C1 or C2) would require additional resources beyond Babbel.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a reliable and engaging language app, Babbel is worth considering. Its pricing is reasonable, and its features are well-suited for learners aiming to build a solid foundation. For more insights, check out our comparisons between Babbel and other platforms, like Duolingo and Rosetta Stone.

Call-to-Action:

Explore Babbel’s pricing plans and take advantage of any ongoing discounts through the links in the description box.

Outro Note:

I hope this review helped clarify what Babbel offers. Please like and share this post if you found it useful, and feel free to comment with any questions!