List of Top Language Learning Software in 2021 - Latest Quadrant Ranking Released by 360Quadrants

Language learning software and application are specifically intended to allow users to learn, improve, and maintain or sharpen their acquaintance of foreign language skills. Language learning software is used by organizations and individuals throughout industry verticals to learn and sharpen their foreign language skills for job placements, career enhancement, or personality development.

360Quadrants has evaluated and published some of the best language learning software which will benefit businesses while selecting the correct software for their requirements. All these software providers have been systematically analyzed based on two broad categories—product maturity and company maturity—and have been plotted accordingly on a quadrant.

360Quadrants also does a detailed SWOT analysis that allows service providers to understand about new prospects and areas in which they need to improve.

Language Learning Software Vendor Evaluation

360Quadrants has evaluated a total of 30 companies offering learning language software, out of which the top 10 software providers were placed on a quadrant under Visionary Leaders, Innovators, Dynamic Differentiators, and Emerging Leaders.

Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, Busuu, and Open English have been recognized as Visionary Leaders in the language learning software space. These vendors hold a stronger product range and an extensive geographical presence.

Babbel for Business and Italki have been recognized as Innovators in the language learning software space. Innovators in the language learning software space usually have an innovative product portfolio and a robust business strategy.

Current Trends in Language Learning Software

Language learning software has been gaining popularity over the years, but it is particularly relevant now, in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Various online programs are available that have been developed to support students keep up with their studies. Here are the current trends in language learning software that help learn quickly and efficiently.

1. VR Learning

The cost of VR tools is reducing each year, and 2020 will not be an exception. Students buy headsets and dive into an interactive environment. As someone studying languages, you can have the chance of using VR for “visiting” other countries, listening to people talk, and learning from their examples. This method is more efficient than non-immersive education.

2. Artificial Intelligence and Learner Assistance

Artificial Intelligence assistance is emerging in the eLearning space. Organizations are now providing innovative solutions wherein bots can guide learners both, on the learning path, as well as during the course programs.

Artificial Intelligence can be used to predict learner behavior and help customize learning. Depending on the modules acquired by learners and the challenges faced, better customization will be brought about. Voice-guided bots will also help learners in searching for crucial content in modules. As observed, organizations will be implementing newer approaches of Artificial Intelligence support for their learners in both, the learning processes and to handle queries. For instance, an intelligent chatbot can act as a support for technical queries.

Additionally, robots can be used for helping kids and learners with special needs to learn new skills and help them meet their requirements.

3. Customized Learning

The online solution lets various apps to filter users’ unique areas of interest. They obtain suggestions based on their specified preferences and search history which offer the best educational benefits. The accuracy of such predictions has improved and hence learners have started using the customization functions.

4. Social Learning

Social education, with reference to eLearning means communicating with others online to acquire knowledge. Different forums and groups of interest are popular choices, and their popularity only increases with time. Various online language learning groups or communities enable people to ask questions and brainstorm together.

5. Educative Gamification

Online games are one of the best methods of learning and this trend is spreading like wildfire. These are gaining popularity as they are both, entertaining and insightful. In fact, even people who are not passionate about learning languages start playing games as the mazes, wars, and competitions they offer are pleasantly addictive. Various educative games have been developed where players have to resolve language tasks and receive rewards.

6. Sample-based Learning

Another method that is gaining traction and becoming popular is seeing a task and the way it is being done by other people. For instance, you might need to translate a text, but despite knowing the basics, you could struggle while undertaking it. Many students use samples as a learning method. They order translation to be done by someone else, and then they compare it with the original, analyzing what a translator has done as well as learning from it.

7. Video Learning

The number of online tutorials in various languages is increasing. Experts release videos wherein they offer tips and support their audience in learning, and many people find them extremely insightful. Both, paid and free versions are available, therefore budget constraints need not matter. This is one of the reasons for this option becoming popular among students—just find your favorite profession and start studying, discussing the video content with others via comments.

8. User-generated Educative Content

Another trend involves using education plans developed by other learners. Download the corresponding apps and search for such plans which are available online, with access offered to every person who wants them. Someone’s approach might be perfect for you or it might motivate you to develop your own by combining information from different methods in one place.

9. Instant Learning

Quick learning is a great method to memorize educative content rapidly and in small volumes. It includes short training periods where you receive information in small bits before going to other tasks. Search an app or a program that provides such a study format and you will know how many other students are already using it.

10. Online Flash Cards

Flashcards have always been a widespread technique of study, and now, with online options, they have become even more popular. Create your own unique online cards or download someone else’s. You can use them to learn more words; match translations with pictures for maximum benefits.

Key Questions To Be Answered Before Choosing A Language Learning Software

Best Language Learning Software is usually used by organizations and individuals in all industries to learn and sharpen foreign language skills for job assistance, career development, or personal satisfaction. While individuals may use this software to enhance their marketability, employers can also offer it as a benefit to help progress workforce knowledge.

With too many of language-learning resources and apps available in the market, it really becomes tough to know what actually works. Here are key features to look for while selecting language-learning software—for individuals or organizations.

1. Is the content ideal for practical use?

The phrases you learn should be from reliable, real-life conversations and developed by native speakers—with local expressions and on-the-street understandings. Learning and understanding ancient German literature will not help you navigate the streets of Berlin. A good language program will offer chapters and lessons personalized around those needs, with vocabulary and structures you can truly use in those settings.

2. Is the content based on real-life scenarios?

Casual sentences put together for the single purpose of communicating sentence construction will not help you start a real conversation. A comprehensive program requires constant teaching of relevant language with phrases that benefit you support yourself; else, it takes too long to get functionally fluent in another language. Search for language software that offers lessons with practical content for navigating everyday situations.

3. Is the audio recorded by native speakers, and is it clear?

Go for an audio experience that benefits your selection on the intonation of a language and provides you the opportunity to practice your pronunciation, along with that of a native speaker. A language program provides phonetics for every word or phrase and enables you to hear the pronunciation spoken at a conversational pace as well as a slower pace is a plus point.

4. Does the procedure inspire thinking in the target language?

The entire point of learning another language is to easily use a natural second way of communicating. The correct tools will help you naturally think in that language and instinctively speak your own phrases and sentences.

5. Does the course provide speaking practice?

Speaking in another language for the first time can be a little frightening. But the more you practice, the more perfect and confident you will be. Find a language program that inspires you to repeat unfamiliar words and phrases out loudly—so your confidence level is high during a real-time conversation.

6. Is the efficacy worth-it?

Programs that are not based on second language acquisition research and the teaching experience of language experts prone to be less effective in offering a well-versed approach to language learning. Select content with a proven practice that has been developed by experienced linguists and language experts and teachers. Similarly, while good language learning apps are inexpensive, free apps may not always be the option. Generally, free apps include ads with too many distractions that keep you from actually learning.

7. Is the course mobile compatible?

Ensure that the app is dead-zone proof. Do you want an internet connection to learn? Does this program work on all your devices? Does it eliminate the ‘if only’ and other reasons between you and learning? Language learners on mobile phones feel a superior sense of freedom of time and place so that they can leverage their spare time to learn and acquire a second language whenever and wherever they are.

8. Is the learning–centered around you?

Every learner has different ways of learning. A language system that familiarizes your learning behaviors is a plus that could improve your rate of acquisition and help you better remember what you learned. Usually, these methods of customization come in the form of spaced repetition algorithms (SRS) that provide dynamic review sequences in response to the user’s learning pace. Customization can also mean that the learning platform provides a variety of distinct types of learning exercises.

Although there are many other features of language resources useful for learners (like progress tracking, reviews, and quizzes), software that nails the features mentioned above will give you a more competent and effective learning experience.