It's hard to imagine everyday life without language learning apps. Whether on the U2 on the way to campus, during your lunch break or on the couch in the evening - learning a language has never been so easy, has it? But those who rely solely on one of the numerous apps often quickly realize that progress is lacking - despite a "streak" of a hundred days or more. Why is that? Here are some reasons why apps alone are not always the best solution - and how you can usefully supplement them.

1. Lack of communication with real people

One of the biggest weaknesses of language learning apps is that they cannot offer authentic communication. Even if the app simulates dialogs or integrates AI conversation partners, the exchange with real people is missing. And since learning is also a social activity for us, this doesn't work so well with the app. After all, spontaneous speaking and understanding in real conversations is the key to success. Without this practice, many learners remain linguistically blocked as soon as they actually have to communicate with native speakers.

2. One-sided focus on reading/listening and vocabulary/grammar

Many apps focus heavily on learning vocabulary and repeating grammar rules. Although this is important, it is not enough. What's more, they primarily train the receptive skills of listening and reading. But language learning is more than that: it is about context, cultural understanding, pronunciation and writing skills. Apps alone cannot cover this versatility.

3. Lack of individualization

Although many apps claim to offer personalized learning, they often remain quite generic. Your individual weaknesses - be it in pronunciation, sentence structure or speed - are not always recognized or specifically trained. Professional teachers, on the other hand, can respond to your specific needs and help you exactly where you need it.

4. Motivation often falls by the wayside

In the beginning, learning with an app is fun, especially when you collect badges or points. But the motivation boost often doesn't last long. Without regular encouragement, such as that offered by a language course or a tandem partner, it's easy to put the app aside after a few weeks.

5. No immersion in the language

Apps can't give you the opportunity to really immerse yourself in the language. Listening to podcasts, reading books or watching movies in the foreign language are essential for developing a feel for the language. Apps often remain one-dimensional here and offer little variety.

6. No feedback on pronunciation and errors

Another problem is the lack of or limited feedback. Even if some apps offer pronunciation exercises, these are often not precise enough. A language teacher, on the other hand, can give you direct feedback, explain why a mistake happened and help you to avoid it.

7. Little practical use in everyday life

Apps often work with isolated sentences or tasks that are rarely used in everyday life. The feeling of actually being able to use the language is often missing. Conversations, discussions or storytelling - the things that make up real language skills - are rarely practiced.

How can you still make good use of apps?

This doesn't mean that apps are completely useless. They can be a great addition to a language course or other learning methods. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of them:

• Use apps to learn vocabulary or review grammar.

• Combine them with real-life communication opportunities, e.g. tandem partners or a language course.

• Set yourself clear goals and integrate the app into your daily learning routine.

• Supplement your learning with authentic materials such as books, films or podcasts.

Conclusion:

Language learning apps are a practical tool, but they are no substitute for active and varied language learning. Communication, cultural understanding and real immersion in the language - apps cannot replace all of this. However, if you use them as part of a larger learning plan, they can help you make faster progress towards language mastery. So: apps yes, but not alone!

At WU, you can use the language learning app Busuu - after a language learning consultation, you will receive a voucher for six months of Busuu Premium. (Norbert Conti 10.4.2025)