You have mastered the greetings and small talk, but are now feeling stuck.
Welcome to the intermediate stage of learning. But don’t worry, it’s not completely your fault.
It is just that most intermediate language apps don’t meet the requirements that this level calls for.
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So, if you are tired of juggling between different apps and still haven’t found a suitable app, we have got you covered.
This blog post highlights the most common struggles intermediate learners face and explores the seven best intermediate language apps that can fulfill your hunger for fluency.
Struggles Of Intermediate Language Learning
When it comes to the intermediate level, some apps make us feel like we are running in circles, with no clear progress.
Let’s look at why this phase often feels like a grind:
No Clear Next Step
Most apps don’t offer a clear transition between beginner and intermediate learning levels.
You either get stuck in a kiddie pool repeating basics or dive into the deep end doing lessons that feel too difficult, with no in-between.
Endless And Boring Repetition
At the intermediate level, we all need new content.
Yet, all we get are the same old vocabulary quizzes and practice exercises repeatedly, which get boring.
Grammar Gets Ignored
Most apps generally focus on words and basic sentences at this level.
They totally ignore the grammar part, like the tricky verb tenses, idioms, and sentence structures, which actually help in gaining fluency.
Weak Speaking And Listening Exercises
Most apps’ speaking exercises and listening audios are too basic or sound robotic and don’t prepare for real conversations, fast talkers, or thick accents.
Missing Context
Most apps teach vocabulary without any related context or cultural insight.
That’s why using them in real life becomes challenging, as if we are learning song lyrics without knowing the tune.
Vague Feedback
Feedback on your speaking or writing is often vague or unclear, leaving you clueless about the progress.
Pricey Plans
Even after spending thousands of bucks on Premium subscriptions to most apps, we feel stuck.
Tech Glitches
Crashes, bugs, or syncing issues break the momentum, which is very annoying.
7 Proven Intermediate Language Apps You Can Try Today
Despite the struggles, some intermediate language learning apps are meant to guide you through these struggles to keep you moving toward fluency.
With this in mind, let’s explore seven intermediate language apps that you can start using today to level up your language learning journey:
| Apps | Best For | Monthly Subscription Starting From |
|---|---|---|
| Ling | Fill-in-the-blank Practice Exercises | $16.99 |
| Duolingo | Bite-sized gamified lessons | $7.00 |
| Babbel | Blends grammar and vocabulary | $13.95 |
| Busuu | Native speakers feedback | $6.66 |
| Lingopie | TV shows with subtitles | $13.99 |
| Memrise | Best for vocabulary | $8.49 |
| Clozemaster | Fill-in-the-blank Practice exercises | $14.03 |
1. The Ling App
- Why It’s Good: Ling’s intermediate lessons offer a smooth transition from basic introductory phrases to real-life conversations like workplace chats or travel scenarios.
Thus, you feel less overwhelmed while advancing in your language-learning journey.
Plus, it offers finger-tracing writing exercises, which are great for mastering scripts, especially difficult ones like Thai or Japanese. - What You Get: A chatbot (labeled in-app as “Dialog”) for practicing real-life conversations, bite-sized lessons, detailed grammar, language, and culture articles, native audio recordings, a finger-tracing tool, interactive practice exercises of all four skills, and cultural context.
- Who It’s For: It’s perfect for all learners passionate about learning a new language or improving their native language.
The Ling app is best for you if you want to talk like locals in your favorite language.
- Price:
- Monthly price: $16.99
- Six month price: $64.99
- Annual price: $89.99 (with 7-day free trial)
- Why It Stands Out: What’s a better way of learning a language than from a loyal friend?
The Ling app gives the same feeling, with lessons that prepare you for actual conversations and a gaming interface that provokes you to keep moving.
2. Duolingo
- Why It’s Good: Duolingo’s stories and podcasts dive into fun dialogues that stretch your intermediate skills. You can skip the beginner level with a quick test.
- What You Get: Interactive stories, podcasts, game-like lessons, and vocabulary refreshers.
- Who It’s For: Folks who love a fun, playful vibe.
- Price: Free (with in-app ads); Super Duolingo starts at $7/month.
- Why It Stands Out: It’s like playing a game that sneaks in learning, with just enough challenge for intermediates.
3. Babbel
- Why It’s Good: Babbel’s lessons focus on real-world topics like dining or work, with voice recognition to polish your accent. They’re perfect for intermediates who want practical skills.
- What You Get: Voice recognition, everyday dialogues, and tailored lesson plans.
- Who It’s For: Learners who want a structured and informative platform.
- Price: $13.95/month or cheaper with more extended plans.
- Why It Stands Out: It’s like a mini-classroom that prepares you for real situations.
4. Busuu
- Why It’s Good: Busuu connects you with native speakers who give feedback, helping you sound natural in conversations. Its lessons focus on dialogue and context.
- What You Get: Native speaker corrections, dialogue practice, and offline lessons.
- Who It’s For: People who love connecting with a community.
- Price: Starts at $6.66/month.
- Why It Stands Out: It’s like having a language coach in your pocket.
5. Memrise
- Why It’s Good: Memrise uses videos of native speakers and flashcards to teach phrases you’d hear, which boosts your vocabulary.
- What You Get: Native videos, flashcards, and quirky quizzes.
- Who It’s For: Visual learners who want real-world phrases.
- Price: Free with limits; premium starts at $8.49/month.
- Why It Stands Out: It makes vocabulary fun and sticks in your head like a catchy song.
6. Lingopie
- Why It’s Good: Lingopie allows you to watch TV shows and movies with clickable subtitles, helping you pick up natural speech and slang.
- What You Get: Video lessons, vocabulary lists, and comprehension quizzes.
- Who It’s For: TV lovers who learn by watching.
- Price: Starts at $13.99/month.
- Why It Stands Out: It’s like binge-watching your way to better language skills.
7. Clozemaster
- Why It’s Good: Clozemaster’s fill-in-the-blank sentences teach idioms and grammar in context, pushing you to think like a native.
- What You Get: Sentence exercises, customizable levels, and text input practice.
- Who It’s For: Learners who love a challenge and want natural expressions.
- Price: Free with limits; pro starts at $14.03/month.
- Why It Stands Out: It’s like a puzzle that sharpens your language brain.
That being said, these are only a few intermediate language apps that I personally like for intermediate learning.
You can give them a try to see which app works for you and choose accordingly.
A Few Handy Tips To Reach Intermediate Fluency Faster
Although the above-mentioned intermediate language apps are the best in their own way, using them mindfully can offer a greater win.
Here are five simple tips that you can follow to boost your language skills in no time.
I have also mentioned the intermediate language apps suitable for each tip to ease your decision-making.
1. Keep Speaking
Tip: Don’t wait to feel “ready”. Start practicing real-life conversations immediately, like ordering food or asking for directions, even if you stumble.
Why Is It Great? Talking helps your brain tie words and grammar together, like practicing a dance until it feels natural. It improves your speaking skills.
How Apps Help:
- Ling: Have dialogues with a chatbot or dialog and get accurate pronunciation tips.
- Busuu: Get feedback from native speakers and practice accordingly.
2. Keep Revising
Tip: Keep revising the words to lock them in your memory. The more you review them, the more you will retain them.
Why Is It Great? This trick is like timely watering the plants. It keeps vocabulary fresh in your head.
How Apps Help :
- Ling: Flashcards and matching word exercises help you review all the words together that you have learned so far to avoid confusion.
- Memrise: Flash cards with cool visuals make learning vocabulary fun.
3. Listen Carefully
Tip: Listen to native audio through songs, dramas, podcasts, or YouTube videos to become familiar with accents.
Why Is It Great? Listening to real speech makes sounds natural to your ears.
How Apps Help:
- Ling: Customize the speed of the native audio according to your liking or get slow playback for proper understanding.
- Lingopie: Watch shows with subtitles to catch slang and accents.
4. Practice All 4 Language Skills
Tip: Don’t just focus on one skill. Blend reading, speaking, and listening skills while practicing the language.
Why Is It Great? Mixing skills make you better at using the language naturally.
How Apps Help :
- Ling: Provide interactive exercises for all four skills in one lesson. You can read, listen to, and speak the words and phrases together.
- Babbel: Blends grammar, vocabulary, and speaking together.
5. Make It Fun
Tip: Turn learning into a game to keep you hooked and motivated.
Why Is It Great? Learning is always fun when it doesn’t feel like work. You want to keep going.
How Apps Help :
- Ling: Daily streaks, Banana points, small, bite-sized lessons, and game-like exercises keep you motivated.
- Duolingo: Leaderboards, streaks, and rewards for completing daily quests seem fun.
What Makes Ling The Best Intermediate App For Serious Learners?
With so many fantastic intermediate language apps available, what sets Ling apart?
Its gamified, tailored lessons and user-friendly interface attract serious learners.
Let’s look at other Ling features that our language learners are loving:
- Structured Lessons: The Ling app structures the lessons according to different learning levels (beginner to expert). You can easily choose your desired level and keep climbing the ladder.
- Distinct Practice Exercises: With different kinds of practice exercises in the gaming format, you won’t get bored or overwhelmed.
- Clear Grammar Explanations in certain language courses: Each grammar note offers clear explanations by breaking down complex rules into simple ones, so you’re not left scratching your head.
- Real-World Conversation: Practice with a chatbot, labeled in-app as “Dialog,” that uses native speaker voices and allows you to reply according to the conversation.
- Cultural Insights: Learn vocabulary with the real-life scenarios and enjoy “culture notes” or cultural tips for better retention. Note: culture notes aren’t currently available in every language course, but the team is eagerly working to add more!
- Choose Your Path: The Ling app divides lessons into different topics like travel, work, and time. So, you can choose the lesson that matches your goal.
- Quick Feedback: You get quick and accurate feedback on your speaking, grammar, and writing for steady progress.
- Multiple Languages: With the Ling app, you can learn over 60 languages, including the least popular ones like Gujarati.
- Affordable Price: Lesson plans are affordable. You can even enjoy a 7-day free trial for a week.
What You’ll Learn In A 7-Day Free Trial
If you avail of Ling’s seven-day Free Trial and spend around 10 minutes daily, you can achieve:
| Days | What You’ll Learn |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Basic Introduction And Greetings |
| Day 2 | Numbers And Counting |
| Day 3 | Basic Places And Locations |
| Day 4 | Order Food In The Cafe |
| Day 5 | Simple Family-Related Vocabulary |
| Day 6 | Solve Simple Practice Exercises |
| Day 7 | Have A Basic Conversation Using The Dialog To See Where You Stand |
Real Results from Real Learners
Here’s what our real learners are saying on our website about how Ling is helping them in mastering their favorite languages:
“This is an incredible app. I consider myself to be language-challenged (even in my native tongue, sometimes!), but the programmers have made this app fun, and challenging, but possible. I don’t plan on mastering Thai by any means, but this will help me understand and speak better if I have my way and get to visit someday! Thank you, Ling app developers, for your time spent creating this fun application!”
Megan Kizer
5.0 ⭐
“I have used many apps for learning Thai. This one is my favorite. I love that it uses combinations of learning styles. Sentence structures, reading, writing, and listening. It also keeps me entertained!”
James Rowland
4.8/5.0 ⭐
“A very practical application, with classical exercises and other more elaborate ones, as is the case with dialogues to complete. I recommend it.”
Benjamin Fouks
4.8/5.0 ⭐
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Intermediate Learning Apps
s There Any Intermediate Language Learning App Better Than Duolingo?
Yes, intermediate language apps like Ling and Busuu are the best alternatives to Duolingo for the intermediate language level. With these apps, you can clearly understand complex grammar topics, learn about culture, and engage in real conversations to grasp the context behind the language and become an informed speaker. Although Duolingo also provides engaging and informative lessons, you might feel like you are in the same position as where you started.
Can I Use More Than One Intermediate Language Learning App Simultaneously?
Yes, you can. In fact, using different mobile language-learning apps together can fill the gap each application has. For instance, you can use Ling for grammar lessons and real-world conversations, Memrise for vocabulary, and Pimsleur to listen to audio. In this way, you can look at the language from different angles. However, it is preferable to use one app at a time. Otherwise, it can get overwhelming. And, isn’t it better to use only the all-in-one app like Ling instead of multiple ones?
Can We Progress At An Intermediate Level Without Using Any Language Learning App?
Listening to podcasts, watching TV shows, and speaking to natives might help you progress at an intermediate level. However, I am not confident about it. We always need proper guidance, a teacher, and multiple practice exercises at the higher levels for steady progress. Therefore, choosing one reliable intermediate language app is better than gathering resources from multiple platforms.
Start Learning Your Favorite Language With Ling!
Undoubtedly, the intermediate stage shouldn’t feel like a dead end, especially while using intermediate language apps. The Ling app helps you easily transition from being somewhat fluent to a confident speaker without feeling overwhelmed.
Although all the intermediate language apps mentioned above have unique features, I prefer Ling for its emphasis on practical skills and equal focus on all the languages, even on the rare ones.
Plus, aren’t 4.8/5 ratings on the Google Play Store and 4.6/5 ratings on the App Store convincing enough?
If you are still confused about which language app to use, try the free version of the Ling app, and you won’t go back (I am sure)!
Happy learning!
