LEARNING SPANISH THROUGH GAMES AND THE BEST APPS TO USE

When children are learning Spanish, games can be an incredible learning tool. You may have heard the old Chinese proverb that describes the beauty of learning languages through games: “Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I might remember. Involve me, and I will understand.” The best language games have been designed to involve the learner in various different ways of learning the language.

These games provide a vigorous learning undertone. The learner can choose when to play - a time that suits them - and have fun while they spend time learning Spanish. Comligo believes in this innovative way of learning. The greatest part about learning Spanish by playing games is that while you are absorbed in the game, it’s fun and exciting, and you are actually learning.

Here’s a list of just a few of the advantages of playing language games:

• Provides a meaningful context for language use

• It’s a much-needed break from the conventional method of learning

• Time-efficient

• Creates a positive attitude about learning the language

• Encourages learners to use the language

• Reduces fear of making mistakes

So let’s get down to the important question. Which language gaming apps are the best to play?

FluentU: https://www.fluentu.com/en/

FluentU offer a unique approach to learning a new language - the same way that natives speak. They offer a wide variety of videos such as vlogs, web series, funny commercials, and movie trailers. As stated on their website they “bring language learning to life with real world videos.”

The app has interactive captions that allows you to tap on any word to see a picture, definition, audio, and useful examples. You can learn all the necessary vocabulary by watching videos and interacting with them.

Duolingo: https://www.duolingo.com

Duolingo offers a fascinating game design, allowing you to level up and unlock new categories as you progress. It’s a free language-learning app that offers both a website and app along with a digital language proficiency evaluation exam. The focus is on using speech, spelling, translations, visual queues, and multiple choice to learn Spanish.

Busuu: https://www.busuu.com

With more than 80 million users worldwide, Busuu is the largest language learning platform in the world. It started off as a website before being launched an app in 2010, and now 80% of learners access it on their mobile devices. There is a free and premium version of Busuu.

They offer language courses from beginner level A1 up to the more advanced level B2, and you can follow the courses in a sequence or select the topics that are most applicable to you. The app allows learners to practice their language skills with native speakers - you can send written exercises to them for feedback. You will get personalized comments about your work and you can meet different users from all across the world.

Babbel: https://uk.babbel.com

Founded in 2007, Babbel was the world’s first language learning app. This is a well-known platform that focuses on vocabulary, learning grammar, and pronunciation skills. One of the stand-out features of Babbel is that it offers a more direct approach and a variety of mediums.

Babbel is a subscription based/paid service that costs anywhere from $6.95 to $12.95 per month. However, there is a free version that comes with 40 classes - which will allow you to learn a decent amount of phrases.

The classes start with a step-by-step teaching of vocabulary, using pictures to help. Thereafter the words will be used in related phrases and short dialogues are adjusted to the student's level to help help build conversation skills quickly.

Mindsnacks: https://www.mindsnacks.com

Mindsnacks is an app that takes gamification to a whole new level. In fact, they have one the “best education app of the year” award thanks to their game design. Each language comes with about eight tiny games that are designed to help the user learn grammar, vocabulary, and to practice listening.

There are short basic lessons that to outline concepts that will then be practiced or tested in the games before the user achieves the status of being mastered. This app monitors your progress brilliantly which means that you will easily be able to see how much more learning you need to do to achieve proficiency in every skill.

Bravolol: https://bravolol.com

Bravolol allows you to learn through spelling, visual recognition, pronunciation, and problem solving activities. It introduces plenty of essential and practical vocabulary by means of an easy- to-use interface. Useful conversational sentence structures and common responses are also featured throughout.

While Bravolol isn’t designed specifically for kids, it implements meaningful vocabulary and content that is well suited for children 10-years and older.