Are you someone who hears someone speak French and goes, “Ah, what a beautiful language! I wish I could understand it.”? Or you observe someone in the park speaking fluent Spanish and wish to do the same? Or are you an aspiring polyglot who wants to learn as many languages as possible in one lifetime? Then you have found the right place for yourself.
As a self-proclaimed linguaphile, I made it my mantra to learn as many languages as possible at my convenience and pace. Of course, to do so, I had to find the best language-learning platforms.
In the quest to find the best language-learning platform, I came across Babbel and checked it out myself to see what it offers. In this review, I will discuss what Babble is, how much it costs, and whether it is worth it.
So let’s get started.
Babbel Review in 2024 Legit? Worth It?
Babbel is a language learning platform offering courses in multiple languages (over 12) through interactive exercises, lessons, and quizzes. It is focused on practical, real-life conversation skills and grammar. You can access Babbel via a web browser or mobile app (offline learning), making it convenient for learning on the go. You can customize your learning paths and choose a pace that is comfortable for you. This learning strategy is an effective and efficient way of learning a new language. It also has a unique speech recognition feature that helps you perfect your pronunciation. Babbel keeps updating its user interface, design, and course content to provide a well-rounded experience to the learners.
Price module: Subscription
Style of Learning: Practical exercises
No. of Languages Offered (including English): 14
Average Length of Lesson: 5 mins
Pros
- Ideal for beginners
- A wide range of exercises like listening, speaking, and writing
- Multiple platforms option (web browser and app)
- Learning paths designed to track progress
- Engaging and fun lessons with an emphasis on conversational skills
Cons
- Not for advanced learners
- Limited language option
Recommendation
I recommend Babble to every language aficionado (like me) who wants to learn new languages but needs more time to take language lessons. Babble provides a simple and convenient alternative to in-person classes. The lessons are interactive and short and come with tons of practical exercises. You can also track your progress easily; constant feedback helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses. In my opinion, Babbel is undoubtedly worth it.
What is Babbel?
Babbel is an online language-learning platform that offers courses in various languages. Founded in 2007 by Markus Witte and Thomas Holl, it aims to make language learning accessible and enjoyable to all. Unlike other learning platforms that gamify the learning process, Babbel focuses on practical and conversational skills.
It offers interactive lessons covering all aspects of language learning, like vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, with cultural insights. The classes are well-structured, built upon previous knowledge, and reinforce new concepts gradually. Language experts and educators design Babbel’s content to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
Babbel is distinctively accessible at all times and through various platforms, such as web browsers and mobile apps. This feature lets the user learn anywhere conveniently. You can also synchronize all your progress across multiple devices, save it, and access it anytime.
Babbel courses are designed to cater to different proficiency levels, from beginner to intermediate. Whether starting from scratch or looking to improve existing language skills, Babbel offers a learning path to meet your needs. The lessons include a variety of interactive exercises, such as speaking practice, writing exercises, and quizzes.
It also provides personalized feedback and progress tracking to help you stay motivated. The platform adapts to individual learning styles and paces, ensuring a refreshing and interactive learning experience.
While Babbel offers a range of languages, the selection may be more limited than other platforms. Advanced learners might also find the content needing more depth. However, Babbel can be a valuable resource for beginners and intermediate learners seeking a comprehensive and structured approach to language learning.
Who is Babbel for?
Babbel provides a variety of languages you can learn, which is why it can be the ideal language-learning platform for many people. As I keep mentioning, learning has no age limit, so that anyone can use Babble, regardless of age. Babbel has well-structured lessons, interactive exercises (more focused on conversational skills), and an encouraging community that sets it apart from its competitors. That said, Babbel is more advantageous for the following people: Babbel has structured lessons and an easy-to-follow progress track, making it the perfect choice for beginners learning a new language (without getting intimidated). The platform introduces basic vocabulary and grammar and slowly develops to more complex topics.
Professionals (with busy schedules): Babbel has convenient web and mobile app access, making it suitable for busy professionals who want to learn a new language at their own pace. The lessons are short and straightforward, making them easy to understand. This approach helps to fit language learning into a tight schedule.
Travelers: Babbel will be a valuable tool if you plan to travel to a foreign country. It will teach you all the essential phrases and vocabulary to navigate daily interactions. Babbel focuses on practical conversation skills to ensure you can communicate (with the natives) effectively in real-life situations.
Individual (read recluse) Learners: The self-paced learning feature makes Babble ideal for anyone who prefers to learn independently. You can progress through the lessons quickly and focus on areas where you require the most practice (without judgment).
Grammar Enthusiasts (like me or moi): If you are an aspiring polyglot (and grammar police), Babbel strongly emphasizes sentence grammar and syntax. It perfectly appeals to learners who want an in-depth understanding of a language’s structure and the cultural insights behind commonly spoken phrases.
Visual and Aural Learners: Babbel uses various mediums and elements, including audio recordings, visual aids, and interactive exercises. It caters to different learning styles, making it accessible and engaging for visual and aural learners alike.
Babbel is ideal for anyone looking to learn a new language, regardless of your background or learning style. Its versatility, accessibility, and emphasis on practical skills make it a unique learning platform for language aficionados of all levels.
How much does Babbel Cost?
Babbel offers multiple pricing plans to fit everyone’s budgets and learning requirements. You can buy a monthly plan or choose extended plans depending on your pace and needs. You can also purchase the Babbel Live plan, which consists of every lesson plan the learning platform offers (including some live courses as well). Babbel pricing plans can be a little complex, but I have tried simplifying it as much as I can in this table below:
| Duration | Babble (individual language) | Babbel Live |
| 1-month | $14.95 | $69 |
| 3-month | $37.95 ($12.65 per month)* | $147 ($49 per month)* |
| 6-month | $66.95 ($11.12 per month)* | $252 ($42 per month)* |
| Yearly | $89.45 ($7.45 per month)* | $300 ($25 per month)* |
| Lifetime | $349 | N/A |
* Works out to that sum. The total amount has to be paid in a single payment only.
(Note: These are discounted prices offered by Babbel for new users)
New users get a discount on Babbel when signing up. It is a one-time-only offer for whatever plan you select. The prices will update before you make the payment, showing you exactly how much you are saving. Since this offer cannot be availed again, it is essential to understand your needs and choose the plan wisely so you can save the most.
Babbel also runs promotions and discount offers yearly to attract new users. It would help if you researched first before making the purchase. You can also get a discount if you are a student, healthcare worker, or teacher (around 60%).
Babbel Free Trial and Refund
Babbel offers a free trial for each course, and the lessons that can be accessed during the trial depend on the level and type of the course. This option helps you understand what Babbel has to offer and familiarizes you with the platform’s design and interface.
During the free trial, you can take a few lessons and decide if Babbel works for you before making a financial commitment.
Regarding refunds, Babbel provides a 20-day money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with the courses and services. You can request a refund by contacting customer support during this time. The customer care executive will ask for your order details and reason for requesting a refund. After your refund gets approved, it will reflect on your original mode of payment. It is important to still go through Babbel’s terms and conditions in case I missed out on a specific detail related to the refund policy.
My Personal Experience on Babbel
Babbel provides language lessons in 14 languages (Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Polish, Russian, Dutch, Turkish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Indonesian, and English). I decided to learn French (I have basic French-speaking skills). Babble offers a placement test, which I took to understand my proficiency better. I was evaluated to be at the intermediate level (a pleasant surprise).
As I was starting at a higher skill level, I was allowed to skip the beginner material and word-building exercises. Babbel introduces simple, practical exercises to help you learn words and phrases, and as you master each exercise, it becomes progressively harder till you reach sentence formation. Sentences are the most challenging part of the lesson plan and are almost too complicated as you are simultaneously introduced to many complex grammar rules.
I am a fan of a learning platform that provides constructive criticism and helpful hints when you make a mistake. Babble needs to provide that. It will show you that you must highlight which part of your sentence is wrong, making the process incredibly frustrating.
After a while, the exercises get boring and repetitive. If you are good with languages, you will find the sentence exercises and grammar exposure fun and interactive. At the end of your lesson, you get a review, and your next course will be based on what you learned and how much you were required to finish a given exercise. This unique feature ensures that you get a customized learning experience.
Overall, my experience was pleasant, and I enjoyed the learning experience at Babbel. The courses are intuitive and interactive, helping you understand a new language better. If you are a beginner, it will help you build a strong foundation in the language you are trying to learn. Babbel also provides cultural insights and language development surrounding that so you can master the pronunciations and understand the verbal connotations of certain words that are unique to that specific language.
What did I like about Babble?
Babbel provides language courses specifically designed for individuals who want to learn new languages. The lessons are concise and well-structured to keep you engaged while giving you extensive information so you can learn at your own pace and convenience. They are focused mainly on practical conversation skills that you can use in your day-to-day life.
I liked the user interface and design of the web browser and app, which are user-friendly and easy to navigate while being enjoyable. Your progress gets immediately synchronized and saved regardless of the medium (browser or app) you use. You can also access the courses in an offline mode through the app, making it easy to learn on the go. The app and browser are regularly updated to remove bugs and provide a smooth learning experience.
Babbel has advanced voice recognition technology that detects your dialect and pronunciation mistakes. With the help of this tool, you can also develop an authentic accent, which I found very useful. You also get constant feedback and review after each lesson, helping you evaluate your progress and level of proficiency.
Lastly, I like that Babble lets you take courses designed to focus on different parts of a language (vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure). You can use this feature to develop skills you find necessary. You can work more on your weaknesses while understanding your strengths. This targeted learning approach makes sure you can match your linguistic goals.
Conclusion
This concludes this review. Now, let’s answer, “Is Babble worth it?”
In my honest opinion, yes, it is.
Babbel is the perfect platform for anyone eager to learn a new language. It has a well-thought-out course plan, interactive lessons, and a focus on practical conversation skills catering to learners of all levels (from beginners to advanced learners).
Its one-of-a-kind user interface and design provide a wonderful learning experience, while its web browser and mobile give flexibility to learn anytime and anywhere.
If you are unsatisfied, Babbel also offers a 20-day refund policy, making the whole learning experience smooth and transparent.
Overall, Babbel is a top-notch language-learning platform, and it is worth your time and money.