LingQ Review: Read A Foreign Language (+ Acquire Words)

LingQ

Pricing: $12.99 per month, $107.88 per year

Positives

• Track the words you recognise and mark new ones with ease
• Make use of dictionaries to build vocabulary
• Extensive library of content
• Add your own reading material

Negatives

• Slightly overpriced

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Summary

LingQ is a well-known platform that assists language learners with literacy and vocabulary building for more than 20 languages. Either add your own level-appropriate reading material or access their extensive library.

May not be ideal if you're an absolute beginner.

Depth This is 'content' richness. How comprehensive is LingQ and does it take you far in terms of levels, or is it more suited to low level/tourist learners?

Uniqueness Is LingQ innovative or is it just an imitation? Does it have a unique selling proposition (USP) that makes it stand out among competitors?

Quality Overall product quality indicator that covers everything from video/dialogue clarity, authenticity, explanations, and effectiveness.

Cost Is LingQ acceptably priced and how does its pricing compare to market competition?

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Steve Kaufmann launched the LingQ platform in 2007, and it has been around for long enough to support the journey of millions of language learners around the world.

It’s an assisted reader, and is able to import content from various sources (including YouTube and Netflix) so you can follow along with what you’re hearing while reading. As you read, you mark each word with how well it’s known, which enables you to go back and study it later on.

A simple concept but highly effective for learning new words.

In reviewing LingQ, I looked at its main features, its perks and the things it could be doing a little better to improve.

Features of LingQ

Not only do you get lessons from the main LingQ platform, but you can also access tutors to help you master your target language.

There is a community that is active, a grammar guide that is accessible for free, and the choice to import lessons, e-books or vocabulary to the platform. I found all of these features handy.

But there are a few more advantages.

Access flashcards to boost your skills

There’s no question that the flashcard feature is beneficial.

The way it works is by allowing you to select any words you don’t know.

As you continue through the lesson, you will build your vocabulary flashcard stack.

Revisiting the words that you create definitions for makes learning new words easier.

Take LingQ wherever you go on any device

The LingQ app is available for mobile and tablet (iOS and Android) or web browser.

I thought that was a huge plus, especially as you can access your profile on all devices and monitor your progress wherever you go.

If you’re travelling around, there’s no need to be near the desktop if you don’t have one to hand.

Fill-in-the-blanks assessments

LingQ has another great feature.

With the fill-in-the-blanks assessments, you’ll get to know your strengths and which areas you need to practice more in terms of vocabulary.

It works by helping you use the vocabulary you’ve marked as unfamiliar to you, helping you remember them in the long run.

Learn how to spell new words with ease

Assessing whether you’re comfortable with a new word is easy too.

The dictation feature will test whether you know how to spell a word without difficulty, and will even reject your spelling if it’s incorrect.

This feature might not be necessary for you if you’re an advanced student, but it’s ideal for beginners.

LingQ is a strong platform with plenty of features to help you become fluent. If you want the best features, you might have to consider paying for them.

But overall, I found it a smart and comprehensive app.

Also check out Learning With Texts (LWT) as a free alternative to LingQ. Here’s a how-to guide on setting it up.

Have you used LingQ before?

Share your thoughts below.

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Pricing: $12.99 per month, $107.88 per year

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