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Learn the languages of Israel with these 5 new and exciting apps

[additional-authors]
June 23, 2016

When I set out to learn the languages of my ancestors, I didn’t realize how close and connected I would feel to them. Instead of just reading a book, I now had a new understanding of the culture and their lives. With such a rich history, Jewish people have an amazing opportunity to learn the languages of Israel and increase their cultural understanding, even if you aren’t traveling to Israel anytime soon.

Learning a new language, especially Hebrew or Arabic, can seem overwhelming. Luckily, you’ve got technology on your side—the best way to learn a new language is on a mobile app. Here are the five best apps for learning a new language and connecting to your culture: 

HelloTalk (free)

Learning a new language is about people and culture, not just flashcards and workbooks, and HelloTalk gets that. Instead of using the traditional methods of language learning, the app connects users with native Hebrew and Arabic speakers around Israel. After short lessons, you can converse with a native speaker in Israel to get real-time feedback and experience the culture in an entirely new way. 

HelloTalk is based on a worldwide network of more than 70 data centers set up by communications company Agora.io, which means that no matter where in the world, or what kind of network connection you or your native speaker are, you can always have crystal-clear communication. 

Download on iOS

Download on Android

Brainscape (free)

For flashcard learning, there’s no better app than Brainscape. Each language it offers comes with a deck of thousands of vocabulary words, which the app then personalizes to match your learning speed. It learns what words you struggle with and rotates them through the app more frequently, while words you master only show up occasionally. The app isn’t flashy, but it sure is effective in teaching a variety of words and phrases.

Download on iOS

Memrise (free)

Learn up to 44 words per hour with this app, which taps into proven memorization techniques to teach skills that stick. Choose from a wide variety of learning activities at different levels—this app has lessons for beginnings on up to semi-fluent speakers. Memrise offers more than 100 languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, and some favorite fictional languages as well.

Download on iOS

Download on Android

busuu (free)

This app is completely customizable, so you can set your own learning goals and decide how quickly you want to progress. There are a variety of learning activities offered, each developed with the help of native speakers around the world for accuracy and usefulness. After each activity, you can test your learning with a review activity. If you’re short on time, busuu also offers a mode that highlights the must-know 3,000 words and 150 topics for each language. As a bonus, you don’t even need an Internet connection to take advantage of the app.

Download on iOS

Download on Android

Duolingo (free)

Duolingo was one of the first language learning apps and is definitely still one of the best. This app turns learning into a game without skimping on any of the content or learning. After each mini-lesson, users can answer review questions that earn them points for each correct answer. Those points can be redeemed at the app’s virtual store and used to compete against family and friends as you move up levels. Duolingo is a great app for adding a social and competitive aspect to language learning. 

Download on iOS

Download on Android

Learning a language through a mobile app likely isn’t the way your ancestors did it, but it can connect you to your history and culture unlike any other kind of study. As a bonus, when you do visit Israel, you’ll be able to converse with locals like a natural. 

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