Duolingo: Learn Languages Free for Android

DuoLingo is a great language-learning tool, whether you're a beginner or a pro who's trying to polish their skills. It happens to be an excellent looking, responsive app to boot. If you're desperate to learn a new language, this is an app you want on your Android phone or tablet.

This app helps you learn a language through traditional matching and vocabulary activities mixed with social integration, as well as gamification. You go through each activity with a set number of "Hearts" and try to get through the level without losing any. You'll also be able to compare your results with other users and reach for the top of the leaderboard. The app responds very quickly to your taps and other input and looks very pleasant. That's good, because the activities can sometimes take a while, so you'll be using the app for long stretches at some points. Each lesson focuses on small doses of vocabulary and gives you the ability to test out, so you can approach things with a little more focus than you would in a traditional learning environment. You can also test your way to your current level of mastery, so you don't waste time with stuff you already know.

While many people may write this app off as a gimmick, it's actually a quality way to practice your language skills. DuoLingo soars over other apps because it looks and feels great in addition to actually working. You'll love this app no matter what your reason for trying to learn a new language.

For those learning Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese: illustrated characters are here! From a cat lady to a bear wearing a snazzy red scarf, enjoy a new cast of characters as you complete translation, listening, and speaking exercises in the app.