It’s disappointing that there’s no Khmer on Babbel! Hey, have you given the Ling app a try? It has got awesome Khmer lessons that are both engaging and fun. You can start learning right away!
Are you among the many Khmer language learners and feeling a bit disappointed because you couldn’t find any Khmer courses on a language-learning app like Babbel? As I said, I’ve got some good news for you! Now you can find a full Khmer language course on the Ling app. So, no need to worry anymore!
The Khmer Language Overview
Before we jump into the awesome features of language apps like Ling, let’s take a moment to explore some aspects of the Khmer language, shall we?
Learning Khmer is more than memorizing words
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Where Is Khmer Spoken?
Did you know that Khmer has around 19 million native speakers, the great majority of them in Cambodia?
Khmer, commonly referred to as Cambodian, is the official language of Cambodia. The majority of Cambodians speak Khmer because it is their native language. There are also sizeable Khmer-speaking populations in neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam, especially in border regions with Cambodia.
Generally speaking, it’s spoken by several people in the Mekong River Delta area, with about a million speakers in southern Vietnam and roughly 1.4 million in eastern Thailand.
Is It Difficult To Learn Khmer?
Learning Khmer can be quite challenging for English-native speakers! Many said it’s even trickier to speak and read than Mandarin. Yeah, there are definitely some challenges.
Here are the main hurdles:
- Many of the vowel sounds in the Khmer language are quite different from what you might be used to in English or European languages. They’re similar, but you must listen carefully to notice the subtle differences.
- Another important thing to consider is the distinction between aspirated and unaspirated consonants.
- The Khmer alphabet, or its writing system, is complex. If you try to learn it immediately, it’ll take a while to start having simple conversations.
And on top of that, some said there’s no straightforward way to transcribe Khmer into the Latin alphabet. Some books and dictionaries don’t really match how the words are pronounced. Yeah, learning a new language like Khmer can be quite challenging and time-consuming.
Babbel App Review
Babbel’s lessons are great for building a solid foundation in your target language! However, if you want to become fluent in a language, consider opting for a more fully immersive and seamless learning course. You can use Babbel as an additional tool to help expand your vocabulary.
- The quality of the courses can vary depending on the language you’re aiming to learn: every language course is made individually, so the depth and quality of the courses can differ from one another.
- Babbel offers really well-developed courses in popular European languages like Spanish.
- Some less popular languages only offer courses for newcomers and beginners, so Babbel might not be the best choice for languages that are not as widely spoken.
Importantly, it only offers 14 languages for now. And nope, Khmer isn’t included.
Why Is There No Khmer On Babbel?
As mentioned, Babbel has got you covered with 14 different languages to choose from. Most are European languages, so you’ll have many options to explore! However, it looks like they only offer one Asian language, which is Indonesian.
So, it seems like Babbel is more focused on developing European languages rather than Asian languages. It looks like Khmer, one of the languages spoken in Southeast Asia, won’t be added anytime soon.
Why not just go for Ling and uTalk now? They are two solid alternatives that can help you learn Khmer!
Use These 2 Alternatives To Learn Khmer!
Let’s check out the features of the Ling app and uTalk and figure out which language app would be the best fit for you right now.
The Ling App
The Ling app is a well-known language-learning application that offers lessons in 70+ languages, including the Khmer language. It’s a fun way to improve your language skills with its game-like structure and engaging features that motivate language learners.
This app focuses on practical conversational skills, with features like vocabulary exercises, grammatical explanations, and audio recordings for listening and speaking skills. The Ling App is great for on-the-go study because of its intuitive design and bite-sized lessons.
For those with little to no prior language experience but an interest in learning the basics to advance, Ling is an excellent resource!
uTalk
Can you believe that learning a few phrases can help you talk to locals in everyday situations like shopping, asking for directions, using public transportation, and more?
That is exactly what uTalk is built for. Its Khmer course covers over 2,500 words and phrases across more than 60 everyday topics, from first words and numbers to transport, restaurants, and shopping. Every item is recorded by native speakers, and you can record yourself and compare your pronunciation against theirs.
If you’re looking to gather some quick knowledge for your awesome trip to Cambodia, a phrasebook-style app like uTalk is a great thing to have in your pocket. But if you want to take your Khmer skills beyond travel phrases and actually hold a conversation, then Ling is the better choice.
No Khmer On Babbel: Frequently Asked Questions
Is There Khmer On Babbel?
No. Babbel teaches 14 languages, and Khmer is not one of them. Most of Babbel’s courses are European languages, with Indonesian as its only Asian option.
Which App Can I Use To Learn Khmer Instead?
The Ling app has a complete Khmer course with vocabulary exercises, grammar explanations, and native-speaker audio. uTalk is a good companion for travel phrases, with over 2,500 words and phrases across more than 60 topics.
Is Khmer Hard To Learn For English Speakers?
It takes patience. The vowel sounds are subtly different from English, aspirated and unaspirated consonants have to be told apart, and the Khmer writing system takes a while to read comfortably. There is also no single standard way to transcribe Khmer into the Latin alphabet, so books and dictionaries do not always agree.
Learn Khmer With Ling Now!
Ling is an awesome app that can help you improve your Khmer skills and learn many new languages you’re interested in. It’s like opening a new door to a world of language-learning possibilities!
Most Khmer learners chose the Ling app for their language journey, so why not join them? Download Ling today and start learning Khmer language with the full course. New to the script? Our guide to the Khmer alphabet walks you through it.
