Need to learn German as an Au pair but don’t know what apps to use? Check out this post for the 10 best apps for German learning.
As someone who is still learning German as I type this, I feel like very few German learners are aware of what other apps are out there that can contribute to their success. For example, if you’re someone who learns languages better with flashcards, you’re going to find more success with a flashcard app than with an app that doesn’t use them.
Therefore, if you’re planning to become an Au pair in Germany and you’re looking for a German learning app that suits your learning style, you’ve come to the right place. This post alone highlights different German learning apps for different learning styles as well as their pros and cons.
Au Pair in Germany Series
P.S. This is a post in my Au Pair in Germany series. Here is the complete series:
Au Pair Origin and History: What is an Au Pair: The Origin and History
Au Pair Tasks: What Does an Au Pair Do: Au Pair Tasks
Au Pair Agencies: The 7 Best Au Pair Agencies for Americans
German Language Learning Apps: The 10 Best Apps for German Learning as an Au Pair
Au Pair Guide: How to Become an Au Pair in Germany
Au Pair Visa: Au Pair Visa Germany: Requirements for Americans
Au Pair vs. Nanny: Au Pair vs. Nanny: What is the Difference?
Au Pair Salary: German Au Pair Salary: What to Expect
Au Pair Rematch: The Top 10 Reasons Why Au Pairs Rematch
Au Pair Driving: The Au Pair Guide to Driving in Germany
German A1 Exam: How To Pass Your German A1 Test To Become An Au Pair
Host Family Interview: Here Are 100 Host Family Interview Questions You Need To Ask
Host Family Red Flags: 10 Host Family Red Flags You Should Watch Out For
Packing List: Au Pair Packing List: Germany Edition
BFD: BFD in Germany: What Americans Need To Know
FSJ: How to Do an FSJ in Germany
Ausbildung: Ausbildung in Germany: Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Babbel (best apps for german learning)
Best for Serious Learners
What is it: Babbel is a subscription-based language learning app that offers its subscribers the ability to learn up to 14 languages virtually. In fact, the company who created the app itself, is actually based in Berlin and they’ve been around since 2007.
The German course they created for their subscribers specifically utilizes audio, video, and text as a practical approach. In fact, if you even want to take your German to the next level, you can sign up for Babbel Live classes too where you’ll get the chance to practice in front of a live native speaker.
So, if you’re serious about learning German as an Au pair, I highly recommend using Babbel. In fact, if you purchase your subscription online through their site, you’ll even get 50% off a 6-month subscription.
Cost: The cost for using Babbel varies depending on the type of subscription purchased.
Pros: appealing pictures, great layout & design, clear audio, simple exercises
Cons: repetitive lessons, less material for advanced learners
Duolingo (best apps for german learning)
Best for Busy Learners
What is it: Duolingo is a game-style language learning app that offers its students a gamified way of learning new languages. In fact, it focuses on teaching four types of language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
The lesson modules that they created for German specifically are presented in a tree-like form based on level and topic. So, in other words, you’re supposed to complete the lessons in a specific order. However, if you wanted to test out a certain lesson module that was out of order, you would have to pass a short assessment in order to access it.
So, if you’re interested in becoming an Au pair in Germany but don’t have the time to learn German, I highly recommend Duolingo. Their learning system is very bite-sized and straightforward so it shouldn’t be hard to implement it into your daily routine.
Cost: Duolingo is completely free to use but you can purchase their premium subscription, Super Duolingo, for an ad-free experience.
Pros: quick lessons, great for basic vocabulary (A1), tracks your learning progress
Cons: no grammar instruction, repetitive exercises
Busuu (best apps for german learning)
Best All-in-One App
What is it: Busuu is a comprehensive language learning app that offers its users the ability to focus on the vocabulary and grammar of a foreign language through speaking, reading, listening and writing with regular feedback. In fact, before starting any of their exercises, you’re encouraged to take a placement test to assess your level.
The German course, in the app specifically, is based on the Common European Framework of References for Languages. So, in other words, it covers all areas of language acquisition by including key vocabulary that’s pronounced by native speakers and lesson dialogues with newly learned words and phrases.
So, if you’re interested in becoming an Au pair in Germany but need an all-in-one app to learn German, I highly recommend Busuu. The app itself definitely has a community aspect worth checking out and it even has its own video chat platform too.
Cost: The app is free with limited access. For full access, a premium subscription must be purchased.
Pros: community focused, state-of-the-art speech recognition, live tutoring sessions
Cons: not suitable for advanced learners, erratic feedback from community
Der Die Das App (best apps for german learning)
Best for Learning Articles
What is it: Der Die Das is a language learning app for learning the three definite articles in German. Users can use the app to search for particular nouns they don’t know the definite article for as well as to test their knowledge in different multiple choice sscenarios.
So, if you’re interested in becoming an Au pair in Germany but you’re having trouble learning the German definite articles, I highly recommend using the Der Die Das app. Even though it focuses on a small section of German, knowing these German articles extensively can help you avoid silly mistakes in your communication.
Cost: The Der Die Das app is free with limited access. To unlock all content, you must pay $5.49 for the app.
Pros: simple design, easy to use, includes the rules for each article
Cons: only the A1 level exercises are unlocked for free, ads get in the way of learning
HelloTalk (best apps for german learning)
Best for Conversational Skills
What is it: HelloTalk is a language learning app that offers its users a language exchange with native speakers of the language they are learning. So, in other words, users of HelloTalk can use the app to find a conversation partner to text, speak and practice with all within one place.
So, if you’re interested in becoming an Au pair in Germany but you need someone to practice your German with, I highly recommend using HelloTalk. The app’s grammar correction feature is also really helpful since it reviews your texts in German before they’re sent.
Cost: The app is completely free to use but there is the option to purchase a subscription for extra features.
Pros: can interact with real native speakers near you, responsive interface
Cons: app can drain battery, no German lessons
Italki (best apps for german learning)
Best for Tutor Support
What is it: Italki is an app that connects its users to tutors who are native speakers of the language they are learning. In fact, if you are a learner looking to use the app, you can find a tutor there that best suits your personality, schedule and learning style.
So, if you’re planning to become an Au pair in Germany but need some 1:1 support for German, I highly recommend using the Italki app. Your tutoring lessons can even be tailored to your specific needs in regard to the German A1 exam or something else.
Cost: The tutors on Italki charge on average anywhere between $4-30 per hour for each lesson.
Pros: skilled teachers are available at low prices, flexibility in scheduling lessons
Cons: finding the right tutor takes trial and error, prices don’t guarantee quality
FluentU (best apps for german learning)
Best for Audiovisual Learners
What is it: FluentU is a language learning app that immerses its users in another foreign language through media. This media, for instance, can be anything from music videos and video clips to interviews and news reports.
So, if you’re planning to become an Au pair in Germany, but you prefer to learn German audiovisually, then I highly recommend using the FluentU app. For German, they use a lot of media from Nickelodeon Deutschland which can be helpful if you grew up watching the network in your home country.
Cost: You’re entitled to a 14-day free trial the first time you use the app. Afterwards, a monthly or yearly subscription must be purchased. In addition, they even offer a 20-day money back guarantee if you would still like a refund after the trial.
Pros: enormous variety of media content, interactive subtitles are provided for each form of media
Cons: focus is on memorization rather than communication, writing practice is limited
Rosetta Stone (best apps for german learning)
Best for Immersive Learners
What is it: Rosetta Stone is a language learning app that offers its users the ability to learn a new language through complete immersion. This method is known as Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion® method and it uses a blend of interactive and contextual lessons to help users speak confidently.
So, if you’re planning to become an Au pair in Germany and you’re looking for an immersive German learning app, I highly recommend Rosetta Stone. It will use images, text, and sound to teach you German without any translation.
Cost: Rosetta Stone is a subscription-based app with three different plans. These subscriptions can be every 3 months, year or a lifetime.
Pros: interactive design, effective immersion
Cons: not for advanced learners, repetitive exercises
Memrise (best apps for german learning)
Best for Flashcard Learners
What is it: Memrise is a language learning app that uses mnemonics to reinforce a learner’s foreign language vocabulary through flashcards. In addition to flashcards, Memrise also uses short video clips to enhance a learner’s listening skills in another language.
So, if you’re planning to become an Au pair in Germany and you learn languages better with flashcards, I highly recommend using the Memrise app. Their goal is to help you learn new words through multiple connections using images in different contexts.
Cost: Memrise is free with limited access. For full access, a subscription plan must be purchased.
Pros: uses a spaced repetition system, a lot of free content
Cons: not for advanced learners, features are different depending on the operating system used
Learn German by Bravolol (best apps for german learning)
Best for Pronunciation
What is it: Learn German by Bravolol is a language learning app that uses many German phrases and words to help their users with their German pronunciation. The app’s content is even ordered by theme so that users can listen to phrases that might be helpful to know whenever they’re shopping, eating or even driving.
So, if you’re planning to become an Au pair in Germany and want to improve your German pronunciation, I highly recommend the Learn German by Bravolol app. Each pronunciation in the app is recorded by a native German speaker and you don’t need an internet connection to use it.
Cost: The app is free with limited access but the premium version is only $4.99 to use.
Pros: helpful phrases in each theme, turtle/snail icon to hear pronunciations more slowly
Cons: not for advanced learners, no grammar instruction
Best Apps for German Learning FAQs
Overall, to end this post, I would like to answer some frequently asked questions you might have about the best apps for German learning!
Which is better Babbel or Duolingo?
Depending on the type of learner you are, if you’re serious about learning German I would recommend Babbel over Duolingo. However, if you’re a busy learner that wants to learn German casually, then Duolingo is for you.
Is there a free app to learn German?
Babbel, Memrise, Busuu, and Duolingo are free apps you can use if you want to start learning German but you will have too pay for some apps eventually if you’re really serious about learning.
What are the disadvantages of learning German?
Some disadvantages to learning German include:
- Learning a complex grammar
- Memorizing the definite articles of different nouns
- Pronouncing sounds that are not common in your native language
In the end, I really hope you enjoyed reading this post about the 10 best apps for learning German for Au pairs. Please let me know in the comments down below which app you would like to try the most. I would love to hear from you! 🙂
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