As a language learner, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re most likely aware of the language learning staple known as LingQ.
LingQ is a language learning platform & app featuring a wide variety of resources such as video transcripts, podcasts, news, articles, and books in the form of thousands of hours of audio and written content (original & uploaded by users), accompanied by extra features to review vocabulary and build speaking skills via tutoring sessions.
It easily integrates your learning needs with platforms like YouTube and Netflix, allowing you to turn the content you love (and consume on a daily basis) into learning material.
As of today, it contains content from 42 different languages. For most languages, LingQ has content varying across each level (beginner, intermediate and advanced). However, even if the language you’ve chosen as your target language doesn’t have much to offer, you can always add your content within LingQ.
Let’s jump into the strongest and weakest parts (or links… or better yet, LingQs) of this app!
STRONGEST LINGQS
Countless Content
The content library is one of LingQ's standout features. With a vast collection of learning materials, you’re sure to find something that suits your interests. Whether it’s official content or something uploaded by another user, you’re going to have a lot of options to choose from. For example, the Spanish library features all sorts of news stories and podcast programs, along with stories like The Little Prince and others.
As mentioned previously, LingQ allows you to import your own content, which is then transformed into interactive lessons on the platform. You can keep that content all for yourself or you can choose to share it with everyone on LingQ. Therefore, the lessons are diverse and immersive, featuring a variety of texts with accompanying audio. As you engage with these texts, you can create flashcards by adding new words to your vocabulary list, known as LingQs.
A Careful Whisper
Roughly a year ago, LingQ integrated WhisperAI into their platform to help sweeten the deal for all users. This new addition means that even if you only have the audio available (in any given language that LingQ supports), LingQ will transcribe it and create a lesson for you. Therefore, you could create quite the library of learning material from just recording native speakers or friends who speak your target language. While watching the Spanish dubbed version of a well known anime called Demon Slayer, I recorded a bit of it to see how it would perform. You can see the results below:
Streakin’ Makes Me Feel Good
Much like the famous owl app (wink, wink), LingQ incorporates gamification elements, allowing you to create a personal avatar and participate in language learning challenges.
Most challenges last 90 days, with some available on a monthly basis. You’ll even see Steve’s name pop up in a few of the challenges, meaning you have a chance to go one-on-one with the great one (in a way). The streaks in LingQ are a bit different than that of Duolingo in the sense that they’re for 90 days (usually) and you’re ranked amongst your peers, so if you’re at all competitive, it does urge you to push towards the top of the leaderboard.
All of LingQ’s glorious stats and analytics come to life in order to motivate you to keep on trucking with your language of choice.
Other noteworthy features include a section for tutors, where you can receive personalized instruction for an additional price. And then there’s a community area for interacting with fellow language learners, if you’re into that kind of thing.
All in all, not a bad upgrade from a year ago, no? Well, let’s see what still troubles me about the app as well.
WEAKEST LINGQS
Beginner’s Luck? Not Here
LingQ is still not ideal for absolute beginners. The platform focuses more on immersive learning than other apps, lacking the structured approach, exercises, and gradual progression in difficulty that you might find in textbooks and grammar-focused apps.
I’d argue that you need to spend time with another resource before you can get the most out of LingQ as a learner.
It generally appeals to an upper level beginner, someone who has a decent amount of words in their active vocabulary, so they can comprehend various chunks of a basic story. To be fair, LingQ does offer its own bite-sized mini-lessons for beginners (called LingQ Stories), but I don’t think they’re the most compelling content for anyone wanting to continue with their language learning.
If you’re at an upper A2 to lower B1 level, LingQ hits the sweet spot. Otherwise, hold your horses and find a different option to get started with a new language.
Clunky Custom Features
An additional challenge that may take up a considerable amount of time is uploading your own content (if it’s large). While it’s definitely a major perk for LingQ, it can be a frustrating experience when wanting to import larger content meant for long-term consumption.
For example, let’s say you want to import a book with its accompanying audiobook, well, there are limits (such as 60 minutes per audio file length and 60mb for audio file size). This involves dividing an audio file into multiple parts which may induce serious headaches. Additionally, even if you upload an entire book, sometimes the way LingQ has divided the book won’t match the chapters of the book, so you may have to tinker around with that as well.
Therefore, if you’re not very tech savvy, you may struggle and feel frustrated by LingQ’s importing process for custom learning material.
Not So Intuitive Interface
To piggyback off of that, the most significant drawbacks, however, are still the user interface and the word review system. The interface is cluttered with numerous elements, making navigation challenging and potentially confusing for newcomers. You may find yourself toying around with the interface for quite a while before you get the gist of how it functions. It’s not as intuitive as it should be and It requires some patience to learn where to click and how to access the right materials.
If you’re really invested, you’ll get the hang of it. However, if you’re someone just testing it out, you may be permanently turned off by the lack of an intuitive touch.
Similarly, the spaced repetition system (SRS) for reviewing words can become overwhelming if not managed carefully, leading to an unmanageable queue of new vocabulary. If you prefer a more traditional method like I do, you can always jot down new words in a notebook to create your own simplified SRS.
It’s what I do with the BDT method when I’m first learning a new language.
The concept behind creating flashcards for unknown words and phrases is great, but the execution lacks the structure and accountability to make it a meaningful part of the app. I strongly recommend you only add the words and phrases you’d actually use on a daily basis for your flashcards in LingQ, otherwise, you’re going to completely ignore that deck.
Final Thoughts
LingQ has its advantages and disadvantages, but it’s certainly a language learning tool worth exploring. With its vast array of resources, you’re bound to find something engaging to help enhance your language skills, especially at the upper beginner and intermediate levels. Additionally, it’s a fantastic platform for independent learners who prefer an immersive experience and want to create their learning library.
If you want to give it a shot for a special discount, click on this link. Your library of custom content awaits you.
As always, happy language learning!
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