LingQ: Language Learning

Using LingQ has been an eye-opening experience for me and my language learning journey. Like many people, our opinions about language learning were formed by the bad memories of high school formal classes. Now after using LingQ and seeing how much more effective a massive input-based method can be, I feel like I was robbed not only of the time spent with grammar books but also of the attitude related to language learning (it’s a fact that learning a language is actually pretty easy and straightforward if you read almost everyday). As I’ve progressed with language learning I’ve realized that the learner needs lots and lots and lots of input which becomes more enjoyable the more you consume. Time spent talking/listening in your native language to a teacher for more than half of a class is doing nothing but wasting valuable time. I wish I would have known this years ago. LingQ has been an amazing experience for me as a paid user, but unfortunately the free version of LingQ is too restrictive to fully appreciate the power of consistent, massive consumption.

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The system, with its highlighted words, is great. 5 stars. The feed needs fixed, it's just a bunch of random articles. I can't find my own uploaded content half the time, even under Imports, without searching specifically by name. 4 stars. The forums are toxic - there's a 85% male ratio on there, I'd estimate. Questioners are a mix of internationals, and "bros" who use their words-learned as a way to measure themselves. I thought the forums had a bit of toxicity to them, then I got straight up attacked by someone I had never talked to. Another time, spam was posted in a forum, and I called the person out on it, and a group swarm came after me. They also accused me of "group think" while they swarmed, without ideas/original thoughts backing up their opinions, just insults. The spam they posted had a gender-dynamic to it; trying to convert men (and men only). I don't know if Steve's looked at the user data, or even cares, but I'd bet he's pushing away women users from his site. I'm someone comfortable swinging it with the guys, and dang, do I not want to be on those forums. Within 7 days of starting my membership, I was being bullied [and by someone who thought I was a man, since he called me a "little boy."] The fact that very few women ever speak on the forums is an extra sign that LingQ has cultivated a bad chat culture that is (likely) driving away female potential users.

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I am really bummed out because I was really hoping this would live up to the hype. I’m learning French and have be using Duolingo, which I’ve been pretty happy with, because you can learn a lot for free. But I wanted to try this more immersive approach, studying current news articles and such. I love this idea...and I think it could be massively helpful. But why don’t you guys stop advertising this as a free app with purchases available to improve the experience. I can’t do anything with this app unless I pay for it. I couldn’t even get through a single beginner lesson. I saw another reviewer complain that he was getting spam regarding his progress. Yeah, it’s a notification. But it feels kind of spammy when the notification is reminding you to do something that you can’t do unless you pay to do it. I realize you gotta make money, but this just feels kind of icky of you guys. I have no idea how useful this app is because I’m not going to pay to figure it out. The interface was kind of confusing, too. I’d hit the play button and it wouldn’t match up with the text. It was weird and frustrating. I don’t want to watch a bunch of videos to learn how to use an app. I’ll look up news articles and use a pocket translator to learn my way through it. Seriously bummed out.

This is my first review I’m writing for an application, I have wanted to write this for a while now as I’ve used LingQ for almost a year, anyway LingQ is the best tool to use for an input based approach on language learning, which is by far the best way to learn a language, using LingQ you read various texts and listen to many different materials, and even within the free version you have access to a multitude of resources for all levels of language learning. The premium version is a must have as it keeps track of the vocabulary you learn, making it extremely easy to keep track of progress and choose material based on your level. The only problem I’ve ran into is with more advanced and upper intermediate level vocabulary, as the translations are entirely user dependent, but still it’s such a minor issue. My other problem lies in how LingQ often has trouble reading Arabic script, it often counts 1 word as two words, or you’ll see the same word as different words. (Still a very minor issue) all in all, if you are looking to brush up on your second language or are an aspiring polyglot, this app is a must.

As we’ve heard from Stephen Kaufman, Stephen Krashen and many others: “language learning is the constant pursuit of acquiring a large vocabulary, the best way to do that is by listening and reading a lot to content that is meaningful to us and used regularly” LingQ most definitely serves this purpose above and beyond. I cannot say enough great things about this app/company. Thousands of different kinds of content to read and listen to, no matter who you are or what your interests are, you will be able to find content that is of interest to you. Even if you’re a flashcarder, you have a home here. LingQ makes it very convenient to review hundred of flashcards if wanted within seconds. My experience? In three short weeks, my listening level went from only understanding simple concepts in conversation to being able to follow and fully understand in depth to an intermediate conversation that I found on LingQ. Consistently learning, at least, being exposed to 150 new words for every 3 hour learning session. I’m confident that word count can be a lot higher, but I took a little bit slower and listen a lot more. All in all, link is the absolute next best thing when it comes to language learning and I guarantee it will not be rivaled. Stop telling the native speaker you don’t understand and download LingQ today!