On both Android and IOS there are a large number of applications for learn languages, but few as good as Lingvist, an app developed by one of the most important physicists in the world CERN and since its launch in 2014 it has been awarded by different organizations. It has also received excellent reviews from both self-taught enthusiasts and language pedagogy specialists. We detail in depth what is special about it.
How Lingvist works
While most language learning apps work under a structured teaching model that thoroughly explains aspects of a language's syntax and grammar, Lingvist uses a model based on natural language adaptation and acquisition.
The Lingvist Language proficiency is measured by the number of words you know and is able to use within a sentenceFor example, a command of 5000 words of English indicates advanced knowledge of this language.
When you start using Lingvist, the application evaluates your level of mastery of the language you want to learn, after a brief test the application will calculate the approximate number of words you master. It is worth mentioning that, with word mastery It refers to your knowledge not only of the meaning of the word, but also your ability to use it within a sentence, so sentence contexts, verb tenses and other aspects will be evaluated by the algorithm to define the optimal difficulty of each exercise. .
Learning a language in Lingvist occurs under the following mechanics, The application presents you the prayers in flashcard format, these sentences maintain an empty field that must be filled with the correct word. For example, the image above shows how the app tells the user that the word they are looking for is “Team” in the singular, the user must think of the correct translation based on the context since, for the aforementioned English learning example the answer is “Team”, a word that refers to a team of people, while in other exercises the same clue can be given, but with a sentence that refers to a sound system, in this context the word “Team” would be a wrong answer.
You will also be able to see the full translation of the sentence at the top of the exercise card, this translation is shown in literal and non-literal format.
If the user guesses the word correctly, the answer box lights up green and the user immediately moves on to another exercise. If the user does not know or provides an incorrect answer, the application will indicate, using shaded fonts, the answer that should go inside the box. which will be illuminated in pink to denote that the answer was not possible on the first attempt. You must write the word inside the box to move on to the next exercise.
This learning method is based on spaced repetition, that is, although you will always be presented with new exercises, these will be combined with all the flashcards already answered, which will be repeated from time to time. Likewise, different flashcards will be provided where the answer word will be the same as other exercises, in this way Lingvist significantly promotes long-term retention of all vocabulary What do you learn, as well as being able to accurately calculate your level of language proficiency.
Lingvist allows the learning of English, Russian, French, German and Portuguese. In addition to Android and IOS, Lingvist can be used from the computer through its official platform.
Disadvantages of Lingvist
- Although Lingvist has a voice synthesizer that pronounces the sentence of each exercise, it is not the best application to practice this part of learning a language.
- Lingvist was originally free, this combined with its enormous usefulness for accelerated vocabulary learning in another language facilitated its dissemination. However, a couple of years ago it adopted a very limited free modality that can be overcome by moving to a monthly paid version.
Even with these cons, we consider that the application is quite worth it, but if you are not totally convinced, don't worry, you can start with the trial period to get to know the Premium version.
