Are you planning on spending any time in the Southeast Asian country of Laos? Learning the basics of the language through our 6 best apps to learn Lao will dramatically increase your enjoyment of a region famed for its Buddhist monasteries, hill tribe villages, and French colonial architecture.
Unfortunately, choosing the right language-learning app for learning Lao can be intimidating. There are so many to choose from, and it is almost impossible to know where to begin. Well, bear with us; we are here to help you navigate the Lao language app minefield and find a Lao course that is perfect for you.
First, let’s begin with the basics. Lao, or Laotian, belongs to the Tai family of languages native to Southeast Asia. It is used by around 7 million native speakers within the borders of Laos, where Lao is the official language, as well as some 23 million people across the border in the Isan region of Thailand. Although Lao is the lingua franca in Laos, around 90 other languages and Lao dialects are spoken, but we won’t worry about those just yet.
The Lao language is a tonal language that has similarities to other languages in the Tai language family, as well as with neighboring Vietnamese and Chinese. Those with a decent grasp of Lao phrases will find it easy to learn Thai because they are linguistically similar. The split between the two languages came during the latter half of the last century, when the Vientiane dialect was taken as the de facto language in Laos, and the Khonkaen dialect was adopted over the border in Isan.
Because Thai and Lao are closely related, their written forms follow a remarkably similar system. The same goes for the Thai and Lao tones. For English speakers, the tonal qualities of Lao can be difficult to grasp, but with the right Lao online lessons, you will soon get the hang of the gorgeous sing-song qualities of the language.
Right, that’s enough with the linguistic history lesson; you’re here to find out which of the Lao language apps and online courses is the right one for you. So let’s look at a few of the best courses to help you learn your new language.
| Apps | Why Is It The Best? | Pricing |
| Cudoo | Best Overall App | $12.99 one-time payment |
| Italkie | Best App For Vocabulary | $4.00 to $30 per hour, depending on the tutor |
| Tandem | Best App For Immersive Learning | $13.99 per month, $31.99 per 3 months, $79.99 per 12 months |
| HelloTalk | Best For App Language Exchange | $12.99 per month, $79.99 per year, $149.99 per lifetime |
| Brainscape | Best App For Flashcards | $19.99 per month, $59.94 per 6 months, $95.88 per year, $199.99 per lifetime |
| Ling App | Best App For Gamified Language Learning | $8.99 per month, $79.99 per year, $149.99 per lifetime |
Cudoo
“Empowering people through education.” With an impressive number of language courses, Cudoo provides a solid foundation for language learners of all abilities and provides something for everyone. Interactive exercises keep you engaged, and you have the opportunity to learn on your own or with a friend. The video tutorials are easy to follow, and the practice exercises help cement what you have learned. Fun quizzes and tests are a great way of gauging how well you are progressing.
Features
- Real-time feedback on your Lao pronunciation efforts makes it easy to perfect your pronunciation in not just Lao but multiple languages.
- Experienced language instructors teaching Lao from beginner to advanced levels. You don’t have to worry about being a newbie to the Lao language, as Cudoo has you covered, whatever your skill level.
- Interactive exercises that allow you to study Lao on your own or with a friend. With today’s hectic lifestyle, Cudoo helps you learn at a pace that suits you, whether you need to practice your Lao with another person, or by yourself over a cup of tea when you get a spare moment.
Customer Review
★★★★★
“Cudoo is an incredible platform. I really enjoy listening to the audio and watching the colorful illustrations. It’s very easy to navigate and learn new languages. Absolutely love the fact that Cudoo gives free courses to charities. What an awesome initiative!” — Ulrike D.
Price: $12.99
Devices: Android, iPad, iPhone, and Web.
Italki
Italki is one of the biggest language teachers available today on the internet. For those looking for 1-on-1 tuition, Italki provides a safe and secure way to get in contact with language tutors to suit your budget. Learning with a native speaker has always been the best way to learn a new language, and Italki has tutors lined up around the globe. The app is also brim-full of free features to enhance your learning experience.
Features
- Easy to navigate online platform with a host of native Lao speakers available. Italki is a fantastic app for those who want to practice their Lao language skills with other people. Because the platform is so popular, there is always someone there to talk to and help you improve.
- A wide range of unique classes allows you to learn all aspects of the Lao language, whether you need to brush up on your linguistic skills for a business meeting or learn how to get a better bargain at the local market.
Customer Review
★★★★★
“Easy to navigate, found a great teacher to suit my needs. System works well. Highly recommend.” — Lily Scott.
Price: From $4.00 To $30.00 Per Hour
Devices: Android, iPad, iPhone, and Web.
Tandem
Tandem is a language exchange app first and foremost. So, although it is great for practicing a language with others online, it is not meant as a teaching aid. So maybe not the choice for beginners, but great once you get going and want to hear how the language you are learning sounds when spoken by native speakers.
Features
- Tandem puts you in touch with Lao speakers who are keen on learning your language. This is a fantastic idea because the people you learn Lao with are genuinely interested in exchanging their native experiences with you. This is not just a great app for language learning but also for learning aspects of the Lao culture and everyday life.
- Tandem doesn’t require any third-party software, so it is easy to simply log in and ask someone if they have time for coffee and a chat.
- It is also a safe platform to interact with others keen on learning a new language. It’s always good to know you are in safe hands when being put in contact with strangers. With Tandem, those strangers will soon become your new friends.
Customer Review
★★★★★
“I love this app. Speaking to people who also want to learn a language is the best thing ever! I’ve made great friends already and it hasn’t been 24 hours. I love this app!” — Francesca.
Price: Starts At $13.99 Per Month
Devices: Android, iPad, iPhone, and Web
HelloTalk
This ultimate language exchange aims to help people make new friends around the world while exploring new cultures and learning new languages. The app is perfect for those who wish to practice a new language, but probably not the best app for beginners, as it is more of a language exchange than an actual teaching tool. It does have some nice features to help you improve your language skills after you have the basics under your belt, though.
Features
- Intuitive Language Tools: Built-in tools to help correct things like translation and pronunciation to allow you to chat freely in Lao.
- Moments: This feature allows you to post public messages that will be seen by other Lao speakers. Posting Moments is a great way to share your updates with other users and ask questions to the wider Laotian community.
- Voicerooms: As well as being able to communicate by text, voice, and video, HelloTalk allows you to practice your Lao speaking and listening skills in the app’s Voicerooms that other members can join for free.
Customer Review
★★★★★
“Addictive in the best way. I never imagined how much I’d be hooked on HelloTalk. I post in Spanish and get edits/comments instantly from native speakers!” — By Dallascar2016 via the App Store.
Price: Starts At $12.99 Per Month
Devices: Android, iPhone, and Web
Brainscape
“The world’s smartest flashcard app” allows Lao learners to create their own learning path through customized flashcards. Brainscape relies on its spaced repetition algorithm to make sure you retain what you’re learning, and adds additional features that make it stand out from other language-learning apps.
Features
- Ensures maximum memory retention by repeating harder Lao language concepts to optimize your studying.
- Brainscape’s scientifically proven methods ensure you will learn twice as much Lao in half the time.
- Allows you to sync your metrics and flashcards across the web and mobile apps.
- Brainscape’s revolutionary flashcard app takes a time-honored language learning process and updates it in a fun, interactive way that really does mean the Lao words and phrases you learn stick in your head.
Customer Review
“In days my Spanish has gone from elementary to conversational; incredibly in depth & easy to use.” — Sophie Parker, Spanish Learner.
Price: Starts At $19.99 Per Month
Devices: Android and iPhone
Ling App
Ling app is a great all-rounder for those looking to learn a new language. As it helps you learn using multiple topics as well as vocabulary, Ling app helps you get quickly up to speed with your grammar, speaking, and writing. Those who like games will love Ling app, as there are plenty of quizzes and mini-games to help you assess how well you are doing.
Features
- Courses for all Lao fluency levels, from absolute beginner to advanced. Don’t worry if you have no previous knowledge of Lao, Ling app will have you up to speed in no time.
- AI chatbot to practice daily conversations, speaking exercises to improve your pronunciation, and finger tracing via your smartphone screen to become familiar with writing the Lao script. Because the script is initially rather bewildering, finger tracing is a great way to get your brain used to all the curls and swirls.
- Learn helpful grammar tips in Lao while playing fun, interactive games. Ling app really wants you to have fun while learning Lao, so there are plenty of games, quizzes, and other activities to keep you smiling.
- Mini-games, flashcards, challenges, and interactive games to help you learn Lao faster and more effectively.
Customer Review
★ 5.0
“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, challenging, but possible. I don’t plan on mastering Thai by anymeans, but this will help me understand and speak better if I have m way and get to visit someday. Thank you Ling app developers for your time spent in creating this fun application.” — Megan Kizer.
Price: Starts At $8.99 Per Month
Devices: Android, iPad, iPhone, and Web
Have We Missed Any Of The Best Apps To Learn Lao?
With so many language-learning apps available, it can be hard to keep up. As new learning tools are constantly coming onto the market, we will do our best to keep you updated.
If you are just getting started or are keen to improve on a language you are already learning, why not give Ling app a try? The app has more than 60 languages available, lessons created by native speakers, and an AI chatbot with which to practice your skills. Ling app is the perfect springboard for you to dive into a new language or improve on the one you are currently wrestling with. Try Ling app today by clicking on the App Store or Google Play.
