If you’re like most people, you’ve likely tried to learn a few key words and phrases before you take a trip to somewhere with a different local language.
Maybe you’ve picked up a physical phrasebook to prepare for your adventure, or perhaps you’ve read a few blogs.
In this article, we share all about language-learning tool Babbel to explore how it can help you prepare for your travels or learn a new language just for fun.
Babbel is an online language-learning tool that helps you learn a new language using their e-learning platform.
By signing up for one of Babbel’s subscriptions, you can access language courses through their app and their website, learning with a combination of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar lessons based real-world situations.
You can choose to learn a single language, or you can venture into polyglot territory and try to learn multiple of the program’s 10+ languages.
Through Babbel, you can learn the following languages:
Depending on which language you choose to learn, there are courses and content available to CEFR levels between A1 and C1.
It’s also important to note that Babbel offers their programs in multiple source languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a standardized guideline for measuring language skills. It has six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. If you have a level of A1, you are considered a Beginner, and you can usually understand and use basic phrases and expressions. Comparatively, a level of C2 is considered Proficient. At this level, you should be able to express yourself fluently on complicated subjects.
After you’ve chosen one of Babbel’s offered languages from the above list, you can take a placement test to make sure you start your learning at the correct level. This can help you fast-track your progress, especially if you’ve already started studying through other methods.
Once you’ve selected the appropriate level, you can begin your lessons.
Each lesson is different in terms of subject and method, but overall the curriculum will teach you progressively more difficult information using lessons that focus on vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, writing, and speaking in your target language.
Babbel uses tools such as flashcards, interactive dialogues, podcasts, grammar lessons, and more to help you feel confident in your target language quickly.
Additionally, the program keeps you motivated by giving you real-time feedback and a progress tracker, helping you visualize your language-learning journey.
To access Babbel and all its lessons, you need to sign up on the Babbel website or through the app and pay a subscription fee.
Depending on your timeline, goals, and financial preferences, you can select from the following subscription options:
It’s also worth noting that Babbel occasionally offers discounts on the above costs, so you may see the prices go even lower.
Additionally, there have historically been single-language subscription options, though they’re no longer advertised and honestly, the multi-language courses seem to be a better deal.
You can pay for your Babbel subscription through the Babbel website or through the iPhone/Android app store on your phone. You’re welcome to use the Visa, Mastercard, or AMEX of your choice for the transaction, but we’ve listed a few of our favourite no-FX travel credit cards below in case you’re looking for inspiration and some savings when you travel.
Using Babbel to learn a language is a great way to improve your knowledge and your ability to communicate, and it’s especially helpful if you’ve got some travel plans coming up.
When visiting a new place, knowing even a small amount of the local language will be tremendously helpful and is likely to open a number of doors.
Learning some of the local language before you arrive at a new destination can add further depth to your travel experiences.
Having some language skills on your next trip will help you better communicate with locals, enjoy a richer variety of regional foods and drinks, gain a better cultural understanding, and explore further outside of the touristy areas.
Knowing even a small amount of the local language can also help you stay safer and navigate transportation options better than you would otherwise.
Additionally, even if you can’t say much in the new language, the fact that you’re making an effort doesn’t go unnoticed by most locals. A few words and phrases in the local language combined with a smile is often enough to make a new friend and open up wonderful new opportunities.
The path to learning a new language is full of mental challenges and often involves getting outside of one’s comfort zone. However, it is exactly these (and related) factors that make learning a language so beneficial, and learning a language through Babbel can be a great way to gain self-confidence.
As you progress towards fluency in your chosen language, you’ll enjoy a sense of accomplishment, a broadened perspective of the world, improved brain function, and more — all of which will work together to make you feel more confident in many aspects of your life.
When learning a language with Babbel, you have the freedom to learn at your own pace and dictate how and when you learn.
The structure of Babbel’s courses lets you repeat lessons as often as you want to help you really master a skill. It also offers you the option to navigate through the lessons as you see fit, letting you pick and choose subjects that suit your learning desires each day.
Additionally, with multiple subscription options, it’s easy to only sign-up for the program for the amount of time you want, whether that’s for one month, one year, or many, many years.
Babbel has historically offered a real-time Zoom lesson option through a special subscription. With this access, you can sign up for small, live online classes with an instructor teaching in your target language. However, Babbel Live is currently not accepting new subscribers, and there’s no timeframe for when this will open up again.
Babbel is a great language-learning tool for anyone looking to improve their grasp of one of the program’s 10+ languages.
Whether you’re looking to learn some helpful phrases to help you navigate your next trip abroad, or you’re just looking to keep your brain active with a new challenge, Babbel’s multi-faceted curriculum can help you achieve your learning goals.
If you’ve you got a trip coming up soon, consider exploring some of our additional guides to help you make your travels smoother and even more enjoyable.
Yes, the Babbel app is available for both Android and iPhone.
Yes, the Babbel app is available for both iPhone and Android.
The highest level of proficiency available through Babbel’s courses and content is C1 level in the program’s European Spanish course. Babbel also offers courses and content up to a B2 level in French, German, and Italian, as well as many other languages at lower CEFR proficiency levels.
You can learn the following languages with Babbel:
Savings are here (if you don’t see the sign-up form, please click here):
